For Newbies and Seasoned Collectors: Share Your Tips and Experiences in Curating Your VCA Collection

[eternallove4bag]

What a fantastic thread! Quick question, looks like your bracelets are different sizes? or are they same size?

Thank you @lisawhit All the bracelets are in small size but it’s the angle that gives the illusion of each being a different size! My goodness if they were in different sizes the OCD in me would have thrown such a tantrum and not let me be in peace till all my bracelets aligned in perfect symmetry 😂

I started collecting VCA in 2015 and have been on this forum since then as well. This forum has been a tremendous help in currating my collection.

1 - a tpf'er posted she had the VA earrings in MOP, onyx, tigers eye, malachite, etc...... until she saw someone wearing the pave VA earrings....she bought the pave and regretted the previous. I took this advice and am thankful....so, I have only one pair of VA earrings and they are pave.

2 - I have found only yellow gold works on my skin tone so that's helpful

3 - Pendants -only exception on metal is the holiday pendants....my 1st was the 2015 pink, so I have collected since and have turned down 3, 2017 Bulls Eye, 2020 white gold Guilloche, and 2024 two tone white and rose gold guilloche....

I also enjoy the Perlee couleurs pendants for layering and have the coral and lapis.

VA pave pendant and magic MOP pendant

Zodiac pendant on trace chain

Seashell clip, I wear as a pendant

Butterfly pendants - Tigers eye and turquoise

4 - for now I only have the 10 and 20 motifs in hammered in yellow gold and I am satisfied

5 - VA 5 motifs bracelets - love layering and also brings out color - I have six - Pave, hammered, MOP, carnelian, tigers eye, and blue agate...
I layer them in sets of 3

6 - Earrings - Perlee small hoops, frivole small pave, and VA pave....

7 - Perlee bracelets - perlee d'or (pearls of gold), perlee sweets clover, and perlee clover bracelet

8 - Frivole - large pendant pave, and the clip pendant very large model, small earrings pave...

9 - Pinterest boards - I have one that is private that has everything in my collection and others such as VCA - necklaces, perlee, etc...

10 - I have always wanted the sweet alhambra long necklace 16 motifs but it was in rose gold....I am waiting on this special order in yellow gold also the 6 sweet alhambra bracelet in yellow gold.

For now, I am quite satisfied with my collection. I hope I've made sense and have been helpful.

Gosh THANK YOU for sharing your GORGEOUS collection and your thought process in curating a perfect collection! I am getting so much joy looking at your pictures, beautifully organized and radiating beauty! I am not surprised that you are satisfied with your collection because you thought through so carefully with each piece! Hope your SOs come soon! It’s been tough getting SO and MTO hammered pieces. I am currently waiting on two myself!

Thank you so much, but in a way I'm the opposite; I don't really have a style I just always wear what I love and feel good in .

But that is your signature style - eclectic 😍and it just works beautifully for you @A bottle of Red

One of my favorite collections, because you can mix and match any of the pieces, very cohesive.

Right? @marbella8 I am like literally oogling @lisawhit collection!

I started purchasing VCA since 2019.

1. I also like to keep a spreadsheet of my wishlist items with price, taxes and price after tax lol. Once I go to the boutique and try on different pieces, items either come off or get added on. This wishlist is constantly evolving, but if there is an item that stay on the list or keep coming back to the list, I know it's a keeper and I will eventually purchase it. For example, the Zodiaque pendant keeps going back on the list, so I know it's something I will probably purchase in the future.

2. When I try things on, I take pictures. I keep looking back at them to see how I like them weeks/months later. For example, I tried on pave Frivole pendant in all three golds two years ago. I keep going back to the WG pave Frivole pendant as that one pops the most. That will probably be my next year's purchase.

3. It's good to take a break. I took a break from VCA for a year. If I hadn't, I probably would have kept adding Alhambra bracelets, pendants, etc. Because I took a break, I was able to really enjoy the pieces I currently own and identify the gaps in my overall VCA family (bangles, 10 motif, etc.), so those will go on my wishlist.

4. Don't impulse buy! I made two impulse purchases (which is really good imo lol) and those are the pieces I wear the least! Beautiful pieces, but I just don't reach for them as much...

@snnysmm This is such valuable advice! I am glad I am not the only one who keeps spreadsheets for my jewelry (actually I have one for almost everything 😆).

You are so right about impulse purchases! Everything I ever got on an impulse I lived to regret it so now I take my own sweet time bringing a piece home to the point where even people who follow me say ‘finally, it came home with you!’😂 That’s because I have learnt my lesson well!

Taking a break really resonated with me! That’s such good advice! It brings things into perspective without mindlessly adding!

Here is the updated group shot. The metal Alhambra surprised me with how versatile it moved between my WG pieces. I definitely will need to have RG one.

WHOA @missie1 This picture is stunning. Seriously, what a beautiful collection The TQ and WG just pop! And the RG pieces elegantly balance them out!

Which RG piece were you thinking of adding?

Don’t buy a smaller piece unless that’s what you really want. Save or wait a little longer for the perfect one.

If possible, try IRL before you buy. Take a close up and full length pic of you wearing the item to be sure the scale works.
I prefer to wear the same type of plain clothing when trying on jewelry, so my focus is on the piece itself.

Go slowly.

Words to live by @880
The tip to wear plain clothing when trying on jewelry is such a great one! So often I have gone to the store to try something on only to find it clashed with my clothing and I ended up not liking it.

 

[eternallove4bag]

Honestly this thread is becoming my fave one because of the priceless wisdom and beautiful eye candy shared! Thank you to each of you to the power of infinity

 

[marbella8]

Right? @marbella8 I am like literally oogling @lisawhit collection!

I mean, you have a phenomenal collection yourself. There are a few of you that just hit it out of the park with your collections. I think with @lisawhit, I’m a YG wearer too generally and I love how she’s stayed so disciplined with her collection, like you have with RG. I think it makes it easier to pull any piece from the collection and wear with other pieces.

Thanks for starting this thread, I can’t wait to hear from some of the other people with amazing collections, @nicole0612 , @chiaoapple, I’m sorry I can’t remember to list all the drool-worthy collections, but loving hearing all the advice!

 

[CoastalCouture]

Don’t buy a smaller piece unless that’s what you really want. Save or wait a little longer for the perfect one.

If possible, try IRL before you buy. Take a close up and full length pic of you wearing the item to be sure the scale works.
I prefer to wear the same type of plain clothing when trying on jewelry, so my focus is on the piece itself.

Go slowly.

A full length pic is so helpful. You can see at a glance whether it all adds up to a cohesive image, whether the jewelry item fits in with your overall look. My clothing choices when shopping for jewelry are clothes similar in color and style to what I frequently wear or what I plan to wear if it is a special piece.

 

[eternallove4bag]

I mean, you have a phenomenal collection yourself. There are a few of you that just hit it out of the park with your collections. I think with @lisawhit, I’m a YG wearer too generally and I love how she’s stayed so disciplined with her collection, like you have with RG. I think it makes it easier to pull any piece from the collection and wear with other pieces.

Thanks for starting this thread, I can’t wait to hear from some of the other people with amazing collections, @nicole0612 , @chiaoapple, I’m sorry I can’t remember to list all the drool-worthy collections, but loving hearing all the advice!

Aww thank you @marbella8 I love a cohesive collection so I can mix and match but I am also learning so much from people who just buy random pieces and then make it look effortlessly chic!

Tagging @nicole0612 @chiaoapple @EpiFanatic @Notorious Pink to share their experiences with of course some eye candy if possible

 

[eternallove4bag]

Did I ever share that I am a numbers gal? I find numbers calming, soothing and adding light where there’s confusion!

So, not surprising that even when it comes to jewelry, I start with a specific number in mind. Of course, those numbers can change. Case in point, once I realized I didn’t wear necklaces much, instead of my initial plan to get 4 RG and 4 WG necklaces (including VCA and non-VCA ones) I adjusted the number to 2 RG and 2 WG necklaces (that I already owned).

Once I found my sweet spot with 4 RG rings, that’s the number of rings I wanted to have in WG. Current situation - I own 2 platinum/WG rings, 1 dream is living rent free in my head and 1 coming to me hopefully next year if my SO gets approved (and only one of the WG rings is VCA btw).
Using the following heuristics for my 4 WG rings - a classic, a showstopper, an underrated/easy to wear on any occasion kinda ring and a BTF ring.

When I was buying my RG rings I knew one thing for surety, I didn’t want to be repetitive. I wanted each one to be different. Years after adding them, I feel so content with them that I never ever considered adding another ring in RG nor do I think I will in the foreseeable future! I wear these so much!

Pics of my beloved RG rings.
Best value for money spent on these!

 

[nicole0612]

Thank you for the kind words, but I am the last person to give advice in this thread.

I buy eyes-wide-open with the same mindset and intention as a child standing outside a sweets shop looking in the window. So few things bring unbridled, innocent joy once we reach adulthood and have everything we really need. So buying jewelry is part of my entertainment and pleasure budget.

Sometimes I buy random pieces that bring joy (for example, who really needs - or wants - a VCA Starfish brooch other than this woman here?), or a rare stone that makes me gasp and feel so excited to hold it in my hand after only hearing it spoken of before, or a design I have only seen in a book about heritage jewelry pieces.

