VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

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#16,066
Would like to pull the trigger on getting a vintage Alhambra pendant - I’m loving the current holiday pendant. Does anyone have thoughts on starting off with a limited edition versus a more classic? Don’t think I’d be adding a second one anytime soon - will be focusing on bracelets and earrings moving forward! For context, I just got the mini frivole in YG, and would like something to layer with it.
 
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#16,067
cafecreme15 said:
Would like to pull the trigger on getting a vintage Alhambra pendant - I’m loving the current holiday pendant. Does anyone have thoughts on starting off with a limited edition versus a more classic? Don’t think I’d be adding a second one anytime soon - will be focusing on bracelets and earrings moving forward! For context, I just got the mini frivole in YG, and would like something to layer with it.
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I'd always get the LE over the classic. It's a bit more pricey but it's rarer and I love the look of the LE anyway. Which stone are you thinking of?
 
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#16,068
Phoenix123 said:
I'd always get the LE over the classic. It's a bit more pricey but it's rarer and I love the look of the LE anyway. Which stone are you thinking of?
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Plus I just love the shade of blue of this year’s pendant. And the funny thing is I’m not even sure! Was thinking maybe malachite or white MOP? I’m also planning on adding a 5 motif bracelet over the summer - likely in tiger eye.
 
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#16,072
karly9 said:
An update regarding my post above. I contacted TRR regarding my observations and they put me in touch with a valuations and appraisal expert, who patiently addressed my questions and concerns to my satisfaction. I learned a lot about VCA appraisals and history along the way! I decided to go for it, and brought my new earrings to the boutique not so much for authentication, but to get longer posts placed on. The boutique was happy to service the pieces without hassle. I was a bit nervous about this given previous discussion, but luckily I have a good relationship with my SA and there was no issue.

Introducing my new Vintage Alhambra Super pave earrings. I'm so in love with these!

View attachment 4593766
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Amazing! I have been trying on Magic Size Diamond in White and in Yelow gold. Both are stunning. The ones on TRR were on my wish list as well :) May I ask why the pattern of diamonds is different?
I am looking at a pair on eBay and I was wondering the process of "authentication" / assurance is at the boutique? For example, if I bring them in to have the posts moved from upper to lower hall, if the bouts does it - means they are authentic?
 
#16,073
rk4265 said:
Hopefully next year :smile: preferably in the beginning lol
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I have more information on the blue agate earrings from my SA in Roma. Turns out, blue agate is a transparent stone! I witnessed it first hand when I tried to put a clover from a blue agate bracelet against my ear - the stone is definitely see through! Therefore, just like they don't make earrings in Calcedony, they may not come out with blue agate at all! At least, this is the lates I learned in Europe.
 
#16,074
Notorious Pink said:
You have asked this question elsewhere on this forum.

We really don't do authentications here. And the TPF threads that do authenticate elsewhere usually have rules requiring genuine TPF participation, not just authentication requests. Thank you for understanding.
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I am honestly mean no disrespect. i have submitted an offer on these but have not paid yet. And would absolutely love some help / input / opinions before I move forward with this purchase.
I have actually shared some new knowledge with other TPFRs about blue agate. So I do try to put in my fair share :)
 
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#16,075
ztakkram said:
I have more information on the blue agate earrings from my SA in Roma. Turns out, blue agate is a transparent stone! I witnessed it first hand when I tried to put a clover from a blue agate bracelet against my ear - the stone is definitely see through! Therefore, just like they don't make earrings in Calcedony, they may not come out with blue agate at all! At least, this is the lates I learned in Europe.
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Wow very interesting
 
#16,076
ztakkram said:
I have more information on the blue agate earrings from my SA in Roma. Turns out, blue agate is a transparent stone! I witnessed it first hand when I tried to put a clover from a blue agate bracelet against my ear - the stone is definitely see through! Therefore, just like they don't make earrings in Calcedony, they may not come out with blue agate at all! At least, this is the lates I learned in Europe.
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I don't know about the earrings, but the blue agate bracelet is not transparent at all.
 
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#16,077
Chanbal said:
I don't know about the earrings, but the blue agate bracelet is not transparent at all.
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I didn't think so either but if you try to put it against your ear with the lighting they have in the boutique - wha la! I could see the back of my earlobe covering half of the stone! I think in day light, or any other bright lighting, the backing of the earring will show through the blue agate.
Honestly, I did not believe my SA at first, until she made me do it! :)
 
#16,078
ztakkram said:
I am honestly mean no disrespect. i have submitted an offer on these but have not paid yet. And would absolutely love some help / input / opinions before I move forward with this purchase.
I have actually shared some new knowledge with other TPFRs about blue agate. So I do try to put in my fair share :smile:
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I genuinely appreciate your saying that. I’m not trying to be mean or difficult, it’s just that there are rules here for a reason, and it’s really to protect everyone - authentication is a complicated issue.

I understand that information may absolutely be new to you, but it’s not new knowledge here. I (and several other members here) own the blue agate. We have a dedicated thread to it with 28 pages of posts (and many photos) on that topic. I wouldn’t be concerned about the translucency, it’s really not when worn.

Actually, I’m a little confused on why translucency is an issue at all, anyway, because blue agate does not come in earrings, just the necklace and bracelet,

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/new-colour-bleu-agate-alhambra-launch.991551/

This is my necklace - I actually held it up the window to show the translucency isn’t significant.
AF1E4127-E83E-427D-81B6-1625349681BC.jpeg EE593EC9-0CA6-493E-BDEF-C0B493BF9F01.jpeg
 
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#16,079
Notorious Pink said:
Actually, I’m a little confused on why translucency is an issue at all, anyway, because blue agate does not come in earrings, just the necklace and bracelet,
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To clarify - I meant to also say that agate is definitely no more translucent than carnelian - so that should not be an issue for earrings. There are reasons that we don’t know why some things are and are not produced, or why certain pieces are only available in particular countries. I can’t wear chalcedony so I don’t have a lot of experience with it, but I have a friend who has a few pieces and they do not appear to be translucent at all - are they?

It does seem that sometimes VCA will make a necklace and bracelet before earrings.
 
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#16,080
Notorious Pink said:
To clarify - I meant to also say that agate is definitely no more translucent than carnelian - so that should not be an issue for earrings. There are reasons that we don’t know why some things are and are not produced, or why certain pieces are only available in particular countries. I can’t wear chalcedony so I don’t have a lot of experience with it, but I have a friend who has a few pieces and they do not appear to be translucent at all - are they?

It does seem that sometimes VCA will make a necklace and bracelet before earrings.
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Very well said.
 
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