Here are some from IG. Credit to the IG account (not mine).Are there any posted pics? I must have fallen out of the loop
VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!
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Verdura and Van Cleef are my two favorite jewelry designers. Their pieces are so timeless, chic and wearable. I bought the Candy ring when I bought the Bouton D’Or to be a set. Buying this Ludo version makes so much sense for my particular collection.
You are lucky to have both the turquoise and lapis Alhambra necklaces. They are both so lovely and rare.
Bouton D’Or is gorgeous. I have always adored it but only have one piece - the pendant. I love chrysoprase. A Chrysoprase, turquoise and lapis combination is always perfection to me.
Because I love that combo so much I buy a lot of Irene Neuwirth. She’s not VCA - definitely more on the fun, whimsical, casual side - but I love the bright playfulness of her unique pieces.
I purchased all of my turquoise Alhambra pieces back maybe 15 or more years ago when you could walk in the store and buy it straight from the floor! When they did the alternating lapis and gold Alhambra and malachite and gold Alhambra necklaces I grabbed those too. I remember that the malachite at that time was so new and vibrant - I had to have it!
You have a beautiful jewelry collection and amazing taste
Thank you for indulging me and chatting about jewelry!
We are jewelry sisters. I love Irene Neuwirth too. I have a few of her pieces. I love that they are so whimsical. Though I’ve found her prices have skyrocketed in the past year. So her work is less on my radar. When I was in NYC this past weekend, I did not stop at the new flagship. My DH was with me and I’m using up my jewelry budget on the Ludo.Bouton D’Or is gorgeous. I have always adored it but only have one piece - the pendant. I love chrysoprase. A Chrysoprase, turquoise and lapis combination is always perfection to me.
Because I love that combo so much I buy a lot of Irene Neuwirth. She’s not VCA - definitely more on the fun, whimsical, casual side - but I love the bright playfulness of her unique pieces.
I purchased all of my turquoise Alhambra pieces back maybe 15 or more years ago when you could walk in the store and buy it straight from the floor! When they did the alternating lapis and gold Alhambra and malachite and gold Alhambra necklaces I grabbed those too. I remember that the malachite at that time was so new and vibrant - I had to have it!
You have a beautiful jewelry collection and amazing taste
BEYOND skyrocketed. I have been buying from her since she was only sold at Barney’s in Beverly Hills and I recently told my husband it’s very difficult for me to justify buying her pieces these days.
My main issue is with the stones she uses - the gems specifically. Her designs are amazing and I can handle the turquoise and chrysoprase prices (while they are still pricey), but not the gemstone prices. If I’m spending tens of thousands on sapphires, emeralds, etc., I would like them to visually look nice. I know Irene doesn’t mind flawed stones - she is all about the natural beauty of a gem and that’s her signature - but I have massive reservations with purchasing pieces that are HW and VCA prices (and sometimes higher) for gemstones that are flawed. It may seem silly but that’s sort of where my head is at.
That said, the store on Madison Avenue looks beautiful and I would like to visit to see what she did from an architectural and artistic standpoint alone. Her displays are always such a joy and she has incredible vision. My husband is allergic to jewelry stores (so he claims!) but he enjoys going into her store on Melrose Place. Her customer service is second to none - her employees are always an absolute pleasure to work with and adore Irene. She will customize anything or re create pieces she made forever ago for clients, which I love. I’m especially fond of this because way back 20 or so years ago when I was just a 25 year old kid I would go to Barney’s and ogle her pieces but couldn’t afford hardly any of them. As the years passed her collection greatly changed but I still desired some of the originals I loved and asked if she would consider making them for me. She graciously did. I wish VCA would do this! So many pieces I missed out on I would love to have - there was a large butterfly pendant in all pave diamonds and then there were these amazing painted butterfly pendants … I always think of how I missed out on those!
