VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[Fabfashion]

Good to see you here on the VCA forum. I remember how much we’d interact years ago on the H forum. Like @DS2006 said the RG VCA has is quite pink, like Rolex’s RG, not subtle like Cartier’s, and especially not subtle in the hammered gold. Get the YG-Vintage size. I have small-earlobes (which seem to be getting bigger as I’m getting older, lol) and the sweets look too small. The Vintage is a good-standard size for everyday wear. Good luck and boy-oh-boy welcome to another slippery slope

Hi @marbella8, so good to see you! I haven’t visited H forum in a long time. Nothing new on the H front as I’ve been working from home since March 2020 so there’s barely any need to carry a purse or get dressed up. (I missed it though!) Our office is reopening next month so I may find that I need to refresh my H collection at that point. Hehe.

There seems to be a consensus here on the vintage sized earrings. I’m hoping the boutique will have that in stock when I’m in Hawaii next week. I can’t wait to try on these lovely work of art. It’s our anniversary later this month so I’m hoping I may luck out with something shiny. We now have a VCA boutique in Toronto as well but it’s about an hour away from me. I’m hoping to check that one out when I get back after my vacation. This could become another slippery slope indeed.

DH is trying to steer me into getting another watch instead of jewelry. I mentioned to him around Christmas that I’d like a day to day watch with a larger dial for my aging eyes so he’s been trying to get me to call our Rolex boutique. His rationale was that he thinks watches have better ROI. I mentioned to him that VCA has the best retention value of all the jewelry brands based on what I recently read. I think he knew that he lost that argument. Lol.

 

[marbella8]

Hi @marbella8, so good to see you! I haven’t visited H forum in a long time. Nothing new on the H front as I’ve been working from home since March 2020 so there’s barely any need to carry a purse or get dressed up. (I missed it though!) Our office is reopening next month so I may find that I need to refresh my H collection at that point. Hehe.

There seems to be a consensus here on the vintage sized earrings. I’m hoping the boutique will have that in stock when I’m in Hawaii next week. I can’t wait to try on these lovely work of art. It’s our anniversary later this month so I’m hoping I may luck out with something shiny. We now have a VCA boutique in Toronto as well but it’s about an hour away from me. I’m hoping to check that one out when I get back after my vacation. This could become another slippery slope indeed.

DH is trying to steer me into getting another watch instead of jewelry. I mentioned to him around Christmas that I’d like a day to day watch with a larger dial for my aging eyes so he’s been trying to get me to call our Rolex boutique. His rationale was that he thinks watches have better ROI. I mentioned to him that VCA has the best retention value of all the jewelry brands based on what I recently read. I think he knew that he lost that argument. Lol.

Right now, watches have been crazy. Men’s watches usually retain value better than women’s, but again right now is unprecedented that even women’s watches are selling way-above retail for some watches.
I love watches, but must say I love VCA too. A bit of variety is always great. As for H, I must say, I don’t carry most of my bags because of COVID and frankly my office is in LA and it’s gotten dangerous to carry or wear designer anything.
Happy Anniversary. I’m excited to see what you’ll get. Good luck going back into the office and enjoy your vacation.

 

[Fabfashion]

Yes, the one flower will flip unless you wear it tight. The five flower will also… I tried that one on, and you really can’t see all the beautiful flowers. Plus, the big bunch of flowers rotates to the bottom due to the weight.

Inventory is low, so it’s best to ask the SA to bring in pieces for you to try on.

As for Frivole, it is my favorite collection, and I love the WG pieces. I would definitely suggest asking the SA to bring in some pieces so you can try them on.

I am sure you will have a lot of fun!

That’s what I suspected. I couldn’t figure out how the flower will stay on top all the time. It would drive me crazy if I have to adjust it whenever it flops to the bottom and I definitely don’t like wearing my bracelet tight. Oh well, it looks so pretty in the pics on a stationary wrist. Lol. I’ll ask the lovely SA I spoke with to see if she can bring in the Frivole earrings and pendant along with the Alhambra. If that doesn’t work out I’ll check out the Toronto boutique when I get back. Thanks again for your input!

