It is safe to say that everything we know about pirates stems from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island. The archetypal pirate look—tricorn hats, eye patches, peg legs, and the notion that all pirates have parrots on their shoulders—was popularised by the book. It also cemented the idea of a treasure map with an ‘X’ marking the hidden gold, even though real pirates rarely used such maps. This trope has since become a staple of pirate-themed books, films, and games. Many well-known pirate expressions, such as “Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum,” also originate from Treasure Island. Now, this legendary tale has made its way to the shores of Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewellery collection.
Van Cleef & Arpels has long been fascinated by telling stories inspired by literary works. Since the 2000s, their high jewellery collections have showcased creativity and exceptional craftsmanship through thematic designs. Inspired by literature, nature, love stories, and emotive gemstones, these pieces create enchanting, narrative-driven masterpieces. “Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is a book laden with universal resonance and a powerful collective imagination. We have tried to bring it to life in a playful and entertaining way, with a high jewellery collection which I believe awakens a feeling of joy,” said Nicolas Bos, CEO of the Richemont Group.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ APAC President Julie Clody Medina also tells GRAZIA Malaysia, “It’s all about the creations. Since the 2000s, we’ve been telling stories inspired by literary works, and Treasure Island is one of them. The capacity to tell a story and convey poetry, harmony, and a positive vision of life is essential. Stories that allow us to create a sense of emotion, poetry, and enchantment—be it the love story of Romeo and Juliet—are usually beyond boundaries. They echo beyond European or Western culture. All of us, when we were young, would play as pirates or seek treasure in nature—even a leaf, a piece of wood, or a rock. It’s in the imagination, and it goes far beyond borders. That’s probably what made Treasure Island stand out and be chosen as a source of inspiration.”
Like an adventure novel, the collection Treasure Island brings together landscapes and treasures from around the world in a journey in three chapters. Chapter One, we go “Adventure at Sea”. The En Haute Mer necklace is a celebration of the sailor’s knots, honouring both maritime tradition and Van Cleef & Arpels’ heritage of braided gold craftsmanship, dating back to the 1940s. Inspired by Jim Hawkins’ (the lead character in the Treasure Island novel) legendary voyage, its intricate design weaves yellow and white gold into a striking three-dimensional rope effect, echoing the tangle of lines on a ship’s deck. At the heart of this piece is a breathtaking 55.34-carat emerald-cut sapphire set horizontally. Ingeniously, this gemstone can be detached and transformed into a solitaire ring, mirroring the fluid, interlaced forms of the necklace itself.
Now, we meet the pirate clips with personality. Say hello to John, David, and Jim—the cheeky trio of pirate clips bring a touch of mischief to the collection. With feathered hats, textured jackets, and tiny gold treasures, each piece is packed with character. Clody Medina says, “If you think about pirates, it’s that they are rough, mean and violent. Not with Van Cleef & Arpels. They’re kind and quirky with a little touch of humour. So this is our interpretation of this adventure.”
Here’s a highlight and a favourite to many, Cloudy Medina included: The Recif Corallien necklace. This piece is a true homage to nature, capturing the organic beauty of coral reefs through the elegant curves of Rococo-inspired design. At its heart glows a striking 5.33-carat Thai ruby—a deep, fiery red that seems almost alive. Claude Arpels once said, “Every stone has a soul of its own,” a belief that took him across the world in search of nature’s finest treasures. Finding a Thai ruby and showcasing their high jewellery collection in Phuket, Thailand was no coincidence, we think.
As we move on to Chapter Two, “Exploring the Island”, the pirates drop anchor. They step onto an island straight out of a dream—where lush palms sway, golden sands shimmer, and seashells glisten like hidden gems. This chapter finds the collection’s most playful creations, including the Palmettes earrings and the Tortue de Cocos brooch, featuring a charming brushed-gold turtle, its shell twinkling with diamonds. A celebration of nature’s beauty, captured in fine detail.
Channelling the elegance of 18th-century Rococo design, the Coquilles Mystérieuses bracelet brings the movement’s signature fluidity and ornate curves. Its sculpted, three-dimensional form mimics the natural beauty of seashells, enhanced by the Traditional Mystery Set technique, which seamlessly hides the structure beneath. Delicate scalloped edges in white gold add to its smooth, flowing aesthetic, while intricate articulation ensures a supple, comfortable fit. Even the clasp is cleverly concealed within the bracelet’s graceful curves.
We’re now searching for the ‘X. ’ Chapter Three: The Treasure Hunt. This chapter of Treasure Island spans the globe, drawing inspiration from pre-Colombian grandeur to the rich colours of modern-day Rajasthan. A collection of bold statement rings, each showcasing the Maison’s most exquisite gems, where among them, the Coffré Précieux ring is a true jewel box of wonders—topped with a striking 13.42-carat sapphire and framed by gold, buff-topped rubies, and emeralds, subtly marking the four cardinal points of a compass. Each piece plays with colour in unexpected ways—vivid contrasts, delicate gradients, and mesmerising multicoloured harmonies—crafted with the same spirit of innovation that has defined the Maison since its very beginning.
To find the treasure, Van Cleef & Arpels brings a childhood fantasy to life with this exquisite clip—a golden treasure map, elegantly rolled and bound with a twisted rose gold cord that ends in fluid, mobile tassels. The delicate folds give it a lifelike, timeworn feel, while the real magic lies within. Hidden between the parchment’s curves is an engraved map revealing dreamlike destinations—Cape Tourmaline, Pearl Islands, Valley of Rubies, Sapphire Island, and Emerald Lagoon. A ruby marks the spot of a hidden treasure chest, while a compass engraved on the back ensures the adventure never loses its way.
To bring Treasure Island to life, Van Cleef & Arpels enlisted French comic book artist and author David B. to create a series of enchanting illustrations for the collection’s launch. His dreamlike depictions of Robert Louis Stevenson’s heroic tale capture the same sense of wonder and adventure as the exquisite jewellery it inspires.
Clody Medina mentions that one of her favourite quotes from Bos is: “We don’t need jewellery to live, but life without jewellery will be sad. Van Cleef & Arpels’s narrative and expression are very positive, joyful, benevolent and immersive. Working in this maison, we go back to our childhood memories, our child’s soul. And I think that’s a common thing that we all experience working for Van Cleef & Arpels.” Treasure Island is not only the largest high jewellery collection ever created by Van Cleef & Arpels but also one of its most spellbinding stories. Bringing to life pirates, desert islands, treasure chests, mermaids, marine creatures, and mythological figures, it embarks on what Van Cleef describes as “a voyage to the ends of the earth.”
READ MORE
A Season Of Luck: Van Cleef & Arpels Celebrates Spring with Plum Blossoms and Ladybugs
Uncovering the Secrets of Jewellery at Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels