VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[glamourbag]

Hi there! Thanks for your reply would you say all gold allhambra is equally durable to cartier and perlee?

As @nycmamaofone mentioned, the all gold (but not the guilloche all gold but rather as she indicated the "hammered") Alhambra is the hardiest of the Alhambra's (pave is as well). It will hide scratches far better than a shiny Love or shiny Perlee. Even the clover Perlee has mirrored surface so it can scratch if you hit it on the right angle. If you defining durability to also include scratching then the all gold "hammered" Alhambra will hide scratches more. Its also a matter of comparing bangles to link bracelets (which Im assuming you are considering) but the links in Alhambra haven't really been known to be an issue in regards to strength.

 

[luxelove27]

Yess! I meant the hammered one only, I really like it by the looks of it and my only concern on bracelet vs bangle arose because of durability in terms of links, do you think allhambra hammered is equally durable compared to other bangles

 

[eternallove4bag]

I swear! That looks just like Chevre to me! Loooooove!

Oh and I love onyx too. Adore it in fact.

You and I both share a love for chèvre leather. I have two chèvre bags in my collection and I absolutely adore them!

Sigh! I had dismissed onyx as being too harsh on my skin tone and now I have to re-evaluate. Initially, I thought 20 motifs aged my look but this time at my store, I was surprised to find that it’s actually the 10 motif that had that effect on me (maybe it was the chalcedony 10 motif that I tried thats throwing me off?) and the 20 motif actually seemed young and hip!
I know @BigAkoya is a huge fan of the 20s and now I can see why! Next year, I definitely want to add either a 10 or 20 motif. Right now, I am leaning towards the 20.

 

[cafecreme15]

First…Congratulations on all the recent wonderful events in your life! The sun is certainly shining on you!

And speaking of shine, I love all the necklaces on you. If I had to choose one, for pure beauty, it would be the BA. Wow, the BA pops on you and looks so gorgeous with your blond hair! Blue eyes too?! And against your skin!

Guilloche is nice too, but for me though, I don’t love it. Yes, it’s shiny gold, so unless you want just an all metal gold chain necklace, I would get a pop of color.

At the end of the day, if you take out the “it’s VCA”, “it’s Guilloche”, “it’s the rare BA” hype, these are fun necklaces with pop!

Looking at it from that view, the BA is gorgeous on you, it’s mesmerizing to me. Whether someone knows it’s VCA or not, that necklace screams of beauty on you.

It’s preference of course as all VCA is lovely. Good luck and congrats again on your wonderful life!

Got to agree the blue adds a beautiful pop of color & looks amazing on you

You are so young! I always loved the blue agate. I vote the blue agate for you even though I have the 10 motif guilloche myself.

Thank you so much everyone!! After putting so many things on hold for covid it feels so amazing to be forging ahead with life again. I do love the blue for a pop of color but I’m worried it would be more limiting for versatile wear than the guilloche. Though I absolutely see myself getting another colorful one down the road! The SA was amazed they happened to have both the guilloche and BA in stock at the same time given all the stock shortages.

 

[glamourbag]

Yess! I meant the hammered one only, I really like it by the looks of it and my only concern on bracelet vs bangle arose because of durability in terms of links, do you think allhambra hammered is equally durable compared to other bangles

I've never had an issue so unless your planning to hang a weight from the Alhambra Im sure it would be fine for daily wear (including showering, working out, sleeping). I've never heard of the links snapping. That isn't to say it can't as it obviously will have limits but I am unaware of it being a problem.

 

[particularp]

Does anyone have a great VCA SA they would recommend from NM in Tysons? Or on Newbury in Boston? These are the two cities I frequent for shopping the most and would love to start building a relationship.

 

[chiaoapple]

I might just be following on your footsteps! I was thinking onyx next year and this coming from a girl who thought onyx looked horrible on her skin tone! But after trying it at the store last week, I am a believer! View attachment 5150295

I am having the exact same experience! For some reason I have never even tried on the onyx in the 7 or so years that I have been buying VCA, thinking it wouldn’t work on me, but last week did it for fun… and ended up liking it a lot! On the wish list it goes.
Agree that it looks amazing on you!

 

[BigAkoya]

You and I both share a love for chèvre leather. I have two chèvre bags in my collection and I absolutely adore them!