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi @marbella8, so good to see you! I haven’t visited H forum in a long time. Nothing new on the H front as I’ve been working from home since March 2020 so there’s barely any need to carry a purse or get dressed up. (I missed it though!) Our office is reopening next month so I may find that I need to refresh my H collection at that point. Hehe.

There seems to be a consensus here on the vintage sized earrings. I’m hoping the boutique will have that in stock when I’m in Hawaii next week. I can’t wait to try on these lovely work of art. It’s our anniversary later this month so I’m hoping I may luck out with something shiny. We now have a VCA boutique in Toronto as well but it’s about an hour away from me. I’m hoping to check that one out when I get back after my vacation. This could become another slippery slope indeed.

DH is trying to steer me into getting another watch instead of jewelry. I mentioned to him around Christmas that I’d like a day to day watch with a larger dial for my aging eyes so he’s been trying to get me to call our Rolex boutique. His rationale was that he thinks watches have better ROI. I mentioned to him that VCA has the best retention value of all the jewelry brands based on what I recently read. I think he knew that he lost that argument. Lol.

I am with hubby here. I vote a nice Rolex, unless you already have a Rolex. I’m a big Rolex fan and like men’s sizes, 40mm.

For me, if I could only have one… I’d rather have a Rolex first, then VCA.

I vote watch!

 

[Fabfashion]

Right now, watches have been crazy. Men’s watches usually retain value better than women’s, but again right now is unprecedented that even women’s watches are selling way-above retail for some watches.
I love watches, but must say I love VCA too. A bit of variety is always great. As for H, I must say, I don’t carry most of my bags because of COVID and frankly my office is in LA and it’s gotten dangerous to carry or wear designer anything.
Happy Anniversary. I’m excited to see what you’ll get. Good luck going back into the office and enjoy your vacation.

I didn’t realize how crazy the watches market has been until I stopped by a Rolex boutique last August and there was 1 watch in the entire store. Crazy, eh? My local SA said she doesn’t even do a waiting list anymore. They barely get any watches in each month and they get the most in the country.

 

[Fabfashion]

I am with hubby here. I vote a nice Rolex, unless you already have a Rolex. I’m a big Rolex fan and like men’s sizes, 40mm.

For me, if I could only have one… I’d rather have a Rolex first, then VCA.

I vote watch!

I have a couple of Rolex already but one is super small size 24 that they no longer make and I can’t see the time on it. Lol. It was my first and I’m hoping one of my girls will be able to wear it when they’re (much) older. Another is a dressier one in 32 but I really want a plain one—40 would be great! I also looked at the Explorer which comes in a 36 or a GMT. I plan to visit both the Rolex and VCA boutiques and hopefully, one will have some good stock on hand. I remembered when jewelry and watch boutiques not too long ago would have just about every models in every size and combination. This feels like Hermes where they never have a Birkin!

 

[BigAkoya]

I have a couple of Rolex already but one is super small size 24 that they no longer make and I can’t see the time on it. Lol. It was my first and I’m hoping one of my girls will be able to wear it when they’re (much) older. Another is a dressier one in 32 but I really want a plain one—40 would be great! I also looked at the Explorer which comes in a 36 or a GMT. I plan to visit both the Rolex and VCA boutiques and hopefully, one will have some good stock on hand. I remembered when jewelry and watch boutiques not too long ago would have just about every models in every size and combination. This feels like Hermes where they never have a Birkin!

As your current Rolexes are small, for sure I would get a Rolex over VCA. I used to wear the classic 26mms then moved up the 31mm, then 36mm, now a 40mm is the size I love.
If you are considering a GMT or Explorer, I would also look at a Daytona, which is the watch I wear. I love Daytonas, and they look great on women. Clean yet bold, and I love chronographs. As you know, Daytonas are in hot demand, so you will need to wait.
I am so excited for you! I love watch shopping.

I think you will rock in a 40mm! VCA is nice, but to me, there is nothing like a big chunky Rolex.

You can wear it everyday, and talking about what’s trending… Rolex is trending for sure, even though it’s a classic for the ages.

Good luck deciding!

