VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[Jem131]

Did anyone notice a change in quality specifically for the vintage Alhambra pendants?

I had a carnelian vintage Alhambra that I purchased in 2019 that I wore daily for 3 years. Sadly, I misplaced the necklace, so I ordered a replacement carnelian vintage Alhambra recently from the VCA site. When I opened the package, I immediately noticed that the weight of the necklace is significantly lighter than my original necklace (& also noticed a thinner pendant).There were also very noticeable air gaps.

I went to the VCA store yesterday, and directly asked the SA on if the necklace weight changed. He said, "I think so" and said it's most likely the gold .

Does anyone have a 2019 carnelian vintage Alhambra pendant they can weigh at home? I'd love to compare the weight of the one I received recently to the older models (if that's a fair comparison).

Thank you in advance!

I’m glad to see someone else mention this. I was shopping for an all gold pendant in 2019, purchased an all gold bracelet in late 2020 and recently purchased a new all gold bracelet. To me the difference in weight and width of the motifs on the current gold bracelet as compared to earlier 2019 and 2020 pieces is obvious. I can also see it in photos I took at the time.
I honestly wouldn’t mind an occasional price increase but now concerned that the quality will not remain the same.

 

[eternallove4bag]

I unfortunately have to agree. I ended up returning the RG alternating GMOP/pave bracelet - it was absolutely stunning in the store, but the more I stared at it on my wrist at home, the more I realized that it didn’t pop on me. That said, jewelry presents so differently on each individual - I saw a photo on here from a few days ago (@eternallove4bag, was that you?) where they wore this bracelet with an extender as a necklace, and it looked incredible

@BigAkoya’s alternating guilloche idea is brilliant

@Minich it was @chiaoapple gorgeous pic of the GMOP pave 5 motif with the extender. Made me gasp too!

 

[etoupebirkin]

Hi! I don't have this piece, so my vote doesn't really count if you are only looking for input from owners.
However, here are my thoughts for what it's worth...
I do realize everything is 100% preference, and there are owners who have already responded saying this love this combo.

For me, I vote no. Here is why...
I think the RG GMOP pave 20 is pretty, but as a statement necklace, it's very subtle and neither here nor there.
The alternating 20 to me does not have the pop of 20 of the same colored stones such as MOP or onyx. You can't miss those "20 stone" necklaces; they pop without diamonds. Diamonds are not the end all to me, and for Alhambra, I think the beauty of Alhambra is the continuous stones that make a statement.

I know the alternating 20 has "diamonds," but they are so tiny, you can barely see them. You mostly see metal.
I tried on the WG onyx pave 20 as I thought I might get an alternating onyx pave set. I was disappointed and passed. It neither popped like a 20 onyx, nor did it have enough bling to sparkle like a diamond necklace. The diamonds were so tiny, the eye has to stare to even notice "oh, there are tiny diamonds."

However, my biggest disappointment was the "air space" created by the pave motifs. Those motifs seems to be secondary against the bold pop of the stones, so to me, and alternating looks like a metal chain necklace with a few motifs sprinkled.

I also think for the RG GMOP, the stones will have a orangey-brown undertone. This is because VCA wants to complement the RG metal which has a bit of orange-tint due to the copper in the RG. As you know, VCA varies their choice of MOP based on the metal. For YG, VCA uses MOP with a more pinky undertone, but for WG, VCA uses MOP with a cool silver undertone. The two MOP necklaces look completely different as will the RG MOP.

That said, I think the RG GMOP 20 worn with your RG Clover set will not pop enough. The necklace recesses to me, and I think it will look really mellow and subdued. It is a lot of metal, especially when worn with the Clover hoop earrings. However, that may be the look you want, and if yes, I think you will get that.

What to get then for a necklace?
You mentioned you will most likely get the Cosmos PG MOP ring (I assume it's the BTF ring). I think Cosmos with PG MOP is stunning. I've seen the earrings, and the combo is gorgeous! The MOP is pinkish as well; it is not cool gray like WG MOP. The MOP just pops and comes to life, much more so than my WG MOP.

If you are going to get the Cosmos RG MOP BTF ring, I would get a RG MOP 20. You would have to SO it, but I think it would be worth it to match the Cosmos RG MOP ring.

So... imagine now your set... Cosmos RG MOP ring (pop!) and RG MOP 20 (more pop)... two bright pieces. This would be next to your Clover bracelet and Clover earrings, which are two softer metal pieces with a touch of sparkle. I think this set will come alive much more so than a RG GMOP 20. Plus, I am not a fan of wearing the Cosmos RG MOP ring, the VA RG GMOP 20, and RG metal Clover pieces. That's three themes going on, and I think the MOPs tie the Cosmos and 20 together better. That's just me of course.

