Van Cleef & Arpels introduces turquoise to its Two Butterfly collection
Immortalising the fleeting beauty of the butterfly with Van Cleef & Arpels’ Two Butterfly collection.
For something that’s understood to be fragile in nature and ephemeral in existence, the butterfly at Van Cleef & Arpels sure has enjoyed the kind of longevity that can only be described as miraculous. The omnipresent influence of the winged creature can be traced all the way back to the early days of the jewellery house in 1906.
From the first Butterfly clip to the unique Butterfly cigarette case, the gentle character has accompanied myriads of Van Cleef & Arpels’ creations, lending its graceful flight and an infinite combination of colours to each design.
In 2001, the love affair between the two took on a new form as the brand dreamt up the dedicated Two Butterfly collection.
Curiosity and compulsion to probe into the metamorphoses of nature, which is a defining trait of the Parisian jeweller, has birthed a kaleidoscope of wearable arts since. The striking wing scales illustrated by exquisite materials such as lacquer, enamel and mother of pearl especially have become the identifying features of the range and the brand at large.
Fast forward to the present day, the delicate flappers have been refitted with the intense blue of turquoise to welcome the clear sky of spring. The novelties, all framed by gleaming gold, pay homage to the prized stone that has become a crucial part of world civilisation since the Egyptian pharaohs and the Aztecs began adopting it into religious objects and jewellery.
Among the standouts in the latest reimagination is the pendant necklace. Here, the butterfly spreads its wings in a joyful flutter, seemingly taking flight in pursuit of a sparkling diamond. The creature’s tilted position as well as the motif’s subtle raised placement give it a sense of movement—a design detail that is no stranger to Van Cleef & Arpels’ repertoire.
More than meets the eye, the pieces parade the jeweller’s storied craftsmanship and nowhere is this more apparent than at the back of each creation. Boasting an openwork design, the backs of the pieces have been strategically wrought to allow light to pass through the diamonds, which in turn shall reveal their unparalleled radiance.
Van Cleef & Arpels also brought three of its setting techniques into play. The bead setting, found on the pavé motifs is used alongside the prong setting, which holds the butterfly’s body, represented by a marquise-cut diamond.
Finally, a round diamond on the pendant uses a closed setting that bestows the creation a hint of sparkle.
