Van Cleef & Arpels Gives Its Perlée Collection A Dazzlingly Modern Update

Discovering the graphic new additions from the French jewellery house

You may know Van Cleef & Arpels for its iconic Alhambra four leaf clover, but personally, I feel the Perlée is one of the unsung heroes of the French maison. Its name translates to “beaded” in English and it has appeared on the house’s jewellery from as far back as the ’20s, used to outline precious stones and emphasise designs. But it wasn’t until 2008 that the humble design motif got its turn in the limelight, branching out into its own fully realised collection featuring tidy rows of beads fashioned in yellow, white and rose gold.

Fast forward to the present and the Perlée continues to inspire with its timeless designs and wonderfully IYKYK connotations—what I love about this collection is that it doesn’t have any obvious branding, but for those who recognise it, you instantly know you’re all part of the same exclusive club.

But let’s talk about the new updates to the Perlée family: Just launched this past June, the new diamond creations are a refined addition that will thrill and delight any card-carrying member of the Van Cleef & Arpels set. The five-row diamond bracelet now features diagonal lines of diamonds set asymmetrically against the golden beads for a graphic twist on this luxurious classic. Those more inclined to coloured stones will also be able to get their hands on a rose gold version with rubies, or a yellow gold version with either sapphires or emeralds.

Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée diamonds bracelet, 5 rows, in rose gold with diamonds

Can we take a minute to appreciate the new Perlée diamonds duo ring? It features an interlocking design with an inner band in mirror-polished gold—a signature Van Cleef & Arpels technique—and an outer band set with round diamonds on an openwork structure; both bands feature the iconic beads of the Perlée collection on their edges. Coming in yellow, white and rose gold, it’s the perfect alternative to couples looking to say “I do” with something bolder than just a plain band.

Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée diamonds duo ring in yellow gold with diamonds

Another stunning new creation is the the Perlée diamonds earrings—two brilliant haloes of diamonds framed by the collection’s signature beads and suspended from their own respective radiant diamond-covered domes. The design recalls earlier designs from the maison, including the Tartelette earrings from 1997, made from yellow gold, white gold and platinum with diamonds, but refreshed with the modern audience in mind.