Book excerpt: Created by the house of Van Cleef & Arpels in 1968, the Alhambra chain is an instantly recognizable icon of jewelry design and yet still a perennial favorite for daily wear. Easy to wear owing to its great fluidity and available in a wide range of colorful stones, Alhambra has established itself as truly timeless, traversing the ages and surviving the winds of fashion. On the occasion of the design's 50th anniversary, this book tells the story of the evolution of the jewelry range that has become a signature of the house of Van Cleef & Arpels. -- from amazon.com.