VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[BigAkoya]

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

I have the WG pave Frivole BTF ring and earrings. I love the WG with diamonds and the metal takes a back seat, and all you see are the sparkling diamonds. I think the pink sapphire is nice, but it's a very different vibe. To me, the WG pave is more elegant while the pink sapphire is more girly, more casual. It depends on the look you want to project. For me, it's WG pave Frivole hands down as I want it to be all about the diamonds and bling. It's all preference.

I would also buy what you love and how it matches your personal fashion look. I would not buy something because it's hard to get; don't buy anything the hype. It would be a waste of money to buy something and then not wear it because it's not really your fashion look or the vibe you want to project.

On the 20... for Alhambra, that is my favorite piece! I have the WG MOP 20, and I love it. I am certain you will love your 20!

 

[880]

It's so hard because I think chalcedony really is the most beautiful stone, but I find it does not suit me at all.

yes!

I bought less but better

+1000

It is DH’s thing and it is beautiful

DH loves to be in the decision to pick jewelry. But, not a total surprise. It’s usually a group decision (SA, DH, and me)

have fun rehoming or whatever decision that makes you happy

 

[tenshix]

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!!

Thank you for this update!! I’ve been refreshing the H site every month waiting for restocks and going to pick up Gris Etoupe and Rouge H too. I love these polishes a lot, the fat flat brush is excellent, they dry fast, and the colors are so unique.

For a more low key mannequin nail look I really love Rose Baltique on my fair Asian skin tone personally even though it’s a bit see through, 3 coats does a nice job evening it all out and the nude cool pink is so chic. It looks better in person than in photographs IMO.

 

[BigAkoya]

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!!!!

I think chalcedony is a mellow and dreamy stone. A 20 motif chalcedony is like staring at tranquil floating clouds. Each chalcedony stone is different, just like each cloud is unique. So lovely!

If you already have chalcedony and love it, I would definitely build a set. You might get a shot at SOing the chalcedony/pave 3-motif earrings, but what about the existing 3-motif earrings? I love these. I think the GMOP adds a pop to the mellow MOP and chalcedony.
Magic Alhambra earrings, 3 motifs White gold, Chalcedony, Mother-of-pearl - Van Cleef & Arpels (vancleefarpels.com)

I have been thinking of getting the WG 16 motif (same stone combination), so FYI here in case you might be interested:
Magic Alhambra long necklace, 16 motifs White gold, Chalcedony, Mother-of-pearl - Van Cleef & Arpels (vancleefarpels.com)
I have a WG MOP set, so I was going to layer it with this 16 motif for days I want to pile it on.

On alternating chalcedony and pave, I personally think chalcedony looks best NOT alternating. The stone is so mellow and soothing, the diamonds take away from that look. It would be similar MOP alternating which I don't think looks good either. To me, alternating looks best with a bold stone such as malachite, lapis, or oynx. For a mellow or neutral stone, I like to highlight the beauty of that stone with all the same stone. That's just me though.

I would definitely build out sets, so I would definitely get more chalcedony. I dress super stuffy at work, but I dress super super casual outside of work (think striped tees and shorts in the summer). I think a jewelry set adds polish to any outfit.
Speaking of bracelet, I have two WG MOP bracelets. I originally only purchased one as part of my WG MOP set, but the single bracelet didn't quite pack a punch for me. I still only wanted the "all MOP" look, so I purchased a second WG MOP bracelet. I love the look. It's bolder, yet it's still clean, all with the same stones. That might be an idea as you build out your chalcedony set.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your next piece!

 

[kelsenia]

I think chalcedony is a mellow and dreamy stone. A 20 motif chalcedony is like staring at tranquil floating clouds. Each chalcedony stone is different, just like each cloud is unique. So lovely!

