VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[8seventeen19]

Ok guru’s I need help. I’m trying to plan my purchases for this year. No impulse buys are allowed as I also have sizable e-ring upgrade project in the works. I desperately want a turquoise wg 5 motif if I can find one …. know that it’s a premium or should I get onyx and pave instead at this price point. If I did get the onyx and pave I could still so blue agate wg bracelet but will it satisfy my desire for the turquoise. In addition I need to SO RG mop necklace still don’t know if it’s 10 or 20 motif.

I think we have the same SA, no? He told me that VCA is moving away from producing WG/turquoise in anything and trying to keep it vintage VCA with YG/turquoise. I have already planted a seed with the SM that I want the new butterflies in WG but I just can't see it happening. The SM has only been able to get me the pave turquoise 20 in YG. You definitely won't be satisfied with the BA. A GF of mine has one and to me, even in WG would not satisfy that want. I too also really, really want the turquoise and WG 5/20 motif but I just can't bring myself to cough up the premium. That being said, I absolutely adore my onyx/pave but I have many matching pieces of onyx/wg so it gets worn a lot.

 

[BigAkoya]

Ok guru’s I need help. I’m trying to plan my purchases for this year. No impulse buys are allowed as I also have sizable e-ring upgrade project in the works. I desperately want a turquoise wg 5 motif if I can find one …. know that it’s a premium or should I get onyx and pave instead at this price point. If I did get the onyx and pave I could still so blue agate wg bracelet but will it satisfy my desire for the turquoise. In addition I need to SO RG mop necklace still don’t know if it’s 10 or 20 motif.

Hi! You have gotten great input, and here is mine to help out.

First, you have a lot of wants, and the price point is all over the place (from a $4K blue agate bracelet to a $28K Clover).
For me, I like to take the price out of the equation and prioritize what I really love.
I am not an impulse buyer either, and I never buy something to "hold me over" as you will still want that higher priced item. I also believe once you get the higher priced pieces, you may not want the lower priced pieces, so you end up saving money in the long run. More important, you have a jewelry collection of all pieces that you love wearing. It's a waste to have pieces sit in a jewelry box unworn.

On your turquoise bracelet, I do not think the premium is too high. It's no different than buying the oynx pave bracelet which is near the same price point. The oynx pave bracelet has only .97 carat diamonds, and the diamonds are so tiny. It is certainly not a "$14K" bracelet if you look at it from a pure value perspective. However, people who love the oynx diamond don't bat an eye, so if you really love the turquoise over the oynx pave, I would get the turquoise for sure. "Value" is subjective when it comes to luxury goods, and getting the turquoise bracelet is worth it if you really want it.

That said, I would ask yourself why you want the turquoise bracelet. If you really want it because you love the turquoise and will wear that bracelet often with your outfits, go for it. However, if there are other reasons that may include "it's hard to get", "bragging rights", "I collect bracelets and am missing this stone"... for me, those are not good reasons to buy the turquoise. You really need to love it and be able to wear it. Turquoise is gorgeous to look at, but not often easy to match with outfits. I see it more as a summer stone, not for fall/winter (that's just me).

A few other comments...
You mentioned you are also considering the Clover and the RG MOP (10 or 20).
For me, I would prioritize the RG MOP 20 motif as top priority!!! I love love love a 20!
To me, a 20 is iconic VCA, and it just pops when you wear it. You cannot miss that necklace. I have 5 motif bracelets, and for me, bracelets are icing on the cake; it's not the cake! The 20 is the cake! That's just me.

On MOP...
I love love love MOP, it glows, and wow... a MOP in RG would be stunning. I have a WG MOP 20 as you know. The MOP VCA uses for their WG has a silver overtone MOP. The MOP VCA uses for their YG has a rose overtone, and of the two, WG vs YG, I think the YG MOP is the bomb! It's a gorgeous combination. That said, I can imagine your RG MOP, and wow wow wow... it would be magnificent. You can wear it casual or dressy. To me, the turquoise bracelet is more a casual look. It's also just a bracelet, not a 20! Again, this is my opinion.

On Clover...
If you love bracelets, I think the Clover is stunning over a turquoise or the oynx pave. For a bracelet, the Clover would be my first choice.

In the end, I would suggest taking the price out of these pieces and think what pieces you really love and will wear the most. Buy the piece you love the most first. If it's the turquoise bracelet, get it. All luxury brand jewelry is expensive is not worth it. Hence, my motto is buy what you love, get the big ticket items first, and I guarantee, your priorities for lesser priced items will change. In terms of collecting jewelry, I would rather have a few pieces I love and wear all the time. It can be your signature look.

