VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

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#20,671
Hi all! I have been admiring VCA jewelry for years but have always shied away from purchasing because of the price tag. I don't spend this much on jewelry or bags in general so it kind of scares me. :lol: However, I'm seriously considering getting a rose gold vintage alhambra pendant for my upcoming birthday. I love rose gold and this seems like a timeless piece that I could wear all the time. Is this a hard to find pendant? Any thoughts in general for someone looking to buy their first VCA jewelry? I'm also curious if VCA allows returns for refund just in case it's not love? I read somewhere that if you buy from a boutique, you can only return for store credit? I don't have a boutique anywhere near me so can't see in person before purchasing.
 
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#20,672
piosavsfan said:
Hi all! I have been admiring VCA jewelry for years but have always shied away from purchasing because of the price tag. I don't spend this much on jewelry or bags in general so it kind of scares me. :lol: However, I'm seriously considering getting a rose gold vintage alhambra pendant for my upcoming birthday. I love rose gold and this seems like a timeless piece that I could wear all the time. Is this a hard to find pendant? Any thoughts in general for someone looking to buy their first VCA jewelry? I'm also curious if VCA allows returns for refund just in case it's not love? I read somewhere that if you buy from a boutique, you can only return for store credit? I don't have a boutique anywhere near me so can't see in person before purchasing.
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I certainly understand the thoughts about pricing, and I think it is perfectly fine to have a piece or two that you love without having to commit to an entire collection! The pendants and bracelets are the best value in Alhambra, in my opinion. The solid rose gold is one of the pieces that can be worn all the time.

You are correct that purchases from the boutique can only be exchanged for another item or store credit. However, you can order from the online site and they DO allow returns with money refunded. So it seems that since you'd really like to see the piece before being totally committed to it, you'd be better off ordering from the website. The bad news is that stock is extremely low in many popular items, especially in Alhambra. With shutdowns and supply issues due to Covid, many things have been sold out. On the website, when you click on an item, some will have a price and a button to click to order. Others will have a box that says "call for availability" which likely means they are out of stock. The pendant you want does have "call for availability", so I would call and see what they say. We are all hoping supplies will return to normal over the next year. I hope you will be able to get the pendant soon!
 
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#20,673
DS2006 said:
I certainly understand the thoughts about pricing, and I think it is perfectly fine to have a piece or two that you love without having to commit to an entire collection! The pendants and bracelets are the best value in Alhambra, in my opinion. The solid rose gold is one of the pieces that can be worn all the time.

You are correct that purchases from the boutique can only be exchanged for another item or store credit. However, you can order from the online site and they DO allow returns with money refunded. So it seems that since you'd really like to see the piece before being totally committed to it, you'd be better off ordering from the website. The bad news is that stock is extremely low in many popular items, especially in Alhambra. With shutdowns and supply issues due to Covid, many things have been sold out. On the website, when you click on an item, some will have a price and a button to click to order. Others will have a box that says "call for availability" which likely means they are out of stock. The pendant you want does have "call for availability", so I would call and see what they say. We are all hoping supplies will return to normal over the next year. I hope you will be able to get the pendant soon!
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Thank you! I'm not in a rush to buy so I'm OK with waiting if it's out of stock.
 
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#20,674
Hi all!!! So after MUCH waiting and excitement, I finally got my vintage Alhambra diamond white gold earrings!!!! I placed the order and put down the deposit with my SA at the NY 5th Avenue flagship mid August and got these last Sunday. I’ve been opening the box and looking at it every day this past week LOLOL. They also sent me two boxes of butterfly pea flower and jasmine loose tea along with sugar cookies with gold flakes, which was super cute. Sorry for the low lighting - took these photos at night after putting the toddler to bed.
 

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#20,675
pearl421 said:
Hi all!!! So after MUCH waiting and excitement, I finally got my vintage Alhambra diamond white gold earrings!!!! I placed the order and put down the deposit with my SA at the NY 5th Avenue flagship mid August and got these last Sunday. I’ve been opening the box and looking at it every day this past week LOLOL. They also sent me two boxes of butterfly pea flower and jasmine loose tea along with sugar cookies with gold flakes, which was super cute. Sorry for the low lighting - took these photos at night after putting the toddler to bed.
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Love these!!! I know you'll enjoy them!
 
