VCA 5 Motif Bracelet - Snagging My Clothing and Scarfs

[T1na611]

I LOVE my VCA mother of pearl 5 Motif Bracelet. And I have been wearing it daily for the past 7-8 years. However, I'm having difficulties with it snagging/getting caught on my clothing and scarfs very frequently. The gold pin area (see image below) is the part that would get caught. I brought the bracelet into the VCA store a year ago to fix the problem. The repair was complimentary but now I'm experiencing the same problem again. I'm thinking about bringing it into the store again and/or looking for a new bracelet.

Has anyone else experienced this same problem? Someone asked me about the fit of the bracelet and perhaps that is causing the problem. But the bracelet was sized to fit me at the Beverly Hills store when I purchased it.

I sure would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions. Thank you all in advance.

 

[CurlyBelle27]

I recently got the Van Cleef single motif bracelet and the sweet alhahmbra necklace and this happens frequently with my clothes all the time.

 

[Stella0925]

I have the hammered gold one and it never snags on anything. I’m curious if it’s because of the stone? There might be a slightly bigger gab in between the stones and the beads? I don’t own any stone ones so I’m just guessing

 

[BigAkoya]

It's the prong. You can have VCA push the prong down and smooth it a bit. Most likely, the jeweler who set that piece did not push that one prong down enough.

I have two 5 motif bracelets, and there is one motif that catches every now and then.

I let it go. For me, unless there is a major issue, I do not like to have metal worked on as I want to keep it as original as I can.
If it bothers you a lot though, just take it in and have them push the prong down.

 

[BigAkoya]

Yikes.. I just realized I just responded to a four year old post which the OP never came back to! Just shoot me!

 

[Stella0925]

Yikes.. I just realized I just responded to a four year old post which the OP never came back to! Just shoot me!

Don’t worry 3 of us did lol
Your advice is still helpful if someone ever ran into that issue again!

 

[yuzulife]

Yikes.. I just realized I just responded to a four year old post which the OP never came back to! Just shoot me!

Don’t worry 3 of us did lol
Your advice is still helpful if someone ever ran into that issue again!

Hey, if it helps, I found it helpful so thanks! I am contemplating my first VCA bracelet so doing my due diligence

 

[yuzulife]

I recently got the Van Cleef single motif bracelet and the sweet alhahmbra necklace and this happens frequently with my clothes all the time.

Are you noticing that the bracelet (also sweet alhambra?) gets caught in particular fabrics or all fabrics?

 

[waterlily112]

Are you noticing that the bracelet (also sweet alhambra?) gets caught in particular fabrics or all fabrics?

My 5 motif has 2 prongs that don't lay completely flat against the stones, they would only snag when I wear wool/alpaca blend knitwear, when I wear silk & regular cotton blend it's completely fine. Never had issue with my sweet alhambra pendant snagging on clothes, even the wool/alpaca blend knitwear though I guess because the prongs are much smaller and less likely to snag unless they come in contact with really fine hair or threads.

 

[BigAkoya]

Hey, if it helps, I found it helpful so thanks! I am contemplating my first VCA bracelet so doing my due diligence

I hope you get a VCA bracelet! I think you will love it.
Since this is your first, as FYI, you can get them sized to fit your wrist. The store has sample "bracelets" in different lengths you can try on. Some people like to wear their bracelets loose while others prefer tight.

VCA's standard bracelet length is 7.5" vs. the typical industry standard bracelet length of 7".

Good luck!

 

[yuzulife]

My 5 motif has 2 prongs that don't lay completely flat against the stones, they would only snag when I wear wool/alpaca blend knitwear, when I wear silk & regular cotton blend it's completely fine. Never had issue with my sweet alhambra pendant snagging on clothes, even the wool/alpaca blend knitwear though I guess because the prongs are much smaller and less likely to snag unless they come in contact with really fine hair or threads.

Thank you so much, super helpful. I may just wear a wool/alpaca knitwear to an appointment to test it out.

 

[yuzulife]

I hope you get a VCA bracelet! I think you will love it.
Since this is your first, as FYI, you can get them sized to fit your wrist. The store has sample "bracelets" in different lengths you can try on. Some people like to wear their bracelets loose while others prefer tight.

VCA's standard bracelet length is 7.5" vs. the typical industry standard bracelet length of 7".

Good luck!

Thank you! I have been learning more about the stones and craftsmanship, but I guess it helps to have your choices narrowed automatically since I only like WG and RG The reissue of the RG and carnelian bracelet is fun to contemplate if the right shade is available.

I was also thinking of a 10 motif necklace and getting it lengthened so that I could do a 3 wrap "bracelet" since I like the idea of a piece being multi functional. I don't tend to stack different pieces nowadays so this is probably the only type of "stack" I would like. I wonder if others who do this find the stones holding up fine?

