VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[myumew]

Does anyone have a Perlee 1 row diamonds bracelet WITH a Cartier small pave love bracelet? I’ve searched far and wide for a photo of this combo but couldn’t find any, and I’m not sure if it’d work. I currently have the pave love and I feel like the Perlee would be a great addition. Unfortunately I can’t get into a boutique to try it on any time soon

 

[A bottle of Red]

Hi! I like the MOP and the oynx, but not the guilloche.
For me, I would get the MOP. The MOP pops against your skin, and it would look great with earrings or a necklace if you decide to get another piece in the future. But more importantly, I think the MOP softens the look of your stack.

Your stack is very architectural, and the lines are stiff and hard edged (eg. Love, JUC).
I think the MOP adds a nice elegant touch to your stack and the MOP softens it a bit, giving it a nice feminine touch.

I think oynx is very pretty, but when I look at your stack with all that YG metal, I feel oynx makes it looks harsh and "angry". If you want a harsh look, this is it, and I would get the oynx. If you want to soften it up a bit, I would get MOP.

Finally, I do not like guilloche with the stack at all. All I see is a bunch of metal bracelets, so the eye is bored. The eye does not bother to "pause" and check out the wrist and look at each piece individually. It's just a bunch of gold metal. I hope that made sense.

This is just my opinion of course to share my thoughts with you. I know everyone is different. It's more about the "look" you want to create as everyone has a look. All these pieces are classics, and all VCA is lovely.

I vote MOP! I hope this helps in your decision. Congrats on your soon to be first VCA!

The yg with white mop looks gorgeous on you!
Interesting about onyx being harsh.
I have an onyx piece and the contrast w my ultra pale skin just pops. Not harsh at all. (Maybe bec my hair is dark?)
I love the malachite pieces, but it looks terrible on me.
And wmop just faded away.
So i guess it really depends on skin & hair colors & undertones.

 

[BigAkoya]

I think edgy is a gentler way to put it. Most people look fabulous in WMOP, and Onyx may be too stark. For me, I am the opposite, my style can handle a bit of edgy (and WMOP disappears on me) - this is an issue I've been thinking about a lot lately as I was considering getting a second piercing in my ears for sweet Alhambra and my SA and husband both said absolutely not - I can be edgy, but the pink hair plus multiple piercings will be too OTT for me, especially as I dress much more romantic than edgy, and the bits of edgy jewelry can tone down the saccharine of pink hair + girly outfit (wish my avatar pic was clearer, but my earrings are blackened gold with diamonds, sapphire and turquoise agate). But for a lot of people, onyx may be too harsh.

I would skip the second piercing personally. I have two holes, and I never use my second hole anymore.
I used to dress really harsh, angry, or... "edgey" as this word tends to make it sound cool.

Edgey is not cool to me, not anymore. Everyone’s taste changes over time.
My look is now feminine elegant, at work, very tailored but feminine suits (think tweed/textured fitted jacket with matching slim skirt, shoes.. some Chanel pump, not spiked Loubs). Outside of work hours, it's white skinny jean Bermuda shorts!
But once upon a time, my look, which I loved at the time, was edgey, harsh, angry... all black, all the time, leather pants, Alaia bandage dresses. I do color my hair, and that's my pop (it's currently tinted purple now for summer).

From what I have seen in your posts, my vision of you is girly girl, bias cut dresses, flowy tops, not tailored nor structured. I think multiple piercings take away from that look. I think your focused big bling pieces look great with the girly girl look and give it presence (assuming my girly girl vision of you is correct... who knows, you could be the leather pants lover!).

I wish my second ear piercing would close up, but it has not. I was always told, "wear earrings every day because if not, your hole will close up." For me, it's a myth!
I'm still waiting for that to happen! Not true!

So... I vote no, don't get a second piercing. You will now feel the need to fill that hole up with tiny pieces.
No tiny stuff for you... stay true to your big bling loving self!

 

[Notorious Pink]

I would skip the second piercing personally. I have two holes, and I never use my second hole anymore.
I used to dress really harsh, angry, or... "edgey" as this word tends to make it sound cool.

