VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[eternallove4bag]

Oh I’m sorry and the trouble is $26300. I want to whine about it. These butterflies are so insanely priced compared to other VCA lines. I might just have to bite this one bullet and never do something this dumb in my life again.

Haha! That’s a LOT of trouble! God help us! And yes, I agree that butterfly prices kinda suck. You know what else sucks? That I am now mentally rationalizing how to get the 26k + earrings down the line

 

[Anabunny]

Haha! That’s a LOT of trouble! God help us! And yes, I agree that butterfly prices kinda suck. You know what else sucks? That I am now mentally rationalizing how to get the 26k + earrings down the line

26k prior to the next increase. We are insane.

 

[BigAkoya]

I see your point about different butterflies ok Im more open to different butterflies now. But the one pair of butterfly earrings I really wanted is the tsavorite pave pair, and they discontinued it!!! I’m going to hold on to this decision until the next price increase comes around. If non of the different one works out, can we tolerate two Mop butterfly earrings with the pink sapphire pave ring?

I think you should wait. As I recall, you like bling, and I think you will find the two MOP butterfly earrings boring.
Are you sure you can't love the pave and pink sapphire butterfly earrings? Those are such a perfect match!
On the all pave earrings, if you get those, I think the WG will pop more than the RG. Also, I see the ring you have as more WG due to the WG pave butterfly. If you did not like the WG pave, I'm not sure you will love the RG pave.

Maybe try the pave and pink sapphire butterfly earrings again, wear your ring, and stand in front of a full length mirror?
For me, matchy matchy is more important than getting each piece that looks great. There is nothing more beautiful than a matching set. I don't have to love every piece individually, but l love having a matched set above all else.

My Lotus set is the perfect example. I love the Lotus ring, but I do not love the Lotus earrings. I would never buy the earrings on their own as I find them a bit "common" and not really any special design. I looked at other earrings that might match my Lotus ring, but nothing made my heart sing for a match. I ended up purchasing the Lotus earrings, and I love love love the matching set.

I think if you want to buy something available now, my first choice would be the pave and pink sapphire to have a perfect set.
If not, pave and yellow sapphire, and then third is all WG pave. I think while the conventional thought "get diamonds!", to me, the butterfly earrings are far more creative and whimsical if the earrings are un-matched, like the ring.

If you are still not sure, I would wait and not force it. I still have nor ordered my oynx set yet because I can't decide on what pieces I want to make the set! The lack of inventory does not help either to try them on. For me, if I spend too many brain cells trying to make a set, I take a break and move on to another set I want. Hence, I'm taking break from oynx and will get some other pieces next.... another big ring for sure!

So, maybe take a break. In the meantime, just wear something that works with your ring even though it's not quite what you want.

Here on TPF, we tend to be super picky about putting pieces together. In reality, 90% of the population just throws jewelry on and it works! I am sure whatever you wear with your ring will be lovely! You have a ton of beautiful pieces, and it will work!

 

[BigAkoya]

I know you would be the person who could analyze my situation for me. Lol

Thank you for taking your time!
Ok, here is what I have already, Frivole pave BTF in WG, single frivole pave in WG. Butterfis BTF in yellow sapphire and of course the LOTUS. I would have had the pink sapphire one if only they had it at the time I ordered mine. It’s only in production recently.
I love bling rings, so now my most favorite is the lotus ring. The pink sapphire butterfly ring is set in RG, so you don’t think it matches with the pink sapphire frivole? TBH, I don’t love rose gold. It looks copperish to me. The sapphire earrings are my second rose gold items with the first is the HK prince special edition of magic pendant. If I did not order the pink sapphire frivole earrings then that’s where my RG pieces end. But I love my earrings, now I want to have something to compliment it. Just bought serpenti pave brace in rose gold for arm, if I could have a ring that I love it would be perfect. Just try to make sense to myself that I need the ring, so I can sell the idea to my husband.
Hope all these make sense.
Thank you again!

Since you already have the Frivole pave BTF in WG, skip it in RG, it's too much of the same.
On big rings... I love big rings, and since you like big rings, I think getting a second butterfly ring is not going to wow you.
I hear what you mean about PG looking copperish... I am sure you know this, but in case not... the way PG is made is a mix of YG and copper. It is the copper that makes it pink but the undertone is a coppery orange if you have a good eye for color which it seems you do. I'm not a big RG fan for the very same reason.

Since you have Serpenti... maybe skip another butterfly ring. It might be too many themes going on... flower on the ears, serpent on the wrist, and butterfly on the finger. You've got a wild jungle! It might work though and look creative!

