Congratulations! How exciting to find a piece you have been waiting for for so long! What a different market than the USA, where you can generally find MOP and Carnelian bracelets on the website and definitely walk into a store and get those two as well as onyx and usually malachite too. I myself am waiting for the blue agate and was given an option of two to pick from after one month wait but they were both dark blue and I’m waiting for sky blue/neon blue. I hope you can find the Frivole that you want soon.I’m in Japan now and got lucky to find an Alhambra 5 motif bracelet. After literally 3 years of visiting VCA boutiques in different countries (including Japan) and practically being laughed out when asking for a bracelet, I somehow stumbled upon one when I wasn’t even looking.
Before I got here, I made a few appointments and asked for the RG small mirrored frivole pendant, carnelian VA pendant, and any 5 motif (with low expectations for that). I really wanted the frivole and thought I’d at least be able to buy it readily… nope, sold out all over Tokyo. I was super disappointed and “resigned” myself to buying the VA pendant but wanted to wait until my last appointment at Ginza Six to make decisions. The SA there says right as I come in, “I saved the pendant, earrings, and a bracelet but we don’t have the frivole pendant.” I thought I misheard her so had to ask a few times… a bracelet? Without diamonds? I was so shocked that it actually happened. The other stores I visited emphatically said it’s impossible to get non-pave bracelets as a walk in even for locals. Ironically, right before this appointment I was at a consignment shop where the SA called out VCA bracelets as being impossible to get in Tokyo.
I suspect it was ordered by a local who turned it down before I got there. But I’m not complaining.I was originally hoping for an onyx or carnelian for durability but I can certainly live with MOP, especially at $800 less than buying it at home.
Anyone shop in Japan recently?
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I’m surprised to hear that, I thought there was still a shortage! Last time I went into a US boutique to ask was 2 years ago (Hawaii) and they turned me away so I didn’t try again. But admittedly I only buy luxury items when traveling… it’s my rule to keep my spending in check haha.
But knowing it’s so easy now I’d love to try an exchange for another stone when I get home. Has anyone purchased abroad and exchanged for something different at home? I’ve been able to do it at Hermes but not sure about VCA.
Yes I guess the thing is it varies so much from store to store and the turnover of products is very rapid, so there is an element of luck if you are only shopping when you travel. But that makes it exciting too!
I just checked 2 of my local boutiques and they told me Onyx and MOP 5-motif bracelets were sold out in the country for walk ins (may not apply to online orders - I was asking in the context of an exchange). So maybe the situation these days is not so different to Japan…!
You can get a VA 5 motif MOP bracelet literally right now on the USA website. That’s wild you were told they were sold out in the entire USA!
Congratulations on your new piece 😊 seeing a 5 motif bracelet in Japan is certainly rare! I’m hoping I have the same luck as you when I go over.I’m in Japan now and got lucky to find an Alhambra 5 motif bracelet. After literally 3 years of visiting VCA boutiques in different countries (including Japan) and practically being laughed out when asking for a bracelet, I somehow stumbled upon one when I wasn’t even looking.
Before I got here, I made a few appointments and asked for the RG small mirrored frivole pendant, carnelian VA pendant, and any 5 motif (with low expectations for that). I really wanted the frivole and thought I’d at least be able to buy it readily… nope, sold out all over Tokyo. I was super disappointed and “resigned” myself to buying the VA pendant but wanted to wait until my last appointment at Ginza Six to make decisions. The SA there says right as I come in, “I saved the pendant, earrings, and a bracelet but we don’t have the frivole pendant.” I thought I misheard her so had to ask a few times… a bracelet? Without diamonds? I was so shocked that it actually happened. The other stores I visited emphatically said it’s impossible to get non-pave bracelets as a walk in even for locals. Ironically, right before this appointment I was at a consignment shop where the SA called out VCA bracelets as being impossible to get in Tokyo.
I suspect it was ordered by a local who turned it down before I got there. But I’m not complaining.
It seems like the real crunch is in trying to find it in store. Since I wanted to exchange the one I bought, I would’ve needed to find a store with one in stock for an exchange. But for anyone curious: I confirmed VCA DOES allow you to make exchanges for items purchased overseas like Japan.
Was in Tokyo last week and visited all 3 of the Ginza stores. No appointments were available for any of the stores in Tokyo so I decided to try my luck with Ginza since all three stores were in close proximity and I knew I could visit all 3 in one morning. I went 30 minutes before Ginza 6 opened and was second in line. I had read some horror stories about people getting turned away without an appointment but it didn't seem to be the case - everyone in line (about 5 people) were helped at store opening. The stock at Ginza 6 seemed low however, I was looking for something on the low end of their price list and they had zero Sweet Alhambra bracelets or necklaces in stock. I was open to considering a Vintage Alhambra pendant, the only one on display was the yellow gold & agate one and I didn't inquire about other stones. I thought I could return to look at it if the other stores were a bust.
Ginza Maison opened 30 minutes later and was just a 5 minute walk away. It was about a 15 minute wait for store opening and immediately I was matched with a great SA & a translator. Same situation, no Sweet Alhambra bracelets or necklaces, they did have some Frivole pieces. I ended up purchasing the Lucky Spring plum blossom bracelet, even though it was originally like 4th or 5th on my wishlist, I liked it quite more in person. (I was hoping to see the Sweet Alhambra bracelet in either MOP or rose gold, or 6 motifs.) The Lucky Spring plum blossom's MOP has some subtle gray undertones and is very beautiful. I was told that the Sweet Alhambra collection is almost never in stock in Tokyo and unfortunately they were unable to do inventory searches for other stores in Tokyo - the best bet was to stop by regularly in case of restock. I am unsure if this is because I was a first time customer or if this is standard policy, since there's probably little incentive for a busy SA to source for a tourist :') No knock on the service though, it was top notch.
