VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[880]

Aw thank you so much, you’re so kind!! ❤ He has Cartier pieces but he LOVES VCA but we have not seen any men wear the 5 motif Alhambra! Story time, two weeks ago we were in our local NM Chanel and one of the guy SAs working there completely stopped me in my tracks, I even abruptly cut off my SA, when I saw his wrist!! I asked him if I could take a picture and he said absolutely!! I was obsessing over it for approximately 5 mins lol!! This is just such a cool stack for a guy if anyone has ever wondered how it looks on men!! Now that I think about it, his wrist is bigger too so I should have asked him if he added extra links and how.

View attachment 5229288

I could be mistaken, but I thought @Yoshi1296 has some Alhambra on the wrist?

 

[prettychic]

Hi, if your wrist is 5 3/4" like mine, 8 links out is super tight to me. Plus, for me, there would be no way I could put it on by myself which would reduce the enjoyment of my bracelets. On adding some links back, VCA does not give you a choice where you want them. They have their guidelines, so you cannot have all links added near the the clasp.

Plus, if you add all the links near the clasp, you will now have a weight distribution problem.
Links are light and motifs are heavy. The motifs will be heavy, so they will naturally rotate to the underside of your wrist. This means you have the potential of all those extra links and clasp flipped to the top because they are lighter than all those motifs. It is similar to wearing a Sweet bracelet with just one motif. Because of the weight distribution, the sweet motif moves to the underside of the wrist (unless you wear it super tight). You can't assume your arm will stay still as what you see in the mod shots. Mod shots are not real life. In real life, we move, and weight distribution matters a lot. It's similar to when you see people wear these really dainty chains with a tiny pendant. The pendant does not have enough weight, so the necklace ends up just "laying" on the neck as there is no weight to help it "hang" on the neck. Then you see the person fidget with that pendant constantly and keep pulling it down to make it look pretty. The Tiffany DBTY necklace is a perfect example when worn in real life (again, not seen in a mod shot where the person already pulled it down for the photo). I'm not saying this always happens, as everyone is built differently, but it is a common issue.

I would have VCA add them back using their standards. VCA has a certain way of adding and removing links based on what they see is aesthetically pleasing along with weight balance. They are the experts, and I would allow them to decide.

I am glad this was helpful. I took some mod shots of how loose my bracelet is with two links removed. Sorry for the bad photos, as I am really horrible at photos. This is also in a hotel and lighting is bad too, but you can get an idea of the looseness, which is the purpose here, even if the photo is not perfect. You can see how loose my bracelet with two links out; it is not tight at all and I really love this look. When viewed from the top, it lays nicely, and motifs do not look like they are strangling my wrist and creating dents in my skin (not a good look to me).

For me, I choose a looser look because I like the swing. Equally important though is the fact I can put it on and take it off by myself. I know I will not wear my bracelet as often if I need to have someone help me.

I hope this gives you a better view to help you decide. As I said though, fit is 100% preference.
If you decide to adjust, do it now! They seem to be super fast servicing pieces. I think come November when people start shopping for Christmas, they will get backed up again with adjustments.

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Thanks Big Akoya, I am following your clear advice and taking it in to VCA to make the proper adjustments and adding back links (two pairs totalling four little links). I can't thank you enough for your beautiful pictures!

 

[cmadtmifyb0623]

Just wanted to mention that malachite is one of the most delicate stones and cannot get wet, etc. It wouldn't be the best stone in a bracelet for anyone that is active and works out, cooks, etc. wearing jewelry. If I were to get malachite in a bracelet, I would put it on when I am ready to go out to dinner and take it off when I get back home. It's just not a daily wear piece. The solid hammered gold is the best, and next best would be onyx and tiger eye (which that SA has on). From what I can see, he doesn't have links added between motifs. We are seeing some male celebrities wearing Alhambra now (there's a thread with celebrity photos in the top section of this page, so check out the last 2-3 pages and you'll see some men!). It's great other than they are making the supply even less for the rest of us!

Regarding malachite, I know it's incredibly delicate so that is something we both have to consider. We also love Guilloche of course, who doesn't?! But the color is gorgeous. I am very careful with all of my jewelry with the exception of my Loves that are always on unfortunately so I am okay with removing my things when I cannot wear them. I recently got engaged this past NYE and I have a bad OCD habit of removing my ring before washing my hands which I know is so stupid but I find that I cannot wash my hands real well with jewelry on my hands so I remove it but when I do that in public like at a restaurant I make sure to stick it in my purse in a small pouch or a pocket. I don't mind the delicateness of malachite, as for my fiancé, he doesn't wear his pieces except for out to dinners or special occasions so I think we might be safe. My top 3 options are malachite, onyx, and guilloche/pave which would not be my first purchase though. Too many beautiful options! And I'm going to check out that thread now, thank you!!

 

[cmadtmifyb0623]

I could be mistaken, but I thought @Yoshi1296 has some Alhambra on the wrist?

Thank you! I'll have to take a look and see what he has (:

 

[pblog1]

has anyone seen the blue agate bracelet in store? I see it available online, but I’d like to pick the shade. Thanks!

 

[cmadtmifyb0623]

has anyone seen the blue agate bracelet in store? I see it available online, but I’d like to pick the shade. Thanks!

All the stone shades will vary whether it is lighter or darker so what you see online may not be the exact same shade of blue you receive unfortunately. That's why if you can get to a boutique it is nice to choose from options if they have enough stock.

 

[lynne_ross]

Yes and no. I told my SA I want to order one. My SA is bringing in the one ring available for me to see in real life and try on. If I like it, which I am 99% sure I will love it, I will order (e.g. pay) for one to be made. He is bringing in other pieces for me to try on. I need to fly to see him, so we time our visits when he can get the goodies in. I will fly there in 1.5 weeks.

