I have an update on my search for a carnelian bracelet! Longish story inc...
So I started looking for a carnelian bracelet around November, visited the Bond Street boutique in London and was shown 2 pieces - one was a darker red shade and the other was a lighter, brighter shade. As those were the only ones I'd seen in real life and all they had, I decided to keep looking (in hindsight, should've purchased the one on the right in the photo below). Went to Selfridges on the same day but they were also very low in stock so no luck there.
A couple of weeks later hubby travelled to Vegas and while he was there, he checked all of the VCA boutiques multiple times for carnelian, but they only had very brown shades available. There was a rose gold guilloche with a nice red carnelian shade, but I ultimately decided to pass - I think I'm just not a fan of alternating motifs, and prefer all of the motifs to be the same. Hubby didn't want to give up and really wanted to bring home a gift for me, so I asked about the MOP bracelet. I'm not
quite as fussy when it comes to MOP, though I have a strong preference for smooth, white MOP over iridescent multicoloured (and often wrinkled looking) MOP.
This was the MOP bracelet hubby brought home - chosen at 3am in the morning on facetime
He was assisted by a lovely SA who gifted me a pack of invitation cards. They probably ran out of cleaning cloths as one wasn't included.
On Wednesday hubby and I visited London to try for carnelian again. We booked an appointment at Harrods but disappointingly, when we arrived, they only had two brownish bracelets available (pic below).
The SA wasn't very helpful and just sort of sat there, so I didn't ask to see other pieces and we left. I suggested coming back another day but hubby insisted on checking out the other stores, so we walked to Bond Street to have a look at their available stock. Sadly, none of the shades of carnelian was anywhere near as red as the one I saw the very first time (regrets). At this point I was ready to go home but hubby said "Selfridges is just around the corner, let's go!" So off we went... I was not expecting to find anything at Selfridges because they usually have less stock than Harrods & Bond Street.
We were greeted by an SA who I thought looked familiar but I wasn't 100% sure (we were all wearing masks), until she said "I think I remember you guys!" and we were like "Yeaah!!"
She was by far the most helpful and picked out a few bracelets she thought I would like - the one on the right (pic below) was close, but it wasn't quuite that bright shade of red I saw the first time (more regrets). I spent a long time thinking about it because so far, it was closest to the shade that I wanted, but at the same time I didn't want to take it home and have second thoughts.
While I was deliberating about carnelian, the all gold guilloche bracelet caught my eye. I'd seen pictures of the guilloche and thought it was "nice", then I watched a few videos and thought "oooh" - I knew I wanted it at some point but was holding off for the rose gold version. HOWEVER, in real life, the yellow gold guilloche is insanely sparkly and eye catching, like rays of sunshine
I honestly think that given the choice between all YG and all RG, I'd pick the YG because IMO it's just so perfect for guilloche, even though I'm usually a rose gold person. And that was that! I immediately said I would like the guilloche, and leave carnelian for now. I know it will scratch at some point but I buy jewellery to enjoy, not to sit in a box or a shrine, so I'm totally okay with it.
As the SA went to get the non display piece, I asked if a cleaning cloth was available since I didn't get one with my MOP. She seemed a bit surprised and said of course, and came back with two! One for my MOP bracelet and another for the guilloche. I was pleasantly surprised as I only wanted and expected one cleaning cloth, but the extra cloth is a very thoughtful gesture.
Then as she was boxing up the bracelet, I asked about the alhambra book - I was very on the fence about asking for this as it was my first purchase with her, but then I thought "You know what, you don't ask, you don't get! What's the worst that can happen right?" I was fully expecting a no but to my surprise (and delight), she instantly said she'll have a look, checked a couple of cabinets and pulled out an alhambra book
I could have bought the book on
Amazon but having it included with the purchase just made the entire experience even more perfect and special, which is what luxury shopping is all about! Also, this SA was the only one to offer beaverages as soon as we sat down.
Although I'm still on the hunt the perfect carnelian bracelet, I did find a wonderful SA with whom I'm happy to build a long term relationship, and I will definitely return for future purchases! She said she'll keep an eye out for new carnelian bracelets, now that she has a very good idea of what I like, and send photos & videos. As soon as she finds one, you can bet I'll make a beeline for the store
Anyway, I am absolutely delighted and here's the guilloche with my MOP bracelet
Hopefully the next time I post an update, it'll be with carnelian in the picture!
