If you could only have 1 20-motif, what would you choose?

[Pursephile]

Another vote for tiger eye. I bought the 20 motif YGMOP for all the reasons mentioned, but I hardly ever wear it. If I could go back, I’d buy the tiger eye. I have the 20 in the YG hammered and I wear that quite often. You should go and try as many as you can. Go with what you love.

So much love for tiger’s eye! I have to try it on now, for sure!

I don’t think there’s a guilloche YG 20-motif is there? I feel like that would be a fabulous option to try as well.

My current list of stones/types to try:
- WMOP
- tiger’s eye
- Onyx (maybe? I love black but I don’t feel it would be as versatile)
- WG guilloche (I was leaning towards stone > plain metal, but the WG guilloche is so pretty!)

My current list of necklace types to try:
- 20 motif
- 10+5 motif
- 6 motif magic
- 16 motif magic

 

[nicole0612]

Omg thank you for weighing in with so many thoughts!! You’ve given me lots of things to consider!

Could you explain what you mean by robust shoulders? I have shoulders that are a fairly standard width but they are strong (I powerlift).

Thank you for pointing out that 20s can go between the cleavage - that would be unacceptable for me for sure and something I need to take note of!

I wonder if it makes sense to do 10+5+5? It would cost exactly the same as one 20 but I believe it works out to a couple inches shorter. And it gives me amazing flexibility, but I’m not sure if all those visible clasps would bug me!

I havent ever tried tiger’s eye, but I’m intrigued by it now! I do have what I’d call a “slightly warm neutral” complexion so it ought to suit me, but I’ll reserve judgment till I try it. But I am also leaning MOP because it just seems like the most versatile option of the lot. Onyx is cool, and I love it, but I feel like I wouldn’t reach for it in the summer, because I do wear a lot of light colours in the summer.

Thank you so much once again!

You are very welcome! I am glad to help. By robust shoulders, I mean exactly what you mentioned of having a bit more substantial shoulders (not in width, but in height or depth, where the 20 motif would lay across the shoulders). For people who are very petite or have little muscle, this area can be quite a bit smaller and shorter, so it impacts how the 20 motif will lay. Since you lift weights, this may bring up the bottom length of the 20 motif on you as well as considering your chest.

 

[Pursephile]

You are very welcome! I am glad to help. By robust shoulders, I mean exactly what you mentioned of having a bit more substantial shoulders (not in width, but in height or depth, where the 20 motif would lay across the shoulders). For people who are very petite or have little muscle, this area can be quite a bit smaller and shorter, so it impacts how the 20 motif will lay. Since you lift weights, this may bring up the bottom length of the 20 motif on you as well as considering your chest.

Oh, understood now! I never thought about how the shoulders could impact how the 20 motif hangs.

I think I also like the idea of a long necklace because visually it sort of “cuts” the expanse of the bust area. I wear a lot of fitted tops (I need to, because my waist is 13” smaller than my bust so if I wear something loose, it makes me look much bigger) but that draws a lot of attention to the bust as well. I feel like a long necklace would help with making the bust look less wide.

 

[missie1]

Some people, that’s me! 😘

Yep lol….you have me hooked on this combo

 

[Hiker4life]

All of this advice is invaluable. I think because of TPF, I began with a 10. Then a 10+5 due to pics of @lisawhit and @nicole0612. From the pics from @880 and @A bottle of Red I realized I could wear a 6 motif casually since I don’t have the budget or lifestyle of Kate Middleton and I now have a 6. I think that we can fear making a mistake with our purchases and not living near a VCA makes it much more difficult for me with planning but the pieces are pretty universally flattering and go with a lot of different clothes and body shapes. I think when you see the piece and try it on, you will know. I got my 20 as my most recent purchase and it was in tigers eye to fill a niche in my current collection. I love how the stone looks when it moves in light, is a neutral blending into the gold, and as a 20 can be long or short. I included some pics to show how it can be worn dressy or casual, over different colors, over prints, and tucked under a scarf over a sweater. I am 5’6”

 

[Pursephile]

