VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[lvmon]

The scarf goes great with the MOP and chalcedony! So lovely! I will say though, from what I see in your photo, the MOP and chalcedony are very close in shade, but I think it's the lighting as the MOP looks silvery which I have my WG MOP strand to visualize the lighting that makes it look like that.

I can't wait to see more photos!
On scarves... I have tried to do the chic French scarf look (even read that little how-to book) but to no avail. I'm a klutz at scarves and can only admire from a far.

Speaking of scarves and all things French (which I'm a big fan of all things French)... there is a movie called Le Divorce that stars Kate Hudson. It's a shallow movie, but I enjoyed it for the French vibe. The movie is based in Paris, talks about all thing French, and of course you can't talk about French vibe without throwing in H bags and scarves. If you're in the mood for a shallow but fun movie, this is it. The ladies wear many scarves, multiple ways. I saw that movie years ago, but thinking now... I should watch it again one night.

Hi Big Akoya, I love scarves and shawls since it’s cold here in Canada most of the time. In addition to providing warmth, scarves also make my boring outfits a little more interesting. Try tying 70cm scraf around your neck next time you wear your Frame cotton oversized shirt! That’s fashion advise coming from a self professed granola.

PS: photo attached from internet

 

[Changeitup]

A bracelet’s fit comes up quite often in these forums. It’s always tough when someone is asking about fit because as many have said, there truly is no right or wrong answer, there’s only the wearer‘s answer and preference. So many of you look so good in everything that its hard to say “yes” that’s the only fit for you. Focusing for a moment on bangles as they are trickier to size, the beauty of VCA and some other high end designers is that they make a variety of sizes which is particularly helpful for those with small wrists. Bracelets in general, especially in the US it seems, tend to be a bit larger and many wearers do like their bangles roomy. But many also prefer a closer fit so VCA and Cartier for two, do provide that choice which is great for those like me who usually prefer some movement but not a lot. Fit is so very personal. In VCA, more than 1 size is likely going to “fit” the wearer‘s wrist and look fabulous on, but its “the look“ the wearer is after that should control in my humble opinion. I try to picture the bangle on my wrist before the purchase, and that really helps guide me for size. If its a stand alone piece, I might go one way. But if I am planning to stack, perhaps another to line up with what’s already on my wrist. Just let me say, have no fear because if I see you in that VCA bangle, I can pretty much guarantee I’m going to like the look on you.

 

[rosebean]

I’m sorry, I don’t remember. If your purchase is large, VCA will dispatch someone to meet you at the airport t9 help deal with VAT.

ETA: for the Liane, when I tried the Milan version on, the VCA SA was able to tell me immediately whatever the price was exclusive of VAT, so there should not be any surprises. . . But I have to admit, the whole thing (buying a piece Not in my home store or home currency; and the thought of VAT, customs declaration, and the fact I wasn’t flying out of Milan (th these things posed no problems for VCA); were significant deterrents to a purchase abroad.

I second @880, as I just bought the clover bangle in Istanbul, now have a second thought of changing the size. Not sure how to deal with it yet. And hassle to deal with the VAT. I only bought it because my SA in US told me I have to wait at least 8 months.

 

[rosebean]

I think you'll enjoy the larger size more. Plus, you can now add other VCA bangles to stack!
I would think you could exchange it, even if you have to send it back to the original boutique. You just bought it! Plus, I am 100% certain you are not the first person who decided to swap out a size.

I did something very similar to you... I took my Frivole ring home and second guessed myself on sizing. My SA said no worries; he sent me the smaller Frivole ring size and said to send back the one I did not want.

Worst case, as your hubby said, you can just sell it. It's better to swap it out now, so it is good you are doing this right away.

Thank you @BigAkoya, I agree if I ever, very likely, want to add more bangles, as dear @eternallove4bag also said, size small will be better for stack. So I have packed the new bracket back in the box and will call the boutique tomorrow (as the boutique in Istanbul where I bought closed on Sunday, I went there to return today and fount out). The thing is that this boutique may be owned individually not by corporate, so return or exchange could be difficult, shipping overseas plus insurance (my hubby said I don’t want to deal with it. Best case is I can exchange in US, maybe wait some months, otherwise just sell it. ) thank you again for your wise advice.

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi Big Akoya, I love scarves and shawls since it’s cold here in Canada most of the time. In addition to providing warmth, scarves also make my boring outfits a little more interesting. Try tying 70cm scraf around your neck next time you wear your Frame cotton oversized shirt! That’s fashion advise coming from a self professed granola.

PS: photo attached from internet


View attachment 5399094

This is so pretty, so fresh looking. Yes... it would look great with my new Frame cotton oversized shirts!
Thanks for sharing this photo!

