Sapphire
The name sapphire comes from the Hebrew sapphir, meaning “most beautiful,” and the Greek sappheiros, meaning “blue stone.” A member of the corundum family, the sapphire, together with the ruby, it is the second hardest stone after the diamond. Van Cleef & Arpels often chooses sapphires to embellish pieces using the Mystery Set™ technique, producing creations that exhibit a delicate velvety flair.
Setting work, adjusting the prongs, Innamorato bracelet
Setting work, adjusting the prongs, Eleonora necklace with detachable pendant
Setting a sapphire on the Josiah neclacke, Le Grand Tour raconté par Van Cleef & Arpels collection
Sapphire rough
Oval-cut sapphire
The sapphire’s extensive palette of colors ranges from deep blue to intense pink, and includes yellow, orange and green. Blue sapphires have always been the most prized for their rich and sumptuous hue: ultramarine, royal blue, sky blue, with nuances varying according to the stone’s origin. In the past, the most opulent stones were to be found in Kasmir. Today, the most renowned blue sapphires come from Madagascar and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon).
Setting work, positioning the stone on the Iwamoto ring
Setting work, setting the emerald-cut sapphire, Pégase necklace
Polishing a sapphire from the Josiah neclacke, Le Grand Tour raconté par Van Cleef & Arpels collection
Setting a sapphire on the Joyaux de Madagascar necklace with detachable pendants. Pierres de Caractère collection
The Maison selects sapphires with an ardent color, a brilliant glow and a pure essence.
To preserve sapphires’ color and intense luster, Van Cleef & Arpels recommends cleansing them with a soft brush and soapy water.
