Hammered gold bracelet longer than my others??

[cindy05]

Hi I noticed that my hammered yg bracelet was looser than my other ones so I measured them all and the hammered one is indeed longer than the others. I have never extended any of my bracelets and there appears to be the same number of links between the bracelets. I’m not understanding why tbe hammered one is longer.

I know gold can stretch after a while. Does anyone else have a hammered gold bracelet that they’ve worn a while? Has it gotten longer? Can you compare with your other bracelets? Thank you!

I included photos to show how the other bracelet’s motifs line up perfectly with each other but the hammered gold one doesn’t.

 

[cindy05]

 

[cindy05]

All of my other VCA bracelets are exactly the same length and their motifs line up with one another and they were purchased from tbe VCA boutique. This one was not purchased from the boutique but from a reputable jeweler. I used a 30x and 60x loupe to view the stamp and perlee beads and markings and they all seemed to line up. I’m baffled as to why this one is almost 1/4” longer. There are no extra links. VCA bracelets in their original length fit me perfectly so I knew something was off when the hammered bracelet felt loose on me.

 

[tenshix]

All of my other VCA bracelets are exactly the same length and their motifs line up with one another and they were purchased from tbe VCA boutique. This one was not purchased from the boutique but from a reputable jeweler. I used a 30x and 60x loupe to view the stamp and perlee beads and markings and they all seemed to line up. I’m baffled as to why this one is almost 1/4” longer. There are no extra links. VCA bracelets in their original length fit me perfectly so I knew something was off when the hammered bracelet felt loose on me.

I don’t think I could be of any help here because I’m also very confused looking at your comparison pictures. Do you happen to have a digital caliper by any chance? I would check the size of each link to be sure but this definitely looks off.

From the lobster claw clip photo it looks like it starts stretching from the 2nd motif.

I don’t know that I’ve heard of these bracelets stretching to this extent. Is there any way you could return the bracelet?

 

[880]

I have not heard of gold stretching

A few alternatives might be that I’ve read there have been some changes to VCA alhambra throughout the years (mainly in weight), so perhaps simple variance? Also, VCA did not protect alhambra original intellectual property and has failed to successfully defend it, so there may be some cad or other copies out there.

ETA: if someone wants to purchase authentic alhambra, it may be best to simply buy from the boutique.

 

[cindy05]

I’m afraid of what I’m seeing. Left is my blue agate from the boutique. Right is the hammered gold. Check out the closeup pics I took of two bracelets. One I bought from the VCA boutique and the other one is from a jeweler/reseller.

Only way to tell for sure is to bring to VCA for service I think. Will they confiscate if it turns out to be fake?

 

[cindy05]

I don’t think I could be of any help here because I’m also very confused looking at your comparison pictures. Do you happen to have a digital caliper by any chance? I would check the size of each link to be sure but this definitely looks off.

From the lobster claw clip photo it looks like it starts stretching from the 2nd motif.

I don’t know that I’ve heard of these bracelets stretching to this extent. Is there any way you could return the bracelet?

I do not have a digital caliper. I bought it from a jeweler/reseller. I texted her this morning and she said she will get back to me and that it’s impossible to be fake.

 

[tenshix]

I’m afraid of what I’m seeing. Left is my blue agate from the boutique. Right is the hammered gold. Check out the closeup pics I took of two bracelets. One I bought from the VCA boutique and the other one is from a jeweler/reseller.

Only way to tell for sure is to bring to VCA for service I think. Will they confiscate if it turns out to be fake?

View attachment 5677327

View attachment 5677328

Servicing is not a sure way of authenticating a piece is real. VCA outsources their repairs sometimes for things like shortening or lengthening and these 3rd party jewelers aren’t authenticators. They even sent me back completely wrong extra links before that were not even VCA links when I shortened one of my bracelets and it was an ordeal for my SA to get my real links returned.

The only way to be sure is to pay for the $1800 authentication service from VCA (I believe that was the price from last year, could have changed) to issue a certificate but at that price you may as well just purchase a brand new bracelet from the boutique for peace of mind.

A lot of members have discussed on a thread here about how crazy similar the replicas are these days so one must be very careful. Perhaps other members familiar with purchasing antique VCA might be able to chime in. If you are uncomfortable I would just return the bracelet and get your money back, it is not worth losing sleep over.

 

[snnysmm]

Hi I noticed that my hammered yg bracelet was looser than my other ones so I measured them all and the hammered one is indeed longer than the others. I have never extended any of my bracelets and there appears to be the same number of links between the bracelets. I’m not understanding why tbe hammered one is longer.

I know gold can stretch after a while. Does anyone else have a hammered gold bracelet that they’ve worn a while? Has it gotten longer? Can you compare with your other bracelets? Thank you!

I included photos to show how the other bracelet’s motifs line up perfectly with each other but the hammered gold one doesn’t.

View attachment 5677156



View attachment 5677158

View attachment 5677159

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The links seem longer/different from the second motif, so I don’t think it’s a case of gold stretching or VCA having used different links in the previous years.

Can you consider a return?

Either way, I hope it turns out to be authentic!

 

[lovexchanel]

the clasp looks very different.. if you look at the number of swirls, it has less than the one to the left.
i looked at some bracelets on fashionphile from 2018 and they look like the one to the left, not the right

i dont know anything but its just an observation. i can't authenticate either

 

[Buddysmom]

Due to my recent experience I would definitely question its authenticity. I purchased a 10 motif Malachite last month from what appeared to be a reputable seller. The necklace included the certificate along with the VCA presentation box (I have enough of these from the boutique and box was authentic). The necklace was perfect with all of the markings and very clear serial number.

My dear SA looked at photos and he thought it was authentic but offered to run the serial #. As it turns out the serial # belonged to a completely different VCA piece. The fakes are getting better and better and really hard to spot.

I was super lucky to get my money refunded and have vowed NEVER to purchase except from the boutique.

Best of luck!!!

 

[cindy05]

Thank you all for responding. The seller has agreed to a full refund so this is resolved.

 

[lynne_ross]

Thank you all for responding. The seller has agreed to a full refund so this is resolved.

Happy to hear this and that you noticed the difference.

 

[sassification]

Thankfully u got a refund! But i am curious if it is a super fake.. i am actually now afraid to buy from reseller. Although savings can be huge, but i dont wish to still pay 28k for something that can potentially be a super fake even though i could be saving 7k off a very new piece with full receipts

 

[tenshix]

Thank you all for responding. The seller has agreed to a full refund so this is resolved.

I’m glad you were able to get a full refund.

What irks me about the super fakes (not saying the one you received was for sure one but it did look a bit suspicious) is that they continue to circulate in the market even after being returned and fool other unsuspecting buyers. Imagine if you didn’t have your existing pieces to compare with, I don’t think an innocent buyer would suspect anything and have paid a hefty premium for a potential super fake…