VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[Deleted member 626500]

Thanks so much @BigAkoya, @lynne_ross, @Safa and @Happyish for your insights and opinions…sorry it took me a while to reply.
I was able to go into the store and try on the pave butterfly earrings, lapis butterfly ring, frivole pink sapphire pendant and earrings, frivole pave ring, frivole 5 motif bracelet, frivole mini bracelet, 5 motif pave wg Alhambra bracelet…we had a lot of fun, haha! I ended up getting the pink sapphire frivole set, 5 motif frivole bracelet, rose gold mini frivole bracelet, and am going to wait on the butterflies.

She isn’t even sure if they can make the butterfly BTF rings in my size, she is going to check with Paris and get back to me. If they can do it i may consider getting both the lapis and pink sapphire (if lapis is avail).

The butterfly earrings were very pretty but I liked the ring more, and I would probably wear the ring more. Considering they’re the same price I think I would rather get just the ring of both the lapis and pink sapphire. I saw the turquoise ring too which was pretty, but I prefer the deep color of the lapis (and I think it would go nicely with my sevres porcelain collection!).

@Safa I totally see what you’re saying when it comes to the pink sapphire in frivole form being so much brighter than the pink butterfly. I actually really liked it because I think it dressed down the frivole look and gave it a pop of color (and pink and purple are my favorite colors, so). But I can see how it isn’t as classic. I dress super casually (aka lululemon 24/7) and for me I also don’t want to be too flashy.

And omg I did not realize how beautiful, shiny and sparkly the frivole pave ring is in person! For some reason that ring above all others I saw was so sparkly. Beautiful, but not high up on my wishlist for now.

Excuse my horrendous nail polish situation! Also had to take a pic of the beautiful butterfly pin on display.

Congratulations! I do like the butterfly earrings on you. When I first saw them, I wasn't impressed, but when I tried them I thought they were beautiful and feminine. What I liked in particular was that they were not another flower but paired nicely w VCA's flowers. You may want to revisit them at some point. They're very Lululemon friendly.

 

[BigAkoya]

Aww thank you
Still deliberating the mini or small lapis RdN earrings to order

I have been looking at them too and looking at mod-shots. I think Mini. My opinion now is the small may take away from the beauty of the pendant and “cheapen” the overall beauty of the look, hence I vote mini. You still get that punch, but the star is the pendant and not both. The small with the pendant might look like “three big flowers on the face” (ala Dynasty-era) and not quite so elegant. That’s just me of course, and it’s all preference. All lapis gorgeous to me!

I do think the RdN earrings would be perfect for the pendant vs. butterfly earrings.
Good luck on your decision!

 

[TankerToad]

I have been looking at them too and looking at mod-shots. I think Mini. My opinion now is the small may take away from the beauty of the pendant and “cheapen” the overall beauty of the look, hence I vote mini. You still get that punch, but the star is the pendant and not both. The small with the pendant might look like “three big flowers on the face” (ala Dynasty-era) and not quite so elegant. That’s just me of course, and it’s all preference. All lapis gorgeous to me!

I do think the RdN earrings would be perfect for the pendant vs. butterfly earrings.
Good luck on your decision!

This is exactly what I was thinking
The retro vibe of really big flowers on my ears isn’t really the look I’m going for
I’m going to order the mini
Thanks for the confirmation !!

 

[TankerToad]

This is the mini with the mini pendant
My pendant is the medium but I think the balance will be right

 

[BigAkoya]

This is the mini with the mini pendant
My pendant is the medium but I think the balance will be right

Yes! I actually like your medium pendant with the mini better for RdN. The change in size gives it character, like a custom floral set you see in high jewelry.

Can’t wait to see your new piece. You are my lapis hero, and they are so gorgeous on you!

 

[DS2006]

This is exactly what I was thinking
The retro vibe of really big flowers on my ears isn’t really the look I’m going for
I’m going to order the mini
Thanks for the confirmation !!

Very glad you chose the mini! The mini RdN earrings are actually quite large for earrings and are perfect to go with the medium pendant!

 

[TankerToad]

And a quick note
Recently here there was a fun discussion about mannequin hands.
Hermes makes an Etoupe nail polish which has been back ordered forever.
It’s finally in and I’m picking up a bottle next week.
Will report back on color thoughts.
And to keep to topic:
Thank you for all the Lapis RdN earring advice - much appreciated!!

 

[BigAkoya]

And a quick note
Recently here there was a fun discussion about mannequin hands.
Hermes makes an Etoupe nail polish which has been back ordered forever.
It’s finally in and I’m picking up a bottle next week.
Will report back on color thoughts.
And to keep to topic:
Thank you for all the Lapis RdN earring advice - much appreciated!!

I would love to hear your thoughts! I am a huge fan of mannequin hands, but I still have yet to find the perfect shade. For me, Chanel Organdi is the closest of the name brands, but it’s still a bit too pink for me and for my perfect mannequin hand look. I would love your thoughts on Gris Etoupe. I thought it looked a bit on the dark side in photos which is not like real life (have not seen in real life). However, it’s a greige (gray beige) which I think looks super nice against colorful jewelry and bold rings.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! And if we could be so lucky, perhaps a modshot of Gris Etoupe with that fabulous lapis butterfly ring.

UPDATE: BTW, I am doing Dior Nail Glow now. I like it; it’s a super clean look. I feel like those young SAs at the boutiques in France who have those super clean and well manicured hands (how do they do it)?! Just gloss, with just a touch of pink glow. Maybe check it out while you are getting your nail polish.

