Van Cleef & Arpels. Vintage Alhambra bracelet, 5 motifs

For the centerpiece gemstones of our Five Motif Bracelet, every single piece is crafted from 100% natural malachite, onyx, carnelian, mother-of-pearl, and chalcedony. All materials are fully verifiable by any authoritative gemological institute — and as a hallmark of natural stones, no two patterns are identical.

At the junctions where each four-leaf clover border bead meets the natural stone accents, zero excess metal components are visible. In stark contrast, countless low-quality replicas on the market feature clunky extra metal bits that stick out like sore thumbs, with some even suffering from loose prongs and detached border beads.

The metal links between the side border beads boast a precision-engineered concave design, finished with perfectly uniform, ultra-smooth polishing. The metalwork strikes the ideal balance in width and thickness, while the border beads themselves deliver stunning three-dimensionality.

Our bracelet is fitted with an authenticity-matched rhombus lobster clasp, identical to the genuine version. Two raised rhombus shapes protrude from both the front and back of the clasp. The VCA lettering on the rhombus is rendered in a double-stroke, hollowed-out font, and the central pagoda motif is exquisitely detailed, with each layer of engraved lines crisp and distinct.

The chain is a custom-exclusive design, imported straight from Italian manufacturers. Its production is an extraordinarily complex feat of craftsmanship — and the proof lies in the recessed anti-counterfeiting stamp embedded at the chain’s end, a detail whose manufacturing difficulty is truly mind-boggling. For now, we’re keeping the exact pattern of this stamp under wraps; the difference will speak for itself when you hold the piece in your hands.