VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[EpiFanatic]

That's also another reason why I'm very on the fence - I've seen bracelets with different shade motifs (would drive me crazy) and this one is pretty much perfectly matched, which I love. I love the colour everywhere, except when it's on my wrist under most normal lighting. From a distance it looks very dark, and maybe this particular shade just doesn't suit my skintone. I have a couple of days to think it over, as the next time I'll be able to go in store is Sunday. Right now I feel it's such a pity to return it, as it's a beautiful shade, but at the same time if I don't love it, I most probably won't wear it much, which would be a waste.

Yeah, I don't think you can force it. It's too much money to look at it and wish it was more this or that. Like @BigAkoya and @Happyish said, maybe it's not for you. It's the nature of carnelian. It's translucent. Better off not forcing it.

 

[EpiFanatic]

I love this red on you!! It's beautiful and very striking from a distance, and the white gold is perfect too! Is yours more opaque or translucent?

totally translucent, just like yours

 

[EpiFanatic]

Blue agate is next on my list It's currently OOS but my SA knows I'm looking for one (as bright blue as possible). I actually purchased a few BA bracelets from the online boutique last year but they were all too dark for my liking, so I won't be purchasing coloured stones online anymore as it's too much of a lucky dip.

I seem to love carnelian on everyone else except me! Red is one of my favourite colours so I'm very, very puzzled...

Blue agate is translucent too. I guess you know that right?

 

[BigAkoya]

Yes I remember your orangey red advice a few weeks ago and I'd stopped looking for the super rich, deep burgundy that I thought I wanted. This particular shade of carnelian, I love everywhere - in photos, videos, in store... until it's on my wrist at home under indoor lighting. It looks great in the bathroom where the light is much brighter and whiter, but under yellowish indoor lighting, it's probably not quite what I had in mind.

You absolutely hit the nail on the head with "having to put your wrist under a light/lamp to make it pop" - under strong lighting, I love it, and I also love the colour when it's held up to the light. Under normal lighting though, I don't feel as drawn to it as guilloche/MOP. I also purchased a coco crush ring yesterday and in comparison, this hasn't given the same "yay!!" feeling but I thought it might grow on me.

With orangey reds, I don't seem to like them quite so much on the tray as my eye is automatically drawn towards the rich reds (like this one) but on my arm, the rich reds just appear a little too dark. Everyone I've shown photos to so far loves the shade but I don't feel it suits me for some reason. I'm still very much on the fence as if I were to return this, I don't know if/when I'll find another one I like.

And slightly off topic, I don't suppose you have any photos of your ruby ring before you sold it? I love rubies too and would love to see photos!

Maybe try a blue agate. That color will certainly pop. For me, carnelian has too much brown in it, and since I like bright red with a drop of yellow, carnelian is not a stone I would choose for a red.

I love colored gemstones (e.g. emeralds, rubies, sapphires....).
However, keep in mind, primary colors for stones do not exist in nature. You will never get a true red. For carnelian, it's either red with a drop of brown (e.g. blue) or red with a drop of orange (e.g. yellow). For emeralds, it's never a pure green. It's green with a drop of blue, or green with a drop of yellow. You just have to pick your poison on what secondary hue you want.

On ruby... I could go on for hours on the ruby. Ruby is my third favorite gemstone (after pearl and emerald). I have ruby pieces (all Burma ruby), and a perfect red is hard to find.

Without going off topic too much (I tend to do that, so I'm smacking myself now and limiting how many characters I have left to type about rubies before I put myself in time out )...
If you are looking at rubies, I would suggest looking at Burma rubies and Mozambique rubies. You will clearly see a difference in the two. Burma rubies are the reference for rubies, and they are highly coveted. They tend to be darker and many are red with a drop of purple (e.g. blue). Mozambique rubies are a brighter red, and you will some that are red with a drop of orange (e.g. yellow). If you like the pure stoplight red color, I think you will like Mozambique. I'm not sure how picky you are with colored gemstones, but purist will only buy Burma rubies. If country of origin does not matter to you, I think Mozambique rubies can be very beautiful. Also, Burma rubies are currently banned in the US due to the political environment in Burma, so just FYI. It's not impossible to buy Burmese rubies, but they are rare.

Okay... back on topic about you...

Personally, if I were you and also seeing the bracelet in your photos, I would move on to another stone (e.g. blue agate).
You can't keep putting your wrist under a lamp to make that stone pop! And you can't keep using a cleaning cloth thinking it will brighten up! I've been there, and to put it bluntly, it just means you want the stone to be something it is not.
I personally feel you are forcing yourself to love this stone, and even with so many other ladies who love the dark brownish red (me excluded), you are still not loving it. It really needs to be love at first sight. I say give it up and move on.

