If I were you, I’d still bring it back and ask if they can do anything about the issues. I had the Victoria climber earrings that kept turning out to the side, even after a couple of modifications. In the end, they let me exchange with equal or higher price item even though it was way beyond exchange period. I ended up exchanging for the classic medium Victoria earrings. Sorry for off topicI 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
VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!
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come to think of it, yes, i bought it on impulse while window shopping! so much for "window"... to home . for the VCA, i will research more .
i bought a piaget possession bracelet that i still love. but for some reason, its not as comfy for everyday wear + sleep in hence i tend to remove it quite often then lazy to put it back on. my next buy i hope to purchase one to "live" in it extended periods.
D
Deleted member 626500
Yes, it's poor design. That's another way of saying it's a design defect. No piece of jewelry should ever cause you to bleed . . . there is no excuse. It doesn't matter how long you've had it. I would go back to Tiffany's and demand that they repair it.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
Interesting line of thought. I noticed this about myself. I have gotten bored of all other jewelry lines except my VCA pieces, and my diamond pieces. I started out with Cartier because I thought VCA was too feminine and girly for me. It took about a year before I got bored with my Cartier love cuff, and then I also found it so much less comfortable than my 5 motif. I also got bored of my Tiffany bracelets, after less than a month. But my first VCA bracelet was a little sweet turquoise butterfly. Once I bought it, I only stared at it more and more, and then I had to get more. I've been really picky about my VCA pieces, so my rate of purchase has been slower than any other types of jewelry. But other than my VCA pendants (I discovered I'm not a pendant girl, but it doesn't keep me from trying.), I love all my VCA purchases. It's hard for me to find one piece that I wear on my arm that I don't love just staring at obsessively. So uhhhhh, no I haven't gotten tired of my VCA bracelets. I don't really wear my sweets much anymore, but I am keeping them because my daughter likes them. I can see passing them on to little granddaughters too.
I went down to the boutique , hoping to try on perlee signature in rg but they only have it in L size which I am not in love with … not sure if it’s the look or the size that’s not doing it justice … SA was also not the friendliest. 
Then while shopping, this caught my eye from Chaumet . I am now undecided, and the brand Chaumet vs VCA … any comments? Which would be a more timeless piece ? I do know ultimate it’s indiv preference but just wanna hear some thoughts aloud .
Then while shopping, this caught my eye from Chaumet . I am now undecided, and the brand Chaumet vs VCA … any comments? Which would be a more timeless piece ? I do know ultimate it’s indiv preference but just wanna hear some thoughts aloud .
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One very significant factor in my experience wearing and buying VCA bangles, in particular, if they are not YOUR perfect size, the look can be very different. I NEVER liked the signature bangle until I tried it on in my size, which was an XS. Anything bigger looked awkward and made me feel like I was a little kid playing dress up in my mom's clothes. Once I tried on the size I liked, which a small fit size, I loved it. True for both my bangles, the signature and the single row diamond perlee. The signature is also hard to scratch up due to the perlee edge. The Chaumet, although cute, I know I would get bored of in a month, and would also scratch up quite easily. (If that wouldn't bother you then great.) That's just me and you do you. But after learning how I got bored of Cartier love bracelets in a short while, this relatively similar in spirit bangle would not hold my interest.I went down to the boutique , hoping to try on perlee signature in rg but they only have it in L size which I am not in love with … not sure if it’s the look or the size that’s not doing it justice … SA was also not the friendliest.
Then while shopping, this caught my eye from Chaumet . I am now undecided, and the brand Chaumet … any comments?
View attachment 5414936
That was exactly how I felt when I tried the bangle that was too large my size! My size is XS too…. the L bangle was down my arm dangling , looking a tad fake
I absolutely love this. Such a great fresh twist on two classic pieces.
I agree with what @EpiFanatic has written above about the size of the Signature. Certainly the correct size makes a difference in how things appear on you and it is worth a try again in your appropriate size.