#20,676
pearl421 said:
Hi all!!! So after MUCH waiting and excitement, I finally got my vintage Alhambra diamond white gold earrings!!!! I placed the order and put down the deposit with my SA at the NY 5th Avenue flagship mid August and got these last Sunday. I’ve been opening the box and looking at it every day this past week LOLOL. They also sent me two boxes of butterfly pea flower and jasmine loose tea along with sugar cookies with gold flakes, which was super cute. Sorry for the low lighting - took these photos at night after putting the toddler to bed.
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The earrings look sparkly in your pic! Enjoy them.
 
#20,677
pearl421 said:
Hi all!!! So after MUCH waiting and excitement, I finally got my vintage Alhambra diamond white gold earrings!!!! I placed the order and put down the deposit with my SA at the NY 5th Avenue flagship mid August and got these last Sunday. I’ve been opening the box and looking at it every day this past week LOLOL. They also sent me two boxes of butterfly pea flower and jasmine loose tea along with sugar cookies with gold flakes, which was super cute. Sorry for the low lighting - took these photos at night after putting the toddler to bed.
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Congratulations! I have these and wear them to death. I’m even considering upgrading my rose gold ones to pave :graucho:
 
#20,678
I’m purchasing my first YG 10 motif soon (have purchased a few other pieces from the same VCA SA previously) and was wondering if VCA has any holiday packaging or promo items if you purchase during the holiday season (I’ve never received any previously)? If yes, do you ask for it or does your SA send it to you automatically (I’m in the US)?
 
#20,679
pearl421 said:
Hi all!!! So after MUCH waiting and excitement, I finally got my vintage Alhambra diamond white gold earrings!!!! I placed the order and put down the deposit with my SA at the NY 5th Avenue flagship mid August and got these last Sunday. I’ve been opening the box and looking at it every day this past week LOLOL. They also sent me two boxes of butterfly pea flower and jasmine loose tea along with sugar cookies with gold flakes, which was super cute. Sorry for the low lighting - took these photos at night after putting the toddler to bed.
Click to expand...
Gorgeous :loveeyes: Enjoy!!
 
#20,680
Lotus718 said:
I’m purchasing my first YG 10 motif soon (have purchased a few other pieces from the same VCA SA previously) and was wondering if VCA has any holiday packaging or promo items if you purchase during the holiday season (I’ve never received any previously)? If yes, do you ask for it or does your SA send it to you automatically (I’m in the US)?
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As far as I’m aware, there is no holiday packaging (at least in the US) for Christmas or any other holiday. I think some SAs may send out ”gifts” (chocolates, jewelry trays, etc.), but it is probably a little tacky to ask for them (just my opinion of course).
 
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#20,681
Hi all, I’m looking to purchase my next VCA piece and I think I’ve decided on the sweet perle clover ring in yellow gold! I went to the store at the weekend and also tried the bracelet (which I loved), the single row diamond ring (which I liked but I think I prefer the clover motif so that it ties in with my vintage Alhambra bracelet).
I’m going back this week to try again and decide on size. I’m thinking that as the ring is not resizeable, it might be better to purchase it leaning in the large size. I’m sure I’ve heard people mention here that you can get inserts for rings to help them fit more snugly. Is that something VCA would provide or would I get it elsewhere?
I actually wanted to get the ring to wear on my middle finger but I think I’m going to struggle with sizing as the sweet clover ring only goes up to a 59 and ideally I thing I would need a 60 as my knuckle is quite large. When I tried in store, they only had one which would fit my ring finger which I actually quite like… Alternatively the single row and the original perle clover go up to a 62 I believe… need to try again I think!
On a side note, I also went into Cartier to try the Clash and whilst the SA at Cartier was very helpful, I thought the level of service at VCA was so much better. I’m a new customer (not new to the brand but I have just moved countries), turned up without an appointment but yet at VCA, they seated me at a counter and offered champagne. At Cartier, we stood at a counter and weren’t offered anything. In both stores, I went in wearing my existing VCA and Cartier jewellery (if that makes a difference:smile:). I don’t really care about free champagne although it is nice;) but just thought it was interesting how the two stores had quite a different feel!
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#20,683
Lotus718 said:
I’m purchasing my first YG 10 motif soon (have purchased a few other pieces from the same VCA SA previously) and was wondering if VCA has any holiday packaging or promo items if you purchase during the holiday season (I’ve never received any previously)? If yes, do you ask for it or does your SA send it to you automatically (I’m in the US)?
Click to expand...

I've never seen special holiday packaging and small gifts sometimes are sent and sometimes not. I would never ask for a gift.
 
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#20,684
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#20,685
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