For almost a century, emblematic golden beads have gleamed in a variety of Van Cleef & Arpels' fine jewellery. Contemporary 21st century pieces under the Perlée collection demonstrate the timeless appeal of the lustrous spheres.
The latest additions, Perlée Perles D'or bracelet and ring, shine with multiple rows of yellow gold beads, whose subtle interplays of reflections vary with the wearer's movements.
Shaping metal into boules for jewellery-making is said to have originated from ancient Egypt. In the 1920s, Van Cleef & Arpels began using gold beads to border stones and motifs and later they became stylish jewellery in their own right.
Historical pieces include those from 1948 from the Couscous collection inspired by the Arpels family's voyage to Morocco.
The rows of gold beads multiplied to form necklaces, earrings and bracelets, and precious stones, such as rubies and diamonds, were also combined to lend extra sparkle.
Braiding the gold beads and alternating them with other materials, such as coral, turquoise and cultured pearls, resulted in the 1960s Twist collection.
The savoir-faire has been passed on in crafting the new Perlée Perles D'or bracelet and ring. One by one, the gold beads are worked by the jeweller, then hand-polished in several stages to obtain a smooth surface and a shimmering play of light.
The French maison's mirror-polishing technique gives the yellow gold on the jewellery's inner side a brilliant sheen. On the bracelet, a single larger bead houses a discrete clasp with the craftsmanship making it invisible once the piece is closed.