You might be poo-pooing this RG MOP 20 idea as you already have a WG MOP 20. I don't think it's repetitive. I have multiple pearl necklaces, and I wear them singly or layer them. You could do the same with two MOP necklaces, wear both and your theme is MOP with mixed metals. I think that would be a cool look. Side note... I have actually thought about getting a second WG MOP 20 to layer as I think it will be a very chic look.

If not, and you're still poo-pooing the RG MOP 20 idea...
Another option if you like alternating is to get the RG MOP and guilloche alternating. I think the launch is for Korea only, but it will eventually come to the US. Or, since you are such a VVIP, your SA may be able to get one for you from Korea when it launches.
The shiny metal in the guilloche will be a nice complement to the bezel edge of the Cosmos ring which is also shiny.
By the way, for the Cosmos BTF ring, I looked at the oynx diamond version, and I did not like the bezel in WG against the onyx. However, I saw the RG MOP version, and the RG bezel is stunning against the MOP. Your ring will be gorgeous.

For me, I would stay with a RG MOP theme, especially to match your ring. It also brightens up your set in my opinion.

Just my two cents for what it's worth. Good luck to you and congrats on your future pieces!

At the store, the 20-motif did have presence. I was wearing a gray sweater and it looked stunning. However, it was jewelry store lighting. I will probably take the Acela to NYC and see some necklaces. I will wear my Perlee bracelet and earrings to see if the Cosmos works. It’s not the BTF, but the single flower.

I do not mind the subtlety. I have plenty of bold pieces. I wear mostly neutral colors. But I take your point. Special Ordering PG GMOP may be an answer, but I do not want to wait 12-18 months for it. I am already 6-7 months in for my Magic YG gold earrings and am tapping my feet.

 

[eternallove4bag]

The 20-motif RG, diamond, GMOP just went on my radar. I own a RG Perlee Clover and the matching hoops. So, I believe it will make a beautiful set. I would probably get the Cosmos PG/MOP ring too.

The GMOP motifs in the store I tried on in the store were more brownish in cast than I would prefer — because I already own a Letterwood RG 20-motif. I want to see other color variations before I pick one. I think I would like one grayer/cooler in cast.

I was originally going to get a Chalcedony 20-motif and the Owl pin As my next VCA purchases. I already own 20s in WG MOP and WG Onyx. I once had the Chalcedony 20, but re-homed it and regretted selling it. I will purchase these, later.

The point of my rambling post is that my jewelry fund will soon be big enough to make this big purchase. So I might as well do the big purchase sooner, yes/no?

Can I see modeling pics of the PG GMOP 20s?
If you own it, is it worth the $$$. Do you love it? Or is there something better to get for the money. ($72K plus tax)

@etoupebirkin your incredible collection is inspirational. I own the GMOP and pave 5 motif and have tried it in a 20 motif when it was first released by VCA. I absolutely loved it. GMOP is one of those stones that is such a perfect neutral that it goes with everything. The pave of course takes it to another level.
I can’t wait to see what you decide ultimately.

 

[nicole0612]

At the store, the 20-motif did have presence. I was wearing a gray sweater and it looked stunning. However, it was jewelry store lighting. I will probably take the Acela to NYC and see some necklaces. I will wear my Perlee bracelet and earrings to see if the Cosmos works. It’s not the BTF, but the single flower.

I do not mind the subtlety. I have plenty of bold pieces. I wear mostly neutral colors. But I take your point. Special Ordering PG GMOP may be an answer, but I do not want to wait 12-18 months for it. I am already 6-7 months in for my Magic YG gold earrings and am tapping my feet.

The advantage of the alternating vs the SO all GMOP is that you can select the exact shade of GMOP that you love with the alternating. The SO would leave it up to chance. You can request a preferred shade of course, but GMOP in RG so often is selected to have warmer hues (brown/pink), though a few rare pieces have green flashes, which I prefer. In the end, I parted with my warmer GMOP pieces and SO GMOP in WG. Though I have very little WG in my collection, the stones used in WG have a more green/cool/silvery appearance and really pop, while still being subtle and neutral. I would not give up on the 20 alternating until you have seen more options for color/tone.

