The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

via Reve Egypt

The Van Cleef bracelets and necklaces possess a unique design that appeals to women who value simplicity. However, not only is it a simple and delicate design, but also a symbol with a special backstory. In the 1900s, Van Cleef & Arpels Maison first developed the flower-shaped design, which has remained an iconic piece of jewellery until now.

Van Cleef & Arpels Maison

Van Cleef & Arpels is a jewellery house founded by the married couple Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels in 1906 at Place Vendome, Paris. Coming from a similar background and entwined by the same values, Van Cleef – the son of a diamond broker, and Arpels – the daughter of a dealer in precious stones, shared a common enthusiasm for precious stones.

The Alhambra Collection

The couple profoundly believed in luck, which inspired multiple signature creations. Their nephew, Jacques Arpels, liked to pick four-leafed clovers from his backyard and gift them as lucky charms. In the 1920s, they started including four-leaf clover motifs in their designs, creating a piece symbolic of good fortune.

The first Alhambra necklace—made of 20 clover-shaped motifs—was introduced to the market in 1968. Shortly after its release, the Alhambra necklace became a popular global lucky charm, representing one of Van Cleef & Arpels’s core values. The innovative approach to the clover-shaped design, showcasing a variety of materials and colours, continued to show success throughout the years.

Why four-leafed clovers are a charm of luck

The three-leafed clover (the shamrock) is the original cloverleaf widely known and commonly found. The shamrock is associated with Celtic heritage and St. Patrick’s Day-related traditions. On the other hand, the four-leafed clover, its lucky counterpart that is rarely encountered, results from a genetic mutation in the leaf.

The lucky charm notion arose from a legend that says Eve picked a four-leafed clover before leaving the Garden of Eden as a memory and representation of paradise. This belief was later endorsed by folklore, which told stories about people carrying them around for good luck or disease prevention.

Among the Celts, the notion of the four-leafed being a lucky charm likely originates from the abundance of clover leaves and the rare occasions of finding the four-leafed variant. Additionally, several beliefs have interconnected and unique representations of each leaf emerged; faith, hope, and love represented the three leaves, while the fourth leaf represented luck and God’s grace.

Where to Find Van Cleef Jewellery

Recently, many Egyptian jewellery stores adopted the Van Cleef four-leafed clover design. They have created bracelets and necklaces similar to those of the original ones found on the Van Cleef & Arpels website. So, if this story has sparked an interest, here are four stores from which you can buy these lucky charms.

1- Twinkle Accessories 

2- Valeriia Accessories 

3- Reve 

4- Handmade Designs