If you do not like blue agate (I personally think it's the best colored stone VCA has out now)...
How about a VCA piece in another category? Do you really need another bracelet?
How about a necklace? Earrings? Ring? You have a beautiful MOP bracelet. You could get a necklace or earrings?
Or how about Frivole? I love love love Frivole! Talk about a collection that pops!

On blue agate... I'll do a little enabling here...
Blue agate will pop on your skin as it is a contrast color. The carnelian, with its tint of brown, blends better with human skin, hence it is more soothing and flowing to the eye if that makes sense. Colors like blue and green are a complete contrast to skin, hence they pop. Blue agate will do that... it will pop on you. You can't miss it on your wrist. Maybe ask your SA to bring in a blue agate piece and see if you like it.

Anyway, just some food for thought... Good luck to you. I am sure you will find something you love, and when you stare at it, it will be perfect!

 

[tenshix]

Blue agate is next on my list It's currently OOS but my SA knows I'm looking for one (as bright blue as possible). I actually purchased a few BA bracelets from the online boutique last year but they were all too dark for my liking, so I won't be purchasing coloured stones online anymore as it's too much of a lucky dip.

I seem to love carnelian on everyone else except me! Red is one of my favourite colours so I'm very, very puzzled...

If I may add my 2 cents about blue agate, I’m sure you know this already since you purchased a few but since it’s a translucent stone it also has that color-change quality like on carnelians too. Under daylight or strong lighting mine will really pop at its lightest shade an azure blue on fair skin tones. With regular indoor lighting it looks more cobalt blue and in dim lighting it appears more navy. I actually really love that the color changes based on lighting.

Previously I wasn’t too interested since I thought BA would be too much of a pop of color on my fair Asian skin tone (I prefer neutrals) and I was worried it wouldn’t be as wearable, but once I tried it on it was an instant love and the color-change actually makes it very wearable for me. Blue is my OG favorite color and I’m glad I gave BA a real try. Colored stones are one of those things you should decide on while you’re wearing it under different lighting since the color can translate differently on the display/tray vs on the skin. If you’re wanting a colored stone that stays a constant shade on your skin no matter the lighting I’m afraid the translucent ones might not be what you’re looking for.

Here’s some range of the shades of mine under different lighting; hope it helps anyone who’s trying to decide if this kind of stone with color changing appearance is desirable:

 

[BigAkoya]

If I may add my 2 cents about blue agate, I’m sure you know this already since you purchased a few but since it’s a translucent stone it also has that color-change quality like on carnelians too. Under daylight or strong lighting mine will really pop at its lightest shade an azure blue on fair skin tones. With regular indoor lighting it looks more cobalt blue and in dim lighting it appears more navy. I actually really love that the color changes based on lighting.

Previously I wasn’t too interested since I thought BA would be too much of a pop of color on my fair Asian skin tone (I prefer neutrals) and I was worried it wouldn’t be as wearable, but once I tried it on it was an instant love and the color-change actually makes it very wearable for me. Blue is my OG favorite color and I’m glad I gave BA a real try. Colored stones are one of those things you should decide on while you’re wearing it under different lighting since the color can translate differently on the display/tray vs on the skin. If you’re wanting a colored stone that stays a constant shade on your skin no matter the lighting I’m afraid the translucent ones might not be what you’re looking for.

Here’s some range of the shades of mine under different lighting; hope it helps anyone who’s trying to decide if this kind of stone with color changing appearance is desirable:

View attachment 5330261

Your blue agate is beautiful! It goes great with the MOP! Perfect!

 

[tenshix]

Your blue agate is beautiful! It goes great with the MOP! Perfect!

Thanks so much BigA!! I was in huge trouble when I tried her on, totally hooked my heart and reeled me in, I had to take her home

 

[doloresmia]

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 know how you feel! Personally never coveted carnelian because Wouldn’t be nice on my olive skin …. Then my sweet husband bought me a 10 motif for Xmas and it is on the brown side…. and I believe it looks marvelous on me…..

To me It looks beautiful on you…. And the posters are right if you don’t love how it looks on you - exchange for something you will love!

 

[Storm Spirit]

I think Carnelian is a very difficult stone as it's a changeling. I had the 20-motif Alhambra--it was a gorgeous fire engine red, but unless worn on a pristine white shirt it took on a brownish cast. I wanted to love it but didn't and I rarely wore it.
I know you want to love this, but you don't. If you don't love it now, you're not going to love it anymore later. In fact, you may well not only dislike it, but be aggravated to boot knowing you had the chance to return it but didn't.
I say move-on. There's always something else from VCA to buy--perhaps in-store right now or if not, right around the corner. It's better to buy something you love rather than something you want to love, something you're talking yourself into, something that doesn't meet your expectations, or something you love based on an image in your mind based on promotional photos, that isn't a match in real life.

