VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[lolakitten]

Does VcA tend to put out something special every spring? I’m wondering if between now and March they will have a new release, or should I plan according to current collections?
I’m told that they likely won’t get many (if any) rings, which is frustrating since there’s a size to accommodate as well, but it seems every thing else on my wish list is unavailable too, and it’s a pretty long list lol.
I know that I can always put a deposit and they can order, but I would like to have *something* at least in the month of my birthday. I fully plan to put in an order for something to come in whenever it happens to as it is!

I may end up filling some Cartier or Tiffany wish list items instead… but VCA is my first choice.

 

[lynne_ross]

Does VcA tend to put out something special every spring? I’m wondering if between now and March they will have a new release, or should I plan according to current collections?
I’m told that they likely won’t get many (if any) rings, which is frustrating since there’s a size to accommodate as well, but it seems every thing else on my wish list is unavailable too, and it’s a pretty long list lol.
I know that I can always put a deposit and they can order, but I would like to have *something* at least in the month of my birthday. I fully plan to put in an order for something to come in whenever it happens to as it is!

I may end up filling some Cartier or Tiffany wish list items instead… but VCA is my first choice.

I would just order what you really really want, put 100% down and hope it come in by March if not at least you will eventually get your top thing. There has not been a new release item in awhile that I would buy so I personally would not rely on that.

 

[lolakitten]

I would just order what you really really want, put 100% down and hope it come in by March if not at least you will eventually get your top thing. There has not been a new release item in awhile that I would buy so I personally would not rely on that.

The trouble is that I’ve never even seen what I think I really want in real life before. I’d like to get a ring ideally, and I have a few that I like the look of on others. There is one that I think I like best, but not having tried it on, I’m really not 100% sure. I’m about 4hrs away from the boutique so it’s difficult to just pop by and try them on a whim.

Also, I noticed that the online store has sizes that the boutique does not seem to have access to
I prefer to buy from my SA, but how do you get around that?

 

[ThisVNchick]

If you're planning on getting the RG GMOP pave 2-motif earrings, would/should you still get the single pave studs (ETA in the vintage size)?

 

[BigAkoya]

The trouble is that I’ve never even seen what I think I really want in real life before. I’d like to get a ring ideally, and I have a few that I like the look of on others. There is one that I think I like best, but not having tried it on, I’m really not 100% sure. I’m about 4hrs away from the boutique so it’s difficult to just pop by and try them on a whim.

Also, I noticed that the online store has sizes that the boutique does not seem to have access to
I prefer to buy from my SA, but how do you get around that?

I would suggest if you're not local to a store and your SA has not been able to get you pieces, I would go online.
SAs come and go. I would not deny yourself anything out of loyalty to an SA. I did that in the past, I was super loyal to SAs, to a fault. Then I thought... why am I trying so hard to help my SA? A good SA will work for me. I am the client; he's the sales guy, that's his job. If he can't get me something (bag, shoes, clothes, jewelry), it's up to me to find it. SAs are sales people, and it's not a two-way personal friendship. I think lunch/dinner/gifts paid for by an SA using VCA budget can sometimes be misinterpreted as friendship. In a true friendship, I would take my "friend" out to lunch/dinner and send him/her Christmas presents which I do not for my SA. My experience with SAs is they love you when you are actively buying from them, and they shower you with gifts. Of course in return for those nice gifts (e.g. Christmas gift recently!), they do subtly hope for more sales. Once you stop buying, after a few years, no more gifts or lunches/dinners. They use their budget on other clients. It's just the nature of sales, it is not personal at all.

I would be loyal to yourself. Online is great as you can order a piece and if you do not like it, you can return it. Hassle free.
To be fair to your SA, I would ask your SA for the piece you want. If the SA cannot get it, I would gently say, "ok, thanks, maybe I can try to get it online as they may have different inventory." That's a nice way of letting the SA know and giving him the opportunity to jump on this sale if he wants it or can do anything to help you get it. If not, it's fair and the SA absolutely cannot fault you for that. I am sure the SA would do the same if he were looking for something hard to get.

