NYC VCA
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If anyone needs a great SA at the flagship nyc store feel free to message me ❤️
Hi, I am not sure how to message you because I'm new to this but would you be able to message me with the info? Thanks!
Hello! Would anyone local to NYC recommend one of the three VCA stores over the others as far as inventory or experience? Thank you!!!
Hi! I am not local, but I visit NYC often, so I will chime and perhaps a local can also chime in.
This question does not have a simple answer. Why?
Because when buying VCA, if you plan to be a repeat client, loyalty at one boutique is valued above all else.
If you buy at different VCA boutiques, you will be flagged as a "traveler" (VCA's term for non-loyal boutique hoppers). This means the boutiques you have purchased from may not always get you hard to find pieces or offer you limited pieces such as the HP. The SAs will offer these pieces to their "loyal" clients first. This is why you hear of people saying they buy a lot of VCA, from different boutiques, but they have not been offered a HP or first dibs on new releases. Boutique hopping is fine of course if you do not plan to buy a lot of pieces.
As for which NYC store, inventory is weak these days, so it's a hit or miss. 57th & 5th being the flagship boutique, gets a lot of pieces, but it's also a high traffic location. I personally like this boutique as their customer service is excellent. It is also easy to get in & out of that boutique vs. say, Hudson Yards, which is more effort.
If you have pieces in mind you want to buy, I would suggest calling the boutique and have the SA bring them in to boutique be sure you can try them on. I do this all the time. That's the best way to ensure you are not wasting your time.
If you are visiting NYC and plan to just browse, for me, I would 100% go to 57th & 5th. It is the flagship. There are a lot of high jewelry pieces on display; be sure to go up to the second floor to browse. Take your time to look at and absorb the beauty of the pieces. No need to rush when you are done meeting with the SA. If you are visiting NYC, this is also a great street to shop at other luxury jewlery brands. Tiffany, Bulgari, Mikimoto and more are just steps away.
Good luck and have fun shopping!
Updated: Fixed to 5th!
This question does not have a simple answer. Why?
Because when buying VCA, if you plan to be a repeat client, loyalty at one boutique is valued above all else.
If you buy at different VCA boutiques, you will be flagged as a "traveler" (VCA's term for non-loyal boutique hoppers). This means the boutiques you have purchased from may not always get you hard to find pieces or offer you limited pieces such as the HP. The SAs will offer these pieces to their "loyal" clients first. This is why you hear of people saying they buy a lot of VCA, from different boutiques, but they have not been offered a HP or first dibs on new releases. Boutique hopping is fine of course if you do not plan to buy a lot of pieces.
As for which NYC store, inventory is weak these days, so it's a hit or miss. 57th & 5th being the flagship boutique, gets a lot of pieces, but it's also a high traffic location. I personally like this boutique as their customer service is excellent. It is also easy to get in & out of that boutique vs. say, Hudson Yards, which is more effort.
If you have pieces in mind you want to buy, I would suggest calling the boutique and have the SA bring them in to boutique be sure you can try them on. I do this all the time. That's the best way to ensure you are not wasting your time.
If you are visiting NYC and plan to just browse, for me, I would 100% go to 57th & 5th. It is the flagship. There are a lot of high jewelry pieces on display; be sure to go up to the second floor to browse. Take your time to look at and absorb the beauty of the pieces. No need to rush when you are done meeting with the SA. If you are visiting NYC, this is also a great street to shop at other luxury jewlery brands. Tiffany, Bulgari, Mikimoto and more are just steps away.
Good luck and have fun shopping!
Updated: Fixed to 5th!
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Sorry, yes… typo. 57th & 5th. I was thinking in mind of then walking east toward Madison to continue shopping!
Hello - I am thinking about dipping my toe in the VCA waters and am nervous! It sounds ridiculous but I didn’t grow up shopping in luxury stores and I get nervous about what to expect shopping in person. I’ve been focused on building my purse collection and know what to expect when shopping (I won’t even step in Hermes because I have no desire to play games).