Edgey is not cool to me, not anymore. Everyone’s taste changes over time.
My look is now feminine elegant, at work, very tailored but feminine suits (think tweed/textured fitted jacket with matching slim skirt, shoes.. some Chanel pump, not spiked Loubs). Outside of work hours, it's white skinny jean Bermuda shorts!
But once upon a time, my look, which I loved at the time, was edgey, harsh, angry... all black, all the time, leather pants, Alaia bandage dresses. I do color my hair, and that's my pop (it's currently tinted purple now for summer).

From what I have seen in your posts, my vision of you is girly girl, bias cut dresses, flowy tops, not tailored nor structured. I think multiple piercings take away from that look. I think your focused big bling pieces look great with the girly girl look and give it presence (assuming my girly girl vision of you is correct... who knows, you could be the leather pants lover!).

I wish my second ear piercing would close up, but it has not. I was always told, "wear earrings every day because if not, your hole will close up." For me, it's a myth!
I'm still waiting for that to happen! Not true!

So... I vote no, don't get a second piercing. You will now feel the need to fill that hole up with tiny pieces.
No tiny stuff for you... stay true to your big bling loving self!

LOL! Yeah, I'm not getting the second piercing. Everyone says the hole doesn't close, so it's not just you.

You've got a good idea of my style, but I do actually mix it up. I do tend to dress very girly-girl (a lot of Zimmermann) but sometimes give an edge to it - not angry, not all black, but, like, cowboy boots with the dress. Most of the time it's a dress, but that dress could also be a caftan look. I do prefer a little bit tailored or I look overwhelmed, so there is usually a waist or belt, or the dress is cut very slim, or I wear a jacket over it. For me it's all about the proportions. I wear black leather leggings in the winter (usually with either a silk top and my favorite knit cashmere hoodie with fur trim, or a cashmere sweater) or tan suede pants...I do a lot of what looks like it came from Gorsuch in the winter. Or a dress with something warm over it. And more boots.

But yeah, no second piercing for me.

And now I want to see your purple hair!!!!!

 

[EpiFanatic]

I think edgy is a gentler way to put it. Most people look fabulous in WMOP, and Onyx may be too stark. For me, I am the opposite, my style can handle a bit of edgy (and WMOP disappears on me) - this is an issue I've been thinking about a lot lately as I was considering getting a second piercing in my ears for sweet Alhambra and my SA and husband both said absolutely not - I can be edgy, but the pink hair plus multiple piercings will be too OTT for me, especially as I dress much more romantic than edgy, and the bits of edgy jewelry can tone down the saccharine of pink hair + girly outfit (wish my avatar pic was clearer, but my earrings are blackened gold with diamonds, sapphire and turquoise agate). But for a lot of people, onyx may be too harsh.

I love oxidized white metals with diamonds and blue stones, such a vintage, so kinda edgy because its dark, but not really cause its vintage. Can you show us your earrings? I have some Sleeping Beauty turquoise that I am trying to design a few pieces, but haven't come across the right balance of a delicate statement piece that utilizes big bright stones. I know for sure I want to use oxidized platinum.

 

[BigAkoya]

I love oxidized white metals with diamonds and blue stones, such a vintage, so kinda edgy because its dark, but not really cause its vintage. Can you show us your earrings? I have some Sleeping Beauty turquoise that I am trying to design a few pieces, but haven't come across the right balance of a delicate statement piece that utilizes big bright stones. I know for sure I want to use oxidized platinum.

I love Sleeping Beauty. I am sure your stones are gorgeous. I'd love to see them. Have you thought of a classic big fat ring like the Tiffany Elsa Peretti cabachon ring? That ring used to come in turquoise, but it is now discontinued which I am sure is due to the turquoise mine issue.

Of all my bling, this turquoise ring is among my most prized and beloved. I was in love with this ring when I saw it in a Tiffany ad, but it had just been discontinued. Long story short, five years later, an SA found one for me at Tiffany UK and had it shipped to the NYC boutique. Amazing.

The design is simple and clean, yet it packs punch. It would look great with your some of your Alhambra pieces. I like WG, black (your oynx!), and turquoise together… they just kind of pop.