If you like some rings, ask your SA to bring them in for you, any size. You can see how they look on you and then order. If your SA says he cannot get any in, I would definitely go the online route.

I do think if you order something now and pay in full, you have high odds of getting it by your birthday!

 

[lynne_ross]

The trouble is that I’ve never even seen what I think I really want in real life before. I’d like to get a ring ideally, and I have a few that I like the look of on others. There is one that I think I like best, but not having tried it on, I’m really not 100% sure. I’m about 4hrs away from the boutique so it’s difficult to just pop by and try them on a whim.

Also, I noticed that the online store has sizes that the boutique does not seem to have access to
I prefer to buy from my SA, but how do you get around that?

BigA has given you great advice and I would agree with it. Ask your SA to get the sizes for you in to try or if they really can not get the exact ring then ask for something similar to try - ie if looking at btf frivoles ring in yg but none in stock try the pave one. If you are ok with store credit then can ask your SA to send you the rings to try first. In this case I would go online since full return. Let your SA know your situation and see how she can help resolve it. If not helpful then try a new SA. I have purchased from a few SAs over past year and their service and willingness to find pieces ranges greatly.

 

[lolakitten]

I would suggest if you're not local to a store and your SA has not been able to get you pieces, I would go online.
SAs come and go. I would not deny yourself anything out of loyalty to an SA. I did that in the past, I was super loyal to SAs, to a fault. Then I thought... why am I trying so hard to help my SA? A good SA will work for me. I am the client; he's the sales guy, that's his job. If he can't get me something (bag, shoes, clothes, jewelry), it's up to me to find it. SAs are sales people, and it's not a two-way personal friendship. I think lunch/dinner/gifts paid for by an SA using VCA budget can sometimes be misinterpreted as friendship. In a true friendship, I would take my "friend" out to lunch/dinner and send him/her Christmas presents which I do not for my SA. My experience with SAs is they love you when you are actively buying from them, and they shower you with gifts. Of course in return for those nice gifts (e.g. Christmas gift recently!), they do subtly hope for more sales. Once you stop buying, after a few years, no more gifts or lunches/dinners. They use their budget on other clients. It's just the nature of sales, it is not personal at all.

I would be loyal to yourself. Online is great as you can order a piece and if you do not like it, you can return it. Hassle free.
To be fair to your SA, I would ask your SA for the piece you want. If the SA cannot get it, I would gently say, "ok, thanks, maybe I can try to get it online as they may have different inventory." That's a nice way of letting the SA know and giving him the opportunity to jump on this sale if he wants it or can do anything to help you get it. If not, it's fair and the SA absolutely cannot fault you for that. I am sure the SA would do the same if he were looking for something hard to get.

If you like some rings, ask your SA to bring them in for you, any size. You can see how they look on you and then order. If your SA says he cannot get any in, I would definitely go the online route.

I do think if you order something now and pay in full, you have high odds of getting it by your birthday!

This is very good advice and I need to remind myself this actually, so thank you.

I wonder why the boutiques can see and transfer in stock from the US, but not the domestic online store. (I’m in Canada)
Ive been somewhat stalking the website to see what sizes are available (I have two fingers, two different sizes I can work with) as it’s less instrusive than harassing my SA during the holiday rush lol, and so far the sizes are there. I’ll keep an eye on that as I’m not in a position to pull the trigger on anything until after New Years.

Two of the models I like are sold out completely. One is the frivole 8, which I adore but I have a feeling if I go for that, it would need to be ordered and a long wait. (Which is fine, but I would choose something else for my birthday)
Nothing online and nothing according to my SA. The two flower is available but I don’t love that one in half the pics I see of it, so it’s definitely a try on first piece.
I’ve considered the perlee clover but I run hot and cold with that one. The magic pave I like quite a bit. It’s sold out too, but that one I have actually tried on before and am confident to order sight unseen.
Or I could get the Panthere ring that I’ve been admiring for years…

 

[lolakitten]

BigA has given you great advice and I would agree with it. Ask your SA to get the sizes for you in to try or if they really can not get the exact ring then ask for something similar to try - ie if looking at btf frivoles ring in yg but none in stock try the pave one. If you are ok with store credit then can ask your SA to send you the rings to try first. In this case I would go online since full return. Let your SA know your situation and see how she can help resolve it. If not helpful then try a new SA. I have purchased from a few SAs over past year and their service and willingness to find pieces ranges greatly.

