Van Cleef & Arpels Bouton d'Or Necklace-Opinion please!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 626500
  • Start date Start date

Pendant or Necklace

  • Pendant

    Votes: 13 19.4%
  • Necklace

    Votes: 54 80.6%

  • Total voters
    67

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This is a bit off topic but your ring is stunning! I can’t tell from my IPad if it’s an opal or jade. You really have an eye for great pieces.
Thank you so much. It's actually a star sapphire that belonged to my mom. I love it! For some reason, they've fallen out of popularity. If you're interested, they're around and well priced.
 
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Okay, so I've decided . . . necklace it is. Thank you Everyone for weighing in. It helped to solidify and put words to my thoughts.
The next issue is, do I "need," the bracelet . . . Not sure what will pair with this other than the matching bracelet. Eeegh! This is a slippery slope . . .
I'm glad you decided to get it!

Yes, you need the bracelet to go with it (I was going to mention that but did not want to get carried away :biggrin: :heart:).
This necklace is unique and bold, so it requires a buddy that is its equal. Wimpy pieces won't do. There are three options for a buddy, and here are my thoughts on each:

Earrings - Too much around the face, especially way too much metal. It will look a bit 1980s in my opinion.
Ring - Gorgeous ring, but not with the necklace. The ring paired with the necklace is neither here nor there. Not a good buddy.
Bracelet - Bold and beautiful piece. A perfect match, and it can also stand on its own on days you want to wear this bracelet, a bold ring, and keep a clean neckline.

I vote yes to the bracelet.
You can then wear a colorful gemstone ring to top it off. That would be a nice casual everyday look.

Also, I would get both pieces now. As you well know, VCA seems to discontinue or makes pieces SOs without any notice (remember my Hellebore ring mess). If you want a set, get it now while it's available.

Just my two cents. Congrats on your soon to be necklace (and hopefully bracelet)! You have such an amazing collection.
 
I'm glad you decided to get it!

Yes, you need the bracelet to go with it (I was going to mention that but did not want to get carried away :biggrin: :heart:).
This piece is unique and bold, so it requires a buddy that is its equal. Wimpy pieces won't do. There are three other options for a buddy, and here are my thoughts on each:

Earrings - Too much around the face, especially way too much metal. It will look a bit 1980s in my opinion.
Ring - Gorgeous ring, but not with the necklace. The ring paired with the necklace is neither here nor there. Not a good buddy.
Bracelet - Bold and beautiful piece. A perfect match, and it can also stand on its own on days you want to wear this bracelet, a bold ring, and keep a clean neckline.

I vote yes to the bracelet.
You can then wear a colorful gemstone ring to top it off. That would be a nice casual everyday look.

Also, I would get both pieces now. As you well know, VCA seems to discontinue or makes pieces SOs without any notice (remember my Hellebore ring mess). If you want a set, get it now while it's available.

Just my two cents. Congrats on your soon to be necklace (and hopefully bracelet)! You have such an amazing collection.
Unfortunately, I agree. While I could pair other bracelets with the pendant, I think the necklace is too much of a statement piece to pair with anything but the matching bracelet. I think one needs the other. And while it formalizes the look, I can also see wearing the bracelet on its' own.
I don't like the earrings and they were not on the radar. First, they're visually too close to the necklace. IMHO they not only compete, but they formalize the look and may make it look matronly. Second, I'm petite I think it's too much close to the face. Third, it's too matchy-matchy. Fourth, I understand they're rigid, and for that reason my SA advises against them--she said very few can carry them off. It's too bad they didn't make another option, but it's just as well!
And no, I don't need nor would I want the ring, but the bracelet, I'm afraid now goes to the top of the list.
Again, and as always, I appreciate your sage advice!
 
I would be interested to see the bracelet in person. On the website, the picture on the model didn't have the same presence as the necklace. It seems very small overall and the 3 rows seem to have a more rounded silhouette than the necklace does, which makes them look less like a set. When looking at them from the side, the necklace seems to lie flatter while the bracelet is more rounded (see pic below for what I mean).