 

[WingNut]

As your current Rolexes are small, for sure I would get a Rolex over VCA. I used to wear the classic 26mms then moved up the 31mm, then 36mm, now a 40mm is the size I love.
If you are considering a GMT or Explorer, I would also look at a Daytona, which is the watch I wear. I love Daytonas, and they look great on women. Clean yet bold, and I love chronographs. As you know, Daytonas are in hot demand, so you will need to wait.
I am so excited for you! I love watch shopping.

I think you will rock in a 40mm! VCA is nice, but to me, there is nothing like a big chunky Rolex.

You can wear it everyday, and talking about what’s trending… Rolex is trending for sure, even though it’s a classic for the ages.

Good luck deciding!

I wholeheartedly 2nd all of this!

 

[BigAkoya]

I wholeheartedly 2nd all of this!
View attachment 5343143

The Panda dial!
I love love love the Panda dial. I have the stainless version with the white dial (the "white metal only" Force is strong in me), but if I ever go two-tone again, I am going get the panda dial! It is my favorite dial.

My husband loves two-tone (he poo pooed my super cute idea to get matching Daytona stainless versions), so I got my husband a two-tone Daytona. I suggested the panda dial, but nope... he only wanted the classic black dial.

Love your Daytona and love love love your Panda dial!

 

[BigAkoya]

I wholeheartedly 2nd all of this!
View attachment 5343143

Ooh ooh ooh.. let's team up on @Fabfashion and enable her to go to the Rolex side...

@Fabfashion since you also like WG/platinum, here is my stainless version to help enable you.
I love a jumbo watch on a lady. Makes my wrist look so tiny.

I hope this was somewhat helpful.

 

[Kbuzzbuzz]

Has anyone heard about this pop-up boutique at Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California?

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Do you have any news of this is a pop up boutique or just an installation? The other pop ups for vca look like tiny little stores but I’m unsure about how trying on and purchasing would go. The time slots are for 20m

 

[Sonijj]

If you want classic, the YG MOP is a classic, but it is also very subtle.
If you want something bright, I would go for blue agate since you seem to imply you did not like carnelian.

Me... I love the carnelian. That would be my first pick on your wrist. The orange at the boutique will turn into a sunset red when you take it home and wear it in normal lighting. I think the carnelian pops on your wrist... you cannot miss it. It is the first thing my eyes goes to... love it. Try it... close your eyes, then open them. The eye goes right to the carnelian.
Sunset red goes with everything, it pops. Blue agate is tougher to match as it's more a summery fun look (e.g. I cannot see me wearing blue agate with dark winter clothes). Carnelian to me is year round... summer or winter...timeless. I would skip the all gold; I think you have enough gold metal on your wrist. I would also skip tiger's eye... it's a bit mellow to me on your wrist. You need a stone that pops.

Just my two cents. Good luck!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate this! I originally wanted carnelian too as the red looks so regal online. I didn’t know the stone could get darker with time, thank you…perhaps it’s best to go with carnelian over black. Stay tuned!

 

[DS2006]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate this! I originally wanted carnelian too as the red looks so regal online. I didn’t know the stone could get darker with time, thank you…perhaps it’s best to go with carnelian over black. Stay tuned!

I believe she is talking about lighting, not that carnelian actually darkens. There are different shades of red carnelian. Some lean orange, some lean brown, and some are a deeper red. I cannot wear any reds that lean orange or brown at all. I'd rather have true red or a burgundy red, personally. So much depends on one's coloring and preferences. You might have to see several to determine which looks best on you, and that may mean taking one home and seeing it in other lighting before deciding.

 

[Sonijj]

I would say for stones, mother of pearl is the most classic, followed by onyx. If you feel the Tigers Eye blends in too much, I would try the blue agate when you have the chance, that’s the most durable colorful stone since you don’t care for carnelian.

Thank you! Carnelian will change in lights so I’m thinking maybe that route vs onyx but definitely a good decision problem to have

 

[nicole0612]

Does anyone have enabling photos of a 10 or 20 motif necklace in Tigers Eye being worn? (Can be photos from the internet). I am feeling so tempted to ask for one with pretty yellow tones as they become harder to find. I have thought about this for years now, and each time a friend talks me out of it due to the color/stone not being as popular or “desirable”, but I think I should just accept that I love unique items that not everyone loves! Thanks