VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[Blueboxhappy]

The Blue Agate pieces started a serious bracelet situation
Lately, I find myself being drawn to the effortless beauty in simple pieces.
Sweet butterfly, YG mini pave frivole and sweet RG 6 motif.
So special on their own and together.
This was a mix of online and in store purchases. As you know, inventory is limited and the sweet pieces are hard to come by in store. Online has consistently good inventory of these.

 

[A bottle of Red]

@Blueboxhappy beautiful pieces!

 

[nightbefore]

Today it came to my mind that contes d’hiver earrings would make a great pairing with your hellebore ring! I think they really compliment eachother @BigAkoya . And the good thing is… They have a long necklace too in contes d’hiver collection and I know you love the long necklaces just like me I was also thinking about how beautiful it would look the hellebore ring on your right hand and the bracelet on the left (without any other rings)

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi all!
Thank you so much for contributing to this valuable thread! I have learned a great deal from all of you!
(And some of you I know from other threads )
At first, I was so confused reading here. I couldn’t figure out what all the letters and numbers meant But now I’ve got it!
So, I reference your thoughts quite often and ended up purchasing my very first VCA piece in late June. The beautiful blue agate 5 motif bracelet!
And almost exactly two months later, in late September, I was offered the 10 motif necklace! The BA in the two pieces is essentially a perfect match. I’m not sure if this is the “recent batch” @BigAkoya and her SA were referring to, but these came within the last 4 months.
I Love this blue! If you’re considering BA, I highly recommend you go for it! The color is a beautiful, deeper shade of blue and the stones are clear.
Thanks again and hope this helps!
Additional pieces and pics to follow. As you all warned, VCA is a slippery slope!

This is beautiful! Congratulations!

 

[BigAkoya]

Today it came to my mind that contes d’hiver earrings would make a great pairing with your hellebore ring! I think they really compliment eachother @BigAkoya . And the good thing is… They have a long necklace too in contes d’hiver collection and I know you love the long necklaces just like me I was also thinking about how beautiful it would look the hellebore ring on your right hand and the bracelet on the left (without any other rings)

Thanks for this! I did not even think anymore of this line as the BTF is not my favorite, and I was not crazy about this collection, so I just passed. However, now that I will be getting the Hellebore ring, the bracelet might look good with it.
I know... where are all the nice long necklaces? It's definitely not a VCA priority.

Thanks for sharing this!

 

[Blueboxhappy]

Gorgeous! Congratulations

@Blueboxhappy beautiful pieces!

This is beautiful! Congratulations!

Thank you so much! I’m excited!

 

[tenshix]

Hi ladies, for those who have shipped out their VCA to be serviced/repaired, what kind of packaging/packing method do you use to send it to them? I have the shipping label (FedEx overnight) from my SA since I don’t live near a VCA boutique but I’m nervous about shipping it out. Any tips on how to pack it safely? Thank you for any input!

 

[DS2006]

Hi ladies, for those who have shipped out their VCA to be serviced/repaired, what kind of packaging/packing method do you use to send it to them? I have the shipping label (FedEx overnight) from my SA since I don’t live near a VCA boutique but I’m nervous about shipping it out. Any tips on how to pack it safely? Thank you for any input!

It's usually a wise idea (and sometimes required by jeweler's insurance) to double box jewelry when you send it. So I usually put the item in a small box or padded envelope with the paperwork, put that in a small Fedex Express box packed tightly and seal, and then place it in a medium FedEx Express box and pack tightly (or a medium in a large). You should be able to shake the box and hear nothing. Then on the outer box especially, I use clear packing tape over the ends of the box where it is sealed to add extra security. I sometimes include the address on the inner box just in case the outer box should get damaged. But I have never had any issues doing it this way, and I have done it many times. Also, never reveal what's in your package, but they shouldn't ask. I just drop mine off at a FedEx location and say I want a receipt to verify I sent it.

 

[tenshix]

It's usually a wise idea (and sometimes required by jeweler's insurance) to double box jewelry when you send it. So I usually put the item in a small box or padded envelope with the paperwork, put that in a small Fedex Express box packed tightly and seal, and then place it in a medium FedEx Express box and pack tightly (or a medium in a large). You should be able to shake the box and hear nothing. Then on the outer box especially, I use clear packing tape over the ends of the box where it is sealed to add extra security. I sometimes include the address on the inner box just in case the outer box should get damaged. But I have never had any issues doing it this way, and I have done it many times. Also, never reveal what's in your package, but they shouldn't ask. I just drop mine off at a FedEx location and say I want a receipt to verify I sent it.

