Alhambra vs Boucheron serpent boheme dilemma!

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Tolstoi123

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Aug 1, 2019
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#1
3B26B310-0CF1-4352-AB8F-9CEEF3F0FDD2.jpeg CE579AA3-13E4-4CDB-B129-7CDFD4FD71DD.jpeg F9B00F2B-2810-42C5-939A-D70513FE5C27.jpeg 4512AA91-CFC5-4815-95CB-B3FD342D9E21.jpeg Hello everyone,
I am having a dilemma over my next piece and thought I would ask for your wisdom...
I am looking to buy my next fine jewellery necklace in the next few weeks as my husband had a business achievement that translated into some unexpected extra money that he kindly suggested we use in part to splurge on a nice piece for me :smile:.
I have been admiring the vintage alhambra rose gold pendant for a year now, and I was strongly considering buying it for that occasion. However as I was trying on necklaces and considering my options I stumbled upon the serpent boheme collection from Boucheron, and fell in love with the pendant in rose gold and diamonds in the size xs! And now I am really hesitating... I feel that right now the Boucheron makes my heart sing more (I mean, diamonds) but I was admiring the alhambra for so long...
So normally I would wait a few weeks to decide and be sure but Boucheron is having a price increase on the 19th, so taking the decision today or tomorrow would save us a couple hundreds.
Pricewise, the Boucheron will also be better value for money because not only is it priced lower than the Alhambra, but I can also get 15% off on that brand once a year if I buy it from a specific department store. It would amount to a 800 euro difference approximately, which is not nothing.
A bit more context on what I am looking for:
I am in my early 30s and starting to build my fine jewellery collection. I don’t wear bracelets or earrings so I am looking for a necklace, in rose or yellow gold as I already have a few nice white gold necklaces (cartier 1895 solitaire necklace, art-deco family heirloom platinum necklace, mop medal). In yellow gold, I have the mini frivole necklace from vca that I added to my collection this year, and I also have a few pearls necklaces and pendants. At this stage I am looking for a piece that I could wear daily, taking into consideration that I work in a very casual office and usually go for simple jewellery.
What would you guys do?
I’ve attached pictures of me wearing the different pieces (the serpent boheme in yellow gold and pink gold). Excuse the poor lighting.
Thanks a lot for your advice!
 
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#2
I had the same dilemma: Boucheron M serpent bohème pavé or alhambra vintage pavé.
I chose Boucheron but I ended up with a graff pendant. My point is between Boucheron and vca I chose Boucheron.
I would recommend that you consider the small size.
 
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#3
Boucheron uses the best diamonds (D-G) is it H? But still higher than other fine jewelry brands. The small size would be around the same price of the alhambra pendant but it is with diamond and there is a good difference in size between s and xs serpent bohème pendants.
Hope I was able to help.
 
#4
Thanks so much for your reply!
I looked at the size S indeed but it is a bit more than what we are looking to spend this time... Price difference is big where I live between the rose gold alhambra (without diamond) and the S serpent boheme with diamonds (around 2000 €).
Plus for me it would not be something that I would feel I could wear everyday, it'd be more of a special occasion piece. So that's why I don't put the S model in the same category as the rose gold Alhambra.
It is so beautiful though!
 
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#8
I had compared these two in the past, though looking at the small Boucheron vs. RG VA diamond, so both similarly sized diamond pendants. Think in your case it would come down to which would match best with your skin coloring and wardrobe, since you are looking for a daily piece. The VCA is a bit more feminine, since the clover is like a flower variant, so might go better if you wear a lot of feminine details in general, while the Boucheron might blend better if you prefer minimalist clothing and don't especially want your pendant to stand out. Also, diamonds are always nice, while I personally find the hammered RG VA pendant a bit coppery on my skin, though I love the diamond RG version :P

Just a few thoughts to differentiate the two, really both are very lovely and versatile pieces!
 
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#9
Also wanted to agree with the above that another consideration is saving for a larger/blingier size of the one you really want. For instance the small Boucheron or the diamond VCA pendant. Certainly it's a big jump in price for either, but I've found that pieces with more presence - even pieces meant for everyday - proved to be treasured for much longer and worth the waiting, planning, and investing. Meanwhile mini sizes (unless for layering) often ended up creating desire for upgrades down the line.
 
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#11
IMHO, the Alhambra looks better on you. Has more presence. The Boucheron piece (because it’s for multiple diamonds) doesn’t seem to pop as much. I agree with @karly9 that it looks more like a layering piece. If I wanted a pear shaped pendant I would find a nice rose cut pear shaped diamond, maybe something by Caysie van Beber. I’ll post a pic if I can find it.
With that said, it’s what you love and moves you. So if you love he Boucheron go for it. You’re the one wearing it. :flowers:
 
#12
Hi,
If I were you, I would go with VCA. It has enough presence and doesn't need layering. I understand why you attracted to Boucheron because of its "blink blink" from the diamonds. That's women primal instinct, I believe. However, just imagine Boucheron necklace without all the diamonds. I am not sure it would be still attractive.
 
#13
splurgetothemax said:
Hi,
If I were you, I would go with VCA. It has enough presence and doesn't need layering. I understand why you attracted to Boucheron because of its "blink blink" from the diamonds. That's women primal instinct, I believe. However, just imagine Boucheron necklace without all the diamonds. I am not sure it would be still attractive.
Click to expand...
Haha, yes primal instinct indeed! Although I am sure a lot of gentlemen see the attraction of a nice shiny object as well :).
Thank you all for taking the time to respond, your advice is much appreciated.
I have to say that the more I think about it, the more I feel attracted to the Boucheron, and the less I think of VCA ... So I think the Boucheron is the one really speaking to me!
Even without the lure of the diamonds I really like the collection in general, I actually went into the store to check out the mop pendant originally (but it is sadly being discontinued in the size small apparently).
Boucheron has kindly accepted to hold a few pieces for me at the old price until this week-end so I will check them out again on saturday and try on diferent sizes/golds again to make up my mind completely and go ahead with my purchase.
Thanks again for your help!
 
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#14
Tolstoi123 said:
Haha, yes primal instinct indeed! Although I am sure a lot of gentlemen see the attraction of a nice shiny object as well :smile:.
Thank you all for taking the time to respond, your advice is much appreciated.
I have to say that the more I think about it, the more I feel attracted to the Boucheron, and the less I think of VCA ... So I think the Boucheron is the one really speaking to me!
Even without the lure of the diamonds I really like the collection in general, I actually went into the store to check out the mop pendant originally (but it is sadly being discontinued in the size small apparently).
Boucheron has kindly accepted to hold a few pieces for me at the old price until this week-end so I will check them out again on saturday and try on diferent sizes/golds again to make up my mind completely and go ahead with my purchase.
Thanks again for your help!
Click to expand...
No problem! Congratulations for making a wise decision.
 
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