VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[BigAkoya]

Oscar Heyman is also known for their beautiful colored gemstones . . .

Yes! Oscar Heyman has great colored gemstone pieces. I am sure you know this, but Oscar Heyman was known as the jeweler's jeweler as they made pieces for all the top houses... VCA, Cartier, Tiffany. This was prior to the houses all bringing it back in-house.
Since it seems you like colored gemstones too.. I also like Bayco and JB Star in case you are interested.

 

[BigAkoya]

Big akoya, why is your vca collection almost done? What did you collect all that has given u vca peace? I wish i was there, but just wondering for my own addiction! Thanks for sharing!

For me, I want a nice "jewelry collection"; I don't necessary just want a nice "VCA collection."
It's a subtle but important difference to me. As an example, I am sure there are people who only collect Alhambra, and it works for them. For me, I don't want that same four leaf clover look over and over again. I want a diverse jewelry collection with diamonds, pearls, colored gemstones, artistic pieces. This means having the same Alhambra set in 5 different stones is not something I am interested in doing.

I wear all my jewelry regularly, I do not distinguish between jewelry for casual, business, or formal attire. I wear my Lotus ring with shorts, a suit, as well as a cocktail dress. The same goes for a 20 motif, a pearl set, an emerald set, etc. Because I rotate regularly, if all I had was Alhambra, I would feel it's the same look all the time, albeit in different colors. My jewelry collection would be mostly the same, nothing special. You see so often much of the same thing, therefore you see nothing. For me, I love the excitement of having different pieces, each unique, but all beautiful in their own way.

This also means VCA is not the only brand I buy. Hence after I finish with a few more VCA pieces that I truly love, I am ready to move on. How do I know you ask? My gut tells me I am close to finishing because when I surf VCA online these days, it's no longer "wow, I love this piece." It is now more "oh, this could be a nice addition." The "nice addition" feeling is not the same as the "I love this" feeling. For me, jewelry is too expensive to just buy and pile on "nice addition" pieces that are more or less the same look. I don't need a ton of VCA pieces and definitely do not collect for the sake of collecting. I only want the pieces I truly love, and I feel I am getting there.

I hope that helps.

 

[BigAkoya]

Here is a new winter ad I saw in my NM Holiday catalog. They are pushing RG Cosmos. That makes sense why my SA had a pair of RG Cosmos earrings in stock. If any of you are interested, the modshot on a real person is in my “Hellebore” post above.

OOPS: Looking again at the photo in my catalog, it's YG, not RG.

I love the VCA Flora collection. This is so beautiful to eye, I wanted to share.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

For me, I want a nice "jewelry collection"; I don't necessary just want a nice "VCA collection."
It's a subtle but important difference to me. As an example, I am sure there are people who only collect Alhambra, and it works for them. For me, I don't want that same four leaf clover look over and over again. I want a diverse jewelry collection with diamonds, pearls, colored gemstones, artistic pieces. This means having the same Alhambra set in 5 different stones is not something I am interested in doing.

I wear all my jewelry regularly, I do not distinguish between jewelry for casual, business, or formal attire. I wear my Lotus ring with shorts, a suit, as well as a cocktail dress. The same goes for a 20 motif, a pearl set, an emerald set, etc. Because I rotate regularly, if all I had was Alhambra, I would feel it's the same look all the time, albeit in different colors. My jewelry collection would be mostly the same, nothing special. You see so often much of the same thing, therefore you see nothing. For me, I love the excitement of having different pieces, each unique, but all beautiful in their own way.

This also means VCA is not the only brand I buy. Hence after I finish with a few more VCA pieces that I truly love, I am ready to move on. How do I know you ask? My gut tells me I am close to finishing because when I surf VCA online these days, it's no longer "wow, I love this piece." It is now more "oh, this could be a nice addition." The "nice addition" feeling is not the same as the "I love this" feeling. For me, jewelry is too expensive to just buy and pile on "nice addition" pieces that are more or less the same look. I don't need a ton of VCA pieces and definitely do not collect for the sake of collecting. I only want the pieces I truly love, and I feel I am getting there.

I hope that helps.