I am hoping for help understanding what to expect - I’m interested in a white gold bracelet. I want to see what’s in stock but for things not in stock will they have sample pieces to try? If not in stock can I order and they’ll ship to my house? It seems like custom orders are only for large spenders but I definitely have ideas for that too if it was possible.
Sorry for the basic questions, I just get nervous to even step foot in these stores and rarely find SAs that I click with but I am enamored with vca and am tired of just looking at pics online - it’s time to see it on my wrist!
I am hoping for help understanding what to expect - I’m interested in a white gold bracelet. I want to see what’s in stock but for things not in stock will they have sample pieces to try? If not in stock can I order and they’ll ship to my house? It seems like custom orders are only for large spenders but I definitely have ideas for that too if it was possible.
Sorry for the basic questions, I just get nervous to even step foot in these stores and rarely find SAs that I click with but I am enamored with vca and am tired of just looking at pics online - it’s time to see it on my wrist!
We have all started where you are 
Just walk in and ask for some help in trying on a few white gold bracelets.
I would go to Fifth flagship for the most stock,* and on the second floor, VCA has a small counter of heritage pieces. Vintage pieces that they sell. These days, a lot may not be available to try on, but definitely ask. Try to relax and enjoy
Two tips:
When I started to buy jewelry, I always asked to try on; see it in a mirror close up; and see it in a full length mirror.
I also always ask if they mind if I take a pic of both angles ( this is bc I want to compare it with other options but you don’t have to say that if you don’t want to; and, no one has ever said no)
And, when I go try on jewelry, I wear the same thing. V neck black sweater; charcoal pants bc I think that wil give the jewelry the best chance to shine. But that is bc this is typical of what I wear daily. If you love bright color, then wear that.
But, if you go back home and are trying to decide if you prefer the WG Alhambra or frivole, and you are looking at a pic to jog your memory, I think it helps to have the clothing recede.
VCA at Hudson yards is more laid back, but it’s a long trek for many of us
* also, VCA Fifth is close to Bulgari where you can try on white gold serpentis etc. and Bergdorfs where there is a selection on the ground floor and vintage/antique IDK on a higher floor , maybe 7? There is also Chanel jewelry which just opened next to mikimoto, and they have jewelry just for display including the 55 karat diamond shaped like a perfume bottle. Many people just go to ask to see it. And, the newlybrefurbished tiffany has a ton of artwork on every floor that Peter Marino commissioned for the store. There is also an exhibit from the Marino foundation, but I don’t know if it’s open to the public yet. Finally, there is also David Yurman on 57th.
If you can go when stores are less crowded, typically am on weekdays, SAs will have more time to show you things.
ETA: I would never buy anything that I did not try in person first. And jewelry is like perfume. Once in a while, you love something so much that you must walk out with it, but more often than not, people have to think about a piece.
I don’t ask for a business card. I ask them to write down the info of any piece that I am remotely considering, and if they are available later in the weeK. As they are providing that info, they will include their contact numbers. Of course, if they are irritating or impolite, you should never buy from them. you can always ask for someone else who may have more time to assist.
Just walk in and ask for some help in trying on a few white gold bracelets.
I would go to Fifth flagship for the most stock,* and on the second floor, VCA has a small counter of heritage pieces. Vintage pieces that they sell. These days, a lot may not be available to try on, but definitely ask. Try to relax and enjoy
Two tips:
When I started to buy jewelry, I always asked to try on; see it in a mirror close up; and see it in a full length mirror.
I also always ask if they mind if I take a pic of both angles ( this is bc I want to compare it with other options but you don’t have to say that if you don’t want to; and, no one has ever said no)
And, when I go try on jewelry, I wear the same thing. V neck black sweater; charcoal pants bc I think that wil give the jewelry the best chance to shine. But that is bc this is typical of what I wear daily. If you love bright color, then wear that.
