VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[Deleted member 626500]

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!

I agree with everything you've said.

If I can add my two cents . . .

While budget is always an issue (and it doesn't matter how much money you have), if you don't love it, it's a wasteful purchase, and even if you can resell something, it will probably be at a loss.

Years ago I stopped buying on sale. I found I had closet-full of bargains, none of which hit the spot. Had I bought the one thing I really wanted, I would have saved money in the long-run and have been far more satisfied.

My mantra: Less is more.

 

[missie1]

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!

Yes I truly agree. The Turquoise is definitely perfect piece for me

 

[lynne_ross]

Yes I truly agree. The Turquoise is definitely perfect piece for me

I think the TQ will really pop on you. If that is what you want go for it.
I am glad I am not a big fan of TQ cause the prices make my eyes spin. But as others pointed out, not much different than the pave pieces.
I actually think the clover in wg would look amazing with your diamond tennis bracelet and to me that stack would pop more than a coloured piece. Would go with any clothing piece in the summer too. But that is just me.

 

[missie1]

I think the TQ will really pop on you. If that is what you want go for it.
I am glad I am not a big fan of TQ cause the prices make my eyes spin. But as others pointed out, not much different than the pave pieces.
I actually think the clover in wg would look amazing with your diamond tennis bracelet and to me that stack would pop more than a coloured piece. Would go with any clothing piece in the summer too. But that is just me.

So my new plan of action is to actually get them both. The turquoise I absolutely love love and need pop of color for my wg. I keep seeing @glamourbag stack with the two clovers and it’s really growing on me. I need to try the large clover on and if I like it with my existing pieces then I will plan to get next year.

 

[missie1]

I agree with everything you've said.

If I can add my two cents . . .

While budget is always an issue (and it doesn't matter how much money you have), if you don't love it, it's a wasteful purchase, and even if you can resell something, it will probably be at a loss.

Years ago I stopped buying on sale. I found I had closet-full of bargains, none of which hit the spot. Had I bought the one thing I really wanted, I would have saved money in the long-run and have been far more satisfied.

My mantra: Less is more.

This is so true. You definitely end up double spending because you settled. I am definitely trying to avoid that with my jewelry purchases.

 

[lynne_ross]

So my new plan of action is to actually get them both. The turquoise I absolutely love love and need pop of color for my wg. I keep seeing @glamourbag stack with the two clovers and it’s really growing on me. I need to try the large clover on and if I like it with my existing pieces then I will plan to get next year.

Sounds like best plan. Her pictures are Tempting me too as I go back and forth on clover vs serpenti in wg. I am more leaning towards clover since I think it has more longevity for me but pushed this decision to next year.

 

[Storm Spirit]

Ladies, I think I have a bit of a dilemma and could really use some help! So yesterday, hubby & I went in store to pick up the carnelian bracelet my SA found. I had a good look at it in store under various lighting and it looked great! Hubby says it's the nicest shade of red he's seen, and he has seen many more bracelets than I have on his various trips. It's a very rich, vibrant shade of red while being translucent which I really like - I prefer translucent, glowy stones over opaque ones that don't let much light through (sort of reminds me of bricks for lack of a better description ).

Here comes the "but"... I took it home and it looked darker than it was in store, but this was quite late at night, so I looked at it again this morning. Here's the bracelet laid out on the travel pouch:

Here you can see how much the colour differs between when it's on the travel pouch and when there's nothing blocking the light:

This is what it looks like on my wrist:

It's a bit darker than I would have liked and doesn't really look "red" enough. I don't know if my expectations for carnelian were unrealistic, or if I have chosen the wrong shade because on paper, this is the nicest I've seen - the colour is very saturated and vibrant, the motifs are consistent and it's very translucent (apparently it's difficult to find carnelian that's both saturated, vibrant and translucent as most are more opaque), but on my arm, it's not very red. Does it just not suit me? Or maybe the translucency doesn't work with my skin undertone?

I'm very puzzled as I liked how it looked in store, and spent a long time looking at it under different lighting - bright lights, in a dark corner, etc - but I don't know... with my MOP and guilloche bracelets, it was an instant . I'm not really getting that same feeling with this when I'm looking at it at home on my wrist, and I can't figure out why. My SA is super super nice and said if I'm not sure, just message her and bring it back, but I feel like such a pain in the ass and I also don't like returning things unless faulty.

I think in an ideal world, I'd like the carnelian on my wrist to look more like the bright red in the second photo, but is that even possible? Should I maybe look for a more opaque shade? Ahhh

 

[Notorious Pink]

Ladies, I think I have a bit of a dilemma and could really use some help! So yesterday, hubby & I went in store to pick up the carnelian bracelet my SA found. I had a good look at it in store under various lighting and it looked great! Hubby says it's the nicest shade of red he's seen, and he has seen many more bracelets than I have on his various trips. It's a very rich, vibrant shade of red while being translucent which I really like - I prefer translucent, glowy stones over opaque ones that don't let much light through (sort of reminds me of bricks for lack of a better description ).

Here comes the "but"... I took it home and it looked darker than it was in store, but this was quite late at night, so I looked at it again this morning. Here's the bracelet laid out on the travel pouch:

Here you can see how much the colour differs between when it's on the travel pouch and when there's nothing blocking the light:

This is what it looks like on my wrist:

It's a bit darker than I would have liked and doesn't really look "red" enough. I don't know if my expectations for carnelian were unrealistic, or if I have chosen the wrong shade because on paper, this is the nicest I've seen - the colour is very saturated and vibrant, the motifs are consistent and it's very translucent (apparently it's difficult to find carnelian that's both saturated, vibrant and translucent as most are more opaque), but on my arm, it's not very red. Does it just not suit me? Or maybe the translucency doesn't work with my skin undertone?

I'm very puzzled as I liked how it looked in store, and spent a long time looking at it under different lighting - bright lights, in a dark corner, etc - but I don't know... with my MOP and guilloche bracelets, it was an instant . I'm not really getting that same feeling with this when I'm looking at it at home on my wrist, and I can't figure out why. My SA is super super nice and said if I'm not sure, just message her and bring it back, but I feel like such a pain in the ass and I also don't like returning things unless faulty.

I think in an ideal world, I'd like the carnelian on my wrist to look more like the bright red in the second photo, but is that even possible? Should I maybe look for a more opaque shade? Ahhh

Just in my opinion, this bracelet looks perfect on you, and I’m Sorry that you dont love it. due to the translucency it’s not going to look the same on your wrist. I have never seen a carnelian that looks like that color when worn (except in Photos which are probably edited )and I must say, I am absolutely in love with your bracelet, to me that color is perfection.

 

[luckylove]

Ladies, I think I have a bit of a dilemma and could really use some help! So yesterday, hubby & I went in store to pick up the carnelian bracelet my SA found. I had a good look at it in store under various lighting and it looked great! Hubby says it's the nicest shade of red he's seen, and he has seen many more bracelets than I have on his various trips. It's a very rich, vibrant shade of red while being translucent which I really like - I prefer translucent, glowy stones over opaque ones that don't let much light through (sort of reminds me of bricks for lack of a better description ).

Here comes the "but"... I took it home and it looked darker than it was in store, but this was quite late at night, so I looked at it again this morning. Here's the bracelet laid out on the travel pouch:

Here you can see how much the colour differs between when it's on the travel pouch and when there's nothing blocking the light:

This is what it looks like on my wrist:

It's a bit darker than I would have liked and doesn't really look "red" enough. I don't know if my expectations for carnelian were unrealistic, or if I have chosen the wrong shade because on paper, this is the nicest I've seen - the colour is very saturated and vibrant, the motifs are consistent and it's very translucent (apparently it's difficult to find carnelian that's both saturated, vibrant and translucent as most are more opaque), but on my arm, it's not very red. Does it just not suit me? Or maybe the translucency doesn't work with my skin undertone?

I'm very puzzled as I liked how it looked in store, and spent a long time looking at it under different lighting - bright lights, in a dark corner, etc - but I don't know... with my MOP and guilloche bracelets, it was an instant . I'm not really getting that same feeling with this when I'm looking at it at home on my wrist, and I can't figure out why. My SA is super super nice and said if I'm not sure, just message her and bring it back, but I feel like such a pain in the ass and I also don't like returning things unless faulty.

I think in an ideal world, I'd like the carnelian on my wrist to look more like the bright red in the second photo, but is that even possible? Should I maybe look for a more opaque shade? Ahhh

Hi! I I have your quest for the perfect carnelian with interest as I am also very picky about this particular stone. Honestly, I think it is absolutely stunning on you! This one is by far my favorite. I do hope you will keep it. I think it's perfect on you. Look at it in different lighting, go outside with it on, look at it under various lighting and you just may fall in love.... It looks gorgeous against your skin!!

 

[Storm Spirit]

Just in my opinion, this bracelet looks perfect on you, and I’m Sorry that you dont love it. due to the translucency it’s not going to look the same on your wrist. I have never seen a carnelian that looks like that color when worn (except in Photos which are probably edited )and I must say, I am absolutely in love with your bracelet, to me that color is perfection.

