Van Cleef in action!

[BigAkoya]

I see it as the same thing. Connecting a pin to a necklace to create a combo piece. No different than connecting any other pieces.
I believe VCA encourages being creative with their pieces. I only bought my 5 motif bracelet since my SA convinced me to use it to connect to my 10 necklace for a longer necklace option. This is by far my most worn combo. I highly doubt anyone thinks my pieces are fake since I am connecting them.

Animal clips to me fall in the same category where VCA makes clips that convert to a necklace which is the beauty of clips.

I actually do not think VCA corporate encourages connecting and mix/match Alhambra. My SA and I had a discussion about that.
VCA does tons of advertisements, and they do not advertise the Alhambra collection as a "connect pieces to make different looks" type of line.

Yes, I know people like to connect, and it's all preference, but VCA never markets that Alhambra is "versatile" and you can connect pieces. The "versatile" concept was created by SAs to sell more Alhambra (bracelets are big sellers to push versatility according to my SA).

On fake, I would personally not worry or care what people think.
For me, I wear VCA and other brands. People may hate my style or think it's fake; it doesn't impact my life. Ironically, I have actually been asked a few times if a piece I was wearing was real (they were not VCA pieces). Jewelry is for me to love and enjoy, not for others.

My reference to fake in the other thread you read is my response to the person who posted the comment and worried about Alhambra, so many fakes, people judging, etc. So yes, in that sense, it could certainly look fake.

I really would not give it a second thought if I were you... wear your bling how you like it and enjoy it. Bling is for you to enjoy, and you have lovely pieces.

 

[lynne_ross]

Animal clips to me fall in the same category where VCA makes clips that convert to a necklace which is the beauty of clips.

I actually do not think VCA corporate encourages connecting and mix/match Alhambra. My SA and I had a discussion about that.
VCA does tons of advertisements, and they do not advertise the Alhambra collection as a "connect pieces to make different looks" type of line.

Yes, I know people like to connect, and it's all preference, but VCA never markets that Alhambra is "versatile" and you can connect pieces. The "versatile" concept was created by SAs to sell more Alhambra (bracelets are big sellers to push versatility according to my SA).

On fake, I would personally not worry or care what people think.
For me, I wear VCA and other brands. People may hate my style or think it's fake; it doesn't impact my life. Ironically, I have actually been asked a few times if a piece I was wearing was real (they were not VCA pieces). Jewelry is for me to love and enjoy, not for others.

My reference to fake in the other thread you read is my response to the person who posted the comment and worried about Alhambra, so many fakes, people judging, etc. So yes, in that sense, it could certainly look fake.

I really would not give it a second thought if I were you... wear your bling how you like it and enjoy it. Bling is for you to enjoy, and you have lovely pieces.

I don’t worry or care if people think my items are fake. My comment was only in reference to your comment on other thread.
When I was younger, I use to get asked all the time if my birkins/Kelly’s were real. I would say yes to them being fake for the fun of it and a few times the person said something along the lines as ‘I thought so. Who would pay that much for a real bag’ haha!

 

[nicole0612]

Animal clips to me fall in the same category where VCA makes clips that convert to a necklace which is the beauty of clips.

I actually do not think VCA corporate encourages connecting and mix/match Alhambra. My SA and I had a discussion about that.
VCA does tons of advertisements, and they do not advertise the Alhambra collection as a "connect pieces to make different looks" type of line.

Yes, I know people like to connect, and it's all preference, but VCA never markets that Alhambra is "versatile" and you can connect pieces. The "versatile" concept was created by SAs to sell more Alhambra (bracelets are big sellers to push versatility according to my SA).

On fake, I would personally not worry or care what people think.
For me, I wear VCA and other brands. People may hate my style or think it's fake; it doesn't impact my life. Ironically, I have actually been asked a few times if a piece I was wearing was real (they were not VCA pieces). Jewelry is for me to love and enjoy, not for others.

My reference to fake in the other thread you read is my response to the person who posted the comment and worried about Alhambra, so many fakes, people judging, etc. So yes, in that sense, it could certainly look fake.

