Air-lines/Gaps in M.O.P. Alhambra Jewellery - Unavoidable?

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I think you are having to convince yourself to keep it. Therefore, return it and get a new one. Don’t keep trying to convince yourself “it’s not that bad”. It should be great and you should love your piece.

This is not a limited piece so getting a new one should not be a big deal.

At minimal, ask your SA to get another one and compare and keep the best one. This will give you piece of mind so you can enjoy it instead of staring at the air gaps.

Good luck!
That's true, I am really having to convince myself, and it is a pretty expensive thing not to be totally satisfied with.
I did go back and looked at a couple of others, which were much like mine - an obvious gap at the top and bottom of the motif. But it sounds like it is possible to get one where the gaps are not so visible and uneven, so I think I should wait and try and find one like that.
Thank you!
 
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That's true, I am really having to convince myself, and it is a pretty expensive thing not to be totally satisfied with.
I did go back and looked at a couple of others, which were much like mine - an obvious gap at the top and bottom of the motif. But it sounds like it is possible to get one where the gaps are not so visible and uneven, so I think I should wait and try and find one like that.
Thank you!
I also returned 16 motif necklace which had some obvious gap in some motifs after I read through this discussion.I can live with some subtle gaps, but these gaps are so worse that I can push the stone up and down in the frame. When I talked to another SA in VCA boutique, she was surprised and agreed it should not be that way. I wait until my SA can find for me a right one
 
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Hello,

I’m new to this forum. I recently purchased a vintage Alhambra from a reputable site. The pendant is no longer in production, but the stone is misaligned from the gold frame, which after this post, I’m thinking is due to the air lines. Do you know if it’s possible for VCA to repair/reset the stone?
 
Are these picture taking after the repair?
After they repair your necklace still have the gap?




I couldn’t find the picture before the pendant was sent for repair. The gap on one side was very noticeable and now it’s distributed equally on all sides :P
You could see the gap in the second pic where I tilted the pendant to make it obvious.
 
Hi, OP, were you able to return your necklace? I am having the same issue right now with a magic MOP that I purchased from the 5th Ave NYC store. Gaps on all sides. SA claiming that its normal because its handmade, etc. I have a couple of 5 motif bracelets and none have gaps.
 
Hi, OP, were you able to return your necklace? I am having the same issue right now with a magic MOP that I purchased from the 5th Ave NYC store. Gaps on all sides. SA claiming that its normal because its handmade, etc. I have a couple of 5 motif bracelets and none have gaps.

Hi - I recently posted about this too (but regarding a 10 motif). Scroll down to post #15 by VCA21 and she had the same issue with her Magic 6 motif. If it bothers you, and sounds like it does, then exchange it. If the alternatives are just as bad, then return it and wait for a better piece. But there are also lots of people of the mindset that if it doesn't take away from the beauty and functionality (ie: loose motifs falling out), then perhaps it's not a big deal.

 
I purchased a 20 motif onyx that was sent to me and when i received it, it had noticable gaps on several of the motifs...it really did bother me and I ended up sending it back. I'm picky on the stones, I don't like gaps and I also don't like 'flat' looking stones. I am going to purchase when I can get to the store and pick the one i like best. It is an expensive purchase and you should be very comfortable with it.
 
Hi, OP, were you able to return your necklace? I am having the same issue right now with a magic MOP that I purchased from the 5th Ave NYC store. Gaps on all sides. SA claiming that its normal because its handmade, etc. I have a couple of 5 motif bracelets and none have gaps.
Hi there, yes I did return mine (for a store credit note). I think I made the right decision, the gaps would have annoyed me too much.
 
Here are some pictures, sorry they're not very good - it's pretty much impossible to get pictures which show the gaps properly, and I'm wondering if that's partly why I can't see them in any photos online!
The gaps look not so good. Good you returned it. It’s obvious even in the case. I see mine (the gaps) if i lift it against the light. But your is too obvious.
 
Hi, anyone notice airgap around the gold setting and the mother of pearl. Its slight can only noticeable when shine toward a light source. Have them on my pendant and 5 motif bracelet but when I call initially last year customer service said it’s normal to have a slight air gap. Today when I wipe my pendant after taking it off, I notice the stone slightly wiggle/move up a bit.

Checked my bracelet to see and only a tinny tiny bit if I do wipe up and down motion.