Plan B...
Since you love big rings, have you looked at the Cosmos RG pave and MOP? I think that might look good with your Frivole earrings and Serpenti. Here is why... Frivole is really an offshoot of the original Cosmos. Cosmos is also heart shaped petals, and Frivole is the 3D version of heart shaped petals. Same flower theme and look vs. Lotus is a completely differently look. Serpenti has bezel edges, and ironically, so does Cosmos! I love the Cosmos BTF ring, and I am considering getting the WG pave and oynx version. My hesitation is there is too much metal with the bezel edges. For WG and diamonds, I want minimal metal. However, the opposite is true for RG. For you, the whole point of buying RG is to highlight the metal. So... what better way to match your Frivole flower earrings than with a bold Cosmo flower BTF ring, also in RG. And what better way to tie your Serpenti which has RG bezels than the Cosmos ring in RG bezel!

I have not seen that ring in real life, so I am not sure about the MOP and how that looks. It looks nice in the photos against the diamonds though. So maybe try that to see if you would like it.

If not, and you really love the butterfly ring, go for it! If you are still thinking about that ring after all this time, I think it's meant to be yours! You know for sure it's not an impulse buy.

 

[couturequeen]

At what price point would you pay for an older piece to be authenticated? I have a pair of earrings and contemplating whether it makes sense since I want to add posts. Do they provide you with a replacement certificate or just peace of mind and recognition in their system?

 

[Chanbal]

At what price point would you pay for an older piece to be authenticated? I have a pair of earrings and contemplating whether it makes sense since I want to add posts. Do they provide you with a replacement certificate or just peace of mind and recognition in their system?

I assume you want to take the earrings to VCA to add posts. You should get a receipt with the description of the work done on them. The original certificate together with the receipt should suffice imo.

 

[4LV]

Since you already have the Frivole pave BTF in WG, skip it in RG, it's too much of the same.
On big rings... I love big rings, and since you like big rings, I think getting a second butterfly ring is not going to wow you.
I hear what you mean about PG looking copperish... I am sure you know this, but in case not... the way PG is made is a mix of YG and copper. It is the copper that makes it pink but the undertone is a coppery orange if you have a good eye for color which it seems you do. I'm not a big RG fan for the very same reason.

Since you have Serpenti... maybe skip another butterfly ring. It might be too many themes going on... flower on the ears, serpent on the wrist, and butterfly on the finger. You've got a wild jungle! It might work though and look creative!

Plan B...
Since you love big rings, have you looked at the Cosmos RG pave and MOP? I think that might look good with your Frivole earrings and Serpenti. Here is why... Frivole is really an offshoot of the original Cosmos. Cosmos is also heart shaped petals, and Frivole is the 3D version of heart shaped petals. Same flower theme and look vs. Lotus is a completely differently look. Serpenti has bezel edges, and ironically, so does Cosmos! I love the Cosmos BTF ring, and I am considering getting the WG pave and oynx version. My hesitation is there is too much metal with the bezel edges. For WG and diamonds, I want minimal metal. However, the opposite is true for RG. For you, the whole point of buying RG is to highlight the metal. So... what better way to match your Frivole flower earrings than with a bold Cosmo flower BTF ring, also in RG. And what better way to tie your Serpenti which has RG bezels than the Cosmos ring in RG bezel!

I have not seen that ring in real life, so I am not sure about the MOP and how that looks. It looks nice in the photos against the diamonds though. So maybe try that to see if you would like it.

If not, and you really love the butterfly ring, go for it! If you are still thinking about that ring after all this time, I think it's meant to be yours! You know for sure it's not an impulse buy.

I totally agree with you that I have too many frivoles already. Lol. I would never buy rose gold anything if not for the earrings and pendant. Lol! What we do for our jewels!
I never tried cosmo ring. I have a pendant. I just feel the pedals are too far apart. Maybe I will try it next time. I’m not in a hurry. I am over my budget this year already. Lol.

Again thank you for taking your time to reply!

 

[BigAkoya]

I totally agree with you that I have too many frivoles already. Lol. I would never buy rose gold anything if not for the earrings and pendant. Lol! What we do for our jewels!
I never tried cosmo ring. I have a pendant. I just feel the pedals are too far apart. Maybe I will try it next time. I’m not in a hurry. I am over my budget this year already. Lol.

Again thank you for taking your time to reply!