Sigh! I had dismissed onyx as being too harsh on my skin tone and now I have to re-evaluate. Initially, I thought 20 motifs aged my look but this time at my store, I was surprised to find that it’s actually the 10 motif that had that effect on me (maybe it was the chalcedony 10 motif that I tried thats throwing me off?) and the 20 motif actually seemed young and hip!
I know @BigAkoya is a huge fan of the 20s and now I can see why! Next year, I definitely want to add either a 10 or 20 motif. Right now, I am leaning towards the 20.

Yes yes yes! I vote yes to getting a 20! There is no other look like a 20 motif just swinging! Short necklaces are everywhere, but a long swinging necklace rocks! Try one on next time you're at a boutique. I bet you will fall in love! So carefree and chic.

 

[eternallove4bag]

I am having the exact same experience! For some reason I have never even tried on the onyx in the 7 or so years that I have been buying VCA, thinking it wouldn’t work on me, but last week did it for fun… and ended up liking it a lot! On the wish list it goes.
Agree that it looks amazing on you!

Thank you so much! Now I have onyx with GHW on my mind. So much fun just trying for now though!

 

[eternallove4bag]

Yes yes yes! I vote yes to getting a 20! There is no other look like a 20 motif just swinging! Short necklaces are everywhere, but a long swinging necklace rocks! Try one on next time you're at a boutique. I bet you will fall in love! So carefree and chic.

I am so in love with the onyx 20 motif that I tried at the store the other day. I tried a carnelian 20 motif too but that was a pass for me. The onyx felt so much more versatile on me or maybe it was the black blouse with jeans that I was wearing. Either way, I am intrigued now and want to explore this option more for next year! Thanks for the encouragement

 

[BigAkoya]

I might just be following on your footsteps! I was thinking onyx next year and this coming from a girl who thought onyx looked horrible on her skin tone! But after trying it at the store last week, I am a believer! View attachment 5150295

The oynx looks great on you. The secret I think is what other oynx to pair. Matching earrings and bracelet can be harsh which is my ongoing dilemma, but I like sets. I've decided for sure I will get a SO of the WG oynx 20 motif.

So if you were to get a 20 motif oynx which I think is beautiful on you, I would think what earrings, bracelet, and ring you want to wear with it and if having a second or third oynx piece matters to make a set.

I was ready to order the WG oynx set (e.g. 20 motif, VA earrings, bracelet). I was so sure, but I had the SA bring in the YG version of the set just to see how it would look for fun. That's when I hesitated and did not place my order yet. The three pieces of oynx are a lot of black which is how I was originally going to wear it. And no, I would never wear the 20 motif oynx by itself, it needs a buddy. That's just me.

For sure though, the WG oynx 20 is on my list.

By the way, if you are a RG person, I think RG and oynx rock! I love love love pale pink, white, and black together. The pale pink says I'm a lady, but the black says, and I can kick butt too! Think pale pink top, white skinny jeans, 20 motif oynx! I really love that combo, so if you love oynx and RG... wow... I would get that combo. Just a thought. It is also softer than YG and oynx which that combo can come across a bit 1980s to me. That's my opinion of course.

I just wanted to share these thoughts as you decide! It's so much fun!

 

[BigAkoya]

I want the yg non pave version of this at some point. It has so many options - wear long, short or as a pin.

Ugh... I wish you had not said that!
You are going to inspire me to cave and get this Very Large WG pave version, just to make a set of 3 to complete my Frivole set.

As you know, you get total credit for inspiring me to get the Lotus ring.

ADDED:
@lynne_ross
This...you have the most beautiful hands and long slender fingers... big rings look amazing on you.

Share Your Latest VCA Purchase

I completely understand what you mean! It is a fine balance between choosing what suits you now vs choosing what we hope to enjoy for decades (not that we could ever have so much foresight!). I was actually advised by an older relative to get the small over the mini earrings. But also advised to...

forum.purseblog.com

 

[eternallove4bag]

The oynx looks great on you. The secret I think is what other oynx to pair. Matching earrings and bracelet can be harsh which is my ongoing dilemma, but I like sets. I've decided for sure I will get a SO of the WG oynx 20 motif.

So if you were to get a 20 motif oynx which I think is beautiful on you, I would think what earrings, bracelet, and ring you want to wear with it and if having a second or third oynx piece matters to make a set.

I was ready to order the WG oynx set (e.g. 20 motif, VA earrings, bracelet). I was so sure, but I had the SA bring in the YG version of the set just to see how it would look for fun. That's when I hesitated and did not place my order yet. The three pieces of oynx are a lot of black which is how I was originally going to wear it. And no, I would never wear the 20 motif oynx by itself, it needs a buddy. That's just me.

For sure though, the WG oynx 20 is on my list.

