VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[KristinS]

Buy the most expensive first. Fill in later with the others, descending by price. The reason I say this, is that we usually put off the higher priced items, but with price increases those higher priced items become more unattainable. Also, I've found that some of the more expensive items are discontinued, as I assume, demand is not as great.
Buy what you love, even if it's a stretch right now (and VCA is always a stretch) and fill in the gaps later. You'll be glad you got the big one out of the way. And besides, you may as well start enjoying it now.

This. 100%.
A couple of points. I think it is good purchasing technique to have a couple key pieces in your collection to anchor to, otherwise, you risk buying pieces that may not integrate well and don’t get worn like they should. Also, because the less expensive items (and I don’t say this with the faintest of heart) are more consumable, you will realize what could have purchased if you held back and focused on that 1 key item.

 

[Deleted member 626500]

Thank you! I will try that with my DBTY. It would be lovely to put it back in rotation! The pokiest are the Victoria alternating and cluster pieces. Each setting has a sharp little prong. My rings have literally made the neighboring fingers bleed

OMG that sounds horrible.This is definitely a design defect. I would take it back to the store and complain. They certainly should fix this.

 

[tenshix]

Anyone know anything about the Seoul Maison RG Guilloche x MOP bracelet? Prices & Availability? I have a friend going to Seoul soon and was wondering if its worth me sending her there to pick it up for me.

I didn’t know anything but did some sleuthing on IG since you mentioned the location and found one photo of what the 20 motif and bracelet looks like from user ryan_groove. No info on price or availability but you could have your friend give them a call to ask before going in? I wish I could see it in person!

This new flagship seems to have a lot of their vintage high jewelry pieces too, the store interior and architecture looks so beautiful.

 

[nicole0612]

I didn’t know anything but did some sleuthing on IG since you mentioned the location and found one photo of what the 20 motif and bracelet looks like from user ryan_groove. No info on price or availability but you could have your friend give them a call to ask before going in? I wish I could see it in person!

This new flagship seems to have a lot of their vintage high jewelry pieces too, the store interior and architecture looks so beautiful.


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Thank you for posting this! It’s is so pretty.

Does anyone have a trustworthy personal shopper in Seoul that they can recommend? I don’t have any close friends with family there, but I would love to purchase this if it is available to the general public.

 

[nightbefore]

@nightbefore I find bangles and structured bracelets the easiest to wear because I can put them on easily and just as easily take them off. I struggle with my 5 motif. At the beginning I would make hubby put it on me when I wanted to wear it but thankfully after that I found a way where I can do it myself and it takes less time but it’s still a struggle for me!
Hehe choosing between the perlee bracelets is a torture but if I had to do it all over again I would get each of them in the same sequence as I actually did - perlee clover first, then the single row, then the signature and the d’or together I placed the SO for d’or the same day as I got my signature bracelet. If I absolutely had to choose between the single row, signature and the d’or, I would have to (with a lot tears shed) choose the single row and the d’or.

As promised here are pics of the single row and the signature together. A super casual running errands kinda day!

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Btw a funny story about this one, so I sent the last photo to my F to ask which one he likes the most. Not that I am anywhere near to buying the single row but I was just curious about his opinion. He thought it was my arm trying them on So he asked if I bought both of them and I said no, it is not me. He said it looked very much like my wrist and asked if this was a hint for my upcoming bday For sure, he has no idea about the price and what kinda trouble he put himself into but I just found it cute and silly

 

[saligator]

A silly question probably . Wonder if anyone actually got ‘tired’ of their VCA bracelets after a while ? I bought my Tiffany hardware link bracelet , and within 6momths I have retired it to a corner ….ouch

It depends on the type of person you are. Some people wear the same jewelry day after day for years and it becomes part of them. Some people have certain 'looks' that they wear certain jewelry for, and use it with discretion to achieve those.

I love my VCA bracelets. I don't wear them every day, but when I wear them, I love them and am so happy to have them.

 

[Aimee3]

Thank you for posting this! It’s is so pretty.

Does anyone have a trustworthy personal shopper in Seoul that they can recommend? I don’t have any close friends with family there, but I would love to purchase this if it is available to the general public.

Why not call VC in Seoul directly? If you use a personal shopper you will pay a premium.

 

[nicole0612]

Why not call VC in Seoul directly? If you use a personal shopper you will pay a premium.

