VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[BigAkoya]

Hi ladies! Would love your help since I’m currently having decision paralysis lol I’m deciding on which 5 motif bracelet to add to my collection. I don’t baby my jewelry, even fine jewelry, and I’m ok with eventual wear & tear on a piece. I’d rather have something that I love and goes through life with me rather than something I have to keep in a safe.

I’m between the MOP, BA, onyx, guilloche, and hammered bracelet. I tried on a friend’s MOP and LOVED it but am very worried about MOP in the water (showers, working out, etc). I ordered the guilloche because it’s gorgeous and it’s sturdy as it’s solid gold (I’m ok with small scratches and won’t be stacking it). Don’t love the idea of an onyx bracelet as I already have a onyx pendant so thinking something other than onyx. Love BA but maybe not neutral enough for everyday wear? Hammered seems most practical but I don’t love it for some reason so that’s why I went with guilloche.

Only other jewelry I wear is a YG family heirloom and my platinum ering. Would love your help!!! Am I missing anything here? Would you suggest something other than guilloche?!

If you love the MOP, I would get it. It is a beautiful stone and makes your skin glow.

Guilloche is also nice, but it is a lot of gold shiny metal.

I think both are nice, but for me, I love MOP. It’s beyond beautiful to me with it’s soft glow.

MOP will pop with those motifs. Guilloche will make a gold metal statement. It’s all preference.

I vote MOP all the way! Good luck!

 

[nicole0612]

It sounds like you don’t love it and would use the $ to buy something else. So I would just sell it. Think of it as paying a bit of $ to try a piece out. Now you know the style does not work for you.

I second this advice, this is exactly the sentiment I was going to express.

 

[880]

My two cents... give up on a long VCA necklace. I know.. heresy, but you certainly have tried! My thoughts are if it didn't speak to you the first time, it won't speak to you the next time unless you force yourself to love it. Which of course if you do that, you will rarely wear it, so there is no point to me in buying something you only "like" vs. "love".

I say this from my recent experiences as I have certainly tried as well. I've been trying to love pieces I previously dismissed (Magic, Butterfly). I like them ok, but I do not love them. When tryin them on, the instant ear-to-ear grin I get is just not there, so I passed. That said, I could get desperate, so I reserve the right to change my mind (seriously doubt it as I am not an impulse buyer).

Mow what big long necklace to get... Crazy thought here...
First, to frame this... you have the gorgeous Verdura cuff, you want a long necklace, you don't mind the heavy metal look of Liane, you like YG...
How about the bold Aegean necklace? I love this necklace. It is super bold, screams heavy metal, yet it is so artistic. It is an amazing use of pure metal. The links flow, like liquid metal, there is no harsh edge. I think of Aegean as a softer version of the Curb link. The Aegean is crispy and bold, but if you really look at the design of the links, the edges are soft and sensual, like they were meant to be caressed. The Aegean collection is meant to evoke the waves of the sea, hence the name Aegean, for the Agean Sea. It is a feminine bold link which you rarely see. Most links are very masculine bold (e.g. Curb link).

Aegean comes in YG, in 20" and 30": Elsa Peretti® Aegean toggle necklace in 18k gold. | Tiffany & Co.
Just a thought... you might hate it, but I want to share it just in case you are not familiar.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights plus the recommendation of the Aegean! Will put it on the list to try on!
hugs

PS I love the Verdura curb link; the SS enlarged variant; and many others @etoupebirkin and @Happyish also have provided a great deal of food for thought. I am so grateful to all of the members here who are generous with their expertise. I am learning a lot!

 

[880]

Hi,
Can’t seem to find VCA regrets thread, so posting here. Also I am kind of unsure if I regret it enough to let the necklace go.
I usually stick to 10 motif necklaces and smaller pendants but with GMOP I decided I wanted variety and got the Magic pendant. I have had it for a while now and I feel it only looks good on me when the chain is doubled and the other lengths look odd in person. I also find it screaming “VCA”. I don’t know what I was thinking keeping this pendant when I had returned Onyx, WMOP and Malachite magic pendants for the above stated reasons.
Sometimes I feel it is a change from other necklaces I have and a lot of times I just want to get rid of it and do 10 motif RG GMOP MTO. When and how do I decide to keep it or let it go? I am having heart attack thinking about the resale loss. Thanks!

i looked at your pros and cons, and in the end, I felt that the pros were stronger in your para above. But of course you know bests what is in your heart

there is something about the GMOP that has you hesitating to return

IMO rehoming something too soon only leads to me repurchasing the same thing

a 10 motif RG GMOP MTO is a different animal altogether. but all the Alhambra collection screams VCA to me.

id be interested in hearing the rest of your thought process once you decide! i don’t think there is a clear cut right or wrong answerm as it is probably different for everyone

 

[DeryaHm]

Hi,
Can’t seem to find VCA regrets thread, so posting here. Also I am kind of unsure if I regret it enough to let the necklace go.
I usually stick to 10 motif necklaces and smaller pendants but with GMOP I decided I wanted variety and got the Magic pendant. I have had it for a while now and I feel it only looks good on me when the chain is doubled and the other lengths look odd in person. I also find it screaming “VCA”. I don’t know what I was thinking keeping this pendant when I had returned Onyx, WMOP and Malachite magic pendants for the above stated reasons.
Sometimes I feel it is a change from other necklaces I have and a lot of times I just want to get rid of it and do 10 motif RG GMOP MTO. When and how do I decide to keep it or let it go? I am having heart attack thinking about the resale loss. Thanks!