I really would not give it a second thought if I were you... wear your bling how you like it and enjoy it. Bling is for you to enjoy, and you have lovely pieces.

Isn’t it amusing though, that on the other hand VCA corporate is very much in favor of some very strange combinations that they have come up with on their own. As long as it includes a watch, no hybrid mashup is off-limits.
I say that jewelry and fashion are for fun! We should wear what we like, how we like, as long as it brings pleasure.

 

[eletons]

Animal clips to me fall in the same category where VCA makes clips that convert to a necklace which is the beauty of clips.

I actually do not think VCA corporate encourages connecting and mix/match Alhambra. My SA and I had a discussion about that.
VCA does tons of advertisements, and they do not advertise the Alhambra collection as a "connect pieces to make different looks" type of line.

Yes, I know people like to connect, and it's all preference, but VCA never markets that Alhambra is "versatile" and you can connect pieces. The "versatile" concept was created by SAs to sell more Alhambra (bracelets are big sellers to push versatility according to my SA).

On fake, I would personally not worry or care what people think.
For me, I wear VCA and other brands. People may hate my style or think it's fake; it doesn't impact my life. Ironically, I have actually been asked a few times if a piece I was wearing was real (they were not VCA pieces). Jewelry is for me to love and enjoy, not for others.

My reference to fake in the other thread you read is my response to the person who posted the comment and worried about Alhambra, so many fakes, people judging, etc. So yes, in that sense, it could certainly look fake.

I really would not give it a second thought if I were you... wear your bling how you like it and enjoy it. Bling is for you to enjoy, and you have lovely pieces.

If other people assume that it's fake, whether you connect it or not, they will still assume what they like to assume. It makes no difference. Personally, the right length of the necklace is more important than what other people assume.

Jewelry is very personal so it doesn't matter what other people like or dislike. It's how it makes the wearer feel. The wearers get to make a decision.

If everyone comes out looking the same, it might look like wearing uniforms.

 

[BigAkoya]

I loooooove this ring. Wear 3-4 times a week. Very comfortable and fits so many fingers so I switch up the look. DH was right that it is perfect for me.

View attachment 5589771

View attachment 5589772

How did I miss this post? TPF moves so fast; if I don't follow it for a few days, I'm like 10 pages behind!
I love love this ring and always love to see it on you. It looks gorgeous on your hands.

Every time I see you post a photo of your ring, I want to get one. The YG, as you know, is what holds me back as I know I will rarely wear it (although about 75% of my handbag hardware is YG and that doesn't seem to bother me, probably because it's not on me and I don't see. ).

Your Noeud ring is the best bow ring I have seen, and it is actually the mixed gold that adds to its beauty and uniqueness.
I've tried on a lot of bow rings, but not this one, so I can't visualize it's true size.

I know they are both different looks, but as individual rings, do you find this ring has more presence than Lotus or do you think Lotus has more presence?

 

[BigAkoya]

Can’t decide which one I love more between lotus or pave frivole so I tend to rotate between these two. The turquoise butterfly I wear rarely since it’s such a pain having to keep taking it off when I’m washing hands.

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I love all of them, they are gorgeous on you and all very different looks.

I especially love the fact you do not mix metals if I am not mistaken. I could be wrong as photos are tough to really tell.
It looks like you stayed with white metal wearing your Lotus, with RG wearing your RG Frivole, and YG wearing your butterfly.
It looks really coordinated, matchy matchy unmatched pieces which I really like.

The Rolex looks great with your Frivole, a nice mix of manly bold and girly feminine which I think is such an elegant chic look.
Beautiful pieces!

P.S. I think it's okay to wear your butterfly ring while you wash your hands. I have a turquoise set (non-VCA) that includes a ring. I wear it often in the summer. When I was my hands, I also dry the ring and wipe down the turquoise stone. I think it's letting it soak in a liquid that causes the stone to react with the chemicals and the color to change. If you moisturize, I would definitely remove the ring first. My turquoise ring has not changed color, and I wash my hands often. However, my turquoise earrings have turned a darker blue green due to my morning routine which is always lotion first, then jewelry. Hence, my nice moisturized fingers always touch my earrings which caused it to get darker. I'm not going to change my routine, but just FYI that I do think if you wipe dry the turquoise after you wash your hands, it will be fine.

