VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[BigAkoya]

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…

I think you definitely need to try on the Frivole 8 and the BTF, especially if you are not sure if you like big rings.
The clover is very different than the Frivole, and you mentioned you are hot and cold on it.

Crazy thought...
Since you mentioned the clover, I assume you like band rings. However, perhaps your hesitation with the clover is that it has a bit too much metal. You mentioned Tiffany. I love Tiffany, especially for diamonds. If you like band rings, have you looked at the Tiffany Victoria band ring? I pasted the links below. I tried on the Platinum version, and it's super blingy and has a lot of presence. If I wore band rings, I'd get the platinum in a heartbeat. It also comes in RG. There is also the Alternating band ring. I actually love love love the design of that ring with it's X and O diamond theme. However, that ring is a bit dainty and looks more like an eternity wedding band (at least to me). Just some thoughts thought as you consider ring options.

And yes to the Panthere. I am beginning to really like the Panthere pave collection, so I vote yes to the Panthere.
Good luck! It's so exciting... planning is half the fun!

Tiffany Victoria® band ring in platinum with diamonds. | Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany Victoria® diamond band ring in 18k rose gold. | Tiffany & Co.

 

[eletons]

I think you definitely need to try on the Frivole 8 and the BTF, especially if you are not sure if you like big rings.
The clover is very different than the Frivole, and you mentioned you are hot and cold on it.

Crazy thought...
Since you mentioned the clover, I assume you like band rings. However, perhaps your hesitation with the clover is that it has a bit too much metal. You mentioned Tiffany. I love Tiffany, especially for diamonds. If you like band rings, have you looked at the Tiffany Victoria band ring? I pasted the links below. I tried on the Platinum version, and it's super blingy and has a lot of presence. If I wore band rings, I'd get the platinum in a heartbeat. It also comes in RG. There is also the Alternating band ring. I actually love love love the design of that ring with it's X and O diamond theme. However, that ring is a bit dainty and looks more like an eternity wedding band (at least to me). Just some thoughts thought as you consider ring options.

And yes to the Panthere. I am beginning to really like the Panthere pave collection, so I vote yes to the Panthere.
Good luck! It's so exciting... planning is half the fun!

Tiffany Victoria® band ring in platinum with diamonds. | Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany Victoria® diamond band ring in 18k rose gold. | Tiffany & Co.

I like this Tiffany ring better than Clover perlee ring

 

[BigAkoya]

I like this Tiffany ring better than Clover perlee ring

Me too! I love the Victoria collection. The diamonds are super sparkly too.

 

[eletons]

Me too! I love the Victoria collection. The diamonds are super sparkly too.

I might check out Tiffany earrings to cure the frustration vca has given me. I do feel that if I am not stubborn to want only the stones, diamonds might do the job as well.
I think I need to have a plan B in case vca tells me the items I want run out of stock next year.

 

[lolakitten]

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.

I’m in Ottawa, so I have MTL on the other side. Yorkdale is has amazing customer service for sure. They can access from the states but there’s no stock there either!!

 

[lolakitten]

I think you definitely need to try on the Frivole 8 and the BTF, especially if you are not sure if you like big rings.
The clover is very different than the Frivole, and you mentioned you are hot and cold on it.

Crazy thought...
Since you mentioned the clover, I assume you like band rings. However, perhaps your hesitation with the clover is that it has a bit too much metal. You mentioned Tiffany. I love Tiffany, especially for diamonds. If you like band rings, have you looked at the Tiffany Victoria band ring? I pasted the links below. I tried on the Platinum version, and it's super blingy and has a lot of presence. If I wore band rings, I'd get the platinum in a heartbeat. It also comes in RG. There is also the Alternating band ring. I actually love love love the design of that ring with it's X and O diamond theme. However, that ring is a bit dainty and looks more like an eternity wedding band (at least to me). Just some thoughts thought as you consider ring options.

And yes to the Panthere. I am beginning to really like the Panthere pave collection, so I vote yes to the Panthere.
Good luck! It's so exciting... planning is half the fun!

Tiffany Victoria® band ring in platinum with diamonds. | Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany Victoria® diamond band ring in 18k rose gold. | Tiffany & Co.

Those Victoria rings are gorgeous!
I tried some big band rings at Birks and didn’t like them in me. I think I’m answering my own dilemma here lol.
How is Tiffany melee compared to VCA? I was pleasantly surprised that VCA actually put specs up. Nice to know they use equality diamonds, as some other big brands have lowered the quality of their small diamonds, even though prices went up.
Panthere is definitely in the list, and creeping up. I need to try those on too however.

I’m liking the new Victoria vine line… not for a ring but the other stuff… the necklace is lovely and unique!