If you already have chalcedony and love it, I would definitely build a set. You might get a shot at SOing the chalcedony/pave 3-motif earrings, but what about the existing 3-motif earrings? I love these. I think the GMOP adds a pop to the mellow MOP and chalcedony.
Magic Alhambra earrings, 3 motifs White gold, Chalcedony, Mother-of-pearl - Van Cleef & Arpels (vancleefarpels.com)

I have been thinking of getting the WG 16 motif (same stone combination), so FYI here in case you might be interested:

I have a WG MOP set, so I was going to layer it with this 16 motif for days I want to pile it on.

On alternating chalcedony and pave, I personally think chalcedony looks best NOT alternating. The stone is so mellow and soothing, the diamonds take away from that look. It would be similar MOP alternating which I don't think looks good either. To me, alternating looks best with a bold stone such as malachite, lapis, or oynx. For a mellow or neutral stone, I like to highlight the beauty of that stone with all the same stone. That's just me though.

I would definitely build out sets, so I would definitely get more chalcedony. I dress super stuffy at work, but I dress super super casual outside of work (think striped tees and shorts in the summer). I think a jewelry set adds polish to any outfit.
Speaking of bracelet, I have two WG MOP bracelets. I originally only purchased one as part of my WG MOP set, but the single bracelet didn't quite pack a punch for me. I still only wanted the "all MOP" look, so I purchased a second WG MOP bracelet. I love the look. It's bolder, yet it's still clean, all with the same stones. That might be an idea as you build out your chalcedony set.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your next piece!

I got the 16-motif magic chalcedony/MOP necklace last summer, it is stunning. I haven’t worn it much just due to lack of opportunity, but I love it. My SA said I could SO the chalcedony/pave earrings and/or bracelet. I do wonder earrings-wise if the MOP/chalcedony combo is more interesting though than a pave 3 motif, and it wouldn’t come with the SO price hike.
Building out sets is probably the way to go... I have just been buying what I like without really considering them in sets form.
But long term you are definitely right.

Thank you

 

[BigAkoya]

@kelsenia
I keep talking about “sets” so I think I should post a photo. To me, there is such beauty in a VCA set with all the same stones. I also posted photos of me wearing one MOP bracelet and then two MOP bracelets so you can get an idea. I love the “two-same-bracelet” look.

Apologies for annoying folks who have seen these photos before, but I can’t find the posts to link to, hence I’m posting them again.

 

[BigAkoya]

I got the 16-motif magic chalcedony/MOP necklace last summer, it is stunning. I haven’t worn it much just due to lack of opportunity, but I love it. My SA said I could SO the chalcedony/pave earrings and/or bracelet. I do wonder earrings-wise if the MOP/chalcedony combo is more interesting though than a pave 3 motif, and it wouldn’t come with the SO price hike.
Building out sets is probably the way to go... I have just been buying what I like without really considering them in sets form.
But long term you are definitely right.

Thank you

If you have the 16 motif, get the earrings! It would make a fabulous set, especially since you like to wear big earrings.

A comment on why I have not yet purchased the 16 motif...
I tried it on once thinking I would buy it. I didn't, as I felt there was too much air space between the motifs, and it did not have enough presence. I still love that 16 motif which is why I am now planning to wear it with my 20 MOP to give it more punch. I would wear simple VA MOP earrings. I have wimpy ear lobes and my ear piercing is very low, so big earrings do not work for me.

However, since big earrings work for you, I think the 3 motif earrings is exactly what the 16 motif needs to give it more punch. The eye will see these big motifs around the face, and then the eye will slowly move down the torso to look at the 16. It's not the same with VA earrings as they are so small, there is no punch around my face or neck (e.g. no 20). The eye sees mostly chain, too much chain for me. That's why I wanted to layer it with a 20.

I would definitely get the regular stock 3 motif earrings. I think you need the GMOP in the 3 motif to make it pops. The GMOP is the anchor that highlights that gorgeous chalcedony. Think of it as wearing chalcedony against a black top... it's so beautiful... mellow, but pops.

