Help! First Van Cleef Purchase

Which one to get first, VCA sweet alhambra necklace or bracelet?

  • Sweet Alhambra Necklace

    Votes: 23 69.7%

  • Sweet Alhambra Bracelet

    Votes: 10 30.3%
  • Total voters
    33

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Jcabs

Jcabs

Member
Jul 3, 2022
130
191
#1
Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing well.

It's my birthday coming up soon and my fiancé is purchasing me my first Van Cleef & Arpel item!
I'm deciding to go for either the sweet alhambra necklace or bracelet. I do have a Cartier JUC bracelet and thought to get the VCA bracelet to continue my stack but tbh the necklace is more expensive so thought the fiancé could purchase the necklace and maybe later I get the bracelet? lol

Not sure what to do as I like both. Also, if you have any photos of you wearing either, I'd love to see how you stack or wear them! :blush:
 
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#2
Have you tried on the sweet pendant or bracelet before? I can't speak for others but when I was purchasing my first VCA piece, I find the sweet size to be underwhelming even though I'm petite and usually go for daintier jewelry pieces. With that said, I do own a sweet pendant in carnelian and love it, it's one of my most worn pieces by this brand so it'll have my vote. I'm not a fan of the sweet bracelet though, it looks a bit too subtle when worn on its own and doesn't look quite nice stack with JUC or love bracelet because the single motif will shift around and look lost on the arm. For the sweet size I prefer the 6 motif bracelet, it costs more but look much more substantial and better for stacking. Ultimately, pick one that makes your heart sing and that you can see yourself wearing all the time, cost per wear is more important than the initial cost imo. Happy early birthday btw! :hbeat:
 
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#3
waterlily112 said:
Have you tried on the sweet pendant or bracelet before? I can't speak for others but when I was purchasing my first VCA piece, I find the sweet size to be underwhelming even though I'm petite and usually go for daintier jewelry pieces. With that said, I do own a sweet pendant in carnelian and love it, it's one of my most worn pieces by this brand so it'll have my vote. I'm not a fan of the sweet bracelet though, it looks a bit too subtle when worn on its own and doesn't look quite nice stack with JUC or love bracelet because the single motif will shift around and look lost on the arm. For the sweet size I prefer the 6 motif bracelet, it costs more but look much more substantial and better for stacking. Ultimately, pick one that makes your heart sing and that you can see yourself wearing all the time, cost per wear is more important than the initial cost imo. Happy early birthday btw! :hbeat:
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I haven't tried it on yet! I probably should because I'm like you, petite and going for daintier jewelry pieces. I do like the vintage size and will probably buy that later as well to layer lol but for some reason I do like the subtleness and how cute it looks.

I never thought of it being shifted around! That makes a lot of sense. I do know I want the 5 motifs bracelet for sure.
Thank you so much for your advice :heart: you're right. Thank you, you're so kind!!
 
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#4
Hi!
I was in the same predicament as you with my first VCA purchase and these were my two options too! I tried on the sweet Alhambra MOP with my Cartier love and JUC and felt it was too delicate bearing in mind I have the slim version in both so I opted for the necklace and I absolutely love it!
I am now going back this weekend for a 5 motif bracelet as I think it compliments my stack better but it’s defo down to personal preference. I’d recommend to try both on and see how you feel

Happy shopping! X
 
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#7
kb90x said:
Hi!
I was in the same predicament as you with my first VCA purchase and these were my two options too! I tried on the sweet Alhambra MOP with my Cartier love and JUC and felt it was too delicate bearing in mind I have the slim version in both so I opted for the necklace and I absolutely love it!
I am now going back this weekend for a 5 motif bracelet as I think it compliments my stack better but it’s defo down to personal preference. I’d recommend to try both on and see how you feel

Happy shopping! X
Click to expand...

Hi!

