Van Cleef & Arpels has just unveiled its latest high jewelry collection, “Treasure Island”, inspired by the adventure novel Treasure Island (1883) by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. The new collection combines the Maison’s signature craftsmanship with vibrant colored gemstones, evoking captivating imagery of sailing ships, islands, treasure maps, and pirates, unfolding an enchanting journey of adventure.
Treasure Island, first published in 1883, tells the story of 10-year-old British boy Jim, who discovers a treasure map and sets sail with companions to the mysterious island in search of treasure. Inspired by the novel’s fantastical world, the “Treasure Island” high jewelry collection presents over 90 unique pieces, unfolding across a trilogy of chapters that depict an intertwining journey of epic voyages, dreamlike nature, and distant civilizations.
Chapter One: “Maritime Adventures” launches the exploration at sea. The Hispaniola brooch pays tribute to the eponymous ship in Treasure Island, carrying the protagonist through stormy seas. The brooch combines white gold set with diamonds for the full sails, contrasted with a rose-gold carved hull. The Poissons Mystérieux brooch, inspired by the color of the ocean, uses the Vitrail Mystery Set technique to showcase translucent colored sapphires, depicting a sparkling sea with diamond fish swimming through it—poetic and dreamlike.
This chapter also features a set of Pirate-themed brooches, portraying Stevenson’s three treasure-seeking pirates: John, David, and Jim. Young hero Jim stands atop the mast with a telescope, surrounded by a gold-and-diamond scroll; his companion Dr. David stands confidently on gold ingots, with pink sapphire lantern sleeves highlighting his playful posture; and the antagonist John exudes a relaxed elegance, holding a hat adorned with white-gold feathers, juxtaposed with a rose-gold prosthetic limb.
Chapter Two: “Island Discoveries” captures the lush world of the dream island. The Palmeraie Merveilleuse necklace alternates polished gold and diamond pavé to sculpt undulating palm leaves, with a 47.93ct curved-cut emerald at its center, evoking the vibrant greenery of tropical vegetation. The Coquillage Mystérieux brooch depicts a mysterious gemstone shell; inside, a white-gold fairy stands on a white pearl, holding a striking emerald, as if guarding an underwater treasure.
Chapter Three: “The Treasure Quest” culminates the journey. The Carte au Trésor brooch depicts a treasure map essential to the quest: a gold map tied with a rose-gold cord appears unopened, yet the folds conceal a secret map, with a central ruby marking the treasure’s location. The chapter features large, rare colored gemstones—including a 14.32ct blue sapphire, 13.87ct yellow sapphire, and 12.69ct purple sapphire—and pieces inspired by different civilizations across time, such as the Mughal-inspired Splendeur Indienne ring, Libertad earrings reproducing Chimú goldwork, and a series of gemstone brooches drawing on Mayan mythology.
Van Cleef & Arpels also introduced the Palmier Mystérieux brooch, composed of interchangeable motifs, as the signature piece of the trilogy. Its main motif depicts a broad-leafed palm tree on the beach, with emeralds invisibly set in the leaves. Diamond waves lap the sand below, and the top motif can be swapped to represent the three chapters: a diamond sailboat symbolizing exploration, a golden sun illuminating the island, or a gem-filled treasure chest.
Selected Pieces from the Van Cleef & Arpels “Treasure Island” High Jewelry Collection:
Hispaniola Brooch – White and rose gold, set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
Poissons Mystérieux Brooch – White gold, Vitrail Mystery Set with colored sapphires and diamonds.
Écume Mystérieuse Necklace – White and rose gold, Mystery Set blue sapphires, diamonds.
Nœuds Marins Necklace – White gold, 31.99ct emerald centerpiece, with emeralds, turquoise, and diamonds. Detachable pendant.
Cordage Infini Necklace – White gold, set with two pear-shaped sapphires (18.07ct and 17.30ct), diamonds. Detachable pendant convertible to earrings.
Sceptre du Monde Brooch – White and yellow gold, sapphires, white cultured pearls, diamonds.
Smollett Brooch – Rose and yellow gold, 3 cushion-cut pink spinels (4.46ct total), diamonds.
Pirate Jim Brooch – White, yellow, and rose gold, rubies, diamonds, black enamel.
Pirate John Brooch – White, yellow, and rose gold, rubies, sapphires, diamonds.
Onde Mystérieuse Jewelry Box with Detachable Brooches – White and rose gold, ebony wood compartments, enamel lid, diamonds and sapphires. Includes two detachable brooches: one with blue sapphires in Mystery Set and diamonds; the other with diamonds, blue tourmalines, and sapphires.
Palmeraie Merveilleuse Pendant Necklace – White and yellow gold, 47.93ct curved emerald, diamonds. Detachable pendant convertible to brooch.
Philo Mystérieux Brooch – White and yellow gold, Mystery Set emeralds and colored sapphires, diamonds.
Coquillage Mystérieux Brooch – White, yellow, and rose gold, Mystery Set rubies, emeralds, pearls, pink and colorless diamonds.
Tortue de Cocos Bleue Brooch – White gold, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds.
Ondulations Marines Earrings – Yellow gold, 5ct pear-shaped pink-purple sapphire and 4.55ct pink sapphire, accented with sapphires and diamonds.
Carte au Trésor Brooch – Yellow and rose gold, rubies, diamonds.
Coffre Précieux Ring – White and yellow gold, 14.32ct cushion-cut sapphire, emeralds, rubies, diamonds.
Dorestad Ring – White and yellow gold, 13.87ct emerald-cut yellow sapphire, pink sapphires, spessartites, diamonds.
Ornement d’Alexandrina Ring – Rose gold, 12.69ct cushion-cut purple sapphire, emeralds, colored sapphires, rubies, spessartites, diamonds.
Splendeur Indienne Ring – Yellow and rose gold, diamonds.
Charme au Rajasthan Ring – White and yellow gold, 11.31ct emerald-cut diamond, rubies.
Harmonies Persanes Necklace – Yellow gold, sapphires, turquoise, cultured pearls, diamonds.
Figuras Bracelet – Yellow gold, diamonds.
Dieu du Vent Brooch – Yellow and white gold, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, diamonds.
Dieu du Ciel Brooch – Yellow and white gold, colored sapphires, diamonds.
Roi d’Uxmal Brooch – Yellow and rose gold, pink and blue sapphires, diamonds.
Gardien de Palenque Brooch – Yellow and rose gold, pink sapphires, diamonds.
Danseur de Tikal Brooch – White, yellow, and rose gold, 3.1ct oval-cut pink sapphire, sapphires, diamonds.
Palmier Mystérieux Brooch – White, yellow, and rose gold, Mystery Set emeralds, rubies, sapphires, diamonds. Includes three interchangeable top motifs.