But it might look much better in person, which I assume it must if you are considering it. I have to say the picture of the necklace on you, looks WAY better than the picture of the necklace on the model on the website. That seems strange because you would expect the professional website photos to show the best possible appearance, but I think for my personal taste, the professional photos look so pristine and sanitized, that they almost look a little boring. Actually on you though, it was stunning. Totally jaw-dropping. So maybe the bracelet is like that too--better in person.

Without seeing them in person, my thought would be that the bracelet would look best in a formal setting where a matching set would create a dramatic effect, while a nice watch would be a good "match" for the necklace with more casual outfits, especially if the watch had a metal bracelet with 3 rows of links (which lots of them do).

It sounds like you have considered things carefully and have a good eye for detail and for an overall look, and really understand how a piece works on the body and with an outfit, rather than just what it looks like by itself. I feel like I trust your style judgement just based on what I've seen in the photos above and what I've read of your considerations so far. (Not that you need MY approval of course :lol:.) It's just fun talking over style and design. Most folks I know personally don't really appreciate clothes or personal style. They might know what's in style or least what they like, but they don't really understand how little details come together in both a micro and macro way. It is fun to "chat" with like minded people on this site. I used to work with a guy who really appreciated the little details and would notice that my earrings had a diamond shaped pattern etched into them, that spoke to the snake-skin shoes I had on. His style too, was considered and he always looked amazing. Ah well. Enough digression. My point was going to be that I have no doubt that whatever you choose, will be the right choice. :smile:


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Oh my goodness--what a wonderful, well-thought out message. I appreciate your time, effort and thoughts. Thank you
And thank you so much for your lovely compliments. Who would think I'd look better than a modeling shot! You've made my day!:smile:

I have the bracelet (albeit w the stone combo) and love the way it looks on me so much so that I can see adding a second though it seems awfully terribly ridiculously self-indulgent. I've tried to think of an alternative, but nothing seems to pair as well as the matching bracelet.

VCA is one of the few concerns that actually makes bracelets that fit me. I have tiny wrists and as a result, very few bracelets fit; most are ginormous. Maybe it's because I have tiny hands, but I don't think this looks narrow. It comfortably hugs my wrist and appears to be sized and proportioned perfectly. Here's some photos.

I like sets, but no more than two items. I'm petite and as a result, too many matching items can look overwhelming or that I'm trying too hard. Also, I don't want to look like a fashion victim in that I defaulted to the full set because I ran out of imagination. On the other hand, having a couple things that I know work, avoids the prospect that I'd be trying on so many things in an attempt to get it right that I'd never get out of the house. A set makes it a no-brainer.

Sheesh! Just when I said "no more!"

Bouton d'Or Bracelet - 1.jpeg

Bouton d'Or Bracelet #2 - 1.jpeg
 
Oh my goodness, this is exactly what I mean! The bracelet looks SO much better on you than it did on the website! It lays flatter and has more visual impact, just like the necklace. The website photo shows the middle row sitting up in a little hump, but that doesn't seem to be the way it actually wears. In this case, I agree that the bracelet would be a beautiful accompaniment to the necklace.

I hear you on the small wrist dilemma. I have small wrists also and often have trouble finding bracelets. I had a devil of a time finding a watch that I liked because I wanted an automatic in a "woman's" size (36mm or smaller) but I didn't want diamonds, mother of pearl, or other bling. Everyone seems to assume that all women only want watches that sparkle. Sigh.

Anyway, I love the proportions of the bracelet on you, and as with the necklace, I think it has a great combo of impact without looking like it's trying too hard. I agree about too many matching pieces from one set. A little goes a long way and too much starts to look uncreative and draws more attention to itself rather than accessorizing the outfit. I agree with BigAkoya's analysis of each piece too. The bracelet is the best option from the set and looks put together in a thought-out way.

 
What a lovely dilemma you had and congrats on the decision :heart: Both pieces were so beautiful on you. Buton d’or is one of my favourite VCA lines (sadly I never seem able to pull off the pieces like you are able to!), and I am really looking forward to more modelling pics from you.
The bracelet is just beyond amazing on you.
 
