Van Cleef & Arpels launched this Pagode necklace in their 2019 “Treasure of Rubies” high jewelry collection, inspired by the pagoda architecture of Eastern countries, reflecting a mysterious religious atmosphere. The word “Pagode” in French means “pagoda.”
The main stone of this necklace is an 8.17ct cushion-cut ruby from Mozambique, with a deep red hue and natural cloud-like inclusions in the crystal. The “ruby,” known as the “King of Gemstones” (Ratnaraj) in ancient Sanskrit, is especially popular in Asian cultures, resonating with the inspiration drawn from pagoda architecture.
The ruby main stone is held up by four rose gold prongs, with a double-layer diamond setting around it. The diamonds are cut in round and stepped shapes, creating a rich visual hierarchy. Below the main stone, a curved diamond outline evokes the shape of pagoda architecture.
The biggest highlight of the piece is the grid-shaped pendant beneath the main stone, where lapis lazuli and ruby are arranged alternately, creating a sharp color contrast. The lapis lazuli is specially cut in a curved shape, with a ruby set in a gold ring at the top, echoing Van Cleef & Arpels‘ 1930s “Paillette” gold foil bead design.
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