I am a Gemini. So I am of two minds.

When my jewelry collection exceeds every ability to contain itself and I cannot open any of my jewelry trays because they have other trays, bracelet racks and earring boxes stacked on top of them, then I use my analytical skills as a woman of science to pare down my collection closer to the essentials.

Basically, I do what you are all advising, but backwards. I buy everything I can get my hands on because I love it all and it brings me joy. When it gets out of control, I take the steps you all describe in the buying process; I ask myself: What pieces do I wear most/my core sets? What pieces do I passionately love, even if I rarely or never wear them? Which pieces might I wear if I get other pieces to make them more cohesive within a full look? Which pieces could I never find again if I part with them? Which pieces are repetitive now that I have found another piece that fills it role in a better way somehow (usually for me, because size or shape looks better with other pieces I acquired later, or is more comfortable to wear all day)? What pieces did I wear a lot in the past and may wear again when things change (e.g. no longer having a young baby, or working in the office more vs from home).

Analyze first and sit pretty? A good and sensible strategy.

Buy first and analyze afterwards? It works for me! No pressure shopping experience (I already bought it and can try it out at my leisure!). I do pay in $ and hassle if I need to pare down some items, but I had the pleasure of owning them in the meantime. No one thinks it is strange to buy a new phone (or car) and upgrade it every couple of years, so I don't see why I can't do this with jewelry.

 

[Swellgal]

Thank you for the kind words, but I am the last person to give advice in this thread.

I buy eyes-wide-open with the same mindset and intention as a child standing outside a sweets shop looking in the window. So few things bring unbridled, innocent joy once we reach adulthood and have everything we really need. So buying jewelry is part of my entertainment and pleasure budget.

Sometimes I buy random pieces that bring joy (for example, who really needs - or wants - a VCA Starfish brooch other than this woman here?), or a rare stone that makes me gasp and feel so excited to hold it in my hand after only hearing it spoken of before, or a design I have only seen in a book about heritage jewelry pieces.

I am a Gemini. So I am of two minds.

When my jewelry collection exceeds every ability to contain itself and I cannot open any of my jewelry trays because they have other trays, bracelet racks and earring boxes stacked on top of them, then I use my analytical skills as a woman of science to pare down my collection closer to the essentials.

Basically, I do what you are all advising, but backwards. I buy everything I can get my hands on because I love it all and it brings me joy. When it gets out of control, I take the steps you all describe in the buying process; I ask myself: What pieces do I wear most/my core sets? What pieces do I passionately love, even if I rarely or never wear them? Which pieces might I wear if I get other pieces to make them more cohesive within a full look? Which pieces could I never find again if I part with them? Which pieces are repetitive now that I have found another piece that fills it role in a better way somehow (usually for me, because size or shape looks better with other pieces I acquired later, or is more comfortable to wear all day)? What pieces did I wear a lot in the past and may wear again when things change (e.g. no longer having a young baby, or working in the office more vs from home).

Analyze first and sit pretty? A good and sensible strategy.

Buy first and analyze afterwards? It works for me! No pressure shopping experience (I already bought it and can try it out at my leisure!). I do pay in $ and hassle if I need to pare down some items, but I had the pleasure of owning them in the meantime. No one thinks it is strange to buy a new phone (or car) and upgrade it every couple of years, so I don't see why I can't do this with jewelry.

I love this mindset. So fun! You must live near a boutique to be able to shop this way. I have to travel to get to one hence the obsessive thinking about it between pieces, but that’s the fun part for me!

 

[nicole0612]

I love this mindset. So fun! You must live near a boutique to be able to shop this way. I have to travel to get to one hence the obsessive thinking about it between pieces, but that’s the fun part for me!

Thank you, you are very kind!

In fact, the closest boutique to me is in another country. I shop remotely from a third country for the most part.

When I have been able to visit boutiques and try things on, I can cross certain things off my list right away, but I don’t have that option typically. I think that is partially why I have to build my collection in a little different way.

 

[Swellgal]

Thank you, you are very kind!

In fact, the closest boutique to me is in another country. I shop remotely from a third country for the most part.

When I have been able to visit boutiques and try things on, I can cross certain things off my list right away, but I don’t have that option typically. I think that is partially why I have to build my collection in a little different way.

I think it adds special memories to each piece you buy when you are able to combine it with a trip/holiday.

 

[nicole0612]

I think it adds special memories to each piece you buy when you are able to combine it with a trip/holiday.

