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Magic Alhambra Long Necklace
Last updated:
95 / 100
ProductScore
Materials: 18K yellow gold with white mother-of-pearl
View on Van Cleef & Arpels →The Verdict
The Magic Alhambra Long Necklace is Van Cleef & Arpels' most dramatic expression of the Alhambra collection — sixteen clover motifs in varying sizes alternating mother-of-pearl with 18K yellow gold along a generous 48-inch chain. At $18,900, it is a serious collector's piece, but the versatility of wearing it long, doubled, or as a bracelet wrap, combined with extraordinary craftsmanship, makes it the ultimate VCA statement.
Score Breakdown
What Customers Say
Based on 4,180 mentions across social media and review platforms
The Magic Alhambra long necklace is the dream piece in VCA collecting circles. Social media showcases reveal its extraordinary versatility — worn long with evening wear, doubled as a choker, wrapped as a bracelet. Collectors view it as the crown jewel of an Alhambra collection. Even critics acknowledge its beauty while noting the significant price.
"My Magic Alhambra necklace is the most spectacular piece of jewelry I own. The sixteen motifs in different sizes create this beautiful rhythm, and I can wear it long, doubled, or even triple-wrapped as a bracelet. It's five pieces in one."
Reddit r/jewelry
"Saved for three years for this necklace and it was worth every month of waiting. The craftsmanship across sixteen motifs is perfectly consistent, and the mother-of-pearl stones are all matched for color. VCA's quality control is extraordinary."
Trustpilot
"At nearly $19,000, this is an extraordinary sum for a gold and mother-of-pearl necklace. The design is beautiful but there are no diamonds, no precious gems — just gold and shell. The luxury premium here is at its most extreme."
Reddit r/luxurylifestyle
"A masterwork of jewelry design. The varying motif sizes create visual movement that flat designs simply cannot achieve. Each clover is individually crafted to the same standard. The versatility of wearing styles makes the price more justifiable."
Google Reviews
"Wore my Magic Alhambra to a gala event and it was the centerpiece of every conversation. Doubled as a choker-length necklace it is absolutely breathtaking. This is the piece I'll pass down through generations."
Instagram comment
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- + Sixteen Alhambra motifs in three sizes create dynamic visual rhythm
- + Extraordinary versatility — can be worn as long necklace, doubled, or wrapped
- + Mother-of-pearl stones matched across all sixteen motifs for consistency
- + Crown jewel piece that anchors any VCA collection
- + Exceptional secondary market performance among VCA long necklaces
Trade-offs
- − Very high price point at nearly $19,000
- − No diamonds or precious gemstones — gold and mother-of-pearl only
- − Mother-of-pearl across sixteen motifs increases risk of damage
- − Long chain can be cumbersome for everyday casual wear
Specifications
| Metal | 18K yellow gold |
| Stones | 16 white mother-of-pearl inlays across three sizes |
| Chain Length | 48 inches (120cm) |
| Motif Sizes | Small (approx 9mm), Medium (approx 15mm), Large (approx 26mm) |
| Chain Type | VCA signature link chain |
| Clasp | Lobster with VCA hallmark |
| Weight | Approximately 52 grams |
| Hallmarks | VCA, 750, serial number |
Alternatives to Consider
Winston Gates Bracelet by Harry Winston
Comparable price-point luxury jewelry with extraordinary gemstone and metalwork
Love Bracelet by Cartier
The other iconic luxury jewelry investment piece, different category but comparable brand prestige
Vintage Alhambra Pendant by Van Cleef & Arpels
More accessible entry into the Alhambra collection for those not ready for the Magic investment
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ways can you wear the Magic Alhambra necklace?
Are all sixteen mother-of-pearl stones matched?
Is the Magic Alhambra a good investment piece?
Full Review
The Ultimate Alhambra Expression
The Magic Alhambra Long Necklace represents the fullest expression of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most beloved design language. Sixteen clover motifs — in three graduated sizes — alternate with sections of the maison’s signature link chain across 48 inches of 18K yellow gold. Where the single-motif Vintage Alhambra pendant whispers luxury, the Magic Alhambra declares it with the confidence that comes from over fifty years of the clover motif’s unbroken cultural relevance.
The Magic of Scale Variation
What sets the Magic Alhambra apart from VCA’s other multi-motif necklaces is the varying scale of its clovers. Small, medium, and large motifs create a visual rhythm that prevents the repetition from becoming monotonous, instead building a dynamic pattern that draws the eye along the chain. The largest motifs (approximately 26mm) serve as focal points, while the smallest (approximately 9mm) provide delicate transitions. This dimensional play is what transforms a simple repeating pattern into a compositional masterwork.
Versatility as Value
The 48-inch length is not arbitrary — it is precisely calculated to enable multiple wearing configurations. As a full-length sautoir, the necklace creates dramatic vertical flow. Doubled around the neck, it becomes a richly layered choker or princess-length piece. Wrapped three times around the wrist, it transforms into an extravagant bracelet. This versatility means the Magic Alhambra effectively replaces several pieces of jewelry, which is part of the value equation at the $18,900 price point.
Collector Significance
Among VCA enthusiasts, the Magic Alhambra long necklace occupies a singular position. It is the piece that signals a collector’s serious commitment to the maison — the capstone of an Alhambra collection that may have begun with a single pendant. Its substantial price, dramatic visual impact, and exceptional secondary market performance make it both a personal milestone and a financial consideration. For many VCA collectors, acquiring a Magic Alhambra is not simply a purchase but an achievement.