Just my two cents. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

 

[DS2006]

i saw one for around 18k……it does feels like a lot But my fear is that I spend and get the other items and im still not satisfied. Then I will end up spending double when I should just bite bullet and spend the 18K. Another option could be to get WG Perlee clover this year and get SO agate and go sit down. That would delay my necklace which I was planning to order this year

You know, I love turquoise as much as anyone, I believe, but I just don't have the desire to pay that much for a used bracelet. I'd want turquoise in perfect new condition, and I guess that's why I only have the perlee turquoise earrings! I plan to wear them with either my solid wg or wg mop Alhambra bracelets in the summer. It is really a shame that high quality turquoise is scarce as so many of us would love to buy it. I do not see wg blue agate as a substitute for turquoise at all. It's just a different summer blue that I'd wear a lot with blue and white!

I have the onyx pave and I'd wear it far more than the turquoise. In fact, I had a holy grail lapis pave in yg and sold it to a friend because I knew I'd rarely wear it and I chose to buy things I'd wear more often, even if they are more common. I also love the Perlee Clover bracelet. You have a great wish list and it is very similar to mine! I look forward to seeing what you decide!

 

[missie1]

I think we have the same SA, no? He told me that VCA is moving away from producing WG/turquoise in anything and trying to keep it vintage VCA with YG/turquoise. I have already planted a seed with the SM that I want the new butterflies in WG but I just can't see it happening. The SM has only been able to get me the pave turquoise 20 in YG. You definitely won't be satisfied with the BA. A GF of mine has one and to me, even in WG would not satisfy that want. I too also really, really want the turquoise and WG 5/20 motif but I just can't bring myself to cough up the premium. That being said, I absolutely adore my onyx/pave but I have many matching pieces of onyx/wg so it gets worn a lot.

Yes I think we do. I’m flying into Houston in two weeks so that I can try on some things and finalize this 10-20 motif idea. I don’t like YG but I definitely want to see those butterfly earrings. I really need a pop color but that premium makes me pause as I think of everything else I could get.

 

[missie1]

I hate to say it due to the uptick in price but you need to go with what you desire most and that sounds like the turquoise. I fully believe on following what speaks to you most (even if it will take you longer to find the perfect piece) as the reward is so worth it in the long run. The other options may scratch the itch for a while but it won't fully satisfy you. Go for the turquoise. I had it (well I still have it I just lent it to a relative as I never wear it) with yellow gold and its beautiful. Turquoise and Agate aren't the same (despite what people try to tell you).

I think your right that I still will want it but for that price I might as well add few more coins and get original wg clover Perlee. I looked at your stack last night and now I need to try that on.

 

[missie1]

Hi! You have gotten great input, and here is mine to help out.

First, you have a lot of wants, and the price point is all over the place (from a $4K blue agate bracelet to a $28K Clover).
For me, I like to take the price out of the equation and prioritize what I really love.
I am not an impulse buyer either, and I never buy something to "hold me over" as you will still want that higher priced item. I also believe once you get the higher priced pieces, you may not want the lower priced pieces, so you end up saving money in the long run. More important, you have a jewelry collection of all pieces that you love wearing. It's a waste to have pieces sit in a jewelry box unworn.

On your turquoise bracelet, I do not think the premium is too high. It's no different than buying the oynx pave bracelet which is near the same price point. The oynx pave bracelet has only .97 carat diamonds, and the diamonds are so tiny. It is certainly not a "$14K" bracelet if you look at it from a pure value perspective. However, people who love the oynx diamond don't bat an eye, so if you really love the turquoise over the oynx pave, I would get the turquoise for sure. "Value" is subjective when it comes to luxury goods, and getting the turquoise bracelet is worth it if you really want it.

That said, I would ask yourself why you want the turquoise bracelet. If you really want it because you love the turquoise and will wear that bracelet often with your outfits, go for it. However, if there are other reasons that may include "it's hard to get", "bragging rights", "I collect bracelets and am missing this stone"... for me, those are not good reasons to buy the turquoise. You really need to love it and be able to wear it. Turquoise is gorgeous to look at, but not often easy to match with outfits. I see it more as a summer stone, not for fall/winter (that's just me).

A few other comments...
You mentioned you are also considering the Clover and the RG MOP (10 or 20).
For me, I would prioritize the RG MOP 20 motif as top priority!!! I love love love a 20!
To me, a 20 is iconic VCA, and it just pops when you wear it. You cannot miss that necklace. I have 5 motif bracelets, and for me, bracelets are icing on the cake; it's not the cake! The 20 is the cake! That's just me.

