Chalcedony
Blue chalcedony, part of the microcrystalline quartz group, calls to mind harmony and serenity with its mellow nuances and translucent essence. At Van Cleef & Arpels, it features primarily in the Alhambra® collection, where it endows the Maison’s iconic four-leaf clover motifs with charm and brilliance.
Chalcedony stands out for its color, ranging from gray to deep blue, as well as lavender, and sometimes exhibiting white banding.
The name chalcedony comes from the Greek khalkedon, referring to the city of Chalcedon in modern-day Turkey. Prized by stone carvers, it stands out for its color, ranging from gray to deep blue, as well as lavender, and sometimes exhibiting white banding.
Fée des Mers clip, White gold, round and rose-cut diamonds, round blue sapphires, yellow gold, round yellow sapphires, round spessartite garnets, round grossular garnets, one 23.64-carat cabochon-cut chalcedony, Seven Seas™ Collection
Oriental ring, White gold, one oval-cut sapphire of 6.13 carats (Sri Lanka), chalcedony, diamonds, Bals de Légende™ collection
Bouquet de calcédoine clip, White gold, yellow gold, yellow sapphires, white cultured pearls, white coral, chalcedony, white mother-of-pearl, diamonds, Flowers collection
Reinette transformable long necklace with detachable clip, White gold, one cushion-cut green tourmaline of 5.35 carats,one cabochon-cut chalcedony of 59.78 carats, sapphires, white cultured pearls, lapis lazuli, Quatre contes de Grimm collection
Van Cleef & Arpels predominantly uses Namibian chalcedony in its creations, a variety unique for its intensity and its subtle gradation of hues.
Chalcedony is a relatively resistant stone that is easy to care for. However, for lasting enjoyment of your creation, the Maison would like to share the following care recommendations.
To protect the radiance of your stone and avoid abrasion, it should ideally be stored separately from other jewelry pieces in a case lined with fabric. It is also preferable to remove your jewelry when engaging in any sporting activity to avoid shocks.
Chemical or abrasive products could alter the shine of your stone. We advise avoiding direct contact with perfumes, lotions, and hand sanitizer.
You may clean your stone with soap water and a soft brush and dry it with a soft cloth.