That's a good philosophy and I agree with you completely. As my taste has changed, I have parted with pieces I no longer wear. I'm always editing--my objective is to have less but better.
Further, like you, if I can't wear it out of the store, e.g., casually, I shouldn't be buying it.
I also agree with you about VCA. There are things I like, but at this point nothing I really want. What I have suits my lifestyle and is easy to wear, but enough is enough.
However, what may appear to be a singular obsession with VCA, may not necessarily be the case --after all, this is a VCA thread so it's unlikely to find much if any discussion of other brands or gemstones, even though there may be avid collectors out there. Other than a jade thread, I haven't found anything dedicated to other gemstones or vendors such as Bvlgari, or Verdura, emerald or tourmaline jewelry, etc. If they're out there, I'd love to know.

 

[eternallove4bag]

Allow me to be an enabler and say that Tiffany 5 row is gorgeous on you and fits your wrist perfectly! I was going to say ‘4000’ for that bracelet would’ve been an enormous steal at Tiffany’s, and where can I get one . This is just my personal opinion but I think Tiffany’s does diamonds best, if you love the 5 row perhaps hubby could get it for you during a more memorable milestone like anniversary or birthday? That way the price is more justified and the piece becomes even more meaningful. I completely agree with @BigAkoya here, I think the diamond bangle complements your ring more than the pearly beads of VCA, and since you already have such a beautiful VCA collection perhaps this quick detour is meant to be?

Thank you so much! I agree with you 100% that Tiffany does diamonds the best! The sparkling 5 row bracelet had me drooling!
Haha as much as I love VCA, I am open to making quick detours to add classic pieces that capture my heart! I just took a Rolex detour so it’s completely doable… and yes, it’s a piece that hubby wants to get for me to complement the ring he got me earlier this year. Now, I just need to nudge him to do it sooner than later!

 

[eternallove4bag]

Oh no... ...you might not want to hear this but: it certainly should hold a place on the top end of your Wishlist....

Sigh! It should, shouldn’t it? Now, just got to hurry hubby up and make him think it’s his idea to get it faster

 

[eternallove4bag]

The pairing of the ring and bangle is gorgeous.

Thank you so much! I love the pairing too

 

[lolakitten]

@eternallove4bag i looooove that metro bracelet I hope you get to bring it home soon!

 

[lolakitten]

Cute little vca encounter today, I had my regular appointment at the hospital for my infusion.
My nurse today, whom I have had often, was wearing a vca carnelian pendant. I of course noticed and complimented her on it and she noticed my earrings. We had a fun little bonding chat about jewelry in an otherwise less than pleasant situation.

 

[BigAkoya]

Sigh! It should, shouldn’t it? Now, just got to hurry hubby up and make him think it’s his idea to get it faster

Show him your mod shot and how all of us were drooling all over it and saying how chic you look and how perfectly it matches your ring!

Tell him we all asked you when we saw the modshot... "Is that gorgeous bangle your Christmas gift from your super thoughtful husband? The romantic one who showers you with bling and did a perfect job matching the bangle with you your ring?"

 

[DS2006]

Here is a new winter ad I saw in my NM Holiday catalog. They are pushing RG Cosmos. That makes sense why my SA had a pair of RG Cosmos earrings in stock. If any of you are interested, the modshot on a real person is in my “Hellebore” post above.

OOPS: Looking again at the photo in my catalog, it's YG, not RG.

I love the VCA Flora collection. This is so beautiful to eye, I wanted to share.

View attachment 5234293

The mop Cosmos is in rose gold. It is hard to tell the difference is that picture, though!

I will add that I agree that I will also collect a limited amount of VCA. I haven't exactly decided what all I will buy, but I just want a few more pieces of Alhambra and perhaps Frivole, Cosmos, or Perlee to mix with classic diamond jewelry pieces. I have a few random Tiffany pieces, also. I am a little undecided about adding another watch, because I almost never wear one since I usually have my phone handy! My main problem is buying more than I actually wear, so I am trying very hard to stop doing that! I am passing along some pieces to my daughters, though. VCA still is my favorite branded jewelry overall. I love far more pieces than I'd consider buying!