I went to Ginza Mitsukoshi last, by then it was already about an hour and a half after opening and the Google maps listing was very confusing because all the photos attached to the store are not for the actual location, which was a counter/mini boutique within a department store, but of one of the other two Ginza locations. They actually had several pieces on display that I would have considered if I had shopped here first (including the Vintage Alhambra 5 motifs bracelet & the pendant in Malachite, as well as the Sweet Alhambra pendant in white gold with diamonds) but there were only two SAs at the counter and one of them told me it was appointment only.
Ginza Maison opened 30 minutes later and was just a 5 minute walk away. It was about a 15 minute wait for store opening and immediately I was matched with a great SA & a translator. Same situation, no Sweet Alhambra bracelets or necklaces, they did have some Frivole pieces. I ended up purchasing the Lucky Spring plum blossom bracelet, even though it was originally like 4th or 5th on my wishlist, I liked it quite more in person. (I was hoping to see the Sweet Alhambra bracelet in either MOP or rose gold, or 6 motifs.) The Lucky Spring plum blossom's MOP has some subtle gray undertones and is very beautiful. I was told that the Sweet Alhambra collection is almost never in stock in Tokyo and unfortunately they were unable to do inventory searches for other stores in Tokyo - the best bet was to stop by regularly in case of restock. I am unsure if this is because I was a first time customer or if this is standard policy, since there's probably little incentive for a busy SA to source for a tourist :') No knock on the service though, it was top notch.
I went to Ginza Mitsukoshi last, by then it was already about an hour and a half after opening and the Google maps listing was very confusing because all the photos attached to the store are not for the actual location, which was a counter/mini boutique within a department store, but of one of the other two Ginza locations. They actually had several pieces on display that I would have considered if I had shopped here first (including the Vintage Alhambra 5 motifs bracelet & the pendant in Malachite, as well as the Sweet Alhambra pendant in white gold with diamonds) but there were only two SAs at the counter and one of them told me it was appointment only.
Wow! Thanks for the detailed report! This is exactly what I needed to hear..it seems like Tokyo is out of stock on most items..and maynot worth the time? I was thinking of having my hotel concerige make an appointment but sounds like if the stores are out of stock of the more popular items..it may not be worth it. Thanks again..really appreciate the feedback!
Thank you for the detailed information! I am going in 2 weeks and will share my experience at the stores
I have no knowledge if an appointment helps with getting some pieces that they wouldn't bring out for walk-ins, but from my experience, it's definitely worth stopping by even without one since you may have to go to multiple locations to check out their stock. I agree though that the most popular items are likely out of stock so you have to get really lucky if you're committed to a specific piece.
The Google reviews were worrisome (lots of complaints about bad service, long waits or being turned away) but I think as long as you plan ahead to line up shortly before opening or are flexible with dropping by and inquiring if they'll accept walk-ins, it's nowhere near as bleak as the reviews would imply.
The Maison location def had the most SAs available, and the only one that immediately offered a translator. The translator spoke both English and Mandarin - my Mandarin isn't great but we used that instead of English lol. I forgot to mention that when I lined up about 15 minutes before store opening (11 am on a weekday, 30 minutes after Ginza 6 which opened at 10:30), I was the first person in line, but about 7-8 people lined up after me. By the time I left the store there was no line so I think everyone got in.
Good luck and have fun in Japan!!
If I want to score frivole pave earrings which store in Japan gives the best chance?
I recently visited the Shisabashi boutique in Osaka, and they had a beautiful 5-motif bracelet in WMOP! If I hadn’t already made a purchase, I would have definitely bought it there 😭.
Making an appointment is essential for a great experience. The staff made me feel very welcome. I was wearing VCA jewelry, though I’m not sure if it made a difference, haha. The staff even thanked me for wearing their brand 😂. Anyone without an appointment was turned away by what I assume was a stern greeter/doorman. 😅
I was served chocolate and water, but unfortunately, I didn’t leave with the piece I wanted—though I did buy something else. There were some interesting pieces in the store, like timepieces and the Perlee collection. I also saw a 16-motif Sweet Alhambra in pavé, as well as Alhambra pendants, earrings (onyx, MOP/YG), Lucky Spring pieces, etc.
I asked the SA if they accepted walk-ins, and they said rarely—only if someone cancels or their appointment ends early. That said, I noticed other SAs around the boutique who weren’t attending to clients, which left me a bit confused as to why they didn’t seem to accept walk-ins when there were staff available.
Also, I’ve been trying to book an appointment at the Ginza Maison for about a month, following up every few days, but I still can’t seem to get one. Has anyone else had the same experience?
Making an appointment is essential for a great experience. The staff made me feel very welcome. I was wearing VCA jewelry, though I’m not sure if it made a difference, haha. The staff even thanked me for wearing their brand 😂. Anyone without an appointment was turned away by what I assume was a stern greeter/doorman. 😅
I was served chocolate and water, but unfortunately, I didn’t leave with the piece I wanted—though I did buy something else. There were some interesting pieces in the store, like timepieces and the Perlee collection. I also saw a 16-motif Sweet Alhambra in pavé, as well as Alhambra pendants, earrings (onyx, MOP/YG), Lucky Spring pieces, etc.
I asked the SA if they accepted walk-ins, and they said rarely—only if someone cancels or their appointment ends early. That said, I noticed other SAs around the boutique who weren’t attending to clients, which left me a bit confused as to why they didn’t seem to accept walk-ins when there were staff available.
Also, I’ve been trying to book an appointment at the Ginza Maison for about a month, following up every few days, but I still can’t seem to get one. Has anyone else had the same experience?