VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[smallfry]

#missie1, you are so right. I think I may have fallen into the rabbit hole. Went into a VCA boutique the other day and came out with my 1st purchase!. I think my tennis bracelet will hv to wait.

They don’t have the Vintage Alhambra in gold that I want and so I try on my next choice which is the gray MOP. The SA bought out the tiger eye as there are 2 newly arrived pieces.
I really had zero knowledge of this stone and I don’t even have the intention to try it on as I thought the brown/yellow tone might not suit my skin colour.

Oh, I’m so wrong. I try on the gray MOP and somehow it don’t give me any sort of wow factor. Since the tiger eye is eying on me, I just put it on. Oh my, I am just so stunned. The stone really stand out on me as a whole and look so classy and elegant and yet so neutral that can allow me to wear it everyday. The chatoyancy effect of the stone was just so amazing. Mine had gold/brown/yellow colour tone. As compare to the gray MOP which since a little dull.

I knew later that tiger eye had some sort of healing and protection power. Well, probably I may hv found some connection to it cos I try on the other piece but don’t prefer as it looks more brown.

Here are some pic to share. See if you do agree with me.

It's very gorgeous, congratulations! And, it looks beautiful on you!

The Tiger's Eye pendant is my first VCA piece as well. I love it, and love the idea that the stone has healing and protective power! Here's a picture of mine

 

[ckdbwlswpsl]

Does anyone have a SA rec for VCA on 5th ave NYC? I called and they assigned me a SA but he is really slow at scheduling me in for this week... pls dm me!

 

[BigAkoya]

VCA is coming soon to Highland Park in Dallas...
The article says September... If anyone has any info or pictures, please post. I read this will be a really nice boutique. I would think for their grand opening, a lot of pieces will be shipped to their store for in-store purchases.

Dallas' Highland Park Village unwraps slew of new boutiques for fall - CultureMap Dallas

 

[Pitu]

It's very gorgeous, congratulations! And, it looks beautiful on you!

The Tiger's Eye pendant is my first VCA piece as well. I love it, and love the idea that the stone has healing and protective power! Here's a picture of mine

View attachment 5154945

Hi smallfry, thks for sharing. Your TE pendant looks gorgeous too. I love yours too, the gradual tone of the natural gold/brown. I really never expect to hv possession of this stone and still feeling amaze. I find the gold in TE was very unique, its very hard to explain but it just seen to have the rich intense of flowing liquid gold in it. Just my thought.

Look forward to more sharing from you and enjoy wearing.

 

[8seventeen19]

VCA is coming soon to Highland Park in Dallas...
The article says September... If anyone has any info or pictures, please post. I read this will be a really nice boutique. I would think for their grand opening, a lot of pieces will be shipped to their store for in-store purchases.

Dallas' Highland Park Village unwraps slew of new boutiques for fall - CultureMap Dallas

VCA isn't already in HP? I'm kind of shocked about that, tbh. I wonder if other stores are being asked (made) to send pieces to them. My store had about 100 pieces last time I was in and if I recall, my SA said they normally have 400-500. I'm going to pick up a bracelet that is back from repair. I will have to ask.

 

[DS2006]

That's two votes for the VA pave earrings, you and @lynne_ross !
You know, I have never even tried these earrings on due to the "dot." I think I need to add these to the earring list to try on. Thinking now... I think the VA pave earrings and oynx/pave bracelet is better than Cosmos oynx earrings and BTF ring.

Is there reason why you did not get the VA oynx earrings to go with your Magic oynx necklace and oynx / pave bracelet?

Sorry for the delayed reply, I've been on a little trip to the mountains the last few days!

Yes, I felt that the VA pave earrings would go with any white gold Alhambra pieces, whereas special order onyx wg would likely only be worn with my onyx/pave bracelet or the Magic pendant. Plus with dark hair, I feel like the pave shows up so much more than onyx would. If I eventually go to silver/gray hair, then I might want the onyx earrings then!

 

[kay22]

Hi! I’m fairly new to VCA and rlly wanted the Vintage Alhambra pendant in the yellow gold and mother of pearl, I had gone with my mother to the Arlington, VA boutique and walked in. I asked if they had that piece, luckily enough she had the mother of pearl and carnelian pendants available. The SA there was extremely nice and down to earth, I am fairly young and the SA told me to not wear it to the beach, pool, or during a shower. I watched some YouTube videos and some said that it was okay and I was wondering if I can wear it in water and if I was lucky that day to be offered those two pieces! Any help or other tips is appreciated since this is my first piece!

 

[Emily1830]

Hi! I’m fairly new to VCA and rlly wanted the Vintage Alhambra pendant in the yellow gold and mother of pearl, I had gone with my mother to the Arlington, VA boutique and walked in. I asked if they had that piece, luckily enough she had the mother of pearl and carnelian pendants available. The SA there was extremely nice and down to earth, I am fairly young and the SA told me to not wear it to the beach, pool, or during a shower. I watched some YouTube videos and some said that it was okay and I was wondering if I can wear it in water and if I was lucky that day to be offered those two pieces! Any help or other tips is appreciated since this is my first piece!

Please do not wear it in water. I know some people do it and they say theirs is fine, but if you compare it to a new one you can see a difference. I’m attaching a pic of my newish pendant from 2017 and my much older bracelet from 2006. You can see that the motifs have shrunk with time and I never wore it in water. But since it’s a bracelet, water did get on it from hand washing.

 

[BigAkoya]

Please do not wear it in water. I know some people do it and they say theirs is fine, but if you compare it to a new one you can see a difference. I’m attaching a pic of my newish pendant from 2017 and my much older bracelet from 2006. You can see that the motifs have shrunk with time and I never wore it in water. But since it’s a bracelet, water did get on it from hand washing.

I agree with you and not swimming with it, probably more for the chlorine than anything.
But your bracelet, I think it looks great. I don't see it like you do. Your bracelet is beautiful.

 

[mocktail]

Hi! I’m fairly new to VCA and rlly wanted the Vintage Alhambra pendant in the yellow gold and mother of pearl, I had gone with my mother to the Arlington, VA boutique and walked in. I asked if they had that piece, luckily enough she had the mother of pearl and carnelian pendants available. The SA there was extremely nice and down to earth, I am fairly young and the SA told me to not wear it to the beach, pool, or during a shower. I watched some YouTube videos and some said that it was okay and I was wondering if I can wear it in water and if I was lucky that day to be offered those two pieces! Any help or other tips is appreciated since this is my first piece!

I am of the "wear the heck out of it" camp. I would wear your necklace anywhere and everywhere you want for maximum enjoyment. When the motif is too damaged or too shrunken, VCA can replace the MOP or carnelian for a fraction of the total cost of the necklace. I would rather enjoy my things by using them instead of babying them

 

[BigAkoya]

VCA isn't already in HP? I'm kind of shocked about that, tbh. I wonder if other stores are being asked (made) to send pieces to them. My store had about 100 pieces last time I was in and if I recall, my SA said they normally have 400-500. I'm going to pick up a bracelet that is back from repair. I will have to ask.

They are moving out of NM in North Park. This is consistent with VCA moving out of other NMs. It's just a matter of time when VCA will no longer be in anymore NMs. My guess is they are probably waiting for the contracts to expire and not have to pay early termination fees.

Van Cleef & Arpels leaving Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center for Highland Park Village - News Break

 

[jwilli]

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!

hi
i also have issues with my new Alhambra pave earrings (purchased Dec 2020). One of mine doesn’t snap shut, I’ve had it repaired twice. When I look at the 2 earrings it appears to me that the clip of one is crooked ie was never attached correctly. So my plan is I’m going to wear these earrings a lot then when I go back a 3rd time they can send them to Paris and get new backs attached. I’m really irritated about this as these earring were 12,500 chf and we’re never right. Unfortunately as i was new to VCA I didn’t know how they should fit.

 

[LuckyMe14]

hi
i also have issues with my new Alhambra pave earrings (purchased Dec 2020). One of mine doesn’t snap shut, I’ve had it repaired twice. When I look at the 2 earrings it appears to me that the clip of one is crooked ie was never attached correctly. So my plan is I’m going to wear these earrings a lot then when I go back a 3rd time they can send them to Paris and get new backs attached. I’m really irritated about this as these earring were 12,500 chf and we’re never right. Unfortunately as i was new to VCA I didn’t know how they should fit.

Wow thank you for your story. This is truly terrible since you have had them repaired twice already and they should have been perfect the first time around esp for these prices. Hope it will be corrected properly. Mine are in for repair now waiting for them to come back…

 

[Cams]

All three - white mop, onyx and carnelian - are beautiful choices. However, I would suggest trying all three at the store first. Each of these pieces can appear a bit different on different individuals. Plus, playing with all three at the store will give you a better idea regarding which appeals to you more once you put them on.

Thank you so much. I will head to the store one do these days might change my mind on the size too. Really appreciate you replying.

 

[8seventeen19]

hi
i also have issues with my new Alhambra pave earrings (purchased Dec 2020). One of mine doesn’t snap shut, I’ve had it repaired twice. When I look at the 2 earrings it appears to me that the clip of one is crooked ie was never attached correctly. So my plan is I’m going to wear these earrings a lot then when I go back a 3rd time they can send them to Paris and get new backs attached. I’m really irritated about this as these earring were 12,500 chf and we’re never right. Unfortunately as i was new to VCA I didn’t know how they should fit.

This is really disheartening to hear. Sorry about your experience. I too have had problems with VCA earrings and bracelet latches of late. The quality is going by way of Chanel in the experiences not only in store, but with the merchandise itself. I'm not sure what is going on with the quality, but it needs to stop. I have been in the store countless more times for repairs as I have been in to purchase the past year. My Perlee bracelet has been in for repair half a dozen times now and now they're telling me that it cannot be repaired again so "Don't wear it too much, daily, xyz other times." It's a $30k piece. How does that happen? How can they not fix it? I honestly think I got a faulty piece from the get go and they should have replaced it. I have other Perlee bangles that I wear daily and no issues whatsoever. I would not stop on a replacement with your earrings if they have tried to repair them that many times. There are too many houses out there (Graff, HW, etc) that make phenomenal pieces at the same price point.