The Blossom Issue | The sacredness of spring

For millennia, it has been the source of countless myths and stories. The arrival of spring has always been welcomed especially. For the Greeks, the beginning of the season was a sign that Persephone had ascended from the underworld she inhabited for half the year. When she fled from her husband, ruler of the underworld, the goddess aroused such joy that the plants bloomed in her honor. Although logic replaced mythology centuries ago, spring appears every year in an almost esoteric way. To celebrate this event, Van Cleef & Arpels expands its Frivole collection every year. The Maison's most precious flowers appear as signs of hope as if blooming after a cold, gray winter. And this year, the French jewelry brand debuts five pieces that encapsulate the spirit of the season.

Although the Van Cleef & Arpels tradition has been a constant for more than two decades, the flower symbol dates back to the creation of the Maison. Founded in 1906, the French brand's first flower sprouted in 1907 with the Marguerite pin. From this came endless bouquets. From the colorful sets of the 1930s to the historic minaudières of the 1950s, the floral form has been reinvented countless times. Since 2003, the Frivole collection has been the heir to this legacy. With extraordinary punctuality, the rebirth of Van Cleef & Arpels flowers is an annual ritual, like a gift to Persephone.

This year's harvest reflects the perfectionism that only Van Cleef & Arpels' savoir-faire allows. The five jewels created for the occasion are perfect representatives of springtime joy. The collection includes a white gold bracelet with seven flowers which, despite its delicacy, contains around three hundred diamonds, handpicked by the maison's artisans. For the first time in the history of the Frivole collection, the tenderness of rose gold is complemented by the elegance of white gold. The union materialized in a ring with eight flowers and features a pink bouquet with three contrasting blooms. Another highlight of the new additions is the combination of rose gold and diamonds, available in a pendant, a pair of earrings, and an extraordinary asymmetrical ring. The warm light of the precious metal is the perfect match for the diamond that hides in the center of each flower.

The glint of gold that accompanies the Van Cleef & Arpels flowers has an unexpected depth. Achieved through mirror polish, this is a pillar in the Maison's savoir-faire. The technique has been a symbol of the brand for over a century, maintained by artisans who, by hand, give a distinctive shine to the French brand's jewelry. The Frivole collection is not just an announcement of spring, it is the guarantee that, year after year, the legacy of Van Cleef & Arpels is preserved.

Translated from the original in The Blossom Issue, from march 2024. Full credits and stories in the print issue.