Blue Agate Fading?

[DS2006]

So I called the number on the VCA site and spoke with a very nice man. I explained that a few people have experienced blue agate fading and were questioning whether the blue agate is dyed. He said he has been to the workshop where the blue agate pieces were made and it is 100% NOT dyed. They search all over the world for natural blue agate. They do not use any treated (dyed) stones in their pieces. Any color change over time would be from external factors that have been named multiple times on this thread, because agate/chalcedony/quartz is a porous stone.

There are actually pictures on page 105 of the Van Cleef Family Portrait thread of chiaoapple's collection and you can see that there are blue agate motifs with differing shades of blue. So yes, there can be color changes, but it is not because the blue agate is dyed.

 

[Isabelle_ann]

I asked a local jeweller that works with semi-precious stones. If agate is dyed properly the colour would not change with normal wear.
The members that have problems with their BA are taking good care of it and not exposing it to anything that should cause such fading.

If one is not caring well for their semi-prescious stone jewels, i.e. they shower with it, sunbathe wearing it, use lotions and perfumes on the skin directly in contact with the stone etc, then they should presume by default that the fading is caused by external factors and not bother with this thread.

Good that people are reaching to VCA to ask about it. I wonder if someone will still test the stone for dye though, just to be on the safe side.

 

[marbella8]

I agree! We need the answer from VCA! (You might want to edit one word in your post! )

Oops, I can’t edit anymore lol. I’ve been wanting a Vert-Vertigo anything so my mind was elsewhere as you can tell, lol! I hope this issue is figured out.

 

[marbella8]

So I called the number on the VCA site and spoke with a very nice man. I explained that a few people have experienced blue agate fading and were questioning whether the blue agate is dyed. He said he has been to the workshop where the blue agate pieces were made and it is 100% NOT dyed. They search all over the world for natural blue agate. They do not use any treated (dyed) stones in their pieces. Any color change over time would be from external factors that have been named multiple times on this thread, because agate/chalcedony/quartz is a porous stone.

There are actually pictures on page 105 of the Van Cleef Family Portrait thread of chiaoapple's collection and you can see that there are blue agate motifs with differing shades of blue. So yes, there can be color changes, but it is not because the blue agate is dyed.

Thanks for doing this, good to know. It might be more unstable than they anticipated, a little hardier than turquoise and malachite, but not close to carnelian or onyx. You should get it.

 

[DS2006]

Thanks for doing this, good to know. It might be more unstable than they anticipated, a little hardier than turquoise and malachite, but not close to carnelian or onyx. You should get it.

I just got the bracelet early last week! Then I was reading all of this controversy and trying to decide whether to keep it or return for credit! It seems to be very sensitive to water (or sweating) and sunlight. I bought the pendant about 3 weeks ago and was able to get a matching bracelet right before the price increase. I don't mind some slight change in color, but I do not want to buy a piece that I gently wear and still end up having to replace all 5 motifs! Tough decision!

(I'm sure everyone knew you meant to call VCA and not Hermes! )

 

[Alena21]

Thank you for checking with VCA,
I do understand your dilemma and the anxiety it may create. It is a tough call. I'm wary of changing the motifs. How often are we supposed to do so?! Doing it in perpetuity would be a dealbreaker
for most.

I just got the bracelet early last week! Then I was reading all of this controversy and trying to decide whether to keep it or return for credit! It seems to be very sensitive to water (or sweating) and sunlight. I bought the pendant about 3 weeks ago and was able to get a matching bracelet right before the price increase. I don't mind some slight change in color, but I do not want to buy a piece that I gently wear and still end up having to replace all 5 motifs! Tough decision!

(I'm sure everyone knew you meant to call VCA and not Hermes! )

 

[marbella8]

I just got the bracelet early last week! Then I was reading all of this controversy and trying to decide whether to keep it or return for credit! It seems to be very sensitive to water (or sweating) and sunlight. I bought the pendant about 3 weeks ago and was able to get a matching bracelet right before the price increase. I don't mind some slight change in color, but I do not want to buy a piece that I gently wear and still end up having to replace all 5 motifs! Tough decision!

(I'm sure everyone knew you meant to call VCA and not Hermes! )

Well- I would keep it. I don’t think it’ll change. I think the people who have ones that’ve dulled are from earlier batches. It is such a happy color, so if you love it, keep it.

 

[Isabelle_ann]

I just got the bracelet early last week! Then I was reading all of this controversy and trying to decide whether to keep it or return for credit! It seems to be very sensitive to water (or sweating) and sunlight. I bought the pendant about 3 weeks ago and was able to get a matching bracelet right before the price increase. I don't mind some slight change in color, but I do not want to buy a piece that I gently wear and still end up having to replace all 5 motifs! Tough decision!

(I'm sure everyone knew you meant to call VCA and not Hermes! )

I would return it and get something with more durable stones or in solid metal.

