VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

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Ladies, do you have any tips for selecting blue agate based on pictures? My lovely SA sent over this photo and a video but I can't make it to the store until next week. I'm looking for a nice bright shade of blue (something that pops) that isn't too dark, but the last time I selected a stone based on photos, it didn't quite turn out as I expected :doh:

sv17A9H.jpg
 
I need some guidance on what you guys think my next purchase should be.
Current collection:
Bracelets--rose gold sweet alhambra 6 motif bracelet, onyx alhambra 5 motif bracelet, white MOP 5 motif bracelet, blue agate 5 motif bracelet and vendome sevres porcelain/pave bracelet
Necklaces--grey MOP rose gold vintage pendant, hammered rose gold vintage pendant, chalcedony vintage pendant, rhodonite holiday pendant, vendome sevres porcelain pendant and 16 motif chalcedony/white MOP/grey MOP sautoir

Things I love/wishlist:
5 motif frivole gold bracelet, 5 motif chalcedony bracelet, 3 motif magic alhambra earrings in YG white MOP, grey MOP and onyx (I also like the other color scheme too, to match my necklace), the pink and diamond butterfly BTF ring, frivole gold BTF ring, pink sapphire frivole pendant (and maybe the earrings too?)

Im going to see my SA on Saturday, she has the 5 motif frivole bracelet and said the other items could be ordered. What pieces do you think would be the next best additions to my collection? I have no earrings from them, and the only nice ring I have is a RG Juste un Clou diamond ring from Cartier.

*this VCA addiction is getting expensive! LOL*
 
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Ladies, do you have any tips for selecting blue agate based on pictures? My lovely SA sent over this photo and a video but I can't make it to the store until next week. I'm looking for a nice bright shade of blue (something that pops) that isn't too dark, but the last time I selected a stone based on photos, it didn't quite turn out as I expected :doh:

sv17A9H.jpg
I would start by asking for more photos- on a white background, near a window, on the wrist etc. Should give you a better idea of the actual colors.
The green suede fabric is messing up the colors imo
 
Did anyone notice a change in quality specifically for the vintage Alhambra pendants?

I had a carnelian vintage Alhambra that I purchased in 2019 that I wore daily for 3 years. Sadly, I misplaced the necklace, so I ordered a replacement carnelian vintage Alhambra recently from the VCA site. When I opened the package, I immediately noticed that the weight of the necklace is significantly lighter than my original necklace (& also noticed a thinner pendant).There were also very noticeable air gaps.

I went to the VCA store yesterday, and directly asked the SA on if the necklace weight changed. He said, "I think so" and said it's most likely the gold :sad:.

Does anyone have a 2019 carnelian vintage Alhambra pendant they can weigh at home? I'd love to compare the weight of the one I received recently to the older models (if that's a fair comparison).

Thank you in advance!
My carnelian pendant purchased Sept ‘20 weighs 4grams. The motif is thinner and not as substantial as the motifs on my carnelian bracelet purchased 5-6 yrs ago.
 
I’m here in Waikiki and went to visit the VCA boutique earlier today. Met with a lovely SA that I‘ve been chatting with for the past couple of weeks prior to arriving here. The boutique only has a few Alhambra pieces (onyx and gold pendant), quite a few Perlees and high jewelry. I saw a Sweet Alhambra bracelet, the motifs are teeny—so cute. I think I can do earrings of that size. The regular Vintage Alhambra motif is not as big in person as I thought it would be. Funny how I‘ve visualized them as being bigger after seeing them online.

So here’s the thing…they don’t have anything that I was interested in. I knew it was a long shot. I was hoping for a hammered YG or RG 5 motif vintage Alhambra bracelet to start or at least a pendant. Well, the lovely SA showed me a 5 motif gray MOP in YG that someone has special order but now changed her mind once it came in. The SA offered it to me. She said gray MOP can only be custom ordered. Is that the case? She’s holding it for me. I’m not so sure as the lighting in the boutique was rather awful. I couldn’t really tell the color of the piece and appreciate the beauty of the bracelet. Why does a jewelry store have such lousy lighting is beyond me. I took a few pics. I think my iPhone seemed to better capture the color of the gray than what I could see with my own eyes. What do you think? Is gray MOP something really special and why is it so much more expensive that the regular MOP or a plain gold VA bracelet? It’s retail for over $5.3K. Is there a premium when one special orders something from VCA?