By the way, if you are a RG person, I think RG and oynx rock! I love love love pale pink, white, and black together. The pale pink says I'm a lady, but the black says, and I can kick butt too! Think pale pink top, white skinny jeans, 20 motif oynx! I really love that combo, so if you love oynx and RG... wow... I would get that combo. Just a thought. It is also softer than YG and oynx which that combo can come across a bit 1980s to me. That's my opinion of course.

I just wanted to share these thoughts as you decide! It's so much fun!

Thank you for always sharing your honest and valuable opinion. I actually wouldn’t mind onyx with RG. I have other RG pieces that I can pair it up with. If I get onyx 20 motif I would also get the onyx 5 motif or the vintage onyx earrings just because I like to have sets of twos. The magic earrings (the size I prefer) may be too much with the 20 so I think vintage earrings would be a better choice. Again, open to ideas. I am going to spend the next few months trying out different options before I get anything. I am thinking the large mirror polish Frivole earrings might be another option to pair with the 20 motifs.
I am glad both of us have onyx 20 motif on our WL but are not ready to buy it just yet, until we are fully convinced. Taking time with each purchase is the way to go to avoid regrets in the future.

 

[BigAkoya]

Thank you for always sharing your honest and valuable opinion. I actually wouldn’t mind onyx with RG. I have other RG pieces that I can pair it up with. If I get onyx 20 motif I would also get the onyx 5 motif or the vintage onyx earrings just because I like to have sets of twos. The magic earrings (the size I prefer) may be too much with the 20 so I think vintage earrings would be a better choice. Again, open to ideas. I am going to spend the next few months trying out different options before I get anything. I am thinking the large mirror polish Frivole earrings might be another option to pair with the 20 motifs.
I am glad both of us have onyx 20 motif on our WL but are not ready to buy it just yet, until we are fully convinced. Taking time with each purchase is the way to go to avoid regrets in the future.

Yes, I agree with you... the magic oynx is going to be really harsh looking in my opinion.
I think the VA oynx is the best match. My opinion of course.

I will probably cave and get the WG VA oynx earrings too just to make a set. It doesn't have to look perfect, I am more about matchy matchy which then "makes" everything look perfect, even with a striped tee and shorts!

This is what I plan to do my next trip to VCA. I have already flown to VCA twice this year, and last time, they did not have a lot of inventory, so I will wait until they have all these pieces in stock. I will then go in and decide on my oynx set and get it over with (SA told me the SO is 6 month wait ).

For sure I will get WG 20 oynx. Then, to make my set...
For earrings, either:
- VA oynx (I will ask my SA to bring in that YG oynx set again to get a visual).
- Cosmos oynx
If I don't love the Cosmos earrings, I will just get the VA oynx and be done with it.

For my 3rd piece:
- If I love the Cosmos oynx earrings, I will get the Cosmos oynx BTF ring. It was off my list, but then I said to myself, why not? I don't hate it, and it may not be perfect, but it's so different and oynx and white metal is so Roaring 20s! I have the Tiffany black jade cabachon ring that is big, harsh, thick silver bevel, and I love that ring! So I'm now thinking, why not?
- If I do not love the Cosmos oynx earrings, then I will get an oynx bracelet. I will get either the 5 motif oynx or oynx pave. Oynx pave is really pretty, but... since I will already have the VA oynx and 20 motif oynx, I think I want the all oynx bracelet to make the perfect 3-piece matching set!

Speaking of the roaring 20s... we are now back in the roaring 20s!...
I love emerald, diamond, and oynx together. I plan to wear my emerald & diamond ring with my oynx set, so if you can imagine an emerald & diamond ring next to one harsh oynx 5 motif, and it doesn't quite work. The oynx pave bracelet adds a nice seque to the emerald and diamond ring which is what I am thinking. I also have matching earrings for my emerald & diamond ring, so I can wear the earrings on days I want more a pop of diamond, emeralds, and oynx. But... if I get the oynx pave bracelet, I lose my perfect 3 piece set! Such drama.

Whew, that was a long explanation, but you can see how I really think through how I want to wear my stuff before I dive in. Too mind draining, especially since I do not have a VCA near me hence this drags on and I need to wait.
You are so lucky you can try pieces on!

I hope this was helpful as you think through your set as welll. I would also consider any colored gemstones or bling pieces you have that are non-VCA. Oynx and pearl/MOP look great together too! Oh... and if you have any turquoise, turquoise and oynx are the bomb! I like that combo for jewelry a lot too.

We will have fun with this! Our oynx odsessy!

 

[eternallove4bag]

Yes, I agree with you... the magic oynx is going to be really harsh looking in my opinion.
I think the VA oynx is the best match. My opinion of course.

I will probably cave and get the WG VA oynx earrings too just to make a set. It doesn't have to look perfect, I am more about matchy matchy which then "makes" everything look perfect, even with a striped tee and shorts!

This is what I plan to do my next trip to VCA. I have already flown to VCA twice this year, and last time, they did not have a lot of inventory, so I will wait until they have all these pieces in stock. I will then go in and decide on my oynx set and get it over with (SA told me the SO is 6 month wait ).

For sure I will get WG 20 oynx. Then, to make my set...
For earrings, either:
- VA oynx (I will ask my SA to bring in that YG oynx set again to get a visual).
- Cosmos oynx
If I don't love the Cosmos earrings, I will just get the VA oynx and be done with it.

For my 3rd piece:
- If I love the Cosmos oynx earrings, I will get the Cosmos oynx BTF ring. It was off my list, but then I said to myself, why not? I don't hate it, and it may not be perfect, but it's so different and oynx and white metal is so Roaring 20s! I have the Tiffany black jade cabachon ring that is big, harsh, thick silver bevel, and I love that ring! So I'm now thinking, why not?
- If I do not love the Cosmos oynx earrings, then I will get an oynx bracelet. I will get either the 5 motif oynx or oynx pave. Oynx pave is really pretty, but... since I will already have the VA oynx and 20 motif oynx, I think I want the all oynx bracelet to make the perfect 3-piece matching set!

Speaking of the roaring 20s... we are now back in the roaring 20s!...
I love emerald, diamond, and oynx together. I plan to wear my emerald & diamond ring with my oynx set, so if you can imagine an emerald & diamond ring next to one harsh oynx 5 motif, and it doesn't quite work. The oynx pave bracelet adds a nice seque to the emerald and diamond ring which is what I am thinking. I also have matching earrings for my emerald & diamond ring, so I can wear the earrings on days I want more a pop of diamond, emeralds, and oynx. But... if I get the oynx pave bracelet, I lose my perfect 3 piece set! Such drama.

Whew, that was a long explanation, but you can see how I really think through how I want to wear my stuff before I dive in. Too mind draining, especially since I do not have a VCA near me hence this drags on and I need to wait.
You are so lucky you can try pieces on!

I hope this was helpful as you think through your set as welll. I would also consider any colored gemstones or bling pieces you have that are non-VCA. Oynx and pearl/MOP look great together too! Oh... and if you have any turquoise, turquoise and oynx are the bomb! I like that combo for jewelry a lot too.

We will have fun with this! Our oynx odsessy!

I really admire how thoroughly you have thought through this and the different combinations and permutations you can wear your onyx pieces with.
One thing is for certain, we are definitely going to have some fun trying out different combos till we find our perfect one!
I actually love the idea of the Cosmos onyx earrings and BTF ring for you to pair with your onyx WG 20 motif! I hope your store has everything for you to try on when you fly there. And please post lots of pictures so we can pitch in our opinions too.. so much fun brainstorming!
In case, Cosmos doesn’t work out for you, I also like the idea of pairing the onyx 20 motif with the onyx VA earrings and 5 motif.
Now, would you consider a two motif onyx and pave earrings to go with your 20 motif. Then, the pave/onyx 5 motif would be a perfect third addition. Just a thought and maybe your SA can have the pave onyx earrings and the matching 5 motif for you to try them in store?

So, here’s what I was planning to do. I placed a made to order for GMOP magic earrings and am planning to pick up GMOP pave 5 motif earrings later this year. Next year, when the GMOP earrings are here, I want to see if I want to also add the GMOP magic pendant (I am huge fan of magic pendants and prefer to wear them on a short chain rather the long one it comes with). I already own the VA pave pendant and matching earrings and was thinking of all the combinations I could make with the GMOP and VA pave pieces. The GMOP pave 5 motif would help tie everything together. So for example, the VA pave earrings with the GMOP magic pendant and the GMOP/pave 5 motif or the GMOP earrings with the VA pave pendant and the GMOP/pave 5 motif etc.

The reason I mention this because I just had an idea for you. How about getting the onyx WG 20 motif and the earrings, but also the onyx/pave earrings and bracelet so you can mix and match? Of course, that all depends on whether you actually like the onyx/pave 2 motif earrings. You could do the same with Cosmos if you like that better.

I love how different VCA pieces coordinate so well together!