I absolutely agree 🥰

 

[lynne_ross]

I feel you are one of the lucky few who know your style so well and what works for you and what doesn’t @A bottle of Red

You wear the 6-motif carnelian and TE so beautifully! And you said it well - it’s a matter of trying! Things that look blah in pics may end up looking stunning on someone and vice versa! So it’s all about trying and finding pieces that look good on us


@lynne_ross I agree with you. The term ‘collection’ can be misleading! I use the term often to refer to groups of things I own but I am not a collector at all!
Your rings are a ring-lover’s dream TBH! I love how you have such diversified pieces in all three metals, each a showstopper in its own right!
I am excited to see which WG pieces you add in the future. Of course, rooting for your dream piece next!

Thanks Eternal!
I hope to add the butterfly ring soon (it is on my gift lift to hubby but who knows what he will get or when) to be your twin. I also want to add the new yg serpenti ring and the BA/guilloche yg ring. Will have to wait on these.
I have a bunch of pics on my phone of the piece I am ‘saving’ for now. A ways to go to wait…

 

[eternallove4bag]

Thank you for the kind words, but I am the last person to give advice in this thread.

I buy eyes-wide-open with the same mindset and intention as a child standing outside a sweets shop looking in the window. So few things bring unbridled, innocent joy once we reach adulthood and have everything we really need. So buying jewelry is part of my entertainment and pleasure budget.

Sometimes I buy random pieces that bring joy (for example, who really needs - or wants - a VCA Starfish brooch other than this woman here?), or a rare stone that makes me gasp and feel so excited to hold it in my hand after only hearing it spoken of before, or a design I have only seen in a book about heritage jewelry pieces.

I am a Gemini. So I am of two minds.

When my jewelry collection exceeds every ability to contain itself and I cannot open any of my jewelry trays because they have other trays, bracelet racks and earring boxes stacked on top of them, then I use my analytical skills as a woman of science to pare down my collection closer to the essentials.

Basically, I do what you are all advising, but backwards. I buy everything I can get my hands on because I love it all and it brings me joy. When it gets out of control, I take the steps you all describe in the buying process; I ask myself: What pieces do I wear most/my core sets? What pieces do I passionately love, even if I rarely or never wear them? Which pieces might I wear if I get other pieces to make them more cohesive within a full look? Which pieces could I never find again if I part with them? Which pieces are repetitive now that I have found another piece that fills it role in a better way somehow (usually for me, because size or shape looks better with other pieces I acquired later, or is more comfortable to wear all day)? What pieces did I wear a lot in the past and may wear again when things change (e.g. no longer having a young baby, or working in the office more vs from home).

Analyze first and sit pretty? A good and sensible strategy.

Buy first and analyze afterwards? It works for me! No pressure shopping experience (I already bought it and can try it out at my leisure!). I do pay in $ and hassle if I need to pare down some items, but I had the pleasure of owning them in the meantime. No one thinks it is strange to buy a new phone (or car) and upgrade it every couple of years, so I don't see why I can't do this with jewelry.

@nicole0612 that analogy about upgrading to new phone was spot on! And that’s what I am loving reading in this thread! Each of us have such different approaches YET at the end of the day we are all making our way to having and wearing well-loved pieces that bring us joy! And best part is there is no right or wrong answer! We each follow a certain approach (intended or unintended) and then adapt and modify as needed! I love your pieces as do so many of us here on the forum so whatever you are doing is working BEAUTIFULLY

 

[eternallove4bag]

Thanks Eternal!
I hope to add the butterfly ring soon (it is on my gift lift to hubby but who knows what he will get or when) to be your twin. I also want to add the new yg serpenti ring and the BA/guilloche yg ring. Will have to wait on these.
I have a bunch of pics on my phone of the piece I am ‘saving’ for now. A ways to go to wait…

That butterfly ring makes my heart flutter to this day every time I even glance at it @lynne_ross
The new YG serpenti ring is gorgeous BTW. Wish I had taken pics of it when I tried it. I hope they do something similar in WG because I am all tapped out for RG rings!

Would you add more YG Guilloche pieces to go with the BA/Guilloche ring?

 

[lynne_ross]

That butterfly ring makes my heart flutter to this day every time I even glance at it @lynne_ross
The new YG serpenti ring is gorgeous BTW. Wish I had taken pics of it when I tried it. I hope they do something similar in WG because I am all tapped out for RG rings!

Would you add more YG Guilloche pieces to go with the BA/Guilloche ring?

If you try on the rg snake (tubogas) please take pics! I am avoiding the store in temptation. Bulgari does need more wg options. Lots of RG at least.
I do not plan to add any other yg guilloche pieces. The ring will go with my existing yg Alhambra and buccellati. I would get the pg carnelian 2 motif earrings if VCA ever relaunches them. To me they are the perfect earrings for all the red occasions here in hk! Pending adding 1 wg 5 motif bracelet, I am trying hard not to add any more Alhambra. Too many other designs out there to explore!