I have the small JUC as well and saving for the thin cartier love, I thought if I get the sweet alhambra bracelet it may look out of place with all the slim bracelets, if that makes sense? I'm thinking from all opinions and yourself I may opt for the necklace and get the 5 motif later.

Also, I'm wanting the MOP. How has yours held up? Does it scratch or became dull layering with other necklaces?

Thank you so much for your advice! :heart:
 
#9
EpiFanatic said:
I chose pendant because you can layer it or wear it alone for a dainty look. The single sweet bracelet does not have enough presence for my purpose compared to the five motif.
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You're right, I was thinking about that. I love layering dainty necklaces but for my wrist I feel it needs a bigger piece to stand out especially with my small JUC and wanting the thin cartier love later.

Thank you so much for your help!! :heart:
 
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#10
I’m in the minority here but I love stacking my small love/juc with my sweet Alhambra bracelet! Super subtle and very much my style. I don’t wear my 5 motif nearly as much bc I find it too noticeable.

Also, the sweet pendant is a little too small for me as a necklace, and I prefer how the vintage is fixed.
 
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#11
Jcabs said:
Hi!

I have the small JUC as well and saving for the thin cartier love, I thought if I get the sweet alhambra bracelet it may look out of place with all the slim bracelets, if that makes sense? I'm thinking from all opinions and yourself I may opt for the necklace and get the 5 motif later.

Also, I'm wanting the MOP. How has yours held up? Does it scratch or became dull layering with other necklaces?

Thank you so much for your advice! :heart:
Click to expand...
I was really excited to try on the sweet Alhambra MOP bracelet but like others said I was underwhelmed by it and felt it kind of got lost on my wrist with my stack if that makes sense! I fell in love with the sweet Alhambra necklace when I tried it on and it’s the perfect dainty necklace and would be perfect to layer! I wear my necklace a lot and have accidentally got perfume on it even though the SA’s advise against it but sometimes it happens and it’s still as pretty as ever!

I would definitely say to try them both on and see what draws you in :) hope you have an amazing birthday and get your perfect VCA piece xxx
 
#12
hmn002 said:
I’m in the minority here but I love stacking my small love/juc with my sweet Alhambra bracelet! Super subtle and very much my style. I don’t wear my 5 motif nearly as much bc I find it too noticeable.

Also, the sweet pendant is a little too small for me as a necklace, and I prefer how the vintage is fixed.
Click to expand...
Wow! what a great stack! Yes, I do like subtle tbh. That's kind of why I wanted my first piece to be a sweet!
 
#13
kb90x said:
I was really excited to try on the sweet Alhambra MOP bracelet but like others said I was underwhelmed by it and felt it kind of got lost on my wrist with my stack if that makes sense! I fell in love with the sweet Alhambra necklace when I tried it on and it’s the perfect dainty necklace and would be perfect to layer! I wear my necklace a lot and have accidentally got perfume on it even though the SA’s advise against it but sometimes it happens and it’s still as pretty as ever!

I would definitely say to try them both on and see what draws you in :smile: hope you have an amazing birthday and get your perfect VCA piece xxx
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Yes that makes sense! I'm definitely leaning toward getting the necklace after hearing everyones opinion. I love layering so I think it would be the perfect addition to my collection.

I'm glad nothing happened to it!! I heard to not put perfume, shower with it or have lotion on the MOP. I'll have to be very careful :lol:
 
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#15
Jcabs said:
Yes that makes sense! I'm definitely leaning toward getting the necklace after hearing everyones opinion. I love layering so I think it would be the perfect addition to my collection.

I'm glad nothing happened to it!! I heard to not put perfume, shower with it or have lotion on the MOP. I'll have to be very careful :lol:
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Yess definitely keep it safe I always feel super bad when I accidentally spray perfume on it, I know some people shower with it and stuff like that and nothing happens to it but SA’s do highly advise against it. They even give you a booklet on how to care for your MOP as it’s the most delicate :)
Do let us know what you go for! <3
 
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