 

[BigAkoya]

Flower power View attachment 5585934

Gorgeous bling as always, but... what caught my eye is the CC! You're coming to the other side, please stay!
CC is my brand. More CC photos please with your gorgeous VCA; we see enough H.

 

[BigAkoya]

Recent addition to my collection however, I’m torn - to shorten or to dangle?

View attachment 5586222

View attachment 5586224

I vote shorten. It looks like it's too long for you the way you wear it now, which it is.
The dangle does not look like a charm because it is hooked on the clasp. A true charm never hooks on the clasp.
Plus, the dangling motif has loops on it, so it's definitely not a charm. Not a great look in my opinion, but of course, everyone has their own preference in wearing jewelry.

VCA bracelets are meant to be resized to fit you properly, so I vote shorten.
You can ask to use their bracelet sizing kit to see how many links you wish to remove.

Congrats on your new bracelet!

 

[RosiePx]

I vote shorten. It looks like it's too long for you the way you wear it now, which it is.
The dangle does not look like a charm because it is hooked on the clasp. A true charm never hooks on the clasp.
Plus, the dangling motif has loops on it, so it's definitely not a charm. Not a great look in my opinion, but of course, everyone has their own preference in wearing jewelry.

VCA bracelets are meant to be resized to fit you properly, so I vote shorten.
You can ask to use their bracelet sizing kit to see how many links you wish to remove.

Congrats on your new bracelet!

Have definitely asked for it to be shortened. 8 weeks waiting time! Thanks for responding.

 

[BigAkoya]

Have definitely asked for it to be shortened. 8 weeks waiting time! Thanks for responding.

You might get it faster; I hope you do. The wait will be worth it.
Congratulations again on your new bracelet!

 

[lynne_ross]

How did I miss this post? TPF moves so fast; if I don't follow it for a few days, I'm like 10 pages behind!
I love love this ring and always love to see it on you. It looks gorgeous on your hands.

Every time I see you post a photo of your ring, I want to get one. The YG, as you know, is what holds me back as I know I will rarely wear it (although about 75% of my handbag hardware is YG and that doesn't seem to bother me, probably because it's not on me and I don't see. ).

Your Noeud ring is the best bow ring I have seen, and it is actually the mixed gold that adds to its beauty and uniqueness.
I've tried on a lot of bow rings, but not this one, so I can't visualize it's true size.

I know they are both different looks, but as individual rings, do you find this ring has more presence than Lotus or do you think Lotus has more presence?

Thanks! Not sure if this helps but it is rg and wg. Not yg. I find VCA’s wg and rg go together so well. Better than yg and wg. I think it would not be as beautiful in all wg. The two ton is what elevates the design. I know you are a purist to wg. The base of the ring is more wg so you could justify the rg is like a gemstone and just adding some colour to your wg ring. Haha trying to help you justify. Vca may not make in all wg since it compromises the design. There is an older version in yg with yellow diamonds. I prefer the current version.
I think they have similar presence. The lotus is bigger and very Blighty and covers more fingers. I find on my hand the lotus stands out more since my hand is tanned so the wg and diamond fireball contrast well. But the noeud has more ‘life’ with it being truly 3d. Side by side the lotus looks to overwhelm noeud due to the diamonds. Let me take a side by side pic for you later today.

 

[bucha]

My current VCA family: Magic Alhambra necklace in guilloché gold, and Vintage Alhambra five motif bracelet in letterwood.

 

[BigAkoya]

Ooh thank you so much for this update! When you get Rose Horizon could you share photos of it on you? It looks great in the photos but I’m a bit worried the color might look darker than what I’m expecting. I have Rose Tamise and like it but it also ended up being darker than expected. I have Violet Byzantine but truthfully haven’t worn it out as a full set other than swatching it because I’m waiting for fall! Currently wearing Gris Etoupe channeling the fabulous @eternallove4bag even if it’s just a fraction of her stylishness

Hi! Okay... here is my Hermes Nail Polish update. I have been traveling, and while I was in London, I found Violet Byzantin! I have been looking everywhere for this shade, and it's always sold out. The Harrods Hermes SA said it was the most popular shade. Well, lo and behold, I happened to walk into the Hermes at LHR, and they had it! I was so excited! They also had the two oranges I was debating, Orange Poppy and Orange Boite. I purchased Orange Boite.