 

[kelsenia]

thank you @glamourbag, @missie1 , @BigAkoya , I’m waiting for my Bulgari SA to bring it in
@Happyish , agree re this is the one to prioritize; the buton d’or is still on the list
@kvitka4u , one of my tests is not wanting to take something off, but I agree with @eternallove4bag that you should try on all the different metals. I will say that I personally need to take action shots to review when I get home, bc sometimes the item I think is the best in the store is not what I end up obsessing about
@kelsenia , we typically only insure current pieces for the value on the receipt which is accepted by Jewelers mutual / Chubb. May I ask is there another reason for a separate insurance certificate? Does it function like an appraisal? Thanks in advance!

My SA just gave it to me! It is like an appraisal.

 

[wisconsin]

So today I went to the boutique, fortunately they have Both XS YG and Small RG. I tried both, although size small felt more comfortable but I decided to go with YG XS, pairs better with my LOVE, also my hubby said small looks too bulky on me. wish they had size small of YG though. I hope I don’t have buyers remorse because I felt small is a better fit than XS. First photo is rose gold.
anyway, this boutique surprisingly has lots of inventory, including chalcedony bracelet and 20 motif which I tired and didn’t like on me. View attachment 5398181
View attachment 5398181

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Omg chalcedony looks beautiful on you

 

[BigAkoya]

My SA just gave it to me! It is like an appraisal.

I get new insurance appraisals on my higher end pieces. I don't insure all my pieces, just my high end pieces.

My jewelry policy includes inflation adjustment. However, sometimes high end jewelry pieces outpace inflation. Hence about every 5-6 years, I get a new appraisal and resubmit to insurance if necessary.

 

[myztic]

Anyone know the current wait time for a perlee clover bracelet in size small? My SA said 100% deposit + 6-9 month wait.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

You know me by now on earrings...
I'm not even an earring person and only buy earrings to match, so matchy matchy they must!
Plus, I really really love matching earrings with a long necklace; it's such a coordinated look to me.
The earrings are available by SO, but they are not part of the stock unless VCA changed it recently. It's the one category of chalcedony that is not part of stock; everything else is regular stock which I find so strange.

I do have diamond studs, but I never wear them. I am also in the camp that does not think Frivole or Lotus looks good with Alhambra, so I never wear either with Alhambra.

I just showed hubby your photo and the other photos recently posted by @LVmom and @rosebean. I had not shown hubby chalcedony in the past, as I have always dismissed this stone.

I asked hubby to "look at the necklace, pause, and describe in one word what you see".
Hubby said "elegant" which was music to my years. I asked him if it was too similar to my MOP, and he said "no, that blue kinda glows, and I like those stripes." (striations )

If you might be in the mood, I would love to see just the MOP and chalcedony together.
I'll be traveling in a few weeks, and there is a VCA, so I'll definitely try and make time to drop by to see chalcedony again.
In the meantime, I'm off to VCA.com to see what other pieces come in chalcedony.

I dream in color, and no doubt, I will be seeing lavender blue clouds in my dreams tonight.

Regarding the Chalcedony. I know you like earrings to match but it just occurred to me that the small clover hoops in WG might be a perfect complement to that as well as your other WG pieces. It has the clover motif, the perlee motif and thematically works with Alhambra, (be it chalcedony, mop or onyx), the Perlee line and the Clover bracelet. It matches without being matchy-matchy and has the advantage of being transitional rather than secular. I have something similar (now discontinued) that I wear w my WG alhambra. Just a thought . . .

 

[LoveMyHalo]

Does VCA email customer satisfaction surveys after you purchase something? Cartier does this and wonder if VCA does too.

 

[Lien]

Does VCA email customer satisfaction surveys after you purchase something? Cartier does this and wonder if VCA does too.

Sometimes, not after every purchase. I've only ever been sent such a survey once. Been buying VCA since 2016.

 

[sundance2000]

Hello,
I am hoping someone can provide me with some feedback in regards to my question. I am torn between the vintage size pendent in either MOP or onyx. What is your experience if you own either & do you recommend one over the other? I’ve heard mixed things about both, how MOP can shrink & shouldn’t be worn daily etc. but onyx can be worn daily since it’s more durable. I don’t have a problem taking my necklace off to shower but, ideally I want something that can be worn day to day. While my SA advises against this, he says, that he has clients who shower in their MOP & haven’t experienced any issues & same goes for onyx.
Thank you for your input!

 

[saligator]

Trying to decide between the VCA Magic LONG in YG, or the shorter one in MOP WG. I don't really wear long necklaces much. ANyone with a long one care to weigh in? Do you wear it a lot? is it worth the versatility?

 

[nightbefore]

Hello,
I am hoping someone can provide me with some feedback in regards to my question. I am torn between the vintage size pendent in either MOP or onyx. What is your experience if you own either & do you recommend one over the other? I’ve heard mixed things about both, how MOP can shrink & shouldn’t be worn daily etc. but onyx can be worn daily since it’s more durable. I don’t have a problem taking my necklace off to shower but, ideally I want something that can be worn day to day. While my SA advises against this, he says, that he has clients who shower in their MOP & haven’t experienced any issues & same goes for onyx.
Thank you for your input!

I don’t know why MOP shouldn’t be worn daily. I have sweet earrings and the bracelet and I wear them almost everyday without a problem. I only take them off for showering.