 

[kelsenia]

If you have the 16 motif, get the earrings! It would make a fabulous set, especially since you like to wear big earrings.

A comment on why I have not yet purchased the 16 motif...
I tried it on once thinking I would buy it. I didn't, as I felt there was too much air space between the motifs, and it did not have enough presence. I still love that 16 motif which is why I am now planning to wear it with my 20 MOP to give it more punch. I would wear simple VA MOP earrings. I have wimpy ear lobes and my ear piercing is very low, so big earrings do not work for me.

However, since big earrings work for you, I think the 3 motif earrings is exactly what the 16 motif needs to give it more punch. The eye will see these big motifs around the face, and then the eye will slowly move down the torso to look at the 16. It's not the same with VA earrings as they are so small, there is no punch around my face or neck (e.g. no 20). The eye sees mostly chain, too much chain for me. That's why I wanted to layer it with a 20.

I would definitely get the regular stock 3 motif earrings. I think you need the GMOP in the 3 motif to make it pops. The GMOP is the anchor that highlights that gorgeous chalcedony. Think of it as wearing chalcedony against a black top... it's so beautiful... mellow, but pops.

In regards to the 16-motif, I personally like it best double wrapped or triple wrapped (like a choker, i wore it with a strapless dress and liked it like that—see photo), but it all depends on your look and what you’re wearing it with.
I think if you combined the 16 with the 20 it would definitely add more dimension. Another cute option is the uneven double wrap, where half of the necklace is more like a choker and the other is about the length of a 20. You could also add the 20 in that combination too.

I dont think I would wear the 3 motif earrings with this necklace, it is a lot going on if the necklace is double or triple wrapped. I would more likely wear them with my chalcedony pendant or no necklace at all. If i had a WG bracelet I would wear that too. I have some pretty tanzanite studs that could be nice with it, however.

I also love the YG onyx/wmop/gmop earrings too, but haven’t ever had the opportunity to either 3-motif magic color combos on.

excuse the odd black top situation, I adjusted my tshirt in a way that more complemented the necklace and to mimic a strapless dress.

 

[kelsenia]

@kelsenia
I keep talking about “sets” so I think I should post a photo. To me, there is such beauty in a VCA set with all the same stones. I also posted photos of me wearing one MOP bracelet and then two MOP bracelets so you can get an idea. I love the “two-same-bracelet” look.

Apologies for annoying folks who have seen these photos before, but I can’t find the posts to link to, hence I’m posting them again.

View attachment 5364507
View attachment 5364512
View attachment 5364513

LOVE the lotus rings with the MOP bracelets! So beautiful.

 

[lynne_ross]

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?)

It really depends on how you want to wear the piece and with what. I find the pink sapphire one more girly and casual. I bought my pave frivole earrings in yg when only yg and wg were available. I mostly use for work or more formal/dressed occasions on the weekend. I would buy the yg ones again today as they are perfect for what I need. Now I want a more casual earring pave set so I am looking at butterfly pave earrings. I would ignore ‘rarity’ and buy what works for you.

 

[TankerToad]

Looks like VCA has butterflies and spring its mind

 

[jenaps]

Anyone hear about a new frivole release?

 

[missie1]

L

It really depends on how you want to wear the piece and with what. I find the pink sapphire one more girly and casual. I bought my pave frivole earrings in yg when only yg and wg were available. I mostly use for work or more formal/dressed occasions on the weekend. I would buy the yg ones again today as they are perfect for what I need. Now I want a more casual earring pave set so I am looking at butterfly pave earrings. I would ignore ‘rarity’ and buy what works for you.

 

[caffelatte]

Anyone hear about a new frivole release?

No, do you know what it might be?

 

[lolakitten]

No, do you know what it might be?

I heard mini frivole in yellow gold + emerald or Rose gold + Ruby.
It’s all 2nd and 3rd hand information however, so take that for what it’s worth