Air lines / gaps getting worse in VA?
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I bought the magic alhambra bracelet in onyx, MOP and GMOP, and the GMOP went cloudy within a few weeks (hardly worn, no perfume, no potential oils from any hand products). It only happened to the GMOP so they decided to order some new motifs to replace it. Every motif that came in were too small for the frame. The gaps were so huge they decided to reorder another batch. Eventually we just gave up and I exchanged it for something else. This whole to-ing and fro-ing took a year to get resolved. I think half the time I had my bracelet (whilst waiting for motifs to be ordered and reordered several times) and the other half the bracelet was in for repair. Not an enjoyable experience. If I ever had to purchase this bracelet, it will have to be only pave. Ridiculous.
Well, I’m a newbie and just got my first BA bracelet yesterday. After reading about this issue here I checked and all the 5 motifs have some gaps though they aren’t that noticeable when I’m wearing it (I have to really zoom in the photos to see when it’s worn). I guess if this is the norm now then it’s not bothering me too much since they don’t look too bad compared to some of the photos here...but it’s kinda disappointing given how much they charge for these pieces....With BA is even more challenging to find that perfect piece since the blue color varies so much among the pieces....what do you think? Do you think mine are “acceptable”?
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Your bracelet is gorgeous, congrats! The airlines seem to be relatively common. They are almost impossible to see inside the store. I understood from my SA that stocks are low, so you may not be able to find one without gaps.
Thanks! My hubby had a theory saying that perhaps the gap is intentional as a recent design change to deal with thermal expansion (the fact that these are two different solid materials that expand or contract at different rate at different temperature). He said if without any gap and under extreme temperature change the stone may be prone to chipping when it is too close to the gold frame, which I think makes sense. Hubby thinks what’s important is that the gap isn’t noticeable when the bracelet is being worn and that they are even on the 4 sides and among all the motifs, and that the clover stone is symmetrical (which definitely depends on the skill of individual craftsman). What he said made me feel so much better coz I do think all 5 motifs on my piece are even in terms of the width of the gap and the clover stones look symmetrical to me.
That’s possible too. But if it breaks that easily and that often during the manufacturing process to the point that they have to make the stone a tad smaller then so be it. The fit perhaps is just too tight. As long as the gap doesn’t alter the piece’s aesthetic (not too big of a gap that it becomes too obvious; still need to be even on all 4 sides etc.) and the stones are still secure and won’t fall out, I think it’s acceptable. What some of these photos annoy me is that some stones don’t even look symmetrical or even, and some gaps just seem way too big and obvious.
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Speaking of whoa air lines, I came across to this listing on ebay:
The necklace definitely looks authentic and it is a vintage piece, but the gaps (and what is going on with the lapis?!!) are extraordinary!
VCA Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli 18K Gold Alhambra 32" Necklace 46.4 Grams | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VCA Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli 18K Gold Alhambra 32" Necklace 46.4 Grams at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
The necklace definitely looks authentic and it is a vintage piece, but the gaps (and what is going on with the lapis?!!) are extraordinary!
Hmmm, that looks awful in every way! Dover are pretty well established though, and I have bought from them myself. Not worth that price.Speaking of whoa air lines, I came across to this listing on ebay:
VCA Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli 18K Gold Alhambra 32" Necklace 46.4 Grams | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VCA Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli 18K Gold Alhambra 32" Necklace 46.4 Grams at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
The necklace definitely looks authentic and it is a vintage piece, but the gaps (and what is going on with the lapis?!!) are extraordinary!
View attachment 4919232
I am sure the necklace is authentic (it is definitely vintage item), but I was wondering what happened with the lapis? Was it originally like this? Hard to believe, I've seen vintage pieces but they did not have such enormous gaps? Or was it mistreated by the owner and lapis shrank (is it even possible - it is a stone after all!). Also, seems like lapis there has plenty of inclusions, and even though rare modern pieces also do have them but not to such an extent?!
Top grade Afghan lapis does not look like that, I have a small piece and it is a rich blue with a tiny amount of the gold pyrites in it.
Older VCA has this style clasp. There are at least 3 clasp styles that I have purchased directly from VCA or had serviced by VCA and most certainly there are more styles of one keeps going back.
Sorry this happened. Such a bummer! My Magic bracelet with all onyx has ridiculously large air lines. I wonder if it is 'normal' for this particular bracelet?