What a lovely dilemma you had and congrats on the decision :heart: Both pieces were so beautiful on you. Buton d’or is one of my favourite VCA lines (sadly I never seem able to pull off the pieces like you are able to!), and I am really looking forward to more modelling pics from you.
The bracelet is just beyond amazing on you.
I can't imagine Bouton d'Or would look anything but lovely on you. I've now taken to photographing clothes and jewelry before I buy. It's strange but the things I often like best, look less appealing in a photo, and some things are more attractive than they initially seemed.
I'm a big proponent of Bouton d'Or. I think it's elegant, gracious and very wearable. You won't see yourself coming and going and as someone I know mentioned, two three pieces and you're there.
 
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Oh my goodness, this is exactly what I mean! The bracelet looks SO much better on you than it did on the website! It lays flatter and has more visual impact, just like the necklace. The website photo shows the middle row sitting up in a little hump, but that doesn't seem to be the way it actually wears. In this case, I agree that the bracelet would be a beautiful accompaniment to the necklace.

I hear you on the small wrist dilemma. I have small wrists also and often have trouble finding bracelets. I had a devil of a time finding a watch that I liked because I wanted an automatic in a "woman's" size (36mm or smaller) but I didn't want diamonds, mother of pearl, or other bling. Everyone seems to assume that all women only want watches that sparkle. Sigh.

Anyway, I love the proportions of the bracelet on you, and as with the necklace, I think it has a great combo of impact without looking like it's trying too hard. I agree about too many matching pieces from one set. A little goes a long way and too much starts to look uncreative and draws more attention to itself rather than accessorizing the outfit. I agree with BigAkoya's analysis of each piece too. The bracelet is the best option from the set and looks put together in a thought-out way.

Just curious. What watch did you decide on? As you might imagine, I have had the same dilemma . . . I might be able to get away with a 36mm but 33 or 31 are best, and watches with a leather strap generally won't work b/c none are small enough unless I order from Europe and that's a 6-month proposition at least.
 
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Just curious. What watch did you decide on? As you might imagine, I have had the same dilemma . . . I might be able to get away with a 36mm but 33 or 31 are best, and watches with a leather strap generally won't work b/c none are small enough unless I order from Europe and that's a 6-month proposition at least.
I ended up going with an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra in 34mm. It would still almost be too big if the trend wasn't for larger watches. Men's watch trends are starting to get a little smaller than they have been for the past few years, but that's really just getting them back down to a reasonable size. They are still nowhere near vintage sizes which are very small compared to today. Men's watch fashion is relevant here I think because it affects how "real" watch companies design their non-girly watches, even when designed for women. They know there's a market for women watch enthusiasts who want basically the same thing that men want (a "watch" not "jewelry") but just in a size that doesn't leave us looking like we're kids wearing our Dads' watches. All this is to say that I felt okay getting the 34mm despite it being a bit bigger than I am used to wearing because it is still a normal watch size within its style. Also, I don't have anything else sporty like this as everything else I own is vintage, dressy, or a fashion watch. I'll add a picture of it on me below to show that even at the 34mm, it almost hangs off the edges of my wrist. It's the lug-to-lug measurement that's really the killer, because that's what makes the watch look like it fits or doesn't.

Please excuse the poor photo quality. The camera was more intent on making sure it captured every wrinkle and pore of my wrist rather than show the cool texture of the watch face. :hrmm:
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Jaeger LaCoultre makes a few nice models without bling that are for smaller wrists. Their Reverso line is a well-known one and they have a nice day/night option as well, although there are a few diamonds and mother of pearl face (I know most women aren't as ridiculously against it as I was for this particular purchase).

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Audemars Piguet has several color options in their classic Royal Oak line in 34mm & 33mm (two color options shown below).

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Most of the other big names really let us smaller wristed ladies down. At least if you don't want a watch with diamonds. Some don't even have an option for automatic/ self-winding watches in the smaller sizes (looking at you Vacheron Constantin and A.Lange & Söhne).
 
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