All of this advice is invaluable. I think because of TPF, I began with a 10. Then a 10+5 due to pics of @lisawhit and @nicole0612. From the pics from @880 and @A bottle of Red I realized I could wear a 6 motif casually since I don’t have the budget or lifestyle of Kate Middleton and I now have a 6. I think that we can fear making a mistake with our purchases and not living near a VCA makes it much more difficult for me with planning but the pieces are pretty universally flattering and go with a lot of different clothes and body shapes. I think when you see the piece and try it on, you will know. I got my 20 as my most recent purchase and it was in tigers eye to fill a niche in my current collection. I love how the stone looks when it moves in light, is a neutral blending into the gold, and as a 20 can be long or short. I included some pics to show how it can be worn dressy or casual, over different colors, over prints, and tucked under a scarf over a sweater. I am 5’6”


View attachment 5903381View attachment 5903382View attachment 5903380

I love how you styled it with scarf and sweated - that is totally my style! And I can totally picture myself wearing it over a dress or T-shirt (though I rarely wear T-shirts) as well.

I think that none of the other pieces are quite as appealing to me as the chicness of a 20 motif, at least in pictures. If it looks terrible in real life, that’s one thing, but if not then I will 100% go for it (and likely in either MOP or tiger’s eye).

I can’t see myself adding a lot more VCA, at least not another long necklace, but you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men 😂

 

[Hiker4life]

When I posted my reply, I realized that I am a long way off of my choice of only getting a 10! I do think that keeping an open mind is a great idea though. The 6 was never previously on my radar and I have found it to be much more versatile and flattering than I would have guessed. It is by far my most complimented VCA piece I wear. If they don’t have the exact piece you want in stock when you go to the store, I would try a different 20 to see if the length works for you. I wouldn’t settle if you find the length unflattering or too long. The 10+5 or the 6 may be other great options

 

[Pursephile]

When I posted my reply, I realized that I am a long way off of my choice of only getting a 10! I do think that keeping an open mind is a great idea though. The 6 was never previously on my radar and I have found it to be much more versatile and flattering than I would have guessed. It is by far my most complimented VCA piece I wear. If they don’t have the exact piece you want in stock when you go to the store, I would try a different 20 to see if the length works for you. I wouldn’t settle if you find the length unflattering or too long. The 10+5 or the 6 may be other great options

I definitely do plan to try before I buy, but I probably would want to try the 20 first and see how it sits on the body because visually it’s the style that appeals to me the most. If it’s too long, I would try the 10+5, but I am fairly sure I would never wear them as a 10 and 5 separately, so I would only get them if I liked the length the way it is.

I also feel like a 20 is more versatile - I can picture myself wearing it doubled or lariat style along with long, but a 10+5 can’t really (well, maybe lariat style).

I’ve never seen the 6 in person though, so it would be interesting to try it on.

 

[caruava]

All of this advice is invaluable. I think because of TPF, I began with a 10. Then a 10+5 due to pics of @lisawhit and @nicole0612. From the pics from @880 and @A bottle of Red I realized I could wear a 6 motif casually since I don’t have the budget or lifestyle of Kate Middleton and I now have a 6. I think that we can fear making a mistake with our purchases and not living near a VCA makes it much more difficult for me with planning but the pieces are pretty universally flattering and go with a lot of different clothes and body shapes. I think when you see the piece and try it on, you will know. I got my 20 as my most recent purchase and it was in tigers eye to fill a niche in my current collection. I love how the stone looks when it moves in light, is a neutral blending into the gold, and as a 20 can be long or short. I included some pics to show how it can be worn dressy or casual, over different colors, over prints, and tucked under a scarf over a sweater. I am 5’6”

View attachment 5903382

Love how the TE is 'lost' in the D&G dress. It's an unlikely pairing that really hits the mark for me!

 

[Pursephile]

So I had a chance to go try on 20 motifs finally - and I think I'm doing it! I tried on a few options and I feel pretty set on the YG MOP. It's a classic for a reason I will probably buy it towards the end of the year, let me marinate in thoughts for a bit. But I felt pretty sold on it! I had plans of clasping together a 10+5, trying a 16, trying a 6... and once I had the 20 on I didn't even bother, lol.