 

[BigAkoya]

Thank you! I have been learning more about the stones and craftsmanship, but I guess it helps to have your choices narrowed automatically since I only like WG and RG The reissue of the RG and carnelian bracelet is fun to contemplate if the right shade is available.

I was also thinking of a 10 motif necklace and getting it lengthened so that I could do a 3 wrap "bracelet" since I like the idea of a piece being multi functional. I don't tend to stack different pieces nowadays so this is probably the only type of "stack" I would like. I wonder if others who do this find the stones holding up fine?

On wrapping, for what it's worth... my opinion is it's a big no.

"Wrapping" is not the same look as wearing multiple bracelets because you will see the chain wrapped diagonal across.
This ends up looking like you wrapped a long necklace and not truly wearing three separate bracelets that lay nicely side by side.

Then, because you have to extend it to at least 21" (7" each bracelet), if you ever decide to wear it as a necklace, it will land in an awkward spot on your chest. A 21" necklace is not a complimentary length for most ppeople in my opinion.

You will definitely see more "scratching" if you wrap given the chain has to overlap diagonally.

I like wearing two of the same bracelets, so I have two WG MOP bracelets that I wear at the same time. I love the look; it looks very clean, no "wrap."

Also, I am not sure VCA will lengthen a 10 motif, which is 16.5" to 21". I thought the limit was 2." Otherwise, there is a lot of chain, and it almost needs another motif which VCA will not add an extra motif. I would ask about making it 21" to see if it's even possible. That will help you decide.

I have a WG MOP 20 motif, but I do not wear 10 motifs, so I don't know the official max length (I do think 2" is the max).
You can ask this question on the VCA Discussions forum as many ladies have lengthened their 10 motif a bit as it was too short for them.

If you have a thin neck, you could buy two bracelets and connect them. That will get you 15."
However, you will see the clasp, and I think that looks a bit cheap, like you connected two bracelets, which you did.
Some people do that and do not mind. It's all preference, but if you can wear a 15" necklace, getting two of the same bracelets is the better option in my opinion.

Also note the motif spacing for a 10 motif is not the same spacing for a 5 motif, so your created "necklace" (or bracelet) will not really look the same.

I wouldn't do it though. I think wearing a piece as it was intended it best. Otherwise, it looks hodge podgey to me.
Just my two cents. Good luck!

 

[yuzulife]

On wrapping, for what it's worth... my opinion is it's a big no.

"Wrapping" is not the same look as wearing multiple bracelets because you will see the chain wrapped diagonal across.
This ends up looking like you wrapped a long necklace and not truly wearing three separate bracelets that lay nicely side by side.

Then, because you have to extend it to at least 21" (7" each bracelet), if you ever decide to wear it as a necklace, it will land in an awkward spot on your chest. A 21" necklace is not a complimentary length for most ppeople in my opinion.

You will definitely see more "scratching" if you wrap given the chain has to overlap diagonally.

I like wearing two of the same bracelets, so I have two WG MOP bracelets that I wear at the same time. I love the look; it looks very clean, no "wrap."

Also, I am not sure VCA will lengthen a 10 motif, which is 16.5" to 21". I thought the limit was 2." Otherwise, there is a lot of chain, and it almost needs another motif which VCA will not add an extra motif. I would ask about making it 21" to see if it's even possible. That will help you decide.

I have a WG MOP 20 motif, but I do not wear 10 motifs, so I don't know the official max length (I do think 2" is the max).
You can ask this question on the VCA Discussions forum as many ladies have lengthened their 10 motif a bit as it was too short for them.

If you have a thin neck, you could buy two bracelets and connect them. That will get you 15."
However, you will see the clasp, and I think that looks a bit cheap, like you connected two bracelets, which you did.
Some people do that and do not mind. It's all preference, but if you can wear a 15" necklace, getting two of the same bracelets is the better option in my opinion.

Also note the motif spacing for a 10 motif is not the same spacing for a 5 motif, so your created "necklace" (or bracelet) will not really look the same.

I wouldn't do it though. I think wearing a piece as it was intended it best. Otherwise, it looks hodge podgey to me.
Just my two cents. Good luck!

I appreciate your insight and opinion, thank you! It's helpful to hear from those who have the pieces and how it's been working out. This will give me more to think about which is fine. I may also be subconsciously holding out for a blue and WG combo (if that'll be available again). I do like chalcedony when the stones are highly striated.

This is so much fun.

 

[waterlily112]

Thank you so much, super helpful. I may just wear a wool/alpaca knitwear to an appointment to test it out.

You're welcome! Oh one thing to add, the SA's there should have a loupe readily available mainly for when they're examining diamond pieces with the clients. If you want to be extra careful, you can ask to use the loupe to examine the prongs on back side of the motifs (front side is always smooth & flat with the round/beady prongs) to make sure they lay flat or have minimum gap between the stones. If you noticed any loose prongs or ones look visibly lifted, you can ask to have the problematic prongs tighten along with the resizing request so you don't have to send it out multiple times and wait for weeks to enjoy your bracelet.