On MOP...
I love love love MOP, it glows, and wow... a MOP in RG would be stunning. I have a WG MOP 20 as you know. The MOP VCA uses for their WG has a silver overtone MOP. The MOP VCA uses for their YG has a rose overtone, and of the two, WG vs YG, I think the YG MOP is the bomb! It's a gorgeous combination. That said, I can imagine your RG MOP, and wow wow wow... it would be magnificent. You can wear it casual or dressy. To me, the turquoise bracelet is more a casual look. It's also just a bracelet, not a 20! Again, this is my opinion.

On Clover...
If you love bracelets, I think the Clover is stunning over a turquoise or the oynx pave. For a bracelet, the Clover would be my first choice.

In the end, I would suggest taking the price out of these pieces and think what pieces you really love and will wear the most. Buy the piece you love the most first. If it's the turquoise bracelet, get it. All luxury brand jewelry is expensive is not worth it. Hence, my motto is buy what you love, get the big ticket items first, and I guarantee, your priorities for lesser priced items will change. In terms of collecting jewelry, I would rather have a few pieces I love and wear all the time. It can be your signature look.

Just my two cents. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

So I really love bracelets over everything else. I don’t have any pop colors in bracelets besides my lucky and I need to build out my wG pieces and turquoise wg will work great with my summer looks. The Agate was definitely a substitute for the turquoise to use as a fun color but clearly that’s not going to work. I had the onyx and pave on my list as I have onyx and wg already and was kinda thinking to make a set. I’m going to boutique in few weeks to figure out the necklaces so while I’m there hopefully he has clover for me to try on.

 

[missie1]

You know, I love turquoise as much as anyone, I believe, but I just don't have the desire to pay that much for a used bracelet. I'd want turquoise in perfect new condition, and I guess that's why I only have the perlee turquoise earrings! I plan to wear them with either my solid wg or wg mop Alhambra bracelets in the summer. It is really a shame that high quality turquoise is scarce as so many of us would love to buy it. I do not see wg blue agate as a substitute for turquoise at all. It's just a different summer blue that I'd wear a lot with blue and white!

I have the onyx pave and I'd wear it far more than the turquoise. In fact, I had a holy grail lapis pave in yg and sold it to a friend because I knew I'd rarely wear it and I chose to buy things I'd wear more often, even if they are more common. I also love the Perlee Clover bracelet. You have a great wish list and it is very similar to mine! I look forward to seeing what you decide!

Your right the agate is off the list. The fact that it’s used and not in excellent condition does make one pause. I will try on the clover when I’m at store in few weeks and report back.

 

[BigAkoya]

So I really love bracelets over everything else. I don’t have any pop colors in bracelets besides my lucky and I need to build out my wG pieces and turquoise wg will work great with my summer looks. The Agate was definitely a substitute for the turquoise to use as a fun color but clearly that’s not going to work. I had the onyx and pave on my list as I have onyx and wg already and was kinda thinking to make a set. I’m going to boutique in few weeks to figure out the necklaces so while I’m there hopefully he has clover for me to try on.

Okay... you said all the key words!
Bracelets are your thing. You want a pop of color. You want to wear it for summer.
With those priorities, I would 110% get the turquoise bracelet. It is not at a premium price; it is the going rate. It's like saying "I remember when a Kelly was $5K, and I refuse to pay $12K now." Forget historic prices. The turquoise bracelet will be $20K soon is another way to look at it.

On the oynx pave... I think wearing an oynx pave bracelet together with your all oynx bracelet is a lot of black. For me, that's a heavy look, and I would not consider it a bright pop of color. Black is tough to wear in the summer if you want to keep it light and bright.

On the Clover... if you want a pop of color on your wrist, I don't think you will get that satisfaction with the Clover. The Clover is a gorgeous bangle, but to me, it's more about the design and the metal (there is a lot of metal on a Clover). It is not the iconic VCA "pops of colored clovers" that you get with a 5 motif which is what I sense you are seeking.

So... I vote turquoise bracelet! Strike while the iron is hot! The bracelet is available now.
You will not remember the price a few years from now. However, you will have the bracelet, and every time you wear it and see those pops of turquoise, you will have an ear to ear smile and will be so glad you bought it.