Here is a summary of my nail polish thoughts...

- Rose Horizon: LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is the exact bright coral I was trying to find. I wanted a bright true coral, but most corals are too pink or they are sunset red. Rose Horizon is a bright happy color. I love this color... a winner!

- Rose Tamise: MIGHT LIKE, BUT DOUBT IT. I have in my mind a very specific mauve. My mauve is pale, rose-lilac-gray mauve. Rose Tamise is not it! Rose Tamise is too dark for me, and it has too much purple and red. I tried it on a finger (two coats), and I might be able to like it, but I will definitely not love it. Knowing myself, I will probably wear it twice and toss it.

- Orange Boite: WOW WOW WOW! This one is the surprise bomb! For summer, I am really into bright coral and orange nail polishes. I have been searching for a bright, but soft orange, and orange void of any red. I am not a fan of colors that go toward the red spectrum. Don't get me wrong, I used to love bright red nail polish, and red shades were all I wore. However, one day, I looked at my hands and thought... "Big Akoya, that red is too darn red, red is harsh looking and makes your hands look old." Hence I have banned red nail polish for me. Orange and coral are softer but still bright. They also give this warmth to hands. Orange Boite is gorgeous. It is a really beautiful orange. I would recommend it if you like bright happy nail polish. Orange Poppy had too much pink in the orange. Also, because Orange Boite is such a true orange, I think it makes the skin glow in a nice way.

- Violet Byzantin: BETTER THAN ROUGE NOIR! I have worn Chanel Rouge Noir for years. I love its deep intense color. However, my pet peeve with Rouge Noir is that it is a dark merlot, and I'm not crazy about that brown in it. My perfect deep color would be a dark aubergine, a deep plum with a slight blue peeking out. Violet Byzantin is it! It is exactly the shade I had envisioned in my head. That dark aubergine gives it that intense purple that I want. I love love love this shade, and I am so excited I found it.

I want to thank you again for turning me on to Hermes Nail Polish. Now I wish I had purchased more shades to try them all. I know some will be a hit while others a bit miss, but so far, I've had more hits than misses! Oh, and of the three pale neutral shades you told me about...

I still love love love Rose Baltique as you suggested. It absolutely makes my nails just glow. I also like Rose Coquette. It has more white to it, and the base is more pink, but I think it will look great in the fall/winter. I love that shade too. Rose Porcelaine is too powder pink white for me. I'll probably end up tossing it, but I will wear it in the winter to see if grows on me, maybe like an pale ivory.

Below are some photos of the colors. I did some mod shots of Rose Horizon, but as much as I tried, it doesn't quite reflect Rose Horizon's strong coral. The photo shows it having a bit more red, but it doesn't. It's definitely a bright, happy coral! Beautiful color. You can see it looks more intense than in the bottle. I love it, but it may be too bright for you. I also put Violet Byzantin next to my Chanel Rouge Noir so you can see the difference. The Violet Byzantin has that intense purple I have been seeking.

The final picture of a room is my perfect mauve... a pale, rose-lilac-gray. I can see it on my fingers... it would be so beautiful.

Below, from left to right:
Orange Boite, Rose Horizon, Rose Tamise, Violet Byzantin, Chanel Rouge Noir

 

[snnysmm]

Hi! Okay... here is my Hermes Nail Polish update. I have been traveling, and while I was in London, I found Violet Byzantin! I have been looking everywhere for this shade, and it's always sold out. The Harrods Hermes SA said it was the most popular shade. Well, lo and behold, I happened to walk into the Hermes at LHR, and they had it! I was so excited! They also had the two oranges I was debating, Orange Poppy and Orange Boite. I purchased Orange Boite.

Here is a summary of my nail polish thoughts...

- Rose Horizon: LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is the exact bright coral I was trying to find. I wanted a bright true coral, but most corals are too pink or they are sunset red. Rose Horizon is a bright happy color. I love this color... a winner!

- Rose Tamise: MIGHT LIKE, BUT DOUBT IT. I have in my mind a very specific mauve. My mauve is pale, rose-lilac-gray mauve. Rose Tamise is not it! Rose Tamise is too dark for me, and it has too much purple and red. I tried it on a finger (two coats), and I might be able to like it, but I will definitely not love it. Knowing myself, I will probably wear it twice and toss it.

- Orange Boite: WOW WOW WOW! This one is the surprise bomb! For summer, I am really into bright coral and orange nail polishes. I have been searching for a bright, but soft orange, and orange void of any red. I am not a fan of colors that go toward the red spectrum. Don't get me wrong, I used to love bright red nail polish, and red shades were all I wore. However, one day, I looked at my hands and thought... "Big Akoya, that red is too darn red, red is harsh looking and makes your hands look old." Hence I have banned red nail polish for me. Orange and coral are softer but still bright. They also give this warmth to hands. Orange Boite is gorgeous. It is a really beautiful orange. I would recommend it if you like bright happy nail polish. Orange Poppy had too much pink in the orange. Also, because Orange Boite is such a true orange, I think it makes the skin glow in a nice way.

- Violet Byzantin: BETTER THAN ROUGE NOIR! I have worn Chanel Rouge Noir for years. I love its deep intense color. However, my pet peeve with Rouge Noir is that it is a dark merlot, and I'm not crazy about that brown in it. My perfect deep color would be a dark aubergine, a deep plum with a slight blue peeking out. Violet Byzantin is it! It is exactly the shade I had envisioned in my head. That dark aubergine gives it that intense purple that I want. I love love love this shade, and I am so excited I found it.

I want to thank you again for turning me on to Hermes Nail Polish. Now I wish I had purchased more shades to try them all. I know some will be a hit while others a bit miss, but so far, I've had more hits than misses! Oh, and of the three pale neutral shades you told me about...

I still love love love Rose Baltique as you suggested. It absolutely makes my nails just glow. I also like Rose Coquette. It has more white to it, and the base is more pink, but I think it will look great in the fall/winter. I love that shade too. Rose Porcelaine is too powder pink white for me. I'll probably end up tossing it, but I will wear it in the winter to see if grows on me, maybe like an pale ivory.

Below are some photos of the colors. I did some mod shots of Rose Horizon, but as much as I tried, it doesn't quite reflect Rose Horizon's strong coral. The photo shows it having a bit more red, but it doesn't. It's definitely a bright, happy coral! Beautiful color. You can see it looks more intense than in the bottle. I love it, but it may be too bright for you. I also put Violet Byzantin next to my Chanel Rouge Noir so you can see the difference. The Violet Byzantin has that intense purple I have been seeking.

The final picture of a room is my perfect mauve... a pale, rose-lilac-gray. I can see it on my fingers... it would be so beautiful.

Below, from left to right:
Orange Boite, Rose Horizon, Rose Tamise, Violet Byzantin, Chanel Rouge Noir
View attachment 5594644
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View attachment 5594647
View attachment 5594648
View attachment 5594649

Gorgeous and I agree about mauve.

I just bought Rose Baltique myself and I am so excited to try it.

 

[tenshix]

Hi! Okay... here is my Hermes Nail Polish update. I have been traveling, and while I was in London, I found Violet Byzantin! I have been looking everywhere for this shade, and it's always sold out. The Harrods Hermes SA said it was the most popular shade. Well, lo and behold, I happened to walk into the Hermes at LHR, and they had it! I was so excited! They also had the two oranges I was debating, Orange Poppy and Orange Boite. I purchased Orange Boite.

Here is a summary of my nail polish thoughts...

- Rose Horizon: LOVE LOVE LOVE! This is the exact bright coral I was trying to find. I wanted a bright true coral, but most corals are too pink or they are sunset red. Rose Horizon is a bright happy color. I love this color... a winner!

- Rose Tamise: MIGHT LIKE, BUT DOUBT IT. I have in my mind a very specific mauve. My mauve is pale, rose-lilac-gray mauve. Rose Tamise is not it! Rose Tamise is too dark for me, and it has too much purple and red. I tried it on a finger (two coats), and I might be able to like it, but I will definitely not love it. Knowing myself, I will probably wear it twice and toss it.

- Orange Boite: WOW WOW WOW! This one is the surprise bomb! For summer, I am really into bright coral and orange nail polishes. I have been searching for a bright, but soft orange, and orange void of any red. I am not a fan of colors that go toward the red spectrum. Don't get me wrong, I used to love bright red nail polish, and red shades were all I wore. However, one day, I looked at my hands and thought... "Big Akoya, that red is too darn red, red is harsh looking and makes your hands look old." Hence I have banned red nail polish for me. Orange and coral are softer but still bright. They also give this warmth to hands. Orange Boite is gorgeous. It is a really beautiful orange. I would recommend it if you like bright happy nail polish. Orange Poppy had too much pink in the orange. Also, because Orange Boite is such a true orange, I think it makes the skin glow in a nice way.

- Violet Byzantin: BETTER THAN ROUGE NOIR! I have worn Chanel Rouge Noir for years. I love its deep intense color. However, my pet peeve with Rouge Noir is that it is a dark merlot, and I'm not crazy about that brown in it. My perfect deep color would be a dark aubergine, a deep plum with a slight blue peeking out. Violet Byzantin is it! It is exactly the shade I had envisioned in my head. That dark aubergine gives it that intense purple that I want. I love love love this shade, and I am so excited I found it.

I want to thank you again for turning me on to Hermes Nail Polish. Now I wish I had purchased more shades to try them all. I know some will be a hit while others a bit miss, but so far, I've had more hits than misses! Oh, and of the three pale neutral shades you told me about...

I still love love love Rose Baltique as you suggested. It absolutely makes my nails just glow. I also like Rose Coquette. It has more white to it, and the base is more pink, but I think it will look great in the fall/winter. I love that shade too. Rose Porcelaine is too powder pink white for me. I'll probably end up tossing it, but I will wear it in the winter to see if grows on me, maybe like an pale ivory.

Below are some photos of the colors. I did some mod shots of Rose Horizon, but as much as I tried, it doesn't quite reflect Rose Horizon's strong coral. The photo shows it having a bit more red, but it doesn't. It's definitely a bright, happy coral! Beautiful color. You can see it looks more intense than in the bottle. I love it, but it may be too bright for you. I also put Violet Byzantin next to my Chanel Rouge Noir so you can see the difference. The Violet Byzantin has that intense purple I have been seeking.

The final picture of a room is my perfect mauve... a pale, rose-lilac-gray. I can see it on my fingers... it would be so beautiful.

Below, from left to right:
Orange Boite, Rose Horizon, Rose Tamise, Violet Byzantin, Chanel Rouge Noir
View attachment 5594644
View attachment 5594645
View attachment 5594647
View attachment 5594648
View attachment 5594649

Oh goodness I love this update so much!! Thank you for your thorough thoughts and review on each color, I agree with everything you said. I had a feeling Rose Tamise was going to be a bit too dark and brownish for you too but wanted to let you come to your own conclusions first. I love the mauve wall color you posted and would love it in a nail color too. I have a feeling Essie or OPI might have a shade like that but formula wise and brush wise Hermes is still my absolute favorite. I can’t wait for them to release more neutral colors

I LOVE Rose Horizon on you, it suits your complexion so well and such a good summer pop of color! I can just see you wearing this with your Pucci leggings, a crisp white shirt, and your bling.. Fabulous! Just beautiful on you. If you have time I would love to see Orange Boite on your hand as well, I was honestly debating whether or not to get Rose Horizon or Orange Boite but was worried it might be too much of a bright pop for a normally neutral person like me. There’s some exceptions to the rule though so I wonder if these would be worth getting for me. I love how the coral shade looks on you though, and so glad you fell in love with these polishes too!!