Am I crazy or what? I wish I push for the issue to be solved during last year

My bracelet passed 1 year mark and my pendant one year mark is coming up on the 15th of this month.

Need to say I’m very careful and take very good care of them both. Only worn my bracelet a handful of time and my pendant just a few time more compared to the bracelet. Ughh! Appreciate any help I can get. I emailed van cleef customer service about and texted the SA I met in my local boutique when inquiry about earrings today about how I would like to call tomorrow afternoon to ask some questions. It’s already 9pm when I texted him just wanted let him know I would like to call and he reply shortly after saying yes. What is amazing what a dedicated worker! The location is a smaller flagship compared to another one 10 - 15 mins walking distance from each and I’m so grateful as the bigger one is much much harder to get in

Any insights please help! I love my piece so much still but it hurts to think the money I spent on them and having to worry about the setting being secure or not. I don’t want to lose a stone and replace it. Make no sense that they need any type of service or replacement of stone after a year and only worn during occasions
 
i Have them on my pendant and 5 motif bracelet but when I call initially last year after my after service of taking some links off my bracelet and extending chain on my pendants so they fit me better; customer service said it’s normal to have a slight air gap. Today when I wipe my pendant after taking it off, I notice the stone slightly wiggle/move up a bit.

Checked my bracelet to see and only a tinny tiny bit if I do wipe up and down motion.

Am I crazy or what? I wish I push for the issue to be solved during last year

My bracelet passed 1 year mark and my pendant one year mark is coming up on the 15th of this month.

Need to say I’m very careful and take very good care of them both. Only worn my bracelet a handful of time and my pendant just a few time more compared to the bracelet. Ughh! Appreciate any help I can get. I emailed van cleef customer service about and texted the SA I met in my local boutique when inquiry about earrings today about how I would like to call tomorrow afternoon to ask some questions. It’s already 9pm when I texted him just wanted let him know I would like to call and he reply shortly after saying yes. What is amazing what a dedicated worker! The location is a smaller flagship compared to another one 10 - 15 mins walking distance from each and I’m so grateful as the bigger one is much much harder to get in

Any insights please help! I love my piece so much still but it hurts to think the money I spent on them and having to worry about the setting being secure or not. I don’t want to lose a stone and replace it. Make no sense that they need any type of service or replacement of stone after a year and only worn during occasions

Hope someone can help and provide their experiences / insight

I did the service in nyc 5th Ave

I can’t say I didn’t see the gap prior to it as I don’t 💯 recall shining it toward the light and see the gaps. I was so in love wore it maybe 2 times each before I made an appointment with the 5th Ave asking for help as bracelet was too big and necklace a little short for when I wear sweaters or similar style clothes during cooler weather.

My brother helped me get my bracelet when he went to get my sister in law a sweet size earrings at van cleef that she was in love with so it was under his name and phone number while the pendant is under mine.

This is making me worry about even getting a vca earrings especially anything with mop or delicate stones.
 

There are a lot of threads and posts on this issue ^. See, in particular post 26516 by @allanrvj re this issue, link below and text in attachment. Basically there are gaps on most of not all of them; it’s the nature of the beast.


IMG_0427.jpeg

I have a GMOP magic six motif necklace. In my limited experience, there is no chance a motif stone will fall out
 
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There are a lot of threads and posts on this issue ^. See, in particular post 26516 by @allanrvj re this issue, link below and text in attachment. Basically there are gaps on most of not all of them; it’s the nature of the beast.


View attachment 6114012

I have a GMOP magic six motif necklace. In my limited experience, there is no chance a motif stone will fall out
Oh thank you for sharing your experience. Does your mother of pearl seem to move a little when it’s being wipe with the cleaning cloth due to the airgap? Normal? I think that is what worries me the most because if airgap is normal than fine but is the slight movement or shift normal or its signs of possible loose stone? The 4 “main” inner beads that seems to be holding it down seems okay but I can’t tell if it’s secure enough due to the movement when I cleaned my pendant yesterday. Bracelet seems to do better when I wipe it down. Have slight slight sign compared to pendant.

Thank you for sharing the link I’ll take a look too!


P.s. based on the screenshot share does cold weather outside effect it even though I was wiping it and putting it away. Even with the heated indoor
 
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