That's my vote! Hope that helps.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Great point. I live in the US, and one time, I tried on a zip necklace. My SA told me he has to be careful with the necklace as it is already sold to a father who purchased it as a gift for his daughter's 16th birthday.
The father was holding a big birthday bash for his daughter. As a party favor, the father ordered VA pendants for each guest.
I'm thinking...what? Just one little pendant? No matching earrings? Cheapy!

Your point is spot on...the display of bling (and wealth) is relative.

EDIT: As a reference point, the Zip necklace was about $760K as I recall. Nice 16th birthday gift!

Gosh . . . where do you go from there?
If the big stuff is handed to you at 16 . . . I think that's a disaster waiting to happen.
There's a lot to be said for earning the money, accomplishing something and choosing how it's spent.

 

[glamourbag]

I think your right that I still will want it but for that price I might as well add few more coins and get original wg clover Perlee. I looked at your stack last night and now I need to try that on.

Ok yes for sure!!!!!!! I totally support that!!!!!!!

 

[Deleted member 626500]

I hate to say it due to the uptick in price but you need to go with what you desire most and that sounds like the turquoise. I fully believe on following what speaks to you most (even if it will take you longer to find the perfect piece) as the reward is so worth it in the long run. The other options may scratch the itch for a while but it won't fully satisfy you. Go for the turquoise. I had it (well I still have it I just lent it to a relative as I never wear it) with yellow gold and its beautiful. Turquoise and Agate aren't the same (despite what people try to tell you).

I think your right that I still will want it but for that price I might as well add few more coins and get original wg clover Perlee. I looked at your stack last night and now I need to try that on.

Having learned the hard-way, I'm a big believer in buying exactly what you want, and not settling for something else.

While the clover is hardly a substitute, it's the same dollar. Even if you buy the perlee clover instead of the turquoise, you're still going to want the turquoise.

The Clover is around. You can buy it now, six months from now and probably a year from now. The turquoise will only become more scarce.

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, the bitterness of buying a poor substitute will remain long after the price is forgotten.

 

[glamourbag]

Having learned the hard-way, I'm a big believer in buying exactly what you want, and not settling for something else.

While the clover is hardly a substitute, it's the same dollar. Even if you buy the perlee clover instead of the turquoise, you're still going to want the turquoise.

The Clover is around. You can buy it now, six months from now and probably a year from now. The turquoise will only become more scarce.

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, the bitterness of buying a poor substitute will remain long after the price is forgotten.

Yes @Happyish very true. It’s what I live by as well.
If turq is your ultimate then @missie1 focus there, but if you wanted to venture into the original clover then I totally think this would look beautiful too because I love the rg sweet clover you have and I think it would pair beautifully with the wg original. As you might recall I purposely tried that combo in store and loved it.
@Happyish I wouldn’t say it’s the same price as there is about an 8.5k difference between the two but I suppose it’s in the general vacinity…

 

[missie1]

Having learned the hard-way, I'm a big believer in buying exactly what you want, and not settling for something else.

While the clover is hardly a substitute, it's the same dollar. Even if you buy the perlee clover instead of the turquoise, you're still going to want the turquoise.

The Clover is around. You can buy it now, six months from now and probably a year from now. The turquoise will only become more scarce.

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, the bitterness of buying a poor substitute will remain long after the price is forgotten.

I totally agree about the turquoise. It’s the piece that I need. I will try on clover and plan that for next year if I like it.

 

[missie1]

Yes @Happyish very true. It’s what I live by as well.
If turq is your ultimate then @missie1 focus there, but if you wanted to venture into the original clover then I totally think this would look beautiful too because I love the rg sweet clover you have and I think it would pair beautifully with the wg original. As you might recall I purposely tried that combo in store and loved it.
@Happyish I wouldn’t say it’s the same price as there is about an 8.5k difference between the two but I suppose it’s in the general vacinity…

So now the plan of action is to get the turquoise this year. I so loved that combo on you and I definitely want to try it on. I’m thinking next year is already planned out lol

 

[eternallove4bag]

Ok guru’s I need help. I’m trying to plan my purchases for this year. No impulse buys are allowed as I also have sizable e-ring upgrade project in the works. I desperately want a turquoise wg 5 motif if I can find one …. know that it’s a premium or should I get onyx and pave instead at this price point. If I did get the onyx and pave I could still so blue agate wg bracelet but will it satisfy my desire for the turquoise. In addition I need to SO RG mop necklace still don’t know if it’s 10 or 20 motif.

One thing I have learnt over time is that if I want something, I want it. Period! No substitutes will do no matter how much I try to convince myself so now I have given up trying to talk myself out of something I truly love and want and for you I feel that is turquoise so my vote to get what ur heart truly desires!