Special Orders

[880]

For what it’s worth, I bought a second hand, no longer in production piece from an incredibly reputable source, only to have my previous SA tell me the same thing - that the serial number was bad, couldn’t be traced, blah blah blah. Turns out he was totally incorrect and was basically annoyed that I didn’t spend that money with him. I have not shopped with him since. I returned the necklace which was stupid and still a huge regret, but oh well. My point is, we can’t take our SA’s words as gospel.
@marbella8 is absolutely correct that an SO via in independent location wouldn’t show up - same as purchase history at an independent boutique. All of my SOs come from my home store which is independent / stand alone, so I would be curious to see what my serial numbers show up as if searched via a corporate location. I’m not saying that I have an opinion on this pendant one way or another. It’s a very “odd” combination that obviously isn’t on any SO spec sheet I’ve ever seen, but we all know that VVIPs get what they want. So who knows. I’d pay the $1800 if you love the piece to get a COA if it’s authentic.

i would have bought a discontinued or heritage piece from a reputable dealer too.
But, today, if I wanted VCA alhambra, I would go to the boutique.
I might also purchase from briony Raymond

I’ve had occasion to see a guilloche dupe from a CAD computer design and the real thing side by side,
and with CAD, you cannot tell the difference. I’ve posted Bf that it is my understanding that VCA neglected to obtain protection for its original alhambra design and has failed to do so through recent litigation. As a result, there are a lot of replicas
(of course, not all replicas are CAD designed, but it’s a risk).
JMO though

@tenshix , i was told if you buy VCA in Asia, you can bring it to a US Flagship to have it registered in their system.

 

[Glitterbomb]

I wanted to update everyone on the SO magic alhambra rose gold guilloche necklace I purchased from FP. I freaked out when my SA checked the serial number and said it wasn't in their system, not knowing that independent stores wouldn't show up that way which my SA verified when I mentioned it. I brought the necklace to VCA intending to submit it for authentication which costs $1800, and my SA checked the serial number one more time, and this time it showed up. My SA apologized and thinks she made a mistake the first time and typed the number wrong. So it is for sure an authentic piece, and it was purchased in a stand alone VCA, not an independent store (like a VCA inside of a Neiman Marcus). What a relief! I absolutely love it, and I am keeping it.

 

[880]

I wanted to update everyone on the SO magic alhambra rose gold guilloche necklace I purchased from FP. I freaked out when my SA checked the serial number and said it wasn't in their system, not knowing that independent stores wouldn't show up that way which my SA verified when I mentioned it. I brought the necklace to VCA intending to submit it for authentication which costs $1800, and my SA checked the serial number one more time, and this time it showed up. My SA apologized and thinks she made a mistake the first time and typed the number wrong. So it is for sure an authentic piece, and it was purchased in a stand alone VCA, not an independent store (like a VCA inside of a Neiman Marcus). What a relief! I absolutely love it, and I am keeping it.

So thrilled for you! What a relief

 

[chiaoapple]

thank you!!! they’re so stunning in person. I worry they may not age well (may be too young-looking) but I cannot stop staring at them, also they are amazingly light and comfortable (important!)

I am going to Paris in a few weeks and have asked my SA there to pull some things for me there: 3 motif vendome edition earrings (i have the bracelet and pendant, so a nice set), 3 motif chalcedony/wmop/gmop earrings (have the 16 motif so a nice set as well, even though I would probably wear them separately), the tigers eye 2 motif lucky butterfly earrings (maybe redundant with these?) and the YG lucky bracelet. Depending on how that haul goes will impact my budget and how comfortable I would be spending on the ring as well.

When I lie the earring on my finger to mimic a BTF, I like it, but I think I would actually prefer a dual stone situation (wmop/gmop or maybe gmop/onyx, onyx/wmop, or the tigers eye version?)

I actually think they will look fantastic on a more “mature” person as well — if I saw them on such a person I would think wow what a fun-loving and stylish lady!

 

[nicole0612]

I wanted to update everyone on the SO magic alhambra rose gold guilloche necklace I purchased from FP. I freaked out when my SA checked the serial number and said it wasn't in their system, not knowing that independent stores wouldn't show up that way which my SA verified when I mentioned it. I brought the necklace to VCA intending to submit it for authentication which costs $1800, and my SA checked the serial number one more time, and this time it showed up. My SA apologized and thinks she made a mistake the first time and typed the number wrong. So it is for sure an authentic piece, and it was purchased in a stand alone VCA, not an independent store (like a VCA inside of a Neiman Marcus). What a relief! I absolutely love it, and I am keeping it.

This is wonderful news! So happy for you that you can now enjoy the necklace without any concerns

 

[BigAkoya]

I wanted to update everyone on the SO magic alhambra rose gold guilloche necklace I purchased from FP. I freaked out when my SA checked the serial number and said it wasn't in their system, not knowing that independent stores wouldn't show up that way which my SA verified when I mentioned it. I brought the necklace to VCA intending to submit it for authentication which costs $1800, and my SA checked the serial number one more time, and this time it showed up. My SA apologized and thinks she made a mistake the first time and typed the number wrong. So it is for sure an authentic piece, and it was purchased in a stand alone VCA, not an independent store (like a VCA inside of a Neiman Marcus). What a relief! I absolutely love it, and I am keeping it.

Wow! What a great happy ending! I'm so happy for you! This necklace deserves some mod shots!

 

[sjunky13]

I wanted to update everyone on the SO magic alhambra rose gold guilloche necklace I purchased from FP. I freaked out when my SA checked the serial number and said it wasn't in their system, not knowing that independent stores wouldn't show up that way which my SA verified when I mentioned it. I brought the necklace to VCA intending to submit it for authentication which costs $1800, and my SA checked the serial number one more time, and this time it showed up. My SA apologized and thinks she made a mistake the first time and typed the number wrong. So it is for sure an authentic piece, and it was purchased in a stand alone VCA, not an independent store (like a VCA inside of a Neiman Marcus). What a relief! I absolutely love it, and I am keeping it.

I'm glad you posted here to update everyone!
I knew it was 1000% authentic . I felt stuck as I did not want to give private info where my friend purchased it, who she is .ETC. I regret even saying it came from my friend. I mentioned it to you to know it came from someone in the tpf family . I am an OG and this forum used to be very safe and very community driven and we all kind of knew each other.

Glad you are keeping it.

 

[innerpeace85]

I wanted to update everyone on the SO magic alhambra rose gold guilloche necklace I purchased from FP. I freaked out when my SA checked the serial number and said it wasn't in their system, not knowing that independent stores wouldn't show up that way which my SA verified when I mentioned it. I brought the necklace to VCA intending to submit it for authentication which costs $1800, and my SA checked the serial number one more time, and this time it showed up. My SA apologized and thinks she made a mistake the first time and typed the number wrong. So it is for sure an authentic piece, and it was purchased in a stand alone VCA, not an independent store (like a VCA inside of a Neiman Marcus). What a relief! I absolutely love it, and I am keeping it.

Glitter bomb, I am happy your SA was able to find the serial number in the system. I was trying to place SO for WG Alhambra pave earrings and pendant in this size and in order to do that my SA needs reference number. So she looked up the serial number in the FP posting and found the reference number based on it and Submitted SO. Hence my SA confirmed it is authentic too. Hope this helps!

 

[missie1]

I'm glad you posted here to update everyone!
I knew it was 1000% authentic . I felt stuck as I did not want to give private info where my friend purchased it, who she is .ETC. I regret even saying it came from my friend. I mentioned it to you to know it came from someone in the tpf family . I am an OG and this forum used to be very safe and very community driven and we all kind of knew each other.

Glad you are keeping it.

I love our little VCA group. We are all so supportive and definitely vouch for one another’s pieces that we definitely know are authentic. Glad it worked out for OP.

 

[Yssie]

The frauds who create high-end replicas will reuse serial numbers from actual authentic pieces. So simply having an SA look an ID up (on a stock design) doesn’t guarantee authenticity - it doesn’t guarantee that a particular piece is the specific specimen for which that serial number was originally intended.

It’s different for SOs of course - no “stock” to go scout and steal serials from.

 

[Glitterbomb]

Glitter bomb, I am happy your SA was able to find the serial number in the system. I was trying to place SO for WG Alhambra pave earrings and pendant in this size and in order to do that my SA needs reference number. So she looked up the serial number in the FP posting and found the reference number based on it and Submitted SO. Hence my SA confirmed it is authentic too. Hope this helps!

That's wonderful!! I'm glad the serial number helped you as well. You probably already know this, but the magic pave alhambra earrings that are in the existing line-up are the same size as this pendant, they just don't have the bead in the center (but maybe you want the bead in the center which is why you placed the SO). Just thought I would mention it, just in case there was a chance you didn't know! I want an SO WG pave pendant in the same size eventually too! I much prefer this smaller magic size to the full-sized magic. I'm so excited for you!

 

[Glitterbomb]

I'm glad you posted here to update everyone!
I knew it was 1000% authentic . I felt stuck as I did not want to give private info where my friend purchased it, who she is .ETC. I regret even saying it came from my friend. I mentioned it to you to know it came from someone in the tpf family . I am an OG and this forum used to be very safe and very community driven and we all kind of knew each other.

Glad you are keeping it.

I believed you...I just didn't know for sure what had happened after the necklace had been shipped to FP. I know that probably sounds paranoid, and maybe it is, but I freaked out when my SA said it wasn't in the system especially because I didn't know that independent stores wouldn't show up. I also never wanted any private info about where your friend purchased the necklace, just to know if it was purchased in an independent store or not in general, I didn't want any specifics like which location. I completely understand the need for privacy especially when reselling your pieces. One of my own concerns is someone will figure out private information about me from running the serial numbers on items I resell, so I get it. If the answer was that it was not purchased at an independent store, and it truly wasn't showing up in the system, well then it had to be a replica even if your friend sent an authentic necklace into FP. It doesn't necessarily mean I received that same authentic necklace. Luckily my SA just made a mistake typing it in, and it really was in the system after all.

I will also just say this. I sent an XS rose gold perlee 3-row bracelet to FP. Actually, I dropped it off personally in one of their in-store locations. My receipt verifies this bracelet has a specific serial number and is size XS. It was then approved by FP, I was paid for it, and it was listed on their site.

Well. The bracelet on their website is a size S. Yes, it literally says size S on it. With the same serial number that was on my XS & on my receipt. How is this possible? My only working theory is there are some bad apples working at FP who quickly made a replica (or already have a bunch of replicas ready without serial numbers?) in the wrong size, quickly slapped the same serial number on it from my bracelet, and swapped out my real bracelet, kept it (to sell? to keep? who knows), and somehow snuck the replica into the active inventory before pics were taken.

It sounds completely crazy, I admit. But I did not send them a size S, so....how did it turn into one? VCA doesn't reuse serial numbers. I'm at a total complete loss. I guess someone else might say there's a possibility I scammed FP. But of course I know I didn't. I know I sent them the very same XS that I purchased from VCA.

Another possibility, I suppose, is VCA messed up and accidentally sold me a S with that serial number despite my receipt showing XS (and despite the bracelet fitting like my other XS) and my SA & I both never noticed. But that seems unlikely too.

 

[BigAkoya]

I believed you...I just didn't know for sure what had happened after the necklace had been shipped to FP. I know that probably sounds paranoid, and maybe it is, but I freaked out when my SA said it wasn't in the system especially because I didn't know that independent stores wouldn't show up. I also never wanted any private info about where your friend purchased the necklace, just to know if it was purchased in an independent store or not in general, I didn't want any specifics like which location. I completely understand the need for privacy especially when reselling your pieces. One of my own concerns is someone will figure out private information about me from running the serial numbers on items I resell, so I get it. If the answer was that it was not purchased at an independent store, and it truly wasn't showing up in the system, well then it had to be a replica even if your friend sent an authentic necklace into FP. It doesn't necessarily mean I received that same authentic necklace. Luckily my SA just made a mistake typing it in, and it really was in the system after all.

I will also just say this. I sent an XS rose gold perlee 3-row bracelet to FP. Actually, I dropped it off personally in one of their in-store locations. My receipt verifies this bracelet has a specific serial number and is size XS. It was then approved by FP, I was paid for it, and it was listed on their site.

Well. The bracelet on their website is a size S. Yes, it literally says size S on it. With the same serial number that was on my XS & on my receipt. How is this possible? My only working theory is there are some bad apples working at FP who quickly made a replica (or already have a bunch of replicas ready without serial numbers?) in the wrong size, quickly slapped the same serial number on it from my bracelet, and swapped out my real bracelet, kept it (to sell? to keep? who knows), and somehow snuck the replica into the active inventory before pics were taken.

It sounds completely crazy, I admit. But I did not send them a size S, so....how did it turn into one? VCA doesn't reuse serial numbers. I'm at a total complete loss. I guess someone else might say there's a possibility I scammed FP. But of course I know I didn't. I know I sent them the very same XS that I purchased from VCA.

Another possibility, I suppose, is VCA messed up and accidentally sold me a S with that serial number despite my receipt showing XS (and despite the bracelet fitting like my other XS) and my SA & I both never noticed. But that seems unlikely too.

Wow! Buying used is so scary! Thank God I’m a chicken and have never purchased used.

Right or wrong, I have never really stared at my VCA pieces in detail except to check the serial number matches the COA.

Someone could sell a fake one on FP, and I would not even know the difference.

One almost needs to be an expert like you to buy used. Thanks for sharing this! For sure now, I am not buying used anything. Very helpful!

 

[Glitterbomb]

Wow! Buying used is so scary! Thank God I’m a chicken and have never purchased used.

Right or wrong, I have never really stared at my VCA pieces in detail except to check the serial number matches the COA.

Someone could sell a fake one on FP, and I would not even know the difference.

One almost needs to be an expert like you to buy used. Thanks for sharing this! For sure now, I am not buying used anything. Very helpful!

It is scary. But I don't think I'm an expert at all! All I can say is I know without a doubt that I purchased that bracelet myself, in person, at my VCA boutique, and I dropped the very same bracelet off in person at FP. I can't explain how it is a size S with the same serial number.

I have purchased quite a lot of preloved pieces from FP myself so it is very concerning.

 

[BigAkoya]

@Glitterbomb
On your Clover bracelet, I do know the size is stamped on the bangle, so if you have a photo of that, you could check.
I know this because I was at Buccellati, and I did not know my size in Bucclellati. I had taken off my Clover to try on the Buccellati cuffs, and the SA takes my bangle, whips out her loupe, and starts scanning my bangle. She confirmed my bangle has a M written on it, for Medium, which is how I know the Clover has the size stamped on. Who knew the bangle had the size stamped on it!
Come to think of it, I am going to check out my bangle later to see that size!

Maybe see what size yours is and if the one on FP with the same serial number is now a S. If yes, it's a fake for sure!