Below is a photo of my big gum drop ring! If you like this style, I am sure a jeweler can create something similar. I also have the black jade one too, the large size. Here is a link so you can see the side of this ring and the curve of the lines in more detail. I love it.. it's clean, bold, yet the curved lines and asymetrical design makes it soft and flowy. Hope this helps.
Elsa Peretti® Cabochon ring in sterling silver with black jade, 19 mm wide. | Tiffany & Co.

 

[BigAkoya]

@EpiFanatic
The Tiffany link I posted above did not show the ring at many angles, sorry about that. Here is a photo of the ad that got me obsessed with this ring. Look at the lines... clean, bold, harsh, yet soft and flowing.

 

[LuckyMe14]

Hi everyone! I just purchased and received my first VCA earrings, the small Frivole and I love them!! However I have a question about the clip. The clip of 1 of the two earrings doesn't close fully if you push it back and I have to force it to close completely. Is this normal, has anyone experienced this? Another thing I found when searching on this forum was loosening the clip a bit if the earrings hurt. Don't know how soon you would feel if this is necessary? I need to adjust to these earrings anyways, since I normally wear small studs or hoops. I am new to VCA earrings, so hope you can give some info from experience. I do not have a store in my country and due to the travel restrictions, I cannot drive to Paris. I would love to have some information before calling customer service to request adjustments. Thank you in advance for anyone who can help me

 

[DS2006]

Idiotic OT questions: how do you guys store all of these boxes. In the past, I threw them in recycling (I didn’t know watch boxes are essential to value) but it doesn’t matter since we don’t plan on selling them.

do the wolf jewelry boxes (DH ordered Wolf watch boxes first) go into a locked drawer in your closet? safe? I’m hopefully starting a year long gut renovation of a larger second apt soon, but I have really limited space right now. The stone counter by my bedroom window is getting crowded lol. When you travel, do you shove big pieces in the safety deposit box?

also, do you guys have any tips for a newbie looking into vintage VCA? I see items like this on line, and I think, are the popular lines like Alhambra the only ones that are replicated? If you like old things, is there a recommended list of dealers on the VCA or jewelry thread. (I did go into Fred Leighton and they were nice; I have seen the heritage counter at VCA flagship; and, I love going to Briony Raymond’s atelier). I’ll probably spend the rest of this year just looking and trying to educate myself which will be lots of fun since DH loves to look at stuff like this too. DH said, what if we go to London and see stuff (another TPFer here is a client of a dealer who specializes in Suzanne Belperron. somehow I find the thought of buying jewelry abroad is a bit scary, customs, insurance, shipping, paperwork, etc.

I haven’t solved the dilemma of safely storing jewelry. I have looked at safes, but in a way, a safe is an indicator that “the valuables are here”! Maybe a safe in a locked closet would be a time consuming effort for a thief and might work. But not having that, most of my jewelry is not in my bathroom or master closet that are connected. I do keep an old jewelry box in there with some things that are not of great value. I store my fine jewelry in 3 different containers and hide them in unlikely places in the house when I travel. If something is in a jewelry box, it goes inside something else when I travel like a cooler or other non-descript box or container.

As far as vintage VCA goes, only buy a piece if you absolutely love it rather than just buying for the brand appeal. The older pieces are less likely to be replicated than Alhambra or other popular current pieces. I’d be hesitant to buy Alhambra second hand unless it’s from a well known vendor with proven authenticity such as receipt and COA. These can pop up anywhere, so I doubt there’s a specific list of vendors that sell vintage VCA. Any used fine jewelry seller can get them occasionally. Briony is a good source since she often has clients she personally knows who ask her to sell pieces.