I have 3 VCA stores within a 4hr radius. One is the standalone with my preferred SA and the other two are concessions. One of the concessions is downright unhelpful and weirdly unknowlegable. The other is ok, but the service at the standalone is above and beyond so that’s my preferred store to deal with by a long shot. I will give them the first opportunity to find stuff for me!

 

[lolakitten]

If you're planning on getting the RG GMOP pave 2-motif earrings, would/should you still get the single pave studs (ETA in the vintage size)?

Do your only wear RG? I’d be inclined to get the single in a different colour for variety, but if you don’t, then I can see owning both for sure. In fact personally I’d get more use out if the single as it’s more versatile, but that’s just me!

What other earrings do you have? What necklaces would you (if at all) pair them with?

 

[ThisVNchick]

Do your only wear RG? I’d be inclined to get the single in a different colour for variety, but if you don’t, then I can see owning both for sure. In fact personally I’d get more use out if the single as it’s more versatile, but that’s just me!

What other earrings do you have? What necklaces would you (if at all) pair them with?

I owning mainly YG with one (that I can currently recall) RG piece.

In terms of earrings I have quite a few (all of the single magic ones, YG and carnelian in VA size, RG pave frivole and 2 motif TE/carnelian). I guess I could go with the YG pave VA since the GMOP 2 motif is in RG. I just don’t know if that’s too redundant IYKWIM. I want to make thoughtful choices and definitely get as much cost per wear as possible.

 

[Obsessed_girl]

Hi


where i can find this necklace?

 

[lulu-47]

Congratulations! It looks beautiful on you! And yes, I think getting the size up is the best decision. I buy all my rings loose, and I wear them so loose on a skinny finger day, I can probably flick the off if I tried. But the looseness comes in handy on hot humid days and especially if your fingers get larger (my fingers grew one ring size, yet I am the same weight).

Beautiful ring, and it looks amazing with your matching bracelet! Congratulations to you!

A big thank you to everyone who offered their advice and kind words
I’m going back to the boutique to pick it up either at the end of this week or beginning of next… very very excited

 

[glamourbag]

Hi View attachment 5273830


where i can find this necklace?

Its exclusive to the Paris Vendome boutique. If you have a friend local to the city or a personal shopper they should be able to get it for you (if available).

 

[lynne_ross]

I have 3 VCA stores within a 4hr radius. One is the standalone with my preferred SA and the other two are concessions. One of the concessions is downright unhelpful and weirdly unknowlegable. The other is ok, but the service at the standalone is above and beyond so that’s my preferred store to deal with by a long shot. I will give them the first opportunity to find stuff for me!

I understand. Not sure where you are in Canada but I use to shop at the Yorkdale boutique and the service there is amazing. My DH even asked if he could buy from my prior SA vs one of the other SAs I use now (since I shop out of HK regardless). How great there service was. That boutique could transfer in from USA but that may have changed with covid.

 

[eternallove4bag]

Update on the Hellebore collection if anyone is considering purchasing pieces...

I ordered the Hellebore lapis ring on Oct 23. My SA just got an update from VCA saying they cannot commit to making the ring in lapis at this time. They refunded me and said I can try again at a later date. They offered MOP and also earrings can be made in MOP. "But I want lapis! You made one for the other lady! What about me? I'm going to have a temper tantrum!"
Just kidding.

I was disappointed, but oh well, such is life, and nothing is a must have. Time to move on and work on the next acquisition!
My SA said he will be on the lookout for anything blue in WG for me (I am batting zero with blue in 2021... no blue agate set, no Hellebore lapis ring). Of course, my guess is if I were a big spender VIP, VCA may find a few lapis rocks.

So... in case anyone is interested... you can still get Hellebore, but only in MOP for now. Things may change of course, but, they will not accept lapis orders at this time.

I am so sorry for the disappointing news. Hugs!