Vintage Alhambra bracelet, 5 motifs 18K yellow gold, Mother-of-pearl

Mother-of-pearl shell
Mother-of-pearl is a prized material of the family and occurs naturally in certain shells. Mother-of-pearl embellishes the family’s jewelry with shiny reflective effects, adding a gentle, feminine charm to the work, and symbolizing shelter. Mother-of-pearl is particularly prominent in the Alhambra® Four-Leaf Lucky, Deux Papillons and Rose de Noel ™ jewellery collections, and is also used to decorate the timepieces of Van Cleef & Arpels.
The family mainly selects white mother-of-pearl from Australia, which is known for its uniform surface and delicate iridescent. Australia also supplied the family with golden mother-of-pearl, which was prized by the family for its warm tones, silky smooth surfaces and glossy colours. Finally, the grey mother-of-pearl is known for its harmonious silvery grey and charming glow, and is produced in French Polynesia.
Mother-of-pearl is a delicate material that requires careful care. The family would like to share with you some tips to keep the shine of the gemstone old and fresh.
Mother-of-pearl is delicate in texture and needs to be stored separately in a cotton-lined jewelry box and kept separate from other jewelry to prevent scratches.
Chemicals can erode the luster of the surface of the pearl, making it dull, so it is best to avoid direct contact between gemstones and perfumes, lotions, or alcohol gels.
Although mother-of-pearl comes from water, we recommend avoiding contact with water in mother-of-pearl works. Mother-of-pearl shrinks as water evaporates, putting the gem’s surface at risk of shrinking. If your work comes into contact with water, the family recommends wiping the jewelry with a soft cloth immediately to prevent it from being affected.
In order to maintain the luster and brightness of the mother-of-pearl, you can gently wipe the mother-of-pearl with a soft dry cloth.