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Emerald Isle
Van Cleef & Arpels partners with the American Museum of Natural History for an intimate look at a century of dazzling verdant gemstones.
By Jordon Gartley
S howcasing an exceptionally versatile colour spectrum from vivid emerald to mossy sage and lush jade, Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Garden of
Green” exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History features archival high jewellery that uncovers over a century of botanical designs. “One of the things that we love about this exhibition is that out of the
44 pieces, 32 of them had never been seen before in the United States,” says the museum’s vice president of exhibitions Lauri Halderman on
the enigmatic nature of the pieces. Seven categories of green jewels are explored, focusing on the innate thematic messages each stone tells within the collection’s larger story.
Of the collections, standouts include Variations of Green, which exemplifies themes of natural imagery and floral iconography through pieces such as the Cydonia necklace and earring set, the pair of which boast a staggering 951 emeralds. Jadeite Jade spotlights an array of jewellery and objets d’art from the 1920s, featuring jade adornments in Art Deco styles that poetically reveal the decadence of the gem’s subdued sage colour palette. Displaying the delicate versatility of its olive hue, Peridot proudly showcases 132 peridots and 580 diamonds in floral wreath-like arrangements, and Green Chalcedony’s luminous, ultra-fine crystals can
be seen decorating an exquisite leafy garland bracelet. Most notable, though, is the collection’s homage to the world’s most famed verdant stone: Emerald. The iconic gemstone’s natural inclusions resemble branches
and are referred to as “jardin,” or “garden” in French. And inside this garden within a garden is nestled the Quatre Chemins, a stunning necklace adorned with nearly 28 carats of Zambian emeralds.
The exhibition and its seven categories, Halderman explains, demonstrate “the diversity of ways that you can take gemstones, shape them, embellish them, represent them in so many different styles—some of which are representational—and the idea that green brings that together.”
Ultimately, the exhibit’s beauty resides in its ability to bridge Van Cleef & Arpels’ graceful artistry with the raw beauty of the gemstones, crafting a remarkable symbol of majestic intrigue and an enduring legacy for
the Maison. “Garden of Green” invites spectators to tour its exquisitely curated collection and provides an intimate look at the poetic storytelling and symbolic prowess of verdant hues.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Garden of Green” is on view at the American Museum of Natural History until January 2024.
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Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Garden of Green”: photos courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.