Van Cleef & Arpels: here is the Rocher aux Merveilles

On the occasion of the exhibition of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris (until June 14th, 2021), Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled a unique object, specially created for the event.

This is the Rocher aux Merveilles: a base of blue quartz that rises like a mountain of lapis lazuli on a real forest of tourmaline crystals, to guard a precious ring set with a two-tone tourmaline. In this wonderful and imaginative refuge, a unicorn and two fairies are also revealed immersed in a floral landscape between sapphires and diamonds. A jewel of exquisite workmanship evoking the settings of baroque epics such as Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, and giving value to the link between the universe of gems and the imaginary worlds that feed the brand's creativity.

"The Rocher aux merveilles offers a synthesis of the exhibition" Pierres précieuses "bringing together mineralogical elements and jewellery savoir-faire"; this is how Nicolas Bos, President of Van Cleef & Arpels commented, stating how " These two dimensions, both fascinating in their own right, blend with the universe of the Maison to create a story suffused with enchantment”. The Rock of Marvels is combined with other pieces of High Jewellery that emphasize the skill and technique of Van Cleef & Arpels: from the execution of the model to the sculpture of fairies and the wax unicorn, passing through the cutting of the stones, the assembly, the jewellery manufacturing, the setting and polishing. The process required over 4,700 hours of jewellery work, over 1,200 hours of setting and nearly 500 hours of polishing.