I’m in the same position wrt a magic pendant. I thought I’d love it, the stone is beautiful and I just never wear it. Doubled it screams logo to me (in response to someone below I think it’s because it’s just one so it’s big and loud). Long I like it in theory but it’s just not me. I started watching Russian Doll s2 and the main character wears a krugerrand pendant that makes me think of the magic.

Anyway, I’m not caught up on the loss of reselling. For me it’s that mine, a blue agate, is this gorgeous blue, so I keep trying to convince myself I’ll make it work.

I should listen to the wise advice others have given you and you should too. Just acknowledging it’s hard to say goodbye! I thought I’d love it.

 

[880]

@880 both are out of my price range but I just wanted to say I love button d’or necklace, especially the lapis and turquoise one. If you try them please post pictures for the eye candy

VCA didn’t have the lapis turquoise, but I did try on black and green (99K?) and also a carnelian one (95K). Oddly, for me, I think I liked the carnelian one better. Sadly I liked the choker more than the pendant (44K). The earrings seem lighter carnelian in the photos but seemed closer in color in person. I didn’t try them bc I have chunky lobes, and I didn’t want to struggle. I also have issues with my piercings and weight, so I don’t wear earrings as much. (I’ve taken note of every point @BigAkoya has made re earring modification, just in case I fall madly in love with something so,sday

For the price, I’m just not sure I will get cost per wear out of the choker. My SA basically said it’s not cost per wear for this kind of thing, but if it fulfills a necessary function/ fills an empty niche. I’m still thinkinh the Bulgari tubogas serpenti necklace is better value, but I’m keeping an open mind. Of course all this is a very privileged issue to have, and I am cognizant of that.


i tried other things on, like watches and a white gold ludo bracelet, but those paled in comparison

ETA: in the boutique, the carnelian choker was the forerunner. Looking at the pics, I’m not so sure. Lol
there wasn’t much in the heritage case that appealed, so I skipped it.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

VCA didn’t have the lapis turquoise, but I did try on black and green and also a carnelian one. Oddly I think I liked the carnelian one better. Sadly I liked the choker (95K more than the pendant (44K)

im just not sure I will get cost per wear out of it. My SA basically said it’s not cost per wear for this kind of thing, but if it fulfills a necessary function/ fills an empty niche. I’m still thinkinh the Bulgari tubogas serpenti necklace is better value, but I’m keeping an open mind.

View attachment 5389606View attachment 5389607View attachment 5389608 View attachment 5389609View attachment 5389610 View attachment 5389618
i tried other things on, like watches and a white gold ludo bracelet, but those paled in comparison
View attachment 5389612View attachment 5389615View attachment 5389616 View attachment 5389617

I like the Cadenas watch on you . . .

 

[880]

I like the Cadenas watch on you . . .

Thank you. I tried on the diamond and plain YG versions and liked the plain one the best, but now I’m thinking of everything in terms of fractional cost of the pendant or necklace Lol. I will say that I have a renewed appreciation for the buton d’or lineup
hugs

 

[Deleted member 626500]

If I didn't already own mine . . .

 

[Notorious Pink]

If I didn't already own mine . . . This isn't carnelian but may be more versatile. The seller is wonderful-very trustworthy.

Jewelry Store | Beladora

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings and jewelry, authentic pre-owned designer jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and more.

www.beladora.com

One of my favorite pieces!

 

[DeryaHm]

As an update on my BA Magic saga, I did finally wear it with a plain white top today and it looked ok. I tried this weird thing where I looped the chain and fastened the clasp around the chain. Hard to explain l, gets it to a nice lengthy but looks messy. Anyway, maybe I’ll hold onto it for now… weirdly to me it doesn’t seem as large/loud at this length

 

[tenshix]

As an update on my BA Magic saga, I did finally wear it with a plain white top today and it looked ok. I tried this weird thing where I looped the chain and fastened the clasp around the chain. Hard to explain l, gets it to a nice lengthy but looks messy. Anyway, maybe I’ll hold onto it for now… weirdly to me it doesn’t seem as large/loud at this length

View attachment 5389680

I think it looks beautiful on you, especially with that white top! I like this length on you.

 

[BigAkoya]

VCA didn’t have the lapis turquoise, but I did try on black and green (99K?) and also a carnelian one (95K). Oddly, for me, I think I liked the carnelian one better. Sadly I liked the choker more than the pendant (44K). The earrings seem lighter carnelian in the photos but seemed closer in color in person. I didn’t try them bc I have chunky lobes, and I didn’t want to struggle. I also have issues with my piercings and weight, so I don’t wear earrings as much. (I’ve taken note of every point @BigAkoya has made re earring modification, just in case I fall madly in love with something so,sday

For the price, I’m just not sure I will get cost per wear out of the choker. My SA basically said it’s not cost per wear for this kind of thing, but if it fulfills a necessary function/ fills an empty niche. I’m still thinkinh the Bulgari tubogas serpenti necklace is better value, but I’m keeping an open mind. Of course all this is a very privileged issue to have, and I am cognizant of that.