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi everyone! I just purchased and received my first VCA earrings, the small Frivole and I love them!! However I have a question about the clip. The clip of 1 of the two earrings doesn't close fully if you push it back and I have to force it to close completely. Is this normal, has anyone experienced this? Another thing I found when searching on this forum was loosening the clip a bit if the earrings hurt. Don't know how soon you would feel if this is necessary? I need to adjust to these earrings anyways, since I normally wear small studs or hoops. I am new to VCA earrings, so hope you can give some info from experience. I do not have a store in my country and due to the travel restrictions, I cannot drive to Paris. I would love to have some information before calling customer service to request adjustments. Thank you in advance for anyone who can help me

Hi! Congratulations on your earrings! I love Frivole, and I know you will love yours too.
I also have these earrings, and the clips should "snap" in place. You should not have to push them close.

On the tightness, let me share my experience with this so you have the bigger view...
First, VCA can loosen them for you, so no need to worry.
For me, the Frivole clips were tight but the posts were also a bit thick. I had my SA replace the posts with thinner ones and also loosen the clip. They fit perfect now, snug, but still loose that they are comfortable all day.

I have the same issue with Alhambra earrings. I had been wearing Alhambra during the business day, and they were fine. One time I was travelling, I was also wearing Alhambra, my flight got delayed, twice, so I ended up wearing them from 7am in the morning to about nearly midnight. It was a long day. When I took them off, wow... my ears really hurt. I then realized these earrings are not fine.

When I purchased the Frivole earrings, they actually felt tighter than my Alhambra. I could actually "feel" the earrings on me, vs when I wear other earrings, I really do not feel them.

I contacted my SA, and he said that is a common problem. He said it sounds like I need to get thinner posts and also loosen them up a bit. He then sent me a pre-paid label to mail them to him (I do not live near a VCA), and off they went. It took about two weeks, and they now feel great.

I think for you, put them on and wear them all day. See how they feel on your ears. If you "feel" them, they may be too tight. If you ear piercing is a bit sore, then the posts may be too thick.

One last thought... VCA also has longer posts if needed. I asked my husband if the posts wear sticking out back or if my ear lobes were fat and the posts were too short. My husband said the length is not my issue. He took a picture of the post on my ear, and yes, the length of my posts were fine.

I asked my SA about the post length, and he said you should definitely see the post, but if you get them too long, they may press against the side of your neck and that's not good. After seeing that my post stuck out the back, I did not need longer posts.

To summarize...
These are the three things you should look for and then talk to customer service about adjusting:
- Check the tightness of the clip: Is it squishing your ear too much that you feel it? Get the clip loosened.
- Check the post thickness against your ear piercing: Is your ear piercing sensitive/sore/bleeding after wearing? Get thinner posts.
- Check the length of the post: Is the post sticking out the back of the clips? If yes, perfect. If no, you need longer posts.
EDITED TO ADD ONE MORE: - Tell customer service one of your clips does not snap close. Tell them which one, the right ear or the left ear. In case you not know, the ear clips are polarized, there is a right clip and a left clip. There is a little bump out on each. The bump should point away from your face.

I hope this helps. That's my experience, but I am definitely not the "ear guru" so others may have more insight. Congratulations again! I am so excited for you. You will love them!

 

[DS2006]

Regarding onyx, I do not see onyx Alhambra as harsh or edgy, personally. Edgy is a style, and black can be used in classic, edgy, antique or other styles.

I absolutely love the Art Deco period when onyx and diamonds were set in platinum. It might have been edgy at the time, but the appeal of it is still apparent today! Thats one of the reasons I was attracted to VCA onyx in white gold. I think my onyx pave bracelet and Magic pendant worn with pave Alhambra earrings is a classic feminine look. I can’t wear onyx earrings because they’d be lost in my dark hair. So that’s why I have the wg pave earrings to wear with it.

 

[ThisVNchick]

Has anyone seen a good amount of blue agate and can comment on this piece that I am considering?

Awhile back, DH bought me the 10-motif BA but in the lighter shade because he liked the color and the evenness of the piece. Now I am considering adding a 20 motifs but I would prefer a darker shade, close to lapis as possible. Is this a good candidate? From the pictures, I can tell that is much darker than my current 10, but is it one of the darker/darkest shades that some have seen?

Thanks all for the possible inputs

 

[LuckyMe14]

Hi! Congratulations on your earrings! I love Frivole, and I know you will love yours too.
I also have these earrings, and the clips should "snap" in place. You should not have to push them close.