 

[mikimoto007]

I would love to hear your thoughts! I am a huge fan of mannequin hands, but I still have yet to find the perfect shade. For me, Chanel Organdi is the closest of the name brands, but it’s still a bit too pink for me and for my perfect mannequin hand look. I would love your thoughts on Gris Etoupe. I thought it looked a bit on the dark side in photos which is not like real life (have not seen in real life). However, it’s a greige (gray beige) which I think looks super nice against colorful jewelry and bold rings.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! And if we could be so lucky, perhaps a modshot of Gris Etoupe with that fabulous lapis butterfly ring.

I hated mannequin hands, until I got powder posse by smith and cult. The Gris etoupe looks slightly green,no?

 

[snnysmm]

If you had a chance to purse the pave Frivole pendant in either pave with pink sapphire or without (YG, RG or WG), which one would it be and why?

(I have heard the pink sapphire pendant is hard to find, but is it actually a rare piece or is it hard to find because of worldwide inventory issues?)

 

[nicole0612]

If you had a chance to purse the pave Frivole pendant in either pave with pink sapphire or without (YG, RG or WG), which one would it be and why?

(I have heard the pink sapphire pendant is hard to find, but is it actually a rare piece or is it hard to find because of worldwide inventory issues?)

There have been more of the pink sapphire released recently. It is rare, but what isn’t these days? Buy the one you love most and the one you see yourself getting a lot of use out of 5+ years down the road as well.

 

[kelsenia]

Congratulations on your new pieces! I love the Frivole collection.
The lapis butterfly ring looks stunning on you! I vote to get that piece next.
Maybe next time, also ask to try on the yellow sapphire butterfly BTF ring. I think the yellow sapphire will go great with your YG Frivole pieces. Plus, looking at your photos, I think the yellow sapphire will pop on you. The pale pink sapphire BTF ring will be more of a mellow look, so it's all preference. But try on the yellow sapphire to be sure.

Congratulations again! Gorgeous pieces!

@kelsenia
Have you seen @TankerToad 's lapis collection? It is to die for, and she also has the sevres porcelain as you do for a match.
She has the lapis butterfly ring, and it is so gorgeous on her. She also just purchased the Rose de Noel...
Here is her post: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/van-cleef-in-action.900366/post-35077908

@TankerToad I forgot to mention... on your butterfly ring, I see butterfly rings mainly worn on the middle finger and not on the ring finger. I love how you wear it on your ring finger, and I think it makes the butterflies pop more, especially the butterfly between the ring finger and pinkie. It's gorgeous on you!

I originally was unsure of the lapis butterfly ring when I first saw it in photos. I felt like the lapis/turquoise/MOP all looked a bit balloon-y/bubbled out, but I didn’t feel that way in person. I love blue, my eyes are blue and it is just a simply stunning stone. I don’t know if it will be a possibility to get, especially after your Hellebore ring was cancelled and mine would need to be MTO due to sizing.
I haven‘t seen either of the yellow or pink sapphire butterflies in person, I lean more towards the pink because it is my favorite color but I definitely want to try on the yellow.

@BigAkoya on another note, how do you feel about chalcedony? I recently saw an Instagram where someone had SO’d the chalcedony bracelet with diamond pave. STUNNING. Could be beautiful with SO’d 3-motif chalcedony pave earrings or the 3 motif chalcedony/MOP earrings. I have the VA pendant and love it so much.

Ugh @TankerToad your lapis/porcelain collection is stunning! I turned down the sevres earrings last summer and am currently regretting that haha..maybe I can get them this summer in Europe To complete my pendant and bracelet collection. Are they heavy?
Lapis is truly a stunning color on you!!!!

 

[snnysmm]

I THINK I like the pave piece better, but I wanted to see if anyone liked the pink sapphire piece better.

I think my next piece is the 20 motif, BUT I really like the pave Frivole (and would like to add a pave piece in the future), so I wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on one piece over the other lol

 

[kelsenia]

If you had a chance to purse the pave Frivole pendant in either pave with pink sapphire or without (YG, RG or WG), which one would it be and why?

(I have heard the pink sapphire pendant is hard to find, but is it actually a rare piece or is it hard to find because of worldwide inventory issues?)

There have been more of the pink sapphire released recently. It is rare, but what isn’t these days? Buy the one you love most and the one you see yourself getting a lot of use out of 5+ years down the road as well.

I just purchased the pink sapphire frivole pendant and earrings last week, my SA ordered them and received them a few days later from other boutiques. She did say she expects them to eventually stop making this collection and that in her opinion they have been harder to come by recently. I don’t believe they make as many of them as the pave pieces.
I personally preferred the pink sapphire because I think it gave it a pop of color and made it potentially more easy to dress-down (better for my style) than the regular pave. I am also a massive fan of RG. My pieces are currently sent out for lengthening/post changing but when i get them back i can send you some photos.
I have also tried on the WG pave and it definitely looked more formal than the other golds.
I would say try them all on if possible, if you have a good SA they should be able to get you at least something in each gold to try on to see what suits you best.

 

[kelsenia]

Congratulations! I do like the butterfly earrings on you. When I first saw them, I wasn't impressed, but when I tried them I thought they were beautiful and feminine. What I liked in particular was that they were not another flower but paired nicely w VCA's flowers. You may want to revisit them at some point. They're very Lululemon friendly.

I liked them too but I liked the ring better, and felt like I should get the pink sapphire frivole set rather than just the pendant. I will have to try them again…especially if my SA has lapis/yellow/pink options available…I don’t think full pave is for me. Beautiful but less easy to dress down. See attached for a bad photo of the frivole earnings. They did not fit right and needed to be adjusted, but they are stunning.