 

[missie1]

I dont personally own the 20 motif but I own the bracelet. It’s honestly one of the prettiest combos I think VCA makes. I think it would go with many outfits especially with your current RG collection.
I want to SO a 10 motif of that combination at some point…
Definitely try and see multiple options with that necklace as they look totally different with the MOP hues as you know. One will speak to you!
I can post a pic of the bracelet if you would like…

The 20-motif RG, diamond, GMOP just went on my radar. I own a RG Perlee Clover and the matching hoops. So, I believe it will make a beautiful set. I would probably get the Cosmos PG/MOP ring too.

The GMOP motifs in the store I tried on in the store were more brownish in cast than I would prefer — because I already own a Letterwood RG 20-motif. I want to see other color variations before I pick one. I think I would like one grayer/cooler in cast.

I was originally going to get a Chalcedony 20-motif and the Owl pin As my next VCA purchases. I already own 20s in WG MOP and WG Onyx. I once had the Chalcedony 20, but re-homed it and regretted selling it. I will purchase these, later.

The point of my rambling post is that my jewelry fund will soon be big enough to make this big purchase. So I might as well do the big purchase sooner, yes/no?

Can I see modeling pics of the PG GMOP 20s?
If you own it, is it worth the $$$. Do you love it? Or is there something better to get for the money. ($72K plus tax)

I tried it on twice at boutique and didn’t take pics. I do have pave gmop rg and gmop bracelet however and I played around linking them. It can maybe help visualize

 

[etoupebirkin]

I tried it on twice at boutique and didn’t take pics. I do have pave gmop rg and gmop bracelet however and I played around linking them. It can maybe help visualize

Thank you!!!

 

[tenshix]

I tried it on twice at boutique and didn’t take pics. I do have pave gmop rg and gmop bracelet however and I played around linking them. It can maybe help visualize

Gorgeous!!

 

[A bottle of Red]

I tried it on twice at boutique and didn’t take pics. I do have pave gmop rg and gmop bracelet however and I played around linking them. It can maybe help visualize

That onyx pops & you look amazing

 

[missie1]

That onyx pops & you look amazing

Thank you ….The onyx rg was surprisingly one of the best combinations. I’m considering the sweet earrings to make a set. I am going to see if they can be SO in rg

 

[tenshix]

Thank you ….The onyx rg was surprisingly one of the best combinations. I’m considering the sweet earrings to make a set. I am going to see if they can be SO in rg

Ooh if they can SO the sweet could you let me know? I’ve asked my SA about SO or MTO Sweets in general but she hasn’t replied back on this matter yet, she said she needed to wait for her manager to get back from Paris (presumably since they’re being trained on the new collection(s)!).

 

[missie1]

Ooh if they can SO the sweet could you let me know? I’ve asked my SA about SO or MTO Sweets in general but she hasn’t replied back on this matter yet, she said she needed to wait for her manager to get back from Paris (presumably since they’re being trained on the new collection(s)!).

Definitely will keep you posted. I have to call my SA in few days

 

[pearlgirl55]

Got the alhambra black onyx necklace and I'm told you can see spaces between the frame and motifs when held up to light.
I'm sure I'm not going to accept this. What is going on with VCA quality? Who else had this problem and did they fix it or give you another necklace.

 

[sjunky13]

@etoupebirkin I have yet to try on the RG 20 motif counterpart but I absolutely love my GMOP pavè alternating bracelet. It’s the bracelet I baby the most, and whenever I wear it I always admire the color shift iridescence on the GMOP especially during daytime. However I do agree with what others have said in that it’s subtle, which is something I personally love; it’s a more understated elegant romantic feel and mostly for myself to admire with the color shift based on lighting. If you enjoy that kind of look I think you would also enjoy wearing the 20 GMOP pave alternating.

I am deciding between regular grey mop bracelet or alternating diamond. I am just worried about the flip!
@etoupebirkin My sa put the 20 motif alternating pave and grey MOP on me. It was breathtaking! Very very hard to take off. If I could swing it, it would be in my collection 100%.
I like @tenshix like that it is more subtle. I have a LOT of yellow gold jewelry. It looks bold on me and pops. I am moving to rose gold for some pieces because it looks soft and subtle. I like that it looks romantic and feminine and pretty. I do not need everything and every piece to "pop" .
I am trying hard to decide on alternating pave. It is really unique and special. I would love to see a 20 motif revealed here

 

[bagsnob1979]

I just have to share the most magnificent piece I have ever seen! I worked with a lovely SA today who wanted me to try on this heritage watch! It was made for the days when “ladies weren’t supposed to wear watches” so it’s hidden in the bracelet! This piece honestly made me have to catch my breath!