The Second Family is showing signs of familiarity with high-end French fashion, demonstrating an acute awareness of international events and bolstering Joe Biden’s foreign policy credentials.
Dr. Jill Biden wore an expensive Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra necklace in Pink Gold and Pink Sevres Porcelain as she arrived at the Charlotte airport on Tuesday with the Vice President for the Democratic National Convention.
The necklace is the fruit of a partnership between Van Cleef, a French jeweler, and Sèvres-Cité de la céramique, France’s national porcelain manufacturer.
The limited edition necklace is not available in the United States or through Van Cleef’s e-Boutique, a Van Cleef client relations ambassador told the Washington Free Beacon. Dr. Biden’s necklace is available only at the company’s Paris Boutiques. The necklace appears to be a part of Van Cleef’s 2012 line of jewelry, according to Van Cleef’s website.
"The Alhambra collection in Sèvres porcelain unites Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry craftsmanship with the métier d'art of porcelain, requiring more than 20 steps to create," Van Cleef announced. "Alhambra long-necklaces, bracelets and pendants will be adorned with Bleu de Sèvres porcelain motifs, the French manufacture’s signature, and raspberry pink porcelain motifs, a colour specially created for Van Cleef & Arpels. The collection is presented exclusivily in our Parisian boutiques from September 2012."
Because the necklace cannot be bought in the United States, the Washington Free Beacon cannot determine its exact price. We estimate, based on similar necklaces, that it would cost between $10,000 and $14,000.
The per capita individual annual income in the United States between 2006 and 2010 was $27,334. Thus, if Dr. Biden’s necklace cost $12,000, it would cost almost one-half of the average individual’s annual income.