As for earrings, they didn't have any 4-motifs in stock - I think those are made to order, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I was so excited over the necklaces I didn't even think to try on any 3 motifs or 1 motif either, darn! I think I'll have to do earrings when I buy the 20 when I travel again towards the end of the year. I seem to have jewellery tunnel vision - can only see one thing at a time!

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi! I am so late to this thread, but I thought I would still reply..
You have received a lot of great thoughts, and I will add my two cents.

First, I love love love 20s! The 20 is the bomb when it comes to classic VCA Alhambra. I am 5' 2", 108lbs and petite, and I love long necklaces. I only wear long necklaces, the shortest being 34" and the longest being 52". I love the swing, and I think it makes a petite person look fabulous.

A 20 works with every neckline... scoop neck, vneck, collar, turtleneck.
This is not true of a shorter necklace such as a 10 or a 6. With these shorter necklaces, my opinion is that they only look good against skin, so you need to wear vnecks, lowcut necklines, or open collars. I almost always wear a scoop neck, hence I love long necklaces.

On thoughts of doing a 10 + 5 + 5 and the other Frankenstein combos...
For me, it does not work. The spacing of the 5 motif is tighter (e.g. there are less links in between), so when strung together and showing on the neck, it makes the necklace look very "motif heavy" due to the close spacing. Also, and this is a big NO for me, you will see the clasps. Some people don't mind the clasp showing or the off-spacing, but I am a purist, and I like to wear pieces as they are intended to be worn.

I did want to point out the spacing is different with the 5 motif in case you did not know.

Hence, I vote for a pure 20 motif. I only wear white metal, so I have the WG MOP set. I love my set.
However, if I wore YG, I would 100% get the YG MOP. That is the most gorgeous 20 combo. The MOP that VCA uses for their YG has slight pinkish overtone. It glows, and it's magnificent. My WG MOP is nice, and the MOP that VCA uses for WG has a silver overtone, and while I love my WG MOP, it in no way compares to the beauty of the YG MOP.

I would also get the matching earrings in VA size. For reference, I have the WG MOP 20, VA WG MOP earrings, and two WG MOP bracelets. I wear the bracelets as bracelets, not as necklaces.

You can wear the earrings as a set, and it will look beautiful on you.
Since you are 5' 3", you will be fine with the 20 as it is 34". You mentioned you have big boobies, but the upside is that you are short, and at 5' 3", the 20 will fall past your boobies.

What you do not want is for the 20 to end at the bottom of your boobies, like they are about to fall off a cliff. You want the chain PAST your rib cage which they should be. For big boobies and long chains, the sweet spot is below the first rib of your rib cage.

For me, I like my chains long, and my favorite length is 38", so I definitely think 34" is not going to be too long for you.

I think your choice of a 20 in YG MOP is spot on. It is my favorite metal & stone combo for Alhambra. It works for all outfits, and best of all the MOP glows against your skin.

Hope this was helpful, and good luck to you!

 

[BigAkoya]

By the way, here is a great photo showing the difference in the spacing between a necklace (5 links) and a bracelet (4 links).
Do you see how the motifs are closer in the bracelet? When you string two 5s together and wear it as a necklace, the motifs look too compressed together. I think in a necklace, the spacing of a 10 or 20 looks much better with 5 links, as it was intended.

I'm so excited for you, and good luck deciding!

 

[Pursephile]

Hi! I am so late to this thread, but I thought I would still reply..
You have received a lot of great thoughts, and I will add my two cents.

First, I love love love 20s! The 20 is the bomb when it comes to classic VCA Alhambra. I am 5' 2", 108lbs and petite, and I love long necklaces. I only wear long necklaces, the shortest being 34" and the longest being 52". I love the swing, and I think it makes a petite person look fabulous.