But, if you go back home and are trying to decide if you prefer the WG Alhambra or frivole, and you are looking at a pic to jog your memory, I think it helps to have the clothing recede.
VCA at Hudson yards is more laid back, but it’s a long trek for many of us
* also, VCA Fifth is close to Bulgari where you can try on white gold serpentis etc. and Bergdorfs where there is a selection on the ground floor and vintage/antique IDK on a higher floor , maybe 7? There is also Chanel jewelry which just opened next to mikimoto, and they have jewelry just for display including the 55 karat diamond shaped like a perfume bottle. Many people just go to ask to see it. And, the newlybrefurbished tiffany has a ton of artwork on every floor that Peter Marino commissioned for the store. There is also an exhibit from the Marino foundation, but I don’t know if it’s open to the public yet. Finally, there is also David Yurman on 57th.
If you can go when stores are less crowded, typically am on weekdays, SAs will have more time to show you things.
ETA: I would never buy anything that I did not try in person first. And jewelry is like perfume. Once in a while, you love something so much that you must walk out with it, but more often than not, people have to think about a piece.
I don’t ask for a business card. I ask them to write down the info of any piece that I am remotely considering, and if they are available later in the weeK. As they are providing that info, they will include their contact numbers. Of course, if they are irritating or impolite, you should never buy from them. you can always ask for someone else who may have more time to assist.
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You are a gem - seriously, thank you for all this. I happen to be going to Hudson yards Sunday and open days for shopping tomorrow and Tuesday. Love all the great store suggestions so maybe I start my browsing tomorrow and then focus on narrowing down what to purchase afterwards. I also will make note of which outfit to wear those days (aka avoid my black turtleneck sweater so I can try on necklaces!).We have all started where you are
Just walk in and ask for some help in trying on a few white gold bracelets.
I would go to Fifth flagship for the most stock,* and on the second floor, VCA has a small counter of heritage pieces. Vintage pieces that they sell. These days, a lot may not be available to try on, but definitely ask. Try to relax and enjoy
Two tips:
When I started to buy jewelry, I always asked to try on; see it in a mirror close up; and see it in a full length mirror.
I also always ask if they mind if I take a pic of both angles ( this is bc I want to compare it with other options but you don’t have to say that if you don’t want to; and, no one has ever said no)
And, when I go try on jewelry, I wear the same thing. V neck black sweater; charcoal pants bc I think that wil give the jewelry the best chance to shine. But that is bc this is typical of what I wear daily. If you love bright color, then wear that.
But, if you go back home and are trying to decide if you prefer the WG Alhambra or frivole, and you are looking at a pic to jog your memory, I think it helps to have the clothing recede.
VCA at Hudson yards is more laid back, but it’s a long trek for many of us
* also, VCA Fifth is close to Bulgari where you can try on white gold serpentis etc. and Bergdorfs where there is a selection on the ground floor and vintage/antique IDK on a higher floor , maybe 7? There is also Chanel jewelry which just opened next to mikimoto, and they have jewelry just for display including the 55 karat diamond shaped like a perfume bottle. Many people just go to ask to see it. And, the newlybrefurbished tiffany has a ton of artwork on every floor that Peter Marino commissioned for the store. There is also an exhibit from the Marino foundation, but I don’t know if it’s open to the public yet. Finally, there is also David Yurman on 57th.
If you can go when stores are less crowded, typically am on weekdays, SAs will have more time to show you things.
ETA: I would never buy anything that I did not try in person first. And jewelry is like perfume. Once in a while, you love something so much that you must walk out with it, but more often than not, people have to think about a piece.
I don’t ask for a business card. I ask them to write down the info of any piece that I am remotely considering, and if they are available later in the weeK. As they are providing that info, they will include their contact numbers. Of course, if they are irritating or impolite, you should never buy from them. you can always ask for someone else who may have more time to assist.
So many decisions but hoping they have stock of the guilloche, in particular so I can see it in person!