A few other thoughts to consider as you decide on your next piece...
- What I love about the Cosmos ring is that the flowers ARE separate. I love love love Frivole, but even though the Frivole pave ring is called a BTF, to me, it's really two big flowers together around one finger. Cosmos is unique in that it's two separate flowers, floating on your hand. I just love that look and want my next BTF ring with that look. It also still different than Lotus which is one big integrated flower and leaves that span across the hand. All three are very different looks to me. Of the three, to me, Cosmos is what I would call a true BTF look, similar to butterfly.
- Speaking of Frivole, next time you go, maybe also try on the Frivole pave earrings in WG. I love WG pave Frivole as the WG makes the diamonds pop, so try it on for fun. The good thing is if you ever tire of your RG, I am sure you can sell it pretty quickly. Then you can switch your earrings and pendant to the WG pave version, and it would be a perfect match with your Frivole ring.

I agree with you... just wait until it feels right. As I mentioned earlier in another post, we here on this forum tend to be picky and precise about what matches. However, most people just throw on the pieces they love, and it becomes their signature look and looks fabulous! I am sure you have a ring or two to tie you over!

And yes, the crazy things we do to match bling! Buying jewelry is an adventure, and half the fun is planning and dreaming.
All that said... if you have been dreaming about that pink sapphire butterfly ring, it's back now... don't let it get away again!
Hubby will understand! Strike while the iron is hot!

 

[4LV]

- Speaking of Frivole, next time you go, maybe also try on the Frivole pave earrings in WG. I love WG pave Frivole as the WG makes the diamonds pop, so try it on for fun. The good thing is if you ever tire of your RG, I am sure you can sell it pretty quickly. Then you can switch your earrings and pendant to the WG pave version, and it would be a perfect match with your Frivole ring.

Lol, I am a lot like you, prefer things in sets. I have Frivole pave earrings in WG already. Seems like I should not be trying too hard on keep looking for things .

I will take my time and look at some options and thank you for your thoughts.

 

[eternallove4bag]

26k prior to the next increase. We are insane.

Yes, we are .. the day I shelled out 10k plus for a bag, I knew my insanity knew no bounds! Lol!

 

[Anabunny]

I think you should wait. As I recall, you like bling, and I think you will find the two MOP butterfly earrings boring.
Are you sure you can't love the pave and pink sapphire butterfly earrings? Those are such a perfect match!
On the all pave earrings, if you get those, I think the WG will pop more than the RG. Also, I see the ring you have as more WG due to the WG pave butterfly. If you did not like the WG pave, I'm not sure you will love the RG pave.

Maybe try the pave and pink sapphire butterfly earrings again, wear your ring, and stand in front of a full length mirror?
For me, matchy matchy is more important than getting each piece that looks great. There is nothing more beautiful than a matching set. I don't have to love every piece individually, but l love having a matched set above all else.

My Lotus set is the perfect example. I love the Lotus ring, but I do not love the Lotus earrings. I would never buy the earrings on their own as I find them a bit "common" and not really any special design. I looked at other earrings that might match my Lotus ring, but nothing made my heart sing for a match. I ended up purchasing the Lotus earrings, and I love love love the matching set.

I think if you want to buy something available now, my first choice would be the pave and pink sapphire to have a perfect set.
If not, pave and yellow sapphire, and then third is all WG pave. I think while the conventional thought "get diamonds!", to me, the butterfly earrings are far more creative and whimsical if the earrings are un-matched, like the ring.

If you are still not sure, I would wait and not force it. I still have nor ordered my oynx set yet because I can't decide on what pieces I want to make the set! The lack of inventory does not help either to try them on. For me, if I spend too many brain cells trying to make a set, I take a break and move on to another set I want. Hence, I'm taking break from oynx and will get some other pieces next.... another big ring for sure!

So, maybe take a break. In the meantime, just wear something that works with your ring even though it's not quite what you want.

Here on TPF, we tend to be super picky about putting pieces together. In reality, 90% of the population just throws jewelry on and it works! I am sure whatever you wear with your ring will be lovely! You have a ton of beautiful pieces, and it will work!

I want to take a break! Can one find a way to stop thinking about it? I tried to get myself to focus on other more important things but every time there is rumour about a price increase, I’m right back to square one. I don’t like this constant chase of the next piece. There are so much information and hypes out there, I don’t even know what I really like anymore, and I’m having a hard time enjoying the pieces I already have. I really do need a break.

 

[DS2006]

I want to take a break! Can one find a way to stop thinking about it? I tried to get myself to focus on other more important things but every time there is rumour about a price increase, I’m right back to square one. I don’t like this constant chase of the next piece. There are so much information and hypes out there, I don’t even know what I really like anymore, and I’m having a hard time enjoying the pieces I already have. I want to convince myself that even if I don’t have the butterfly earrings, I will be fine, the two butterflies on my ring can be best friends with each other. Truth be told, I bought the butterfly ring less than three months ago, but I don’t even remember why I absolutely had to have it at the time. I’m scared that I don’t know what I’m doing.