A 20 works with every neckline... scoop neck, vneck, collar, turtleneck.
This is not true of a shorter necklace such as a 10 or a 6. With these shorter necklaces, my opinion is that they only look good against skin, so you need to wear vnecks, lowcut necklines, or open collars. I almost always wear a scoop neck, hence I love long necklaces.

On thoughts of doing a 10 + 5 + 5 and the other Frankenstein combos...
For me, it does not work. The spacing of the 5 motif is tighter (e.g. there are less links in between), so when strung together and showing on the neck, it makes the necklace look very "motif heavy" due to the close spacing. Also, and this is a big NO for me, you will see the clasps. Some people don't mind the clasp showing or the off-spacing, but I am a purist, and I like to wear pieces as they are intended to be worn.

I did want to point out the spacing is different with the 5 motif in case you did not know.

Hence, I vote for a pure 20 motif. I only wear white metal, so I have the WG MOP set. I love my set.
However, if I wore YG, I would 100% get the YG MOP. That is the most gorgeous 20 combo. The MOP that VCA uses for their YG has slight pinkish overtone. It glows, and it's magnificent. My WG MOP is nice, and the MOP that VCA uses for WG has a silver overtone, and while I love my WG MOP, it in no way compares to the beauty of the YG MOP.

I would also get the matching earrings in VA size. For reference, I have the WG MOP 20, VA WG MOP earrings, and two WG MOP bracelets. I wear the bracelets as bracelets, not as necklaces.

You can wear the earrings as a set, and it will look beautiful on you.
Since you are 5' 3", you will be fine with the 20 as it is 34". You mentioned you have big boobies, but the upside is that you are short, and at 5' 3", the 20 will fall past your boobies.

What you do not want is for the 20 to end at the bottom of your boobies, like they are about to fall off a cliff. You want the chain PAST your rib cage which they should be. For big boobies and long chains, the sweet spot is below the first rib of your rib cage.

For me, I like my chains long, and my favorite length is 38", so I definitely think 34" is not going to be too long for you.

I think your choice of a 20 in YG MOP is spot on. It is my favorite metal & stone combo for Alhambra. It works for all outfits, and best of all the MOP glows against your skin.

Hope this was helpful, and good luck to you!

By the way, here is a great photo showing the difference in the spacing between a necklace (5 links) and a bracelet (4 links).
Do you see how the motifs are closer in the bracelet? When you string two 5s together and wear it as a necklace, the motifs look too compressed together. I think in a necklace, the spacing of a 10 or 20 looks much better with 5 links, as it was intended.

I'm so excited for you, and good luck deciding!

View attachment 5958718

Thank you so, so much for the wealth of info!

You're right - I couldn't pinpoint what the difference was in the 5 motifs and the 10/20, but it's the spacing - and I also prefer the spacing of the original necklace. I like the motifs being spaced out slightly, but the magic 16 motif was too spaced out for my comfort. The 20 hit me just where you mentioned - under the bust, and I liked how it looked. I wear multiple necklines as well and I feel like the 20 is the most versatile - and I could always wear it doubled, if I want a shorter necklace.

I have a long diamond chain (not VCA) in WG, so I would've preferred YG for this necklace anyway! Once I knew MOP comes in both YG and WG there was no contest. Pictures of the YG/MOP do not compare to it in person, for sure! It's so glowy, even though in pictures it looks more flat (they didn't have a WG MOP 20 in store so I just didn't see it. I should have, but I was so overwhelmed I had tunnel vision, like I said!) I know GMOP is even more lustrous but I liked the... sheen? I don't know what word works here. I do think though, because I'm not very fair, the white MOP popped against me more than a darker stone would. I saw the carnelian for example, and it suited my skin tone, but it didn't pop enough for me. I was tempted by the onyx though. I just thought MOP is more versatile (I can't see myself wearing onyx in summer). Tiger's eye was not in store, but I frankly am sold on MOP anyway.

