Heidi Klum started her jewelry business about five years ago, showcasing the designs on QVC in September 2006. The focal point of her design line was the stylized clover shape. At the time, Klum stated her inspiration was marble cloverleaf patterned inlay she saw on a trip to Milan, Italy.
Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra Design Line
Unfortunately, the clover design was deceptively similar in appearance to the clover design in Van Cleef and Arpels’ Alhambra line of jewelry. Jewelry giant Van Cleef and Arpels filed a copyright infringement, trade dress infringement, and unfair competition lawsuit against Klum, December 2007 in Federal District Court in New York. The main argument of the lawsuit was that Van Cleef and Arpels had marketed an almost similar design for the past forty years under their Alhambra line and that Klum was piggybacking on the goodwill built up over those years by Van Cleef and Arpels.
While Heidi Klum’s line of clover jewelry was priced moderately at $100 - $300, the Alhambra line costs many times those figures in the thousands of dollars. Klum’s design line has been pulled off all the online marketplaces with the exception of eBay.
Historical Origins of The Clover Design
Going back even further than the Van Cleef and Arpels 40 years, the stylized clover shape used by both designer is very similar to Persian poppy designs dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Like the appearance of the clover, the poppies were frequently woven into tapestries with four symmetrical sides. The clover design is also somewhat similar to the Christian cross – a cross with arms of equal lengths.
Clovers In Myth and Legend
In ancient times clover was regarded as one of many anti-witch plants, the shrub rosemary was another. Clover is a flowering plant, however most remember clover as children searching in a field of green for the rare four-leaf clover. It was said to be not only protective but to also bring good luck.
Where to Buy Clover Jewelry
Eve’s Addictions is selling ‘designer inspired’ clover jewelry. While quite similar in appearance to the Alhambra jewelry, this line of jewelry has five rather than four petals. They also market some clover jewelry with three petals that is Irish shamrock in style.
Overstock Jeweler also sells clover jewelry. The Sterling Silver CZ Pave Open Clover Huggie Earrings are reminiscent of the clover earrings Heidi Klum frequently wore last year on Project Runway. One inch in length, these earrings are smaller. However, the $44.99 price tag is one that most shoppers can live with. Shipping costs $3.99 with free ground shipping for orders over $50.
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