 

[lolakitten]

I might check out Tiffany earrings to cure the frustration vca has given me. I do feel that if I am not stubborn to want only the stones, diamonds might do the job as well.
I think I need to have a plan B in case vca tells me the items I want run out of stock next year.

Haha you and I are in the same boat.
I have a running list of Tiffany earrings that I’d like. They are local and less expensive, so they make for a fun treat now and again.

 

[BigAkoya]

Those Victoria rings are gorgeous!
I tried some big band rings at Birks and didn’t like them in me. I think I’m answering my own dilemma here lol.
How is Tiffany melee compared to VCA? I was pleasantly surprised that VCA actually put specs up. Nice to know they use equality diamonds, as some other big brands have lowered the quality of their small diamonds, even though prices went up.
Panthere is definitely in the list, and creeping up. I need to try those on too however.

I’m liking the new Victoria vine line… not for a ring but the other stuff… the necklace is lovely and unique!

I love the Victoria line. They cut their own marquise, which means every marquise is matched and perfect. Yes, you can get copycat Victoria pieces, but the jeweler will just source different marquise diamonds and each will be different and off.

If you like big band rings, my vote goes to the Victoria band ring. It's super blingy when you wear it too, hardly any metal like the Clover which may be your hesitation. When you move you hand when you talk, it's all sparkly diamonds, fuil cirlcle (I'm think I'm convincing myself I need to try band rings again. ) The vine line is new and really pretty. Last time I was there, I only saw a few pieces though. Tiffany's melee diamonds are full cut.

I do hope you can get to a Tiffany and try it on. Or just order online. Tiffany online returns are super easy. I have personally ordered online and returned, hassle free ( have not ordered online yet with VCA). As FYI, when you order Tiffany online, you get the full stuff as if you were at the boutique... box, bag, gift card, tissue paper, dust bag... if that stuff matters to you.

@eletons
If you think you may consider Tiffany, these are the classic Victoria earrings. I only see the small and mini now online, but they come in four sizes, mini, small, medium, and large. I think if you like the size of Lotus and Frivole, the medium is the equivalent in my opinion. I found the large a bit big for my ear, but maybe not for you. Here is the US link. I did see the international link they show the medium, and I am sure you can check your local country link for pricing:
Tiffany Victoria® earrings in platinum with diamonds, small. | Tiffany & Co.

I see the larger cluster earrings too online:
Tiffany Victoria® mixed cluster earrings in platinum with diamonds, large. | Tiffany & Co.
I'm not crazy about them as they are mixed cuts (e.g. pears and marquise), and I prefer more symmetry. These only come in one size as I recall. Anyway, some things to think about.

As FYI, Tiffany was bought out by LVMH, so they are technically French owned now. Rumor has it newer collections are coming out, so I am looking forward to that.

 

[Obsessed_girl]

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!

I totally agree with you , i have 3 SA (all of them in different branches) only one of them gave me the chance to buy the holiday pendent without deposit, he save it for me.

 

[eletons]

I love the Victoria line. They cut their own marquise, which means every marquise is matched and perfect. Yes, you can get copycat Victoria pieces, but the jeweler will just source different marquise diamonds and each will be different and off.

If you like big band rings, my vote goes to the Victoria band ring. It's super blingy when you wear it too, hardly any metal like the Clover which may be your hesitation. When you move you hand when you talk, it's all sparkly diamonds, fuil cirlcle (I'm think I'm convincing myself I need to try band rings again. ) The vine line is new and really pretty. Last time I was there, I only saw a few pieces though. Tiffany's melee diamonds are full cut.

I do hope you can get to a Tiffany and try it on. Or just order online. Tiffany online returns are super easy. I have personally ordered online and returned, hassle free ( have not ordered online yet with VCA). As FYI, when you order Tiffany online, you get the full stuff as if you were at the boutique... box, bag, gift card, tissue paper, dust bag... if that stuff matters to you.

@eletons
If you think you may consider Tiffany, these are the classic Victoria earrings. I only see the small and mini now online, but they come in four sizes, mini, small, medium, and large. I think if you like the size of Lotus and Frivole, the medium is the equivalent in my opinion. I found the large a bit big for my ear, but maybe not for you. Here is the US link. I did see the international link they show the medium, and I am sure you can check your local country link for pricing:
Tiffany Victoria® earrings in platinum with diamonds, small. | Tiffany & Co.

I see the larger cluster earrings too online:
Tiffany Victoria® mixed cluster earrings in platinum with diamonds, large. | Tiffany & Co.
I'm not crazy about them as they are mixed cuts (e.g. pears and marquise), and I prefer more symmetry. These only come in one size as I recall. Anyway, some things to think about.