View attachment 5389606View attachment 5389607View attachment 5389608 View attachment 5389609View attachment 5389610 View attachment 5389618
i tried other things on, like watches and a white gold ludo bracelet, but those paled in comparison
View attachment 5389612View attachment 5389615View attachment 5389616 View attachment 5389617
ETA: in the boutique, the carnelian choker was the forerunner. Looking at the pics, I’m not so sure. Lol
there wasn’t much in the heritage case that appealed, so I skipped it.

I love the long pendant on you.
To me, sometimes a long pendant with a clean upper neck is beyond gorgeous. Necks do not always have to be covered with bling. Often times, there is allure in the look of beautiful, bare neck.

For me, when I see the photo of you with the long pendant, the eye first sees the pop of the pendant. You can't miss the pendant, so the eye stays there for a few seconds, in awe. The eye then moves up the long chain to see what's next and then stop at the serene beauty of your bare neck. A very smooth flow to me. I love that look. It's very slimming also; the line is very elongated, no interruption.

Also, not to dissect your photos, the long pendant hangs great on you which is equally as important. Sometimes a long chain with a big pendant at the bottom is tough to wear due to the weight. Yours makes a perfect V... no going through valleys, squished to look like a two-lane highway between two mountains (the dreaded Y instead of the perfect V) if you know what I mean. It's perfect on you. Of all the pieces in your photos, I vote the long pendant, but only if you really love it.

That said... I think you should skip as my gut feels says it's not giving you that immediate ear-to-ear grin. Maybe just dive in and get the Bulgari. I think Serpenti is more you anyway, not VCA. I see you as the 21st century Maria Felix, and I say that in the most complimentary way. Maria was so avant-garde. Maria... big crocodile wrapped around her neck. @880... big snake wrapped around her neck! That necklace would make an awesome statement piece, a big conversation starter for sure!

 

[880]

I love the long pendant on you.
To me, sometimes a long pendant with a clean upper neck is beyond gorgeous. Necks do not always have to be covered with bling. Often times, there is allure in the look of beautiful, bare neck.

For me, when I see the photo of you with the long pendant, the eye first sees the pop of the pendant. You can't miss the pendant, so the eye stays there for a few seconds, in awe. The eye then moves up the long chain to see what's next and then stop at the serene beauty of your bare neck. A very smooth flow to me. I love that look. It's very slimming also; the line is very elongated, no interruption.

Also, not to dissect your photos, the long pendant hangs great on you which is equally as important. Sometimes a long chain with a big pendant at the bottom is tough to wear due to the weight. Yours makes a perfect V... no going through valleys, squished to look like a two-lane highway between two mountains (the dreaded Y instead of the perfect V) if you know what I mean. It's perfect on you. Of all the pieces in your photos, I vote the long pendant, but only if you really love it.

That said... I think you should skip as my gut feels says it's not giving you that immediate ear-to-ear grin. Maybe just dive in and get the Bulgari. I think Serpenti is more you anyway, not VCA. I see you as the 21st century Maria Felix, and I say that in the most complimentary way. Maria was so avant-garde. Maria... big crocodile wrapped around her neck. @880... big snake wrapped around her neck! That necklace would make an awesome statement piece, a big conversation starter for sure!

Thank you so much for all of your advice and kind words! i appreciate all of your insights!
if another member posted that they could not decide between two necklaces, I know I would say skip both, which is consistent with your advice too! Hugs

 

[Deleted member 626500]

VCA didn’t have the lapis turquoise, but I did try on black and green (99K?) and also a carnelian one (95K). Oddly, for me, I think I liked the carnelian one better. Sadly I liked the choker more than the pendant (44K). The earrings seem lighter carnelian in the photos but seemed closer in color in person. I didn’t try them bc I have chunky lobes, and I didn’t want to struggle. I also have issues with my piercings and weight, so I don’t wear earrings as much. (I’ve taken note of every point @BigAkoya has made re earring modification, just in case I fall madly in love with something so,sday

For the price, I’m just not sure I will get cost per wear out of the choker. My SA basically said it’s not cost per wear for this kind of thing, but if it fulfills a necessary function/ fills an empty niche. I’m still thinkinh the Bulgari tubogas serpenti necklace is better value, but I’m keeping an open mind. Of course all this is a very privileged issue to have, and I am cognizant of that.

View attachment 5389606View attachment 5389607View attachment 5389608 View attachment 5389609View attachment 5389610 View attachment 5389618
i tried other things on, like watches and a white gold ludo bracelet, but those paled in comparison
View attachment 5389612View attachment 5389615View attachment 5389616 View attachment 5389617
ETA: in the boutique, the carnelian choker was the forerunner. Looking at the pics, I’m not so sure. Lol
there wasn’t much in the heritage case that appealed, so I skipped it.

These modeling shots are so much fun!Thank you for posting.