"There's always something else from VCA to buy" - truer words have never been spoken I will ask to see a few more shades of carnelian if available, and seriously consider moving to the next items on my wishlist for now. I thought carnelian would be pretty easy to purchase as it's almost always available and red is one of my favourite colours, but the reality is very different!

You're absolutely right! I do find myself thinking "I'd love it more if the colour was..." but it's not. So unfortunately, I will have to part with it

 

[Storm Spirit]

Blue agate is translucent too. I guess you know that right?

Yes I'm totally okay with that as long as the blue isn't too dark (almost lapis like)!

 

[Storm Spirit]

If I may add my 2 cents about blue agate, I’m sure you know this already since you purchased a few but since it’s a translucent stone it also has that color-change quality like on carnelians too. Under daylight or strong lighting mine will really pop at its lightest shade an azure blue on fair skin tones. With regular indoor lighting it looks more cobalt blue and in dim lighting it appears more navy. I actually really love that the color changes based on lighting.

Previously I wasn’t too interested since I thought BA would be too much of a pop of color on my fair Asian skin tone (I prefer neutrals) and I was worried it wouldn’t be as wearable, but once I tried it on it was an instant love and the color-change actually makes it very wearable for me. Blue is my OG favorite color and I’m glad I gave BA a real try. Colored stones are one of those things you should decide on while you’re wearing it under different lighting since the color can translate differently on the display/tray vs on the skin. If you’re wanting a colored stone that stays a constant shade on your skin no matter the lighting I’m afraid the translucent ones might not be what you’re looking for.

Here’s some range of the shades of mine under different lighting; hope it helps anyone who’s trying to decide if this kind of stone with color changing appearance is desirable:

View attachment 5330261

I love your BA! It's such a beautiful shade of blue and looks especially gorgeous with the MOP! I think I definitely need to find a medium or light shade of blue, so it won't be too dark indoors.

 

[Storm Spirit]

Maybe try a blue agate. That color will certainly pop. For me, carnelian has too much brown in it, and since I like bright red with a drop of yellow, carnelian is not a stone I would choose for a red.

I love colored gemstones (e.g. emeralds, rubies, sapphires....).
However, keep in mind, primary colors for stones do not exist in nature. You will never get a true red. For carnelian, it's either red with a drop of brown (e.g. blue) or red with a drop of orange (e.g. yellow). For emeralds, it's never a pure green. It's green with a drop of blue, or green with a drop of yellow. You just have to pick your poison on what secondary hue you want.

On ruby... I could go on for hours on the ruby. Ruby is my third favorite gemstone (after pearl and emerald). I have ruby pieces (all Burma ruby), and a perfect red is hard to find.

Without going off topic too much (I tend to do that, so I'm smacking myself now and limiting how many characters I have left to type about rubies before I put myself in time out )...
If you are looking at rubies, I would suggest looking at Burma rubies and Mozambique rubies. You will clearly see a difference in the two. Burma rubies are the reference for rubies, and they are highly coveted. They tend to be darker and many are red with a drop of purple (e.g. blue). Mozambique rubies are a brighter red, and you will some that are red with a drop of orange (e.g. yellow). If you like the pure stoplight red color, I think you will like Mozambique. I'm not sure how picky you are with colored gemstones, but purist will only buy Burma rubies. If country of origin does not matter to you, I think Mozambique rubies can be very beautiful. Also, Burma rubies are currently banned in the US due to the political environment in Burma, so just FYI. It's not impossible to buy Burmese rubies, but they are rare.

Okay... back on topic about you...

Personally, if I were you and also seeing the bracelet in your photos, I would move on to another stone (e.g. blue agate).
You can't keep putting your wrist under a lamp to make that stone pop! And you can't keep using a cleaning cloth thinking it will brighten up! I've been there, and to put it bluntly, it just means you want the stone to be something it is not.
I personally feel you are forcing yourself to love this stone, and even with so many other ladies who love the dark brownish red (me excluded), you are still not loving it. It really needs to be love at first sight. I say give it up and move on.

If you do not like blue agate (I personally think it's the best colored stone VCA has out now)...
How about a VCA piece in another category? Do you really need another bracelet?
How about a necklace? Earrings? Ring? You have a beautiful MOP bracelet. You could get a necklace or earrings?
Or how about Frivole? I love love love Frivole! Talk about a collection that pops!