As for the comparison between Chaumet's above bangle and the VCA Signature bangle: I have to say I prefer VCA by a long shot. This Chaumet looks very plain and simple (no harm meant to those who prefer clean, unfussy, simple esthetics but this is very plain in comparison to VCA's feminine detailing so I dont see this one as an accurate alternative to the Signature). Perhaps a Repossi option would be a better comparison for the Chaumet than the Signature. I also think that the Chaumet will be scratched quite easily and while its not an issue for some people; if you are not someone who likes the scratch/patina look, this might not be for you.
With regard to Chaumet as a brand: I think it is a lovely brand and they make some beautiful pieces. I particularly like Chaumet's rose gold shade, but I do find their bangle designs lacking charm (again that is just me personally). They do make some lovely chain designs, though, but since were comparing firm bracelets to firm bracelets I can admit I am not overly captivated by their bangle options. What makes Signature different from the other plain bangle options (such as the above or the Love) is the trim. It is rather plain in its overall appearance but the beaded trim just makes it elevated and refined.
Again, just my personal opinion, but to me, the VCA is superior both visually and functionally.
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Hi! @nicole0612 made a great suggestion to check out the "other brand" thread. It has a lot of great suggestions and ideas.
What I did when I first started out was to stare at the collections at Tiffany. Tiffany is very broad and has a bit of many styles of jewelry. Yet because they are organized by collection, it is very easy to learn and see what jewelry styles you like. This was really helpful vs. googling everywhere.
I would suggest the following...
First, browse by collection. You will be able to see the style and all the pieces. You will definitely know by looking at a collection, if you like it, love it, or hate it. My thoughts on a few collections are (these are my words here, not official Tiffany):
HardWear - Edgey and bold
Victoria - Classic and feminine
Elsa Peretti - Flowing and sensual (all of her pieces have a soft flowing edge, no hard edges)
Atlas - Industrial and crisp
T - Logo and clean
Schlumberger - Nature and Colorful
Soleste - Classic and Glamorous
Don't judge it based on the metal. Look at the design. Look also how the look changes when the metal changes (e.g. RG/YG/WG/plat). You get the idea. By doing this, you'll start to know what you like.
But wait, there's more! That's just the first homework assignment!
Now that you are familiar with styles, you need to look at pieces from another point of view, by category only, not by collection.
Part two... the second homework assignment...
Go back to the website and sort by category (e.g. ring, necklace, pendant, bracelet). Look at the pieces and see what you like, love, hate. It may surprise you that a collection you hated, you now love a ring because now you see it from a different perspective, compared to other rings.
For me, I really like to stare at the entire collection, then look at an individual piece by category. It really helps to absorb that piece as it was meant to be in a collection and also worn alone, to help with the "look."
I hope this was helpful. Now.. on to homework!
Update: I also want to add, you may not like the Tiffany brand, but that’s not the point. The idea is to see the styles you like. You can also pretend what would you choose if Tiffany gave you one free piece! Or two! What would you pick?!
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Hi! If you find yourself not loving the Perlee signature but you want a crispy look, you may want to try Tiffany T.I went down to the boutique , hoping to try on perlee signature in rg but they only have it in L size which I am not in love with … not sure if it’s the look or the size that’s not doing it justice … SA was also not the friendliest.
Then while shopping, this caught my eye from Chaumet . I am now undecided, and the brand Chaumet vs VCA … any comments? Which would be a more timeless piece ? I do know ultimate it’s indiv preference but just wanna hear some thoughts aloud .
View attachment 5414936
Take a peek and see if you like these. The difference to me in these two T bangles below is they are less metal than the Perlee Signature (the bold metal may also be what you do not like). T is a bolder look than the Chaumet (Chaumet is a bit delicate to me). It's all preference of course.
Good luck in your decision!
Here are the two bangles I would suggest you try. The second is my favorite. There are other variations and other metals (e.g. RG/WG).
Tiffany T diamond hinged bangle in 18k gold, medium. | Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany T pavé diamond hinged bangle in 18k gold, medium. | Tiffany & Co.
I went down to the boutique , hoping to try on perlee signature in rg but they only have it in L size which I am not in love with … not sure if it’s the look or the size that’s not doing it justice … SA was also not the friendliest.