I will try and take photos of the ring if he allows it. Technically, that ring they are sending over is sold and not mine, so I do want to be respectful of that if no modshots are allowed of that particular piece.

Did you already get the RDN lapis earrings? I was planning on wearing the Hellebore with my Lotus earrings as that is what they show online. However, I am now thinking of lapis earrings and will ask if they will make a small version of Hellebore. If no, RDN lapis in WG would be my next choice. Did you ask if they could order one in WG? If they will not, then for me, I will skip RDN. I'm a purist and can't mix metals, not even a tiny drop.

So... ask me in 1.5 weeks if I put in my order! I hope to say yes yes yes!

BigA did you try the ring and all the other items yet? Curious on your thoughts.

 

[BigAkoya]

BigA did you try the ring and all the other items yet? Curious on your thoughts.

You have a great memory. My appt is Saturday! My SA text me yesterday and said the goodies are here waiting for me to try on. After my business meetings this week, I will head out to see the ring!

I am really really excited about this ring. I won't pump it up too much in my mind as then I'll be let down.
I'll take photos of the ring in case you or others might want to order one too.

Oh, I'll pick up my new Lotus earrings too as they just came back from service on earlier this week, so he's holding them for me. This is the second time I sent them in... such drama on earrings to get a perfect fit.

 

[lynne_ross]

You have a great memory. My appt is Saturday! My SA text me yesterday and said the goodies are here waiting for me to try on. After my business meetings this week, I will head out to see the ring!

I am really really excited about this ring. I won't pump it up too much in my mind as then I'll be let down.
I'll take photos of the ring in case you or others might want to order on too.

Oh, I'll pick up my new Lotus earrings too as they just came back from service on earlier this week, so he's holding them for me. This is the second time I sent them in... such drama on earrings to get a perfect fit.

Exciting!! Hope your earrings fit well this time.

 

[pearl421]

Welcome! You'll find this a very friendly and helpful group, so please don't ever be nervous about asking a question!

I will say that it will vary depending on the item, and there is no way to foresee when something ordered might come in. Some requests have been met in a week or two, and others have waited for months. I am replying because I had also asked about a couple of white gold items at the NY flagship recently, and my SA told me it would likely be next year before they have more pieces come in. I think they have no idea until a shipment actually arrives. It's certainly possible the earrings could come in by Christmas, but there's no telling how many deposits have been paid on that particular item. If there are no work interruptions again (other than normal holidays), then we can hope that sometime in 2022 we might see stock return to normal levels! We will look forward to seeing your new earrings!

Thank you so much for this kind reply! This certainly gives me hope and also is very validating I was starting to think of all kinds of bad scenarios lol. The wait has definitely made me value them a lot more. I can’t wait to get them and share them here!

 

[missie1]

Hi everyone! I"m new to VCA and I'm really eyeing the sweet alhambra bracelet in the MOP butterfly motif. I currently wear my rose gold cartier love cuff and another rose gold bracelet and thought it would look good in this stack. Any thoughts? I also like the sweet heart bracelet....

 

[Deleted member 626500]

You have a great memory. My appt is Saturday! My SA text me yesterday and said the goodies are here waiting for me to try on. After my business meetings this week, I will head out to see the ring!

I am really really excited about this ring. I won't pump it up too much in my mind as then I'll be let down.
I'll take photos of the ring in case you or others might want to order one too.

Oh, I'll pick up my new Lotus earrings too as they just came back from service on earlier this week, so he's holding them for me. This is the second time I sent them in... such drama on earrings to get a perfect fit.

It's good to have happy ears. Looking forward to your post-VCA missive. These are the good stressors.
Safe and speedy travels!

 

[Yoshi1296]

Aw thank you so much, you’re so kind!! ❤ He has Cartier pieces but he LOVES VCA but we have not seen any men wear the 5 motif Alhambra! Story time, two weeks ago we were in our local NM Chanel and one of the guy SAs working there completely stopped me in my tracks, I even abruptly cut off my SA, when I saw his wrist!! I asked him if I could take a picture and he said absolutely!! I was obsessing over it for approximately 5 mins lol!! This is just such a cool stack for a guy if anyone has ever wondered how it looks on men!! Now that I think about it, his wrist is bigger too so I should have asked him if he added extra links and how.

View attachment 5229288

I could be mistaken, but I thought @Yoshi1296 has some Alhambra on the wrist?

Thanks @880 !

Hi @cmadtmifyb0623 I love that stack on that person you took a pic of. I have that same cartier chain bracelet too!! If your partner likes VCA...go for it. I get lots of compliments on my VCA as a guy. I have some pics of me wearing it here for reference. I have two of the same one, one to wear on each wrist. But currently, since I'm home just working on my capstone thesis for school, I just keep one on for now and leave the other in its pouch...

I hope this helps!!!!

 

[sandra w]

Nice fotos .......

 

[EpiFanatic]

Hi all, first time poster here and a bit nervous! I’m curious if anyone has any insights into how long orders are taking to be filled in general. I put down a deposit for a pair of vintage Alhambra white gold diamond earrings back in august with my SA at the NY flagship and he said last week still no news from Paris. Apparently all workshops were shut down for the month of September? Im ready to wait for like a year and half for these earrings but slightly hopeful they’ll arrive sooner (like by Christmas maybe?? Wishful thinking?)

Just don’t get your hopes up for Christmas since you just put your deposit down in August. Most SAs are saying at least 6 months, and 8-10 is very possible. I put my special order deposit in June and my SA says count on 2022. Look at it this way, if you get it in 2021, it will be a nice surprise.