Thank you so much @DS2006 this is very helpful! I’m just sending out 2 bracelets to get shortened, but my SA didn’t give me any paperwork to fill out and just sent the shipping label over. If that’s the case I could just pack the bracelets as is with the multiple box method right? I wasn’t sure if I should’ve received and filled out paperwork to send out with my bracelets.

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi ladies, for those who have shipped out their VCA to be serviced/repaired, what kind of packaging/packing method do you use to send it to them? I have the shipping label (FedEx overnight) from my SA since I don’t live near a VCA boutique but I’m nervous about shipping it out. Any tips on how to pack it safely? Thank you for any input!

Agree with @DS2006. She is spot on, and it's quite easy.
I seem to ship out jewelry regularly to the brands for cleaning, servicing, restringing... you name it.
In case you are a repeat jewelry shipper, I have a bunch of these small jewelry shipping boxes I use. Works great and the shipping company can just put it in one of their boxes. One jeweler told me they use these too.
Amazon.com: ROTCH 4x4x2'' Shipping Box, 50 Pack, Small Sturdy Corrugated Cardboard Mailer, White : Office Products

 

[DS2006]

Thank you so much @DS2006 this is very helpful! I’m just sending out 2 bracelets to get shortened, but my SA didn’t give me any paperwork to fill out and just sent the shipping label over. If that’s the case I could just pack the bracelets as is with the multiple box method right? I wasn’t sure if I should’ve received and filled out paperwork to send out with my bracelets.

You just need to enclose your name and contact info and a note to SA reminding them of what service they are to provide.

The boxes @BigAkoya linked would be great for an inner box, too!

 

[tenshix]

Agree with @DS2006. She is spot on, and it's quite easy.
I seem to ship out jewelry regularly to the brands for cleaning, servicing, restringing... you name it.
In case you are a repeat jewelry shipper, I have a bunch of these small jewelry shipping boxes I use. Works great and the shipping company can just put it in one of their boxes. One jeweler told me they use these too.
Amazon.com: ROTCH 4x4x2'' Shipping Box, 50 Pack, Small Sturdy Corrugated Cardboard Mailer, White : Office Products

Perfect thank you so much @BigAkoya!! Those boxes look nice and sturdy!

 

[BigAkoya]

Perfect thank you so much @BigAkoya!! Those boxes look nice and sturdy!

They are rock solid! When I use them to send out something as fragile as pearls to be restrung, I just put the pearls in that box and mail them via USPS Registered Mail. Works great, and never had a problem with the box being squished. The box is designed to be rugged. It's also the perfect size for jewelry, not too big. I've also mailed a big chunky watch for repair too (dropped my watch, broke it. I must torture my jewelry ).

 

[tenshix]

They are rock solid! When I use them to send out something as fragile as pearls to be restrung, I just put the pearls in that box and mail them via USPS Registered Mail. Works great, and never had a problem with the box being squished. The box is designed to be rugged. It's also the perfect size for jewelry, not too big. I've also mailed a big chunky watch for repair too (dropped my watch, broke it. I must torture my jewelry ).

Yes it looks like it’s the perfect size for jewelry! Thanks so much for linking it. So sorry about the broken watch, I did that once and the hands popped out so it also had to get repaired. That’s why I prefer watches with a deployment buckle as I am sometimes clumsy!

I do wish there was a nearby boutique though, I have a lot of anxiety in general and am nervous about sending out high value items via mail. But seeing as how many of you do so without issues reassures me. Thank you

 

[nightbefore]

@BigAkoya I really hope that they will come up with more long necklaces, they are just so easy to wear. I am back on the track for saving up for yg mop 20 motif, after considering billions of others I decided that I should go with my first thought. First thoughts/choices generally turn out to be the best choice CdH collection is not very loud at the first glance but I think it fits very well with Hellebore and let the Hellebore shine without overpowering it. Bracelet seems very flowy/elfish/fairy I am sure it would look great on you I am wondering if they have a hellebore brooch in the collection. The modshots of the ring on website includes the brooch but I could not find it on website, is it discontinued or are they using earrings as brooch? (crazy idea)