 

[Opaldreamz888]

That's a good philosophy and I agree with you completely. As my taste has changed, I have parted with pieces I no longer wear. I'm always editing--my objective is to have less but better.
Further, like you, if I can't wear it out of the store, e.g., casually, I shouldn't be buying it.
I also agree with you about VCA. There are things I like, but at this point nothing I really want. What I have suits my lifestyle and is easy to wear, but enough is enough.
However, what may appear to be a singular obsession with VCA, may not necessarily be the case --after all, this is a VCA thread so it's unlikely to find much if any discussion of other brands or gemstones, even though there may be avid collectors out there. Other than a jade thread, I haven't found anything dedicated to other gemstones or vendors such as Bvlgari, or Verdura, emerald or tourmaline jewelry, etc. If they're out there, I'd love to know.

Was thinking the same think! Would love an all encompassing jewelry thread, so much great jewelry to think about, but i will be looking at the jade forum in the mean time, as i am quite partial to it

 

[Opaldreamz888]

For me, I want a nice "jewelry collection"; I don't necessary just want a nice "VCA collection."
It's a subtle but important difference to me. As an example, I am sure there are people who only collect Alhambra, and it works for them. For me, I don't want that same four leaf clover look over and over again. I want a diverse jewelry collection with diamonds, pearls, colored gemstones, artistic pieces. This means having the same Alhambra set in 5 different stones is not something I am interested in doing.

I wear all my jewelry regularly, I do not distinguish between jewelry for casual, business, or formal attire. I wear my Lotus ring with shorts, a suit, as well as a cocktail dress. The same goes for a 20 motif, a pearl set, an emerald set, etc. Because I rotate regularly, if all I had was Alhambra, I would feel it's the same look all the time, albeit in different colors. My jewelry collection would be mostly the same, nothing special. You see so often much of the same thing, therefore you see nothing. For me, I love the excitement of having different pieces, each unique, but all beautiful in their own way.

This also means VCA is not the only brand I buy. Hence after I finish with a few more VCA pieces that I truly love, I am ready to move on. How do I know you ask? My gut tells me I am close to finishing because when I surf VCA online these days, it's no longer "wow, I love this piece." It is now more "oh, this could be a nice addition." The "nice addition" feeling is not the same as the "I love this" feeling. For me, jewelry is too expensive to just buy and pile on "nice addition" pieces that are more or less the same look. I don't need a ton of VCA pieces and definitely do not collect for the sake of collecting. I only want the pieces I truly love, and I feel I am getting there.

I hope that helps.

Thank you!
It helps alot to hear your collection theories! Lots i want but need to see it big picture

 

[880]

Yes they will do SO. I got approved but SP told me to wait as the premium on that piece made it around 6300 before taxes if I remember correctly. He said it might get introduced into regular line.

SO blue agate in WG !!! Id be very interested in how others decide and plan another look in a different metal (YG, WG, RG)
+1 with @BigAkoya and @Happyish for Oscar heymans colored gemstones as his reputation as the jewelers jeweler. I believe he did some mystery settings for VCA years ago (Briony raymond had an OH sapphire bracelet last year that i thought would be beautiful with VCA.
@A bottle of Red, was it your DH who did not like the clover bangle? my DH did not like the clover bangle on me either and agree it’s easier to purchase if there is enthusiasm on all fronts
@lolakitten, sending you positive vibes for your infusion!
@BigAkoya, I never considered cosmos at all until I saw the VCA pic you posted above!
@lynne_ross, I cannot wait to see your birthday ring!

 

[lynne_ross]

SO blue agate in WG !!! Id be very interested in how others decide and plan another look in a different metal (YG, WG, RG)
+1 with @BigAkoya and @Happyish for Oscar heymans colored gemstones as his reputation as the jewelers jeweler. I believe he did some mystery settings for VCA years ago (Briony raymond had an OH sapphire bracelet last year that i thought would be beautiful with VCA.
@A bottle of Red, was it your DH who did not like the clover bangle? my DH did not like the clover bangle on me either and agree it’s easier to purchase if there is enthusiasm on all fronts
@lolakitten, sending you positive vibes for your infusion!
@BigAkoya, I never considered cosmos at all until I saw the VCA pic you posted above!
@lynne_ross, I cannot wait to see your birthday ring!

Not to enable but the rg mop Cosmo earrings are gorgeous. I am going back and forth on adding them bs a non vca pair. I have been wearing pearl necklaces more so they would be a great addition but I only want one rg earrings so leaning towards other brand at moment.