Typically boutiques will not ship internationally for under a certain amount (~65k USD +/-? from my limited experience and feedback from friends), and even then it is on a case by case basis for repeat and valued customers of the boutique, and this set would be way under that amount.

 

[Rhl2987]

I didn’t know anything but did some sleuthing on IG since you mentioned the location and found one photo of what the 20 motif and bracelet looks like from user ryan_groove. No info on price or availability but you could have your friend give them a call to ask before going in? I wish I could see it in person!

This new flagship seems to have a lot of their vintage high jewelry pieces too, the store interior and architecture looks so beautiful.


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These are stunning. Much more to my liking than the guilloche carnelian. Thank you for finding these pictures!

 

[Rhl2987]

My next try on will be the medium Lotus earrings, which will arrive on Wednesday. These have been in the back of my mind for years and I’m so excited to see them in person again. I’ve been scouring the threads here to see some try on pictures. Does anyone own these or have any photos?

 

[114]

Hello @114 did you hear back from your SA? I just got a message from mine at Bond Street to say my bracelet is ready! Didn’t have to wait 8 weeks after all! Hope yours is ready soon

That’s great news! I was told between 3rd and 6th June so again less than the 8 weeks I was initially quoted - so excited

 

[tenshix]

These are stunning. Much more to my liking than the guilloche carnelian. Thank you for finding these pictures!

Same here, I wish better quality photos will pop up soon! I hope they would release it as part of the regular collection but I think that’s just me dreaming at this point :’)

 

[snnysmm]

Hi! My thoughts on this if I may..
To get tired of something in 6 months sounds like the purchase was made due to an external influence (e.g. friend, social media, advertising) or perhaps an impulse buy. Of course, I am not saying this is your case. I think the issue is you have realized it is not your look.

There are tons of people who love Tiffany HardWear and keep collecting, so it's not the collection. HardWear is so popular Tiffany launched new pieces with pave that are gorgeous. I think HardWear is a very unique collection. It's very bold and edgey, especially the Large Link necklace and bracelet with pave... love it! It is so striking when worn. However, do I own any HardWear pieces? No. Why? It's not my look; my jewelry look is bold, but it is definitely not edgey. The look I prefer in jewelry is bold and glamorous.

Before you dive into VCA...
You may want to surf a bit to see if you really like VCA's look. HardWear and VCA are completely differently looks. HardWear is a very industrial look, hence the name and theme of their pieces. VCA Alhambra is a very feminine look with its milgrain edges, four leaf clover theme, and gentle stones. Some ladies think VCA is too feminine and even stuffy, old lady. This is the VCA forum, we all drank the VCA Kool Aid, so if you ask us, none of us will say VCA is stuffy, and we will sing its praises.

Before you make another mistake...
Think about your look... feminine, glamorous, edgey, rocker chic, bohemian, granola, etc. Everyone has a look. This may help in your selection of jewelry. Surf and see photos of people wearing it and ask yourself if it's you, your look.

Finally, don't buy into the latest trend, marketing hype, or a friend's influence. All jewelry is beautiful, whether it's classic or trendy. Jewelry is 100% personal preference. It's what you love, and there is no right or wrong. Take your time to build your collection to see what you really love.

Just my two cents. Hope this was helpful. Good luck to you!

I hope this isn’t off topic… but I have a question. What are some other jewelry brands someone like me (who is very new to jewelry) should explore depending on different aesthetics?

 

[DeryaHm]

OMG that sounds horrible.This is definitely a design defect. I would take it back to the store and complain. They certainly should fix this.

I think I’ve had it too long for that. All of the four marquise cut settings in this design are an issue (earrings and tennis bracelet but the ring is the worst). The settings for the marquise cut in the vine pieces are different and not pokey. I think it’s bad design but not defective. They’re pretty enough I wear regardless but it makes me hesitant to buy pricier Tiffany pieces. I may have mixed feelings about Magic Alhambra pendants but one has never physically hurt me

 

[nicole0612]

I hope this isn’t off topic… but I have a question. What are some other jewelry brands someone like me (who is very new to jewelry) should explore depending on different aesthetics?

Hi, you may enjoy reading this thread:

What Other Jewelry Brands Do You Buy/Wear?

Obviously I’m obsessed with VCA, but I was curious what other VCA-obsessed people wear besides VCA and Cartier. I find myself buying too many Alhambra pieces and am wondering if I need to branch out lol. Pieces that “go” with VCA are a plus. Pics welcome!

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