Then while shopping, this caught my eye from Chaumet . I am now undecided, and the brand Chaumet vs VCA … any comments? Which would be a more timeless piece ? I do know ultimate it’s indiv preference but just wanna hear some thoughts aloud .
View attachment 5414936
They’re both beautiful. I love Chaumet. Wish it were available in US
Hi! @nicole0612 made a great suggestion to check out the "other brand" thread. It has a lot of great suggestions and ideas.
What I did when I first started out was to stare at the collections at Tiffany. Tiffany is very broad and has a bit of many styles of jewelry. Yet because they are organized by collection, it is very easy to learn and see what jewelry styles you like. This was really helpful vs. googling everywhere.
I would suggest the following...
First, browse by collection. You will be able to see the style and all the pieces. You will definitely know by looking at a collection, if you like it, love it, or hate it. My thoughts on a few collections are (these are my words here, not official Tiffany):
HardWear - Edgey and bold
Victoria - Classic and feminine
Elsa Peretti - Flowing and sensual (all of her pieces have a soft flowing edge, no hard edges)
Atlas - Industrial and crisp
T - Logo and clean
Schlumberger - Nature and Colorful
Soleste - Classic and Glamorous
Don't judge it based on the metal. Look at the design. Look also how the look changes when the metal changes (e.g. RG/YG/WG/plat). You get the idea. By doing this, you'll start to know what you like.
But wait, there's more! That's just the first homework assignment!
Now that you are familiar with styles, you need to look at pieces from another point of view, by category only, not by collection.
Part two... the second homework assignment...
Go back to the website and sort by category (e.g. ring, necklace, pendant, bracelet). Look at the pieces and see what you like, love, hate. It may surprise you that a collection you hated, you now love a ring because now you see it from a different perspective, compared to other rings.
For me, I really like to stare at the entire collection, then look at an individual piece by category. It really helps to absorb that piece as it was meant to be in a collection and also worn alone, to help with the "look."
I hope this was helpful. Now.. on to homework!
Update: I also want to add, you may not like the Tiffany brand, but that’s not the point. The idea is to see the styles you like. You can also pretend what would you choose if Tiffany gave you one free piece! Or two! What would you pick?!
Thank you for this! I am so excited to explore the website and see what I like. And what a fun thought — if Tiffany gave me a free piece, what would I pick??
I have always liked Victoria collection. I actually debated for a long time on getting the earrings, but I didn’t like that the center wasn’t a diamond. Who can notice once I wear them, but I will and I know it will bother me! Haha.
Thank you. I never really explored the website or their pieces and I am excited to do this. Something fun to do!
Glad this was helpful. For what it's worth, I think the Victoria earrings are beautiful. Those earrings are all about the diamonds. Tiffany cuts their marquise diamonds exactly the same, meaning all four diamonds making the X are a perfect match. People have commented the X is such a simple design, but most vendors who copy it have to source their diamonds from their diamond dealer. This means one marquise can be fatter, another marquise can be skinnier, yet another marquise can have an off cut making it dull, and yet another marquise may be a different color. Each Victoria marquise matches. The mounting of Victoria is also slightly angled to create such a beautiful look. It's not a flat X mounting.
It's funny you mentioned the center, the "dot." I have thoughts on dots to share some.
One of the things I do not like about the VA pave earrings is the metal "dot" in the center. The idea is a pave look, so why couldn't VCA just put in a tiny diamond to create a pure pave look, similar to the Magic size? I would love those earrings if it were a VA version for the Magic, but now, I only like them (e.g. like, love, hate).
For Victoria though, I love the "dot." I think it adds to the beauty of the piece. This one dot acts as a shared prong to all four marquises, very clean, minimal metal. Victoria is not meant to be a pave look, it is four gorgeous marquise diamonds in a X. If the center had a diamond, my guess is more metal would be needed to set the round center diamond and also the edge of each four of the marquises. That's a lot of metal in the center, and I think it would take away from the beauty of the X look.
Anyway, that's just my thought to share for another way to look at Victoria. I think the Victoria is beautiful. Maybe you will give it a second chance and find some "love" for Victoria.
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