On the tightness, let me share my experience with this so you have the bigger view...
First, VCA can loosen them for you, so no need to worry.
For me, the Frivole clips were tight but the posts were also a bit thick. I had my SA replace the posts with thinner ones and also loosen the clip. They fit perfect now, snug, but still loose that they are comfortable all day.

I have the same issue with Alhambra earrings. I had been wearing Alhambra during the business day, and they were fine. One time I was travelling, I was also wearing Alhambra, my flight got delayed, twice, so I ended up wearing them from 7am in the morning to about nearly midnight. It was a long day. When I took them off, wow... my ears really hurt. I then realized these earrings are not fine.

When I purchased the Frivole earrings, they actually felt tighter than my Alhambra. I could actually "feel" the earrings on me, vs when I wear other earrings, I really do not feel them.

I contacted my SA, and he said that is a common problem. He said it sounds like I need to get thinner posts and also loosen them up a bit. He then sent me a pre-paid label to mail them to him (I do not live near a VCA), and off they went. It took about two weeks, and they now feel great.

I think for you, put them on and wear them all day. See how they feel on your ears. If you "feel" them, they may be too tight. If you ear piercing is a bit sore, then the posts may be too thick.

One last thought... VCA also has longer posts. I asked my husband if the posts wear sticking out back or if my ear lobes were fat and the posts were too short. My husband said the length is not my issue. He took a picture of the post on my ear, and yes, the length of my posts were fine.

I asked my SA about the post length, and he said you should definitely see the post, but if you get them too long, they may press against the side of your neck and that's not good. After seeing that my post stuck out the back, I did not need longer posts.

To summarize...
These are the three things you should look for and then talk to customer service about adjusting:
- Check the tightness of the clip: Is it squishing your ear too much that you feel it? Get it loosened.
- Check the post thickness against your ear piercing: Is your ear piercing sensitive/sore/bleeding after wearing? Get thinner posts
- Check the length of the post: Is the post sticking out the back of the clips? If yes, perfect. If no, you need longer posts.

I hope this helps. That's my experience, but I am definitely not the "ear guru" so others may have more insight. Congratulations again! I am so excited for you. You will love them!

Thank you so much BigAkoya! I truly appreciate all the effort you put in to give me this amazing advise . This absolutely answered all of my questions. Yes, so my left one does not 'snap' into place fully, so that needs to be done for sure. I will wear them for a full day as well to see about the other points. I don't think the length of the post is an issue, but probably the tightness of the clip. This is so helpful to know, I cannot thank you enough!

I am absolutely in love with the earrings and I cannot stop staring at them!

 

[BigAkoya]

Regarding onyx, I do not see onyx Alhambra as harsh or edgy, personally. Edgy is a style, and black can be used in classic, edgy, antique or other styles.

I absolutely love the Art Deco period when onyx and diamonds were set in platinum. It might have been edgy at the time, but the appeal of it is still apparent today! Thats one of the reasons I was attracted to VCA onyx in white gold. I think my onyx pave bracelet and Magic pendant worn with pave Alhambra earrings is a classic feminine look. I can’t wear onyx earrings because they’d be lost in my dark hair. So that’s why I have the wg pave earrings to wear with it.

Of all the VA oynx pieces, I love your bracelet the most! It's absolutely gorgeous! We need to see it again! Mod shot with the necklace if you're not shy please. But I understand if you don't want to... the "steal your photo and post it on Instagram" thing.

 

[BigAkoya]

Thank you so much BigAkoya! I truly appreciate all the effort you put in to give me this amazing advise . This absolutely answered all of my questions. Yes, so my left one does not 'snap' into place fully, so that needs to be done for sure. I will wear them for a full day as well to see about the other points. I don't think the length of the post is an issue, but probably the tightness of the clip. This is so helpful to know, I cannot thank you enough!

I am absolutely in love with the earrings and I cannot stop staring at them!

Please post a mod shot when you're ready and if you're not shy!
I know you like to stare your earrings, but we do to!
We are friendly bunch of stare-ers and would like to drool with you!