As FYI, Tiffany was bought out by LVMH, so they are technically French owned now. Rumor has it newer collections are coming out, so I am looking forward to that.

Thank you so much for the links. The large size looks great because they don't look like a cross to me but maybe they are bigger than Lotus?

I might try them on at their boutique later.

 

[AntiqueShopper]

So I went back to the boutique this week to try the rings on again….
I’ve changed my mind! I think on my hand (probably due to my large middle knuckle lol), rings do look better on my ring finger and I prefer it to the look on my middle finger.
I tried the sweet clover ring again and also tried the single row diamond perle- I decided I love the single row more than the sweet clover which I wasn’t expecting!
My SA did not have the single row in YG so is going to try and get hold of one for me.
Am I making the right decision? Please excuse the badly angled photos!
View attachment 5264896View attachment 5264897

I love the single row ring on you. It does remind me a lot of the Schlumberger Row Ring though. You should try on both to compare

Schlumberger® 18K Gold Two-Row Rope Ring | Tiffany & Co. US

www.tiffany.com

 

[lolakitten]

I love the Victoria line. They cut their own marquise, which means every marquise is matched and perfect. Yes, you can get copycat Victoria pieces, but the jeweler will just source different marquise diamonds and each will be different and off.

If you like big band rings, my vote goes to the Victoria band ring. It's super blingy when you wear it too, hardly any metal like the Clover which may be your hesitation. When you move you hand when you talk, it's all sparkly diamonds, fuil cirlcle (I'm think I'm convincing myself I need to try band rings again. ) The vine line is new and really pretty. Last time I was there, I only saw a few pieces though. Tiffany's melee diamonds are full cut.

I do hope you can get to a Tiffany and try it on. Or just order online. Tiffany online returns are super easy. I have personally ordered online and returned, hassle free ( have not ordered online yet with VCA). As FYI, when you order Tiffany online, you get the full stuff as if you were at the boutique... box, bag, gift card, tissue paper, dust bag... if that stuff matters to you.

@eletons
If you think you may consider Tiffany, these are the classic Victoria earrings. I only see the small and mini now online, but they come in four sizes, mini, small, medium, and large. I think if you like the size of Lotus and Frivole, the medium is the equivalent in my opinion. I found the large a bit big for my ear, but maybe not for you. Here is the US link. I did see the international link they show the medium, and I am sure you can check your local country link for pricing:
Tiffany Victoria® earrings in platinum with diamonds, small. | Tiffany & Co.

I see the larger cluster earrings too online:
Tiffany Victoria® mixed cluster earrings in platinum with diamonds, large. | Tiffany & Co.
I'm not crazy about them as they are mixed cuts (e.g. pears and marquise), and I prefer more symmetry. These only come in one size as I recall. Anyway, some things to think about.

As FYI, Tiffany was bought out by LVMH, so they are technically French owned now. Rumor has it newer collections are coming out, so I am looking forward to that.

I had no idea they cut their own stones, that’s impressive! That would certainly explain the consistency of a shape like the marquis.I love marquis diamonds, however I’ve come to the realization that I don’t like thick bands on me. I have short knuckle to mid finger and I feel like a thick band, even some stacks, look weird and are uncomfortable. That’s part of why the 8 flower appealed, the band itself is pretty standard, but it has a big look from the top down. Same with the two flower btf, which is also an option however not the pave version, the gold mirror finish. The metal on the perlee isn’t the issue but more the overall width. The sweet perlee is thinner but I feel the effect of the clovers is lost on it, and the overall look is not big enough.
Now I sound like goldilocks haha
Speaking of Tiffany and Schlumberger, the 16 stone ring has been on my WL for years, that’s an option as well, but that’s a whole different look than what I’m after for this particular purchase.
So… I need to try and try the Frivoles.
Failing that I need to try the Panthere (and the orchidee if I can find one, but I’m not counting on that)
Failing that I will reassess and pick something else on my WL.

 

[Storm Spirit]

I'm in the process of purchasing a carnelian bracelet but can't make it to a boutique anytime soon (the photos below are sent by the boutique). The shades of carnelian I've seen before these, were either brownish (like no. 1), or orange (like no. 3).

I think I'm leaning towards no. 4 as it looks like a nice burgundy red, but I'm not sure if it would be too dark IRL - does carnelian come in any redder shades than this? Which one would you pick?

 

[glamourbag]

Personally, I like #2, second from top but #4 is a nice rich red.

 

[Storm Spirit]

Personally, I like #2, second from top but #4 is a nice rich red.

No. 2 is the other one I like, but there seems to be more colour variation between the motifs. Decisions decisions...