Need Help for building a matching set

[LuxeDivaNYC]

Hello! I was hoping you lovely TPFers could help me with some decisions on how to best build my VCA collection. I currently have the Vintage Alhambra Earrings in YG with white MOP, this was my first piece from VCA. Recently, hubby gifted me one of my dream pieces for a special occasion, it is the YG and diamond Vintage alhambra pendant. The two pieces go well together, and I wear them when I dress up, but for me personally, it's a bit overkill for every day wear. I am usually just a casual athleta wearing mom!

I am now looking to create my every day VCA set. It needs to be durable and can get wet, as I am a busy mom and just don't take my jewelry off and on. (I currently wear WG diamond huggies for earrings and almost never change them.) I was looking to get a sweet alhambra earring, but they only sell the hammered style in RG. It would be the only piece of RG jewelry that I own, and am afraid it would just not look right if I wore my YG/Diamond pendant with it. I also currently wear one YG Cartier Love bangle, and am wanting to get a VCA Vintage 5 motif hammered bracelet, but don't know which one to get. Do I get a RG to match the sweet earrings, but the diamond pendant will not match? Or do I get a YG bracelet to match the pendant, but then the earrings are kind of odd in RG? Does anyone have any similar combinations that they could show me? I would be greatly appreciative of any input! If I could get mulitple pieces to swap in and out, then I would, but it's not in my near future!

Thanks!

 

[880]

IMO it’s a modern trend to mix metal, and even if you normally match, the distance between earring and bracelet is far enough to mix. I think buy what you love most, and mix it for a unique look, which is what I think you do when you mix the WG Huggies. But, I am in the minority on TPF. If you want to match, but have no other RG pieces, I would avoid RG.

I personally don’t wear any jewelry 24/7, and especially not MOP or soft stone alhambra. But it’s my understanding if there is damage to a motif, it can be replaced at a relatively low cost. The most durable would be pave or hammered gold, the latter easiest to keep clean.

 

[WingNut]

If you have the YG/MOP VA earrings and YG pave VA pendant, I personally would stick with YG for a set that makes it easier to dress up or down by replacing certain pieces. You could try:
Sweet Onyx YG earrings, Onyx YG 5-motif bracelet or Pereles d'or bangle.

However, since you have WG diamond huggies, if you wanted to add to the WG theme, you could do a WG hammered VA pendant (or even a Cartier Legeres diamond - I have one and rarely take it off), then add either a Perles d'or bangle in WG or hammered WG 5-motif.

 

[missie1]

Based off your existing pieces I would suggest the YG 5 motif bracelet either hammered or gulliche. It will flow with your earrings and will go with the pendant as both are YG. I would also suggest adding YG mop to add sometimes as it’s matches your earrings and I feel two pieces are needed to make a set. I don’t love VCA All metal RG pieces as they look coppery and don’t match well with YG. I don’t think you have to worry about your Huggies they are diamonds in wg they will work with everything.

 

[LuxeDivaNYC]

IMO it’s a modern trend to mix metal, and even if you normally match, the distance between earring and bracelet is far enough to mix. I think buy what you love most, and mix it for a unique look, which is what I think you do when you mix the WG Huggies. But, I am in the minority on TPF. If you want to match, but have no other RG pieces, I would avoid RG.

I personally don’t wear any jewelry 24/7, and especially not MOP or soft stone alhambra. But it’s my understanding if there is damage to a motif, it can be replaced at a relatively low cost. The most durable would be pave or hammered gold, the latter easiest to keep clean.

Thank you! I am very hesitant to start with the RG, but it's driving me nuts that certain pieces are only sold in RG. I've been also very fond of the grey MOP pendant, but that only comes in RG. I do wonder why they only make the sweet hammered earrings in RG, as I like the sweet size for everyday, and the all metal would wear well in the shower etc.
You don't think the WG huggies would clash if the rest of what I wear is YG?

 

[LuxeDivaNYC]

If you have the YG/MOP VA earrings and YG pave VA pendant, I personally would stick with YG for a set that makes it easier to dress up or down by replacing certain pieces. You could try:
Sweet Onyx YG earrings, Onyx YG 5-motif bracelet or Pereles d'or bangle.

However, since you have WG diamond huggies, if you wanted to add to the WG theme, you could do a WG hammered VA pendant (or even a Cartier Legeres diamond - I have one and rarely take it off), then add either a Perles d'or bangle in WG or hammered WG 5-motif.

I would LOVE to start a set in WG as well, but at the moment it's not in my budget so I am just trying to build upon the pieces that I have which are YG. I think I will try your suggestion on the sweet onyx YG earrings for every day wear. I just hope that they go well with the diamond pendant. Can you wear the onyx in the shower?

 

[LuxeDivaNYC]

Based off your existing pieces I would suggest the YG 5 motif bracelet either hammered or gulliche. It will flow with your earrings and will go with the pendant as both are YG. I would also suggest adding YG mop to add sometimes as it’s matches your earrings and I feel two pieces are needed to make a set. I don’t love VCA All metal RG pieces as they look coppery and don’t match well with YG. I don’t think you have to worry about your Huggies they are diamonds in wg they will work with everything.

I've not yet seen any of the RG in person, but tend to stick with the YG since it's just more classic and easier to match. Do you think my WG huggies will still go, if the rest of my VCA pieces are in YG? Do you have any advice in deciding between the hammered and the guilloche?

 

[880]

@LuxeDivaNYC , i was going by your prior statement that you wear WG Huggies almost all the time and don’t change them. . .

