A look at the hidden flowers of Van Cleef & Arpels

Exhibit A: The Rose de Noël collection. Launched in 1970, the jewellery line gets its name from a flower that typically blooms in the harsh weather of winter.

First made with pink coral, the Rose de Noël pieces today are accompanied by hard stones of varying hues such as carnelian, onyx and lapis lazuli. These gemstones are cut and sculpted into rounded petals and spread out asymmetrically to capture the natural movement of a flower in its own element.

Another hidden gem ripe for discovery is Cosmos. Taking after an in-house silhouette from the 1950s, the collection pays tribute to nature and luck as heart-shaped petals combine and create a familiar four-leaf clover.

Here, the interplay of materials is key as corollas in pink gold are set against white mother of pearl and white gold with onyx. A single diamond petal that graces each composition adds a precious note of irregularity for maximum impact.

A quieter take on the theme at play, the Lotus collection channels the character of the aquatic plant it’s inspired by that’s often associated with beauty, purity and self-fulfillment.

Crafted in muted white gold, the Lotus carries designs of delicate proportions with intricate openwork motifs that optimise the circulation of light. The diamond-studded, slightly inclined petals are superimposed on two levels, creating an effect of relief and motion.