Van Cleef & Arpels Lotus d’Orient Ring – oval cut 24.44 carat tourmaline with sapphires, chrysoprase and diamonds. Cool unusual shape and magical mint color!
“Every stone has a soul of its own.” -Claude Arpels
While in Paris, Jesse and I attended a Van Cleef & Arpels presentation of “Pierres De Caractère – Variations”, an oriental-flavored Haute Joaillerie collection with the most rare and colorful stones. Thanks to our guides Kristina Buckley, VP of communications, and Desirée Gallas, PR manager, the experience was magical!
At VT, the top three things that we look for in jewelry are:
1. Quality/perfect stone
2. Design/innovation
3. Emotional connection
Van Cleef delivered all three. Each piece was more beautiful than the next, with the stones mesmerizing and each story transporting you on an emotional journey. The collection managed to keep it modern through innovation while staying true to the brand’s tradition. The stones are certainly treated with love and respect as if they did have a true soul!
Fun fact: According to a French lore we learned on the tour, the Marquise diamond cut is said to have been commissioned by Louis XV to match Madame de Pompadour’s lips (who was his official chief mistress until her death). -X LM
