Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Vintage Variety



Seems many of us bloggers share a mild obsession with Van Cleef & Arpels, specifically, the Vintage Alhambra collection. It seems to have been all the rage for a few years, but was originally introduced in the 1960s, which is where most of my pieces hail from. No, we have not had to go the poorhouse over Alhambra, thank God!

I must admit I enjoy the long turquoise piece the best. Wore it out to see a bad movie Saturday night (Clash of the Titans, in 3-D, no less) with a black pants suit, turquoise Jack Rogers, and a turquoise Lilly teeny purse. Much fun.



The mother-of-pearl necklace has become the most sought-after. I had to have mine retooled by the jeweler to shorten it a bit. Typically it has 10 "stations" as the "clovers" are called. I have the extra length and "clovers" and can have additional things made from them.

Interesting fact: they're not actually supposed to be clovers! Each one is evocative of the quatrefoil in Moorish architecture.



The earrings are sort of a bonus--I hardly ever pair them with the necklaces...way too matchy-matchy.





Vintage vixen,
ABL

10 comments:

LPC said...

I was looking at the white set in a window just the other day. Lovingly.

Summer is a Verb said...

Dyyyinnng...XXOO

MaryBeth said...

Wow, I can't believe your jewelry collection. Somebody has great taste. MB

Sue said...

I love the Vintage Alhambra jewels and am equally impressed by the way they have been so lovingly preserved all these years. You are seriously one amazing lady!
xoxo

Sandra said...

True Love!

sle said...

Beautiful! You and the jewelry!

alanna said...

oh sooo jealous!! amazing!

Mrs. Expat said...

Love the turquoise! You need the new Ferragamo's to match.

Beth Dunn said...

Love those earrings xoxo
SC

JMW said...

What beautiful jewelry! Perfection.

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Living well is the best revenge...and a choice we make every day. Join me as I celebrate the bounty of beauty in all its forms: fashion, homestyle, accessories and everyday richness...as I juggle the roles of Mommy, wife, daughter, dog mommy, creative director, Zumba instructor, volunteer...all with more than a passing glance backward to an old-school, classic time when style was a way of life