For what it’s worth, I don’t even think it’s necessary to have two butterfly earrings to wear with a two butterfly ring. There’s obviously some uncertainty about which ones would really look best with the ring. I personally would get one of the single butterfly pendants to wear with it. I think the non-matching butterfly earrings might not really work. I think either floral or Alhambra pave earrings might work better (or diamond studs always work!).

I think your uncertainty about what to buy next is making you question what you’ve already bought. I think you ought to make a list of items you are sure of and mark off off the ones you are uncertain about. Focus on ones that you know will fit in your collection. I am just not convinced from reading your posts that you are 100% sure about any of the butterfly earrings. And I can tell you, I’d need to be 110% sure to pay $26k for a pair of earrings. So mark those off for now and think about what you need to complete other sets.

(I actually wrote my reply before reading previous responses, and I now see that BigAkoya also advised you to just wait on these!)

 

[BigAkoya]

I want to take a break! Can one find a way to stop thinking about it? I tried to get myself to focus on other more important things but every time there is rumour about a price increase, I’m right back to square one. I don’t like this constant chase of the next piece. There are so much information and hypes out there, I don’t even know what I really like anymore, and I’m having a hard time enjoying the pieces I already have. I really do need a break.

Yes, take a break and enjoy what you have.
The best way to do that is to stay off TPF! I'm being honest here, not joking!
TPF is great for sharing and seeing each other's beautiful pieces, but TPF can also create a lot of want, if only just to have for the sake of wanting more and following the hype of limited edition pieces, holy grails, hard to find, etc.

From the words of a famous song: "It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got."
Sometimes when I get ahead of myself and get too greedy (in life, not just VCA), and I do get greedy often ... I smack myself on the head and tell myself to stop, enjoy the moment, appreciate what you have, and stop wanting for more (or at least put it on pause).

You have so many beautiful pieces.. I think if you stare and play in your jewelry box, you'll discover so many creative ways to wear your gorgeous bling. Who needs another butterfly when you have Flowerlace!

 

[Anabunny]

For what it’s worth, I don’t even think it’s necessary to have two butterfly earrings to wear with a two butterfly ring. There’s obviously some uncertainty about which ones would really look best with the ring. I personally would get one of the single butterfly pendants to wear with it. I think the non-matching butterfly earrings might not really work. I think either floral or Alhambra pave earrings might work better (or diamond studs always work!).

I think your uncertainty about what to buy next is making you question what you’ve already bought. I think you ought to make a list of items you are sure of and mark off off the ones you are uncertain about. Focus on ones that you know will fit in your collection. I am just not convinced from reading your posts that you are 100% sure about any of the butterfly earrings. And I can tell you, I’d need to be 110% sure to pay $26k for a pair of earrings. So mark those off for now and think about what you need to complete other sets.

(I actually wrote my reply before reading previous responses, and I now see that BigAkoya also advised you to just wait on these!)

Thanks for telling me what I don’t want to articulate it’s so true that I’m not convinced about any of the butterflies. I bought too much too fast in the last two years, and haven’t gotten many chances to experience them during the pandemic, and that makes most of them seem excessive.

Yes, take a break and enjoy what you have.
The best way to do that is to stay off TPF! I'm being honest here, not joking!
TPF is great for sharing and seeing each other's beautiful pieces, but TPF can also create a lot of want, if only just to have for the sake of wanting more and following the hype of limited edition pieces, holy grails, hard to find, etc.

From the words of a famous song: "It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got."
Sometimes when I get ahead of myself and get too greedy (in life, not just VCA), and I do get greedy often ... I smack myself on the head and remind myself to stop, enjoy the moment, appreciate what I have, and stop wanting for more (or at least put it on pause).

You have so many beautiful pieces.. I think if you stare and play in your jewelry box, you'll discover so many creative ways to wear your gorgeous bling. Who needs another butterfly when you have Flowerlace!

Thank you for the wise words. I will stay off of TPF now. It was fun(and expensive) while it lasted. Farewell everyone

 

[880]

26k prior to the next increase. We are insane.

Think of it as cost per wear! If you love and wear them (a lot) then it’s okay
eidt: I just read that you weren’t sure you wanted them!
I feel don’t buy anything unless you absolutely adore it and don’t want to take it off
But, it’s relatively easy for me bc a lot of VCA sadly doesn’t work with my style