DH just got me an anniversary present yesterday so I’m trying to be responsible. Hehe.

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You can go outside and look at it under regular light--accompanied by a SA of course--and a mirror. Don't hesitate to ask. They'll be happy to accommodate you and that way you can get a better idea of color.
 
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Ladies, do you have any tips for selecting blue agate based on pictures? My lovely SA sent over this photo and a video but I can't make it to the store until next week. I'm looking for a nice bright shade of blue (something that pops) that isn't too dark, but the last time I selected a stone based on photos, it didn't quite turn out as I expected :doh:

sv17A9H.jpg

Have you been working with your SA long? If so, they should have a good feel with what works with your coloring and style. You may also ask them to send a picture of the piece on a colleague, their assistant, even another willing customer — I have done this. Ask for different lights/angles, indoor/outdoor
 
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I need some guidance on what you guys think my next purchase should be.
Current collection:
Bracelets--rose gold sweet alhambra 6 motif bracelet, onyx alhambra 5 motif bracelet, white MOP 5 motif bracelet, blue agate 5 motif bracelet and vendome sevres porcelain/pave bracelet
Necklaces--grey MOP rose gold vintage pendant, hammered rose gold vintage pendant, chalcedony vintage pendant, rhodonite holiday pendant, vendome sevres porcelain pendant and 16 motif chalcedony/white MOP/grey MOP sautoir

Things I love/wishlist:
5 motif frivole gold bracelet, 5 motif chalcedony bracelet, 3 motif magic alhambra earrings in YG white MOP, grey MOP and onyx (I also like the other color scheme too, to match my necklace), the pink and diamond butterfly BTF ring, frivole gold BTF ring, pink sapphire frivole pendant (and maybe the earrings too?)

Im going to see my SA on Saturday, she has the 5 motif frivole bracelet and said the other items could be ordered. What pieces do you think would be the next best additions to my collection? I have no earrings from them, and the only nice ring I have is a RG Juste un Clou diamond ring from Cartier.

*this VCA addiction is getting expensive! LOL*
You already have an amazing collection of bracelets and pendants so my vote to add either the butterfly BTF ring or the Frivole BTF ring.
 
I need some guidance on what you guys think my next purchase should be.
Current collection:
Bracelets--rose gold sweet alhambra 6 motif bracelet, onyx alhambra 5 motif bracelet, white MOP 5 motif bracelet, blue agate 5 motif bracelet and vendome sevres porcelain/pave bracelet
Necklaces--grey MOP rose gold vintage pendant, hammered rose gold vintage pendant, chalcedony vintage pendant, rhodonite holiday pendant, vendome sevres porcelain pendant and 16 motif chalcedony/white MOP/grey MOP sautoir

Things I love/wishlist:
5 motif frivole gold bracelet, 5 motif chalcedony bracelet, 3 motif magic alhambra earrings in YG white MOP, grey MOP and onyx (I also like the other color scheme too, to match my necklace), the pink and diamond butterfly BTF ring, frivole gold BTF ring, pink sapphire frivole pendant (and maybe the earrings too?)

Im going to see my SA on Saturday, she has the 5 motif frivole bracelet and said the other items could be ordered. What pieces do you think would be the next best additions to my collection? I have no earrings from them, and the only nice ring I have is a RG Juste un Clou diamond ring from Cartier.

*this VCA addiction is getting expensive! LOL*
I would go for earrings or rings in a non Alhambra style. This is the year of the earrings for me and I am trying to build up my options. I have the pave frivoles earrings and they are such a wonderful piece. I wear them on their own without any Alhambra. I feel like everyone needs a pair!
 
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