But I agree re: Neuwirth prices and I think you made an awesome decision with your purchase! Hopefully I’ll be adding one to my collection soon and we can mutually swoon over the pieces together! Sorry this was so long! I should probably private message! I apologize to all other readers
I love your favorite stones as well! I will check out Irene Neuwirth, thanks for the recommendation.Bouton D’Or is gorgeous. I have always adored it but only have one piece - the pendant. I love chrysoprase. A Chrysoprase, turquoise and lapis combination is always perfection to me.
Because I love that combo so much I buy a lot of Irene Neuwirth. She’s not VCA - definitely more on the fun, whimsical, casual side - but I love the bright playfulness of her unique pieces.
I purchased all of my turquoise Alhambra pieces back maybe 15 or more years ago when you could walk in the store and buy it straight from the floor! When they did the alternating lapis and gold Alhambra and malachite and gold Alhambra necklaces I grabbed those too. I remember that the malachite at that time was so new and vibrant - I had to have it!
You have a beautiful jewelry collection and amazing taste
Your alternating stone and malachite/lapis VCA pieces are on my all time dream list, but unfortunate I was not buying VCA at the time they were released. I am so happy to hear that someone in our TPF VCA group has them!
EB I keep coming back to admire this! I am so thrilled for you. The Ludo is one of the most exceptional pieces out there, it looks like it should be in a museum!
I agree with this 1000%. I looked at some IN pieces prior to deciding on the Ludo. $60-65K for Tourmaline beaded Candy Necklaces… Um, no. My DH was with me when I purchased the Ludo. It was the first time he KNEW the cost of what I got. But I pay for my indulgences, though DH is funding a part of this for Valentine’s Day.BEYOND skyrocketed. I have been buying from her since she was only sold at Barney’s in Beverly Hills and I recently told my husband it’s very difficult for me to justify buying her pieces these days.
My main issue is with the stones she uses - the gems specifically. Her designs are amazing and I can handle the turquoise and chrysoprase prices (while they are still pricey), but not the gemstone prices. If I’m spending tens of thousands on sapphires, emeralds, etc., I would like them to visually look nice. I know Irene doesn’t mind flawed stones - she is all about the natural beauty of a gem and that’s her signature - but I have massive reservations with purchasing pieces that are HW and VCA prices (and sometimes higher) for gemstones that are flawed. It may seem silly but that’s sort of where my head is at.
That said, the store on Madison Avenue looks beautiful and I would like to visit to see what she did from an architectural and artistic standpoint alone. Her displays are always such a joy and she has incredible vision. My husband is allergic to jewelry stores (so he claims!) but he enjoys going into her store on Melrose Place. Her customer service is second to none - her employees are always an absolute pleasure to work with and adore Irene. She will customize anything or re create pieces she made forever ago for clients, which I love. I’m especially fond of this because way back 20 or so years ago when I was just a 25 year old kid I would go to Barney’s and ogle her pieces but couldn’t afford hardly any of them. As the years passed her collection greatly changed but I still desired some of the originals I loved and asked if she would consider making them for me. She graciously did. I wish VCA would do this! So many pieces I missed out on I would love to have - there was a large butterfly pendant in all pave diamonds and then there were these amazing painted butterfly pendants … I always think of how I missed out on those!
But I agree re: Neuwirth prices and I think you made an awesome decision with your purchase! Hopefully I’ll be adding one to my collection soon and we can mutually swoon over the pieces together! Sorry this was so long! I should probably private message! I apologize to all other readers
That is so nice of him! I love being able to make a decision and purchase for myself but it can also be lovely when my husband is involved or being generous too!
And those candy necklaces, don’t get me started on the price!!! It’s so unfortunate because I do love her so, but I really rather spend that sort of money elsewhere.
Just a quick question - did you put down a deposit on the VCA? Would you mind letting me know the percent? If you are not comfortable I completely understand. I ask because it turns out corporate does not have any being made in the queue (so to speak) so it would definitely be a special order. I was quoted a percent deposit but I’m still waiting on the time frame from order to completion. Did they initially quote you a specific time frame (I know it came pleasantly much earlier than expected).
Thank you so much for all of your help and time commenting back and forth!
@LenaