VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[hers4eva]

I completely agree with all of your points - I ordered the Alhambra earlier today! I was going to go to the store in London, but I know that you get that amazing grey box if you order online (or at least I hope that's the case in the UK too) - so I ordered through the e-boutique! I'm just hoping I get a good stone

I'm going to Vegas in April and there's VCA everywhere there, so I told my husband he could help me pick out something from the Frivole collection then.

Thanks so much for your help!!!

congratulations I am so happy for you

I am even more excited because I have been doing research on your exact necklace but deciding on red or black.

I mostly wear black pants or black capris. And my tops are solids red, blue or green. My H-clic bracelet is black and gold.

Was hearing red comes in different shades sometimes with a brown tone not the real pretty red.

What are your pros and cons between red and black to help me decide?

My only worry that the short length may not stay above my T-shirt neckline and go under my T-shirt and if I wear my diamonds necklace with it on long length they may be a tight fit together.

diamond necklace is 17.25 and VCA is 16.54 Inches long length

What information do you know about free extenders? Is it only to 18 inches and on extender available or other sizes?

what special box do you get via online ordering?

Can not wait til you share pictures wearing your beauty in both lengths
Don’t those 18kt gold balls in side view make your heart skip a beat

thank you

 

[EpiFanatic]

congratulations I am so happy for you

I am even more excited because I have been doing research on your exact necklace but deciding on red or black.

I mostly wear black pants or black capris. And my tops are solids red, blue or green. My H-clic bracelet is black and gold.

Was hearing red comes in different shades sometimes with a brown tone not the real pretty red.

What are your pros and cons between red and black to help me decide?

My only worry that the short length may not stay above my T-shirt neckline and go under my T-shirt and if I wear my diamonds necklace with it on long length they may be a tight fit together.

diamond necklace is 17.25 and VCA is 16.54 Inches long length

What information do you know about free extenders? Is it only to 18 inches and on extender available or other sizes?

what special box do you get via online ordering?

Can not wait til you share pictures wearing your beauty in both lengths
Don’t those 18kt gold balls in side view make your heart skip a beat

thank you

Extenders are a standard 2 inches, which should be plenty to lay on top of a tshirt. Did you check if the big gray box is still available online? Last I heard they had stopped that but I hope I’m wrong. Sorry I didn’t post any pics. Kind of a pain to find them because I realized I’m not a vca pendant girl. Earrings and bracelets for sure but I haven’t found the perfect pendant for me. Well actually I did but they discontinued it, but that’s another story. Anyway consider your complexion when deciding between black and red. If you are more fair, I think black pops more. If you have more color, then I would lean toward carnelian. I’m in the later group. But again that is an opinion only. Good luck!

 

[jaskg144]

I just tried to ask the customer service about the grey velvet boxes that come with the online orders and no one seems to understand what I'm talking about hopefully it will arrive with my order, as I would've preferred to choose my necklace in the boutique if I'm not getting the grey box

 

[indecisiveshopper]

Hi everyone I'm new to this forum and would love to hear your opinion on this slight dilemma I have.

I am thinking of purchasing my first VCA piece and am very drawn to the Guilloché pendant in particular. I'm looking for an everyday necklace which I will not have to remove each time I shower, exercise, swim etc which is why all the other precious stones are out of the picture. I don't really like the look of the other solid gold and hammered one as well.

My questions are:
1. Is the Guilloché pendant hard to care for? Or would I have to baby it so that it doesn't look too beat up over time? I'm looking for something carefree which will still look good in many years to come despite me not babying it - wearing it in the shower, swimming, spraying it with perfume etc. How do you guys normally clean your Guilloché pendants? I assume there would be a build up of dirt in between the lines if one wears it daily without removing it at all?

2. I'm a very petite person (scrawny as well lol) at 5 feet so I was wondering if the vintage size would look too big on my frame? Shops are still closed here because of Covid so I can't try it on in person.

Appreciate any responses - I really want to make sure I'm getting the perfect one as this is my first VCA piece. This will also be for my 30th birthday

 

[Deleted member 626500]

I too am petite. The vintage size will look lovely on your frame and will be far more versatile in the long-run over anything smaller.
As to your second question, there is a trade-off I'm afraid, from continuous use. I doubt a necklace in the guilloche will sustain the kind of damage a bracelet would from long-term use however, the finish may suffer.
One of the glorious aspects of the guilloche is it's brilliant shine and finish. This may fade or even be damaged by exposure to chemicals, particularly perfume -- which is a giant No-No with any piece jewelry, not to mention chlorine. Further, because of the unique etched finish, it may not be repairable.
By contrast, the vintage hammered alhambra is nowhere near as delicate. Indeed, I've been wearing mine daily with no visible signs of wear, however, the guilloche is unique. It's a beautiful choice. Would it really be so bad to remove it to shower or swim, or to put it on after applying perfume?

 

[mikimoto007]

congratulations I am so happy for you

I am even more excited because I have been doing research on your exact necklace but deciding on red or black.

I mostly wear black pants or black capris. And my tops are solids red, blue or green. My H-clic bracelet is black and gold.

Was hearing red comes in different shades sometimes with a brown tone not the real pretty red.

What are your pros and cons between red and black to help me decide?

My only worry that the short length may not stay above my T-shirt neckline and go under my T-shirt and if I wear my diamonds necklace with it on long length they may be a tight fit together.

diamond necklace is 17.25 and VCA is 16.54 Inches long length

What information do you know about free extenders? Is it only to 18 inches and on extender available or other sizes?

what special box do you get via online ordering?

Can not wait til you share pictures wearing your beauty in both lengths
Don’t those 18kt gold balls in side view make your heart skip a beat

thank you

I extended beyond the 2 inches at the time of purchase, and there was no extra charge. I believe I actually got 4 extra inche - I like longer necklaces.

 

[hers4eva]

I extended beyond the 2 inches at the time of purchase, and there was no extra charge. I believe I actually got 4 extra inche - I like longer necklaces.

Thank you so much.

The necklace at its longest length is 16.54 inches. Are you saying your necklace is 18.54 or 20.54 Long?

Is the extra additional extender that you requested for a separate added piece they hand to you, it’s not permanently attached?

thank you for your help

 

[mikimoto007]

Thank you so much.

The necklace at its longest length is 16.54 inches. Are you saying your necklace is 18.54 or 20.54 Long?

Is the extra additional extender that you requested for a separate added piece they hand to you, it’s not permanently attached?

thank you for your help

I don't have the necklace yet, so I'm not sure of the exact length but usually I like the chain to be around 20 inches.

My understanding is that it will be permanently attached, not a separate extender. I just explained that I liked the necklace to hang lower, and the sales assistance made a phone call to make sure it would be fine, it was approved there and then.

Once I have it I will report back!

What piece are you getting?

 

[hers4eva]

I don't have the necklace yet, so I'm not sure of the exact length but usually I like the chain to be around 20 inches.

My understanding is that it will be permanently attached, not a separate extender. I just explained that I liked the necklace to hang lower, and the sales assistance made a phone call to make sure it would be fine, it was approved there and then.

Once I have it I will report back!

What piece are you getting?

This is so awesome to hear

In a few months, I am hoping to buy the Vintage Alhambra Yellow Gold Onyx pendant.

Which pendant did you order?

 

[EpiFanatic]

Hi everyone I'm new to this forum and would love to hear your opinion on this slight dilemma I have.

I am thinking of purchasing my first VCA piece and am very drawn to the Guilloché pendant in particular. I'm looking for an everyday necklace which I will not have to remove each time I shower, exercise, swim etc which is why all the other precious stones are out of the picture. I don't really like the look of the other solid gold and hammered one as well.

My questions are:
1. Is the Guilloché pendant hard to care for? Or would I have to baby it so that it doesn't look too beat up over time? I'm looking for something carefree which will still look good in many years to come despite me not babying it - wearing it in the shower, swimming, spraying it with perfume etc. How do you guys normally clean your Guilloché pendants? I assume there would be a build up of dirt in between the lines if one wears it daily without removing it at all?

2. I'm a very petite person (scrawny as well lol) at 5 feet so I was wondering if the vintage size would look too big on my frame? Shops are still closed here because of Covid so I can't try it on in person.

Appreciate any responses - I really want to make sure I'm getting the perfect one as this is my first VCA piece. This will also be for my 30th birthday

Like @Happyish said, constant chlorine and never taking it off and letting it accumulate body oils, grime and dermis from contact with the skin, and contact with chemicals will prevent it from maintaining its shine. I do think that is true for any piece of fine jewelry. So everyone's definition of babying is different. Warm water and some dishwashing liquid that removes oils and a very soft toothbrush will do the job. I think most people clean on a somewhat regular basis. Or if your eyesight sucks and/or you don't examine your pieces closely, you may not notice or mind it not being as shiny and bright. (My eyesight sucks, but at 30 yours is probably pretty good.) So if you want a piece that stays super shiny, bright and beautiful as the day you bought it without some maintenance, this piece may not be for you.

As to size, I don't think vintage is big at all. I'm 5'2. I wouldn't mind going up to the magic size myself. But it can take your eyes and your mind to get used to the size if you're accustomed to wearing very tiny, delicate pendants.

 

[mikimoto007]

This is so awesome to hear

In a few months, I am hoping to buy the Vintage Alhambra Yellow Gold Onyx pendant.

Which pendant did you order?

Fabulous. Just to prove your point, maybe wear a t-shirt when buying and just explain you would like more length to ensure it doesn't get hidden.

I got the perlee clover pendant - very excited to see it again!

 

[hers4eva]

Fabulous. Just to prove your point, maybe wear a t-shirt when buying and just explain you would like more length to ensure it doesn't get hidden.

I got the perlee clover pendant - very excited to see it again!

I just looked for your pendant on VCA. It’s gorgeous
Thanks again

 

[lolakitten]

Fabulous. Just to prove your point, maybe wear a t-shirt when buying and just explain you would like more length to ensure it doesn't get hidden.

I got the perlee clover pendant - very excited to see it again!

Oh I’m curious to see how this turns out! Please post pics when you get it

 

[mikimoto007]

Oh I’m curious to see how this turns out! Please post pics when you get it

I definitely will! To be honest, the extra length won't look dramatically different on me, probably because I have the chunkiest neck in the world!

 

[DS2006]

Neck size does have a lot to do with necklace length. Small pendants like the vintage look best at 16-18" to me, depending on neck size. I guess mine is average and I generally like around 17" for small pendants. I'd go a little longer (maybe 17.5-18" for a short Magic size pendant. I would not lengthen without first experimenting for length with a similar size pendant. My younger daughter is very petite and has a small neck, and 15" on her looks about like 16.5-17' on me!