 

[tenshix]

Here is my pic from the SA in the store lighting:

View attachment 6165041

This is the bracelet today in natural daylight indoors. You can see it is more vibrant in natural light! I love it, but I want it to stay this beautiful color!!!!

View attachment 6165044

Goodness, this batch of BA is stunning!! The electric blue is gorgeous. If you do end up keeping it I hope it will stay in pristine condition for as long as possible.

 

[tenshix]

After catching up on this thread my opinion of VCA stones remains the same whether the BA was dyed or not. I fell in love with the color of the stone when I saw it at the boutique and while it would have been great for it to be the same color forever, I understand that natural stones like these and malachite will have wear and tear whether it be in terms of fading, turning matte/dull, chipping, etc.

I think even on the Mala or MOP threads other people have mentioned dulling even though it is rarely worn and mostly in storage where it is humidity and temp controlled. I feel like the nature of these stones is just something we can’t 100% control.

My take on it is that if you truly love the piece, just buy it, wear it, and enjoy the heck out of it until you need to replace the stones. Buy it for yourself and your own enjoyment only because life is short and not guaranteed. If it no longer gives you joy wearing it or seeing it in poor condition bothers you (and you don’t want to pay to replace the stones), consider reselling it or giving it to someone who might love it more than you do.

The value of the jewelry is in the eye of the beholder, so if it’s important that the stones are absolutely not dyed for the price we pay that is our right as the customer to refuse the piece. Do what makes you happy and gives you peace—jewelry is supposed to be fun and give us joy, not more stress!

 

[SmokieDragon]

My BA bracelet was purchased in Sept 2021 and I’ve worn it quite often. No color fading, touch wood. I added the pendant and earrings late last year, so too early to tell for those

 

[arwen]

My BA bracelet was purchased in Sept 2021 and I’ve worn it quite often. No color fading, touch wood. I added the pendant and earrings late last year, so too early to tell for those

So beautifully said.

I am eying the BA pendant since it was released. One day I'll pull the trigger.

My best friend recently passed away. She loved jewelry, watches and handbags and I have fond memories of our shopping trips to Cartier and Co.
Her husband now wants to sell all asap (no judgement here, everyone handles this differently), but it makes me sad to see that in the end it does often not hold value to other people (apart from the material one). I sold some of my late grandmother's jewelry myself as it was not my style, to buy me jewelry I wear instead.
So yes, let's make the most out of our jewelry while we can.

 

[tenshix]

So beautifully said.

I am eying the BA pendant since it was released. One day I'll pull the trigger.

My best friend recently passed away. She loved jewelry, watches and handbags and I have fond memories of our shopping trips to Cartier and Co.
Her husband now wants to sell all asap (no judgement here, everyone handles this differently), but it makes me sad to see that in the end it does often not hold value to other people (apart from the material one). I sold some of my late grandmother's jewelry myself as it was not my style, to buy me jewelry I wear instead.
So yes, let's make the most out of our jewelry while we can.

I’m so sorry to hear about your best friend passing away, may she rest in peace I hope her beloved pieces will find a new loving home where they are cherished and enjoyed the way your friend did!

If you’ve been eyeing the BA for years now and your interest hasn’t wavered and other pieces you got hasn’t cured the itch I say you should go for it. I thought I would be fine not having malachite in my collection since every SA has talked me out of it by talking about how fragile it is (and I am a very casual person and don’t want something that I have to baby) but I still remember seeing a 5 motif in the wild more than a decade ago and falling in love with the color and striations and I still couldn’t shake it off even after years of collecting VCA. At this point I won’t mind even if I have to pay for stone replacements down the line. I hope you can make your BA dream come true!

 

[honey52]

Truly appreciate people sharing their experiences here. So far I see reports of color change on blue agate and carnelians, I wonder if anyone experienced color change on chalcedony creations? Since chalcedony is lighter in color, won’t that make chalcedony more susceptible to color change?

If it’s untreated I would expect it less likely to change color

 

[honey52]

that’s amazing to hear, and it actually supports what I was saying. since Folie des Prés is part of VCA’s high jewelry offering, it makes total sense that they’d go the extra mile to source unheated sapphires, especially in delicate shades like pink and lavender. waiting 18 months to find matching stones really shows the level of care and commitment to visual harmony

it’s a perfect example of how VCA doesn’t follow a blanket approach to treatments but instead chooses what best serves the piece. when unheated stones can be used without compromising the design, they absolutely will

thanks again for sharing that, it's such a great real-world case

I understand exactly what you mean in terms of high jewelry vs “regular” jewelry. What was I to expect from the fact that they also sell porcelain alhambras as if it is some precious semiprecious situation. Selling a story indeed. I am very disappointed by not surprised to read about carnelian and BA not being the normal colors and materials that they are. One wonders if these would be so much more beautiful in their untreated forms.