I think it depends. I wear WG diamond studs with my YG VCA GMO six motif necklace. And statement bracelets in yG and PG. it’s actually an everyday look for me from shorts and t shirts to dressier things. I advise trying the jewelry on with what you normally wear (including the WG Huggies) and taking a full length action shot. Bc that is how others will see you. If it looks like an intentional combination, it might work.

Here is a mix of WG, PG, and YG VCA GMO necklace. And, a second pic where I was trying on a matte silver alligator saddle bag with pg and yg bracelets that I wear normally. I didn’t buy this bag, but if I did, I wouldn’t hesitate to wear it with mixed metal.

Since I prefer yg jewelry, and I’ve always tended towards phw on bags, it’s an automatic mix. I do dislike mixing metal in a single piece, such as a two tone Rolex, mainly bc it reminds me of my 1980s style. But, then again diamonds in heavy YG is also 80s; Im not exactly consistent lol. It’s a personal call Have fun experimenting

 

[missie1]

I've not yet seen any of the RG in person, but tend to stick with the YG since it's just more classic and easier to match. Do you think my WG huggies will still go, if the rest of my VCA pieces are in YG? Do you have any advice in deciding between the hammered and the guilloche?

I definitely think the WG Huggies will go. I wear diamond studs in my ear with all my VCA and I primarily have RG and stone pieces. The diamonds will compliment any price you’re wearing. Also it will tie into your diamond Alhambra pendant. I prefer the guilloche over the hammered. I don’t own either as I personally prefer 5 motifs with stone and/or pave instead of solid metal.

 

[hers4eva]

Sweet Alhambra earstuds - VCARO85500 - Van Cleef & Arpels

Sweet Alhambra earstuds, rhodium plated 18K white gold, round diamonds; diamond quality DEF, IF to VVS.

www.vancleefarpels.com

how about wearing these white gold pave sweets to go with your all yellow gold collection?

 

[Moxisox]

I would probably stick with YG, and get the YG hammered 5 motif bracelet. For earrings maybe look at the mini Frivole in YG. Those will look good with your pendant as well.

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi! You have gotten a lot of great advice, and I will add mine...

First, jewelry is 100% preference, and it's what you like. There is no right or wrong, and everyone has an opinion on what works.

So... here goes my opinion as food for thought, right or wrong...

First, do not get RG anything. You don't love RG, and you are settling. Settling results in regret, and this stuff is too expensive for regret. For me, I only like white metal (platinum or white gold), and even if I love a piece in YG or RG, I will not buy it. I do not like mixing metals; hence, I never cave on my choice of metal.

Some general thoughts first to help frame my suggestions for you...

Luxury brand jewelry:
It seems you already have nice YG pieces from luxury brands (e.g. VCA, Cartier). It also seems you want to build a luxury brand jewelry collection. Assuming that is correct, in my opinion, once you start with luxury brands, other generic pieces just won't do anymore. Hence, I would not try to coordinate anything with your WG huggies. Diamond studs are different as studs are, well, studs, classics! Huggies are a definite design, and I personally do not think they fit the aesthetic of VCA.

Coordinating pieces:
I am a huge fan of a matching/coordinated pieces. This is especially true of a pendant and earrings. I think a coordinate pendant and earrings highlights the face beautifully. I also think matching pieces pull together a look, no matter how casual a person dresses. I am super super casual after work... think striped tee and shorts on me. Being super casual is a big reason why I like to wear matching bling. I can look like a slob, but my jewelry keeps it pulled together and elevates my casual look.

So, what to get? Here is what I would recommend...
I would 100% get earrings to coordinate with your pendant. For me, WG huggies and a VCA YG Alhambra are a big no. The metal does not match, nor does the design. I would suggest getting the YG Vintage Alhambra Hammered earrings since you want worry free earrings. The VA size is not too big at all. Sweets are really tiny, it was made for little girls, and unless you like the super dainty look, I would skip Sweets. As you already have Vintage size pieces, I have a gut feel you may tire of Sweets after a short while and want something a bit more substantial.

Plus, you are mom, and I think there is nothing more chic than a casually dressed mom, wearing nice luxury branded jewelry. You can be the chic mom with your VCA and Cartier pieces!

For a future piece, I would 100% get the YG MOP 5 motif bracelet. That bracelet just pops in YG! You already have a Love bangle, and I think the YG Alhambra Hammered is a bit too much metal. Yes, metal is easy to wear, but for me, wearing a bunch of metal chains is not exciting. A 5-motif is a stone such as MOP is much more striking. Plus, the 5-motif MOP bracelet would look beautiful with your YG MOP earrings and Vintage diamond pendant. Just gorgeous!

Finally, for what it's worth, I do not think MOP is dressy at all. The Alhambra collection was created as a casual collection. Also, kids grow up fast. Soon.. you will not be so worried about wearing VCA pieces with stones. I think Alhambra is the most striking in stones pieces. The stone pieces really pop. You may even want to get a MOP pendant or necklace in the future. MOP is my favorite VCA stone, and I have a set in WG which I love. I also wear my WG MOP set with with my striped tees and shorts, super casual.

Just my two cents. I hope this helps in your decision. Congratulations on your soon to be new piece!

 

[880]

Forgot to add one thing: as one enters different decades, jewelry really shrinks and metal preference can change.

So I don’t think that sweets will be a forever size. Of course you have them, and you wear them, but it’s likely there will come a day when you will hanker for something bigger (if only when you need upgraded reading glasses) joking of course
So I agree with @BigAkoya not to get the RG for that reason.

I spend the 1990s and early aughts wearing nothing but diamond solitaire on a chain, studs, mens IWC and some rings. These pieces were relatively discreet. My jewelry had to match my bag hW, and I swore that I would never wear YG like my mom or grandmother. Well, I’ve swung the other way.