Unfortunately, VCA VA earrings just don't work for me. I have such huge lobes, the standard VA is just too small (the standard adjustments they do will not make it fit me in the NS orientation. I would have to have them turn it into a push back, if they even would do that, but they also look really tiny on me and don't pack enough of a punch). I could do the magic 1-motif, and that is under vague consideration, but I also really like the look of long earrings with a chain for special occasions. If I got a single motif, I wouldn't wear it without the chain, but long earrings give me more versatility imo. And I don't want to be matchy-matchy all the time. On a regular basis I see myself pairing the chain with my studs; or wearing just the long earrings with no necklace.

But thank you for all the info - I'll definitely keep you posted on what I decide!

 

[Sophie0121]

GMOP also sounds like a great idea! I’m short too, and kind of petite. That was my concern with the 3 motif and 20 - I won’t buy them without trying it on of course, but trying it on would necessitate a trip overseas!



Oh - if the GMOP isn’t available in 20 without the MTO premium that’s out of the question for me - my budget wouldn’t stretch that far!

That seems to be 2 votes for YG/MOP - I have never seen tiger’s eye in person though. I tend to wear all colours, so anything that goes with a decent chunk of my clothes would be perfect. That seems to indicate MOP or Onyx, but brown is also a neutral…

I have never tried on a 20, because it was never on my radar! This is just a thought I had recently so I’m in research mode currently. Of course before buying I would try them on first


An alternating 20 is a great idea, but I thought they only did alternating with pave, which is totally out of budget 🙈

I think I want something that goes with a bunch of my wardrobe. I wear all colours so I guess even a “pop” would go with a lot of things. But a neutral seems easier to match.

I’m short too and I’ve never tried it on. Is there a thread of shorter women modelling their 20s? I only found an old one and I thought the length seemed fine but if there’s a newer thread like this I’d love to see.

Sorry i am reading an old threat so if you already bought never mind. Just happens I tried TE earrings yesterday and my SA advised TE with neutral clothes like black / white / beige. And malachite if you like colours 😌

 

[Sophie0121]

Thank you so, so much for the wealth of info!

You're right - I couldn't pinpoint what the difference was in the 5 motifs and the 10/20, but it's the spacing - and I also prefer the spacing of the original necklace. I like the motifs being spaced out slightly, but the magic 16 motif was too spaced out for my comfort. The 20 hit me just where you mentioned - under the bust, and I liked how it looked. I wear multiple necklines as well and I feel like the 20 is the most versatile - and I could always wear it doubled, if I want a shorter necklace.

I have a long diamond chain (not VCA) in WG, so I would've preferred YG for this necklace anyway! Once I knew MOP comes in both YG and WG there was no contest. Pictures of the YG/MOP do not compare to it in person, for sure! It's so glowy, even though in pictures it looks more flat (they didn't have a WG MOP 20 in store so I just didn't see it. I should have, but I was so overwhelmed I had tunnel vision, like I said!) I know GMOP is even more lustrous but I liked the... sheen? I don't know what word works here. I do think though, because I'm not very fair, the white MOP popped against me more than a darker stone would. I saw the carnelian for example, and it suited my skin tone, but it didn't pop enough for me. I was tempted by the onyx though. I just thought MOP is more versatile (I can't see myself wearing onyx in summer). Tiger's eye was not in store, but I frankly am sold on MOP anyway.

Unfortunately, VCA VA earrings just don't work for me. I have such huge lobes, the standard VA is just too small (the standard adjustments they do will not make it fit me in the NS orientation. I would have to have them turn it into a push back, if they even would do that, but they also look really tiny on me and don't pack enough of a punch). I could do the magic 1-motif, and that is under vague consideration, but I also really like the look of long earrings with a chain for special occasions. If I got a single motif, I wouldn't wear it without the chain, but long earrings give me more versatility imo. And I don't want to be matchy-matchy all the time. On a regular basis I see myself pairing the chain with my studs; or wearing just the long earrings with no necklace.

But thank you for all the info - I'll definitely keep you posted on what I decide!

Oh and there is a thread that tells about the 4 motif earrings that was recently posted here on TPF. Some people felt the noise of the chains clicking together annoying. I myself never saw them in person I cannot tell about the noise. But the look is wonderful 😊