On blue agate... I'll do a little enabling here...
Blue agate will pop on your skin as it is a contrast color. The carnelian, with its tint of brown, blends better with human skin, hence it is more soothing and flowing to the eye if that makes sense. Colors like blue and green are a complete contrast to skin, hence they pop. Blue agate will do that... it will pop on you. You can't miss it on your wrist. Maybe ask your SA to bring in a blue agate piece and see if you like it.

Anyway, just some food for thought... Good luck to you. I am sure you will find something you love, and when you stare at it, it will be perfect!

Honestly I just love reading your detailed replies - to me, you're a fountain of gemstone knowledge and I always learn something new or have an "aha!" moment. I would like a large cabochon pink sapphire or ruby ring one day, but I'm not looking for one just yet, haha! From your description, I think I would prefer the brighter Mozambique ruby so I will keep that in mind!

I'll try asking for a very orange carnelian (maybe like the one on the right in the photo below) and see if that's any better - I haven't given up on carnelian just yet After carnelian and BA bracelets, I was going to get either a 20 motif MOP or carnelian necklace, but I might have to cross off the carnelian as apparently most 20s are brownish, and try for a 20 motif BA instead. There are a couple of earrings I've been eyeing up (sweet turquoise butterfly or clover) but I'm undecided as they're only available in white gold. I haven't actually looked at the Frivole collection too much so I'll go check it out now!

So far everyone seems to love my carnelian, except for you, me and one of my sisters ("it's nice... but very dark" she said ). I now realise that I have been forcing myself to love this shade, so it will be going back. It's a bummer but if I keep it, I don't think I would reach for it often - it looks great when laid out in front of me but that's not the purpose of a bracelet

 

[hopiko]

Honestly I just love reading your detailed replies - to me, you're a fountain of gemstone knowledge and I always learn something new or have an "aha!" moment. I would like a large cabochon pink sapphire or ruby ring one day, but I'm not looking for one just yet, haha! From your description, I think I would prefer the brighter Mozambique ruby so I will keep that in mind!

I'll try asking for a very orange carnelian (maybe like the one on the right in the photo below) and see if that's any better - I haven't given up on carnelian just yet After carnelian and BA bracelets, I was going to get either a 20 motif MOP or carnelian necklace, but I might have to cross off the carnelian as apparently most 20s are brownish, and try for a 20 motif BA instead. There are a couple of earrings I've been eyeing up (sweet turquoise butterfly or clover) but I'm undecided as they're only available in white gold. I haven't actually looked at the Frivole collection too much so I'll go check it out now!

So far everyone seems to love my carnelian, except for you, me and one of my sisters ("it's nice... but very dark" she said ). I now realise that I have been forcing myself to love this shade, so it will be going back. It's a bummer but if I keep it, I don't think I would reach for it often - it looks great when laid out in front of me but that's not the purpose of a bracelet

I agree with the other's above and @BigAkoya's advice....if you want the Pop red, you have to buy a stone that looks orangey/yellow. I had the same experience when shopping for a Magic Pendant a few years ago. The boutique had 4 or 5 and I immediate dismissed the orange one and put on the one's that I like the color while in the tray. Once on, they were too dark and I didn't like them. For kicks, I tried on the orangey one and it was the shade I was seeking when worn.....boy, was I surprised. Here is a picture (unedited) of it on and believe me, if you saw it off, you would immediately pass as I had. It really pops (even against this maroon top!) when worn and often draws random comments.

Good Luck!!

 

[Storm Spirit]

I agree with the other's above and @BigAkoya's advice....if you want the Pop red, you have to buy a stone that looks orangey/yellow. I had the same experience when shopping for a Magic Pendant a few years ago. The boutique had 4 or 5 and I immediate dismissed the orange one and put on the one's that I like the color while in the tray. Once on, they were too dark and I didn't like them. For kicks, I tried on the orangey one and it was the shade I was seeking when worn.....boy, was I surprised. Here is a picture (unedited) of it on and believe me, if you saw it off, you would immediately pass as I had. It really pops (even against this maroon top!) when worn and often draws random comments.

Good Luck!!

View attachment 5331148

This looks so stunning on you and is exactly what I'm looking for!! Could you take a photo of it off? Under indoor lighting and against a white background, if possible.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I agree with the other's above and @BigAkoya's advice....if you want the Pop red, you have to buy a stone that looks orangey/yellow. I had the same experience when shopping for a Magic Pendant a few years ago. The boutique had 4 or 5 and I immediate dismissed the orange one and put on the one's that I like the color while in the tray. Once on, they were too dark and I didn't like them. For kicks, I tried on the orangey one and it was the shade I was seeking when worn.....boy, was I surprised. Here is a picture (unedited) of it on and believe me, if you saw it off, you would immediately pass as I had. It really pops (even against this maroon top!) when worn and often draws random comments.

Good Luck!!

View attachment 5331148

Stunning!