Thank you Notorious Pink! I do feel more reassured as maybe the videos and photos I've seen don't show the "true" colour and as a result I've had an unrealistic expectation for the colour.

This is one of the videos I saw with a shade I really liked, but I wonder if it's because of the lighting?

 

[Storm Spirit]

Hi! I I have your quest for the perfect carnelian with interest as I am also very picky about this particular stone. Honestly, I think it is absolutely stunning on you! This one is by far my favorite. I do hope you will keep it. I think it's perfect on you. Look at it in different lighting, go outside with it on, look at it under various lighting and you just may fall in love.... It looks gorgeous against your skin!!

Thank you luckylove!! I will definitely look at it under lots of different lighting over the next few days. It's also my favourite shade so far and goes really well with the yellow gold. Maybe I just need to get used to seeing a darker shade on my wrist, lol!

 

[BigAkoya]

Ladies, I think I have a bit of a dilemma and could really use some help! So yesterday, hubby & I went in store to pick up the carnelian bracelet my SA found. I had a good look at it in store under various lighting and it looked great! Hubby says it's the nicest shade of red he's seen, and he has seen many more bracelets than I have on his various trips. It's a very rich, vibrant shade of red while being translucent which I really like - I prefer translucent, glowy stones over opaque ones that don't let much light through (sort of reminds me of bricks for lack of a better description ).

Here comes the "but"... I took it home and it looked darker than it was in store, but this was quite late at night, so I looked at it again this morning. Here's the bracelet laid out on the travel pouch:

Here you can see how much the colour differs between when it's on the travel pouch and when there's nothing blocking the light:

This is what it looks like on my wrist:

It's a bit darker than I would have liked and doesn't really look "red" enough. I don't know if my expectations for carnelian were unrealistic, or if I have chosen the wrong shade because on paper, this is the nicest I've seen - the colour is very saturated and vibrant, the motifs are consistent and it's very translucent (apparently it's difficult to find carnelian that's both saturated, vibrant and translucent as most are more opaque), but on my arm, it's not very red. Does it just not suit me? Or maybe the translucency doesn't work with my skin undertone?

I'm very puzzled as I liked how it looked in store, and spent a long time looking at it under different lighting - bright lights, in a dark corner, etc - but I don't know... with my MOP and guilloche bracelets, it was an instant . I'm not really getting that same feeling with this when I'm looking at it at home on my wrist, and I can't figure out why. My SA is super super nice and said if I'm not sure, just message her and bring it back, but I feel like such a pain in the ass and I also don't like returning things unless faulty.

I think in an ideal world, I'd like the carnelian on my wrist to look more like the bright red in the second photo, but is that even possible? Should I maybe look for a more opaque shade? Ahhh

Hi! I think I wrote a long post about this, but I'll summarize my thoughts here.

For me, the shade is a bit dark. It's has too much brown in it and worn against your skin increases that dark red brown, which is why you feel it does not pop. When you look at it at night, it will be even darker. That's the nature of deep red carnelian; it will get darker against your skin.

A red stone in perfect light on a light surface will always look darker indoors against skin. The translucency of carnelian increases that effect.

I prefer a more lighter orangey-red which the orange (ie. a drop of yellow) is what makes it pop more, especially a night.
For me, red stones are very dark indoors and at nighttime; hence, I prefer a lighter, orangey shade of red.

I think if you don't love it at first sight, you may want to consider another shade. I've purchase deep red stones before (e.g. Burma ruby), and it looked beautiful during the bright daylight and under bright store lights. Indoors and at night, it had zero pop and receded. I was very disappointed and never loved that ring. I wore the ring because I spent so much money on it, but every time I wore it, I would try to convince myself it's a beautiful stone because it was "so expensive" and not because it was "so bright and glowy." In the end, I got rid of that ring as it gave me an ear to ear frown.

Stone color is 100% personal preference, and don't try and convince yourself based on our opinions.
Think hard if can love this dark shade. At the end of the day, you need to stare at that bracelet and think "wow, it pops and I love it." If you are hesitating on this bracelet, return it.

If you are wiping it clean in the hopes it will get brighter or having to put your wrist under a light/lamp to make it pop... it's a big no for me. I did all that with my ruby, and those are not natural acts. You need to be able to stare at your bracelet while watching TV and think "wow, my bracelet pops, I sure do love it."

If you truly love this dark red, then this is the one and keep. It's all preference and only you can decide.
My number one advice is use our opinion as input, but use your gut feel to make your decision.
My ruby was supposed the perfect shade of pigeon-blood red which is the industry reference for a ruby. The is what heavily influenced me to purchase it. However, I have realized I don't like that dark pigeon-blood red shade; it's too dark for me.

Listen to your gut above all else. There is no right or wrong with colored stones; it is 100% preference.
Just my two cents. Hope this helps.

 

[DeryaHm]

So my new plan of action is to actually get them both. The turquoise I absolutely love love and need pop of color for my wg. I keep seeing @glamourbag stack with the two clovers and it’s really growing on me. I need to try the large clover on and if I like it with my existing pieces then I will plan to get next year.

I actually vote for get them all! The WG onyx pave would look great with a WG clover. I pair a pave 5 motif with a clover and was super gratified in my choice when I saw the amazing picture on another thread of the always fabulous eternallove4bag with the same pairing

 

[BigAkoya]

I actually vote for get them all! The WG onyx pave would look great with a WG clover. I pair a pave 5 motif with a clover and was super gratified in my choice when I saw the amazing picture on another thread of the always fabulous eternallove4bag with the same pairing

I'd love to see your WG 5 motif pave stacked with the WG Clover as I was recently thinking what else to wear with a WG Clover.
My WG Clover is coming soon. It's "on the truck", or I should say "on the plane, coming to America."

I was planning on wearing the WG Clover by itself as I don't like to jingle on my wrist. Hence I never stack bangles. Stacking bracelets are okay as they don't jingle (e.g. when wearing VCA, I do wear two WG MOP 5 motifs which I like that look as it gives it a more presence).

The WG Clover is on the thin side, and it's not quite a bold bangle look. I had been thinking of how to create a bolder look and thought if I should get a second WG Clover. Then I thought.. ugh... the jingle, I can't do it.

I typically don't like to stack bangles with bracelets as the aesthetic seems off to me as it's not quite a coordinated match (I'm a matchy matchy gal).

However, your 5 motif pave and WG Clover together sounds beautiful, and it's all in the same "WG/diamond" matchy theme.
I'd love to see a modshot if you're not shy.

 

[EpiFanatic]

Ladies, I think I have a bit of a dilemma and could really use some help! So yesterday, hubby & I went in store to pick up the carnelian bracelet my SA found. I had a good look at it in store under various lighting and it looked great! Hubby says it's the nicest shade of red he's seen, and he has seen many more bracelets than I have on his various trips. It's a very rich, vibrant shade of red while being translucent which I really like - I prefer translucent, glowy stones over opaque ones that don't let much light through (sort of reminds me of bricks for lack of a better description ).

Here comes the "but"... I took it home and it looked darker than it was in store, but this was quite late at night, so I looked at it again this morning. Here's the bracelet laid out on the travel pouch:

Here you can see how much the colour differs between when it's on the travel pouch and when there's nothing blocking the light:

This is what it looks like on my wrist:

It's a bit darker than I would have liked and doesn't really look "red" enough. I don't know if my expectations for carnelian were unrealistic, or if I have chosen the wrong shade because on paper, this is the nicest I've seen - the colour is very saturated and vibrant, the motifs are consistent and it's very translucent (apparently it's difficult to find carnelian that's both saturated, vibrant and translucent as most are more opaque), but on my arm, it's not very red. Does it just not suit me? Or maybe the translucency doesn't work with my skin undertone?

I'm very puzzled as I liked how it looked in store, and spent a long time looking at it under different lighting - bright lights, in a dark corner, etc - but I don't know... with my MOP and guilloche bracelets, it was an instant . I'm not really getting that same feeling with this when I'm looking at it at home on my wrist, and I can't figure out why. My SA is super super nice and said if I'm not sure, just message her and bring it back, but I feel like such a pain in the ass and I also don't like returning things unless faulty.

I think in an ideal world, I'd like the carnelian on my wrist to look more like the bright red in the second photo, but is that even possible? Should I maybe look for a more opaque shade? Ahhh

I love the shade too. The motifs are beautifully matched and I think it looks beautiful on you. As everyone has said, it looks darker on your skin simply because it's a translucent stone. I love the drama of the opaque red once against skin, but you're the one wearing it and you have to love it. Can you ask them to look for a bracelet with even lighter red? Also, in that video, I think the lighting was directly on the bracelet so that helped make the carnelian look lighter. I think the YTer has skin tone that is very similar to yours so I am guessing in indoor lighting and no special camera lighting, it will look just like yours. Let us know what you decide.