Special Orders

[Glitterbomb]

Having said that, scarcity of the VCA stock is grossly exaggerated and more like strictly controlled depending on who and how requests it...

This is very true. Despite the extremely low inventory problem that is still going on right now, I have had almost no issues at all getting whatever I wanted when I wanted it...even the 1-row and 3-row perlee bracelets, perlee clovers, 5 motifs, 10 motifs, 20 motifs, turquoise butterfly earrings & pendant, rock crystal, pink sapphire frivole earrings & pendant, sweet alhambra watches, holiday pendants, guilloche bracelets & necklaces, etc....there's always "the last one in the country" that pops up.

The only exception to this are vintage alhambra pave earrings and the original lotus ring in the size I want. I haven't had any luck whatsoever with scoring any vintage alhambra pave earrings or the lotus ring from the boutique, even with going on waiting lists and pre-ordering. All of my VA earrings that I own have been purchased preloved. I had a faaaaar easier time getting the 20 motif YG pave/turquoise

 

[marbella8]

This is very true. Despite the extremely low inventory problem that is still going on right now, I have had almost no issues at all getting whatever I wanted when I wanted it...even the 1-row and 3-row perlee bracelets, perlee clovers, 5 motifs, 10 motifs, 20 motifs, turquoise butterfly earrings & pendant, rock crystal, pink sapphire frivole earrings & pendant, sweet alhambra watches, holiday pendants, guilloche bracelets & necklaces, etc....there's always "the last one in the country" that pops up.

The only exception to this are vintage alhambra pave earrings and the original lotus ring in the size I want. I haven't had any luck whatsoever with scoring any vintage alhambra pave earrings or the lotus ring from the boutique, even with going on waiting lists and pre-ordering. All of my VA earrings that I own have been purchased preloved. I had a faaaaar easier time getting the 20 motif YG pave/turquoise

Lol- I have the YG-Vintage Pave Earrings, maybe I should try my luck in getting the 20-motif alternating TQ, but I am afraid to, bc I am not sure I want a 20 motif. I’d jump on it if it was a 10.

So, if anyone is offered one and doesn’t want it, please PM your SA’s info. If this happens, I’ll know it’s meant for me, lol. My favorite SA is at Neimans and we know what’s happening with their stores.

 

[Glitterbomb]

Lol- I have the YG-Vintage Pave Earrings, maybe I should try my luck in getting the 20-motif alternating TQ, but I am afraid to, bc I am not sure I want a 20 motif. I’d jump on it if it was a 10.

So, if anyone is offered one and doesn’t want it, please PM your SA’s info. If this happens, I’ll know it’s meant for me, lol. My favorite SA is at Neimans and we know what’s happening with their stores.

I am not sure if offers for this piece can be transferred to another client. I know if I rejected the one my SA offered me, I couldn't have passed it on to another client. I was also told you have to have purchased at least 300k USD with VCA to be allowed to purchase one.

 

[LKNN]

The YG turquoise / pave 20 is standard stock, albeit only a few pieces come out annually, and the SA offers these pieces to their clients (e.g. a person cannot just walk in out of the blue and ask to buy one). There are TPFers here who have this piece.
If you want one, you should mention it to your SA so she knows.

There is a separate thread on turquoise with the 20, so you might want to browse through. It's a great thread!

Please post your VCA turquoise piece Of jewellery

Deciding between turquoise sweets in either butterfly or Alhambra? Does anyone who own these pieces want to chime in or offer any advice? How are they holding up? Hi, i own turquoise sweets alhambra earrings and turquoise sweets butterfly necklace. In my opinion, you should go to the boutique...

forum.purseblog.com

Yes-- I know it's part of the regular line and is only offered to vips (vca thread lurker here ). However, i just wasn't sure if it was also available for SO to certain (vip) clients as well.
I completely agree with your comment re: the alhambra line/ turquoise. Anecdotally, when I was trecking through Europe in the spring I saw the turquoise butterfly earrings in nearly every store I visited (at least 6)-- sa's were very eager to show/ discuss the ("new") line. I also saw many turquoise pieces in the perlee line. Clearly the ubiquity of turquoise throughout other vca lines show its 'rarity' in the va line to be deliberate, as @BigAkoya asserted.
By the third store we visited, and again seeing the turquoise butterfly earrings, DH goes: " I thought you said turquoise was very, very rare?" lol

 

[BigAkoya]

This is very true. Despite the extremely low inventory problem that is still going on right now, I have had almost no issues at all getting whatever I wanted when I wanted it...even the 1-row and 3-row perlee bracelets, perlee clovers, 5 motifs, 10 motifs, 20 motifs, turquoise butterfly earrings & pendant, rock crystal, pink sapphire frivole earrings & pendant, sweet alhambra watches, holiday pendants, guilloche bracelets & necklaces, etc....there's always "the last one in the country" that pops up.

The only exception to this are vintage alhambra pave earrings and the original lotus ring in the size I want. I haven't had any luck whatsoever with scoring any vintage alhambra pave earrings or the lotus ring from the boutique, even with going on waiting lists and pre-ordering. All of my VA earrings that I own have been purchased preloved. I had a faaaaar easier time getting the 20 motif YG pave/turquoise

For what it's worth, I prefer the new Lotus ring over the original version.
VCA did a great job re-doing the ring. In my opinion, it is cleaner, and the flower & two leaves are better aligned in unity.

In the old version, one petal points down, toward the length of the finger. I think it looks a tiny bit off. In the new version, the petal points toward the flower, which I think looks more harmonious.

In the old version, the metal has stamping that mimics a bamboo stalk. In my opinion, I feel it cheapens the look as the metal is not a focal point in this ring (this is the part I dislike the most about the old version). In the new version, VCA removed the "bamboo stamping" and kept the metal polished and clean. The eye is now drawn to the beautiful flower & two petals.

Both versions are beautiful, and of course it is 100% preference.
I just wanted to highlight what I see in these two rings for another point of view.
Of course this is all preference, and you may love the old version which is why you are trying to hunt it down.
Or... you may already have the new version and want to collect the old one.

By the way, since you purchase used, I see a lot of old Lotus rings on the reseller market. You might be able to find your size there.

Good luck to you!

 

[BigAkoya]

Lol- I have the YG-Vintage Pave Earrings, maybe I should try my luck in getting the 20-motif alternating TQ, but I am afraid to, bc I am not sure I want a 20 motif. I’d jump on it if it was a 10.

So, if anyone is offered one and doesn’t want it, please PM your SA’s info. If this happens, I’ll know it’s meant for me, lol. My favorite SA is at Neimans and we know what’s happening with their stores.

If I may share my thoughts here...
If you decide to get one alternating 20, maybe take a look at the lapis.
I think the lapis pave version is beyond stunning, and it is wearable year round. For me turquoise is a summer stone and not quite formal enough for evening wear. Yes, I know, there is turquoise in high jewelry, but the design is high jewelry. Turquoise in Alhambra is a very casual look to me.

Everyone obsesses over turquoise as it is "rare." Yes, it is pretty; however, unless one is a super turquoise lover, I find turquoise hard to wear with many outfits. I have a Tiffany CBTY turquoise set, and I wear it only in the summer and not that often as it does not go with a lot of outfits.

Try lapis and see if you like it. I think lapis with YG is stunning. The deep blue framed in YG is beautiful, and it goes with everything. For me, I would choose lapis over turquoise any day.

Just my two cents to share.

 

[marbella8]

I am not sure if offers for this piece can be transferred to another client. I know if I rejected the one my SA offered me, I couldn't have passed it on to another client. I was also told you have to have purchased at least 300k USD with VCA to be allowed to purchase one.

You’re probably right, not transferable.

 

[nicole0612]

This is very true. Despite the extremely low inventory problem that is still going on right now, I have had almost no issues at all getting whatever I wanted when I wanted it...even the 1-row and 3-row perlee bracelets, perlee clovers, 5 motifs, 10 motifs, 20 motifs, turquoise butterfly earrings & pendant, rock crystal, pink sapphire frivole earrings & pendant, sweet alhambra watches, holiday pendants, guilloche bracelets & necklaces, etc....there's always "the last one in the country" that pops up.

The only exception to this are vintage alhambra pave earrings and the original lotus ring in the size I want. I haven't had any luck whatsoever with scoring any vintage alhambra pave earrings or the lotus ring from the boutique, even with going on waiting lists and pre-ordering. All of my VA earrings that I own have been purchased preloved. I had a faaaaar easier time getting the 20 motif YG pave/turquoise

This made me laugh! It’s so true. My SA has “located” 2 or 3 items for me which were the “last in the country/world”! The first time I was so thrilled, the next time I realized it was a line. Of course, maybe they are the last in the country *at that time*.

 

[BigAkoya]

This made me laugh! It’s so true. My SA has “located” 2 or 3 items for me which were the “last in the country/world”! The first time I was so thrilled, the next time I realized it was a line. Of course, maybe they are the last in the country *at that time*.

That's funny! I do believe SAs have a lot of leeway on ordering and securing pieces.

I was surprised my SA "ordered" and got me a WG Clover without me having to pay or put any down payment.
I needed a medium, and of course they were out of stock; hence, I had to order one.

I did not see anything charged on my credit card, so I texted him a few times letting him know I have not yet seen anything charged. He said not to worry, but he's got my order in.

Sure enough, two months later, he has a new WG Clover for me. I told him then I was a bit worried as I usually pay up front for all orders. He then said he knows me well enough he felt he did not have to take my credit card to order the piece (he also has my CC on file, so he knows he can charge at any time).

The process in securing pieces is definitely not consistent, and it is very much up to the SAs discretion.
I also think minimum spend level is not always the rule. The SA and store manager also look at past purchase history of the type of pieces a client buys and factors in potential future spend as well. I think first and foremost, the boutique wants to retain regular repeat clients as every SA and every boutique has a quota they need to hit.

 

[BigAkoya]

Yes-- I know it's part of the regular line and is only offered to vips (vca thread lurker here ). However, i just wasn't sure if it was also available for SO to certain (vip) clients as well.
I completely agree with your comment re: the alhambra line/ turquoise. Anecdotally, when I was trecking through Europe in the spring I saw the turquoise butterfly earrings in nearly every store I visited (at least 6)-- sa's were very eager to show/ discuss the ("new") line. I also saw many turquoise pieces in the perlee line. Clearly the ubiquity of turquoise throughout other vca lines show its 'rarity' in the va line to be deliberate, as @BigAkoya asserted.
By the third store we visited, and again seeing the turquoise butterfly earrings, DH goes: " I thought you said turquoise was very, very rare?" lol

That was funny!

Oh... and I forgot to mention that turquoise is readily available in the Perlee Couleurs line.
Yet no one seems to go nuts over turquoise in Perlee Couleurs as it is not recognizable.
People want that iconic turquoise clover; it comes with a lot of bragging rights.

 

[amiravander]

This is very true. Despite the extremely low inventory problem that is still going on right now, I have had almost no issues at all getting whatever I wanted when I wanted it...even the 1-row and 3-row perlee bracelets, perlee clovers, 5 motifs, 10 motifs, 20 motifs, turquoise butterfly earrings & pendant, rock crystal, pink sapphire frivole earrings & pendant, sweet alhambra watches, holiday pendants, guilloche bracelets & necklaces, etc....there's always "the last one in the country" that pops up.

The only exception to this are vintage alhambra pave earrings and the original lotus ring in the size I want. I haven't had any luck whatsoever with scoring any vintage alhambra pave earrings or the lotus ring from the boutique, even with going on waiting lists and pre-ordering. All of my VA earrings that I own have been purchased preloved. I had a faaaaar easier time getting the 20 motif YG pave/turquoise

Lol, you and I have similar taste, because I'm also on the wait list for the vintage alhambra pave earrings But ditto to your other comment, my SA seems to find me what I'm looking for in everything else.

 

[Glitterbomb]

For what it's worth, I prefer the new Lotus ring over the original version.
VCA did a great job re-doing the ring. In my opinion, it is cleaner, and the flower & two leaves are better aligned in unity.

In the old version, one petal points down, toward the length of the finger. I think it looks a tiny bit off. In the new version, the petal points toward the flower, which I think looks more harmonious.

In the old version, the metal has stamping that mimics a bamboo stalk. In my opinion, I feel it cheapens the look as the metal is not a focal point in this ring (this is the part I dislike the most about the old version). In the new version, VCA removed the "bamboo stamping" and kept the metal polished and clean. The eye is now drawn to the beautiful flower & two petals.

Both versions are beautiful, and of course it is 100% preference.
I just wanted to highlight what I see in these two rings for another point of view.
Of course this is all preference, and you may love the old version which is why you are trying to hunt it down.
Or... you may already have the new version and want to collect the old one.

By the way, since you purchase used, I see a lot of old Lotus rings on the reseller market. You might be able to find your size there.

Good luck to you!

Oh, I meant the original as in not the new one with 4 lotus flowers! I didn't mean the original first edition version. Sorry for the misunderstanding

 

[sjunky13]

It feels like many want what they can't have. Turquoise in lucky butterfly form looks nice because it's not completely flat like it's in clover form.

I bet that if vca discontinued chalcedony, suddenly everyone would want chalcedony. It's a very strange concept to value a type of stone base on availablity and the strategy of a brand.

I think people need to purchase items base on the looks that they want and the skin tone because one stone might look nice on cool skin tone might not look good on warm tone. Consumers need to make a piece of jewelry personal rather than make how much perceived status one can get personal by chasing after the so-called rare pieces.

Turquoise might change colour overtime if not taken care of. It's not the most carefree stone.

Credits to the marketing team that select a few types of stones to make it 'rare' from the brand to the consumers.

As someone that has had turquoise I agree! It's beautiful, but for sure not my fav stone at all. We all kinda want what we can't have. It's human nature.

 

[BigAkoya]

Oh, I meant the original as in not the new one with 4 lotus flowers! I didn't mean the original first edition version. Sorry for the misunderstanding

Yes, that is what I meant... the original Lotus BTF ring has two versions. Here are photos of the current (new) version as well as the old. I was not talking about the four flower version.

Current (new) version from VCA website:



Here is the old version of Lotus:

 

[sjunky13]

So info on SO. Made to order has been changed temp to special order. For made to order, the SA just pushed a button and it is done. Now MTO requires permission because of the back up . New boutiques and tons of MTO LOL. It should change when they catch up. I guess no more August off in Paris? This means they have a ton of jewelry makers outside of Europe?

I recently got Frivole earrings yet again. They are not being produced currently because they are time consuming and the price point is low . This is for YG mirror finish. They are only being made to order. Insane as when I fist got them there were tons!
I heard September everything will be back to normal. I hope so! They are pushing pieces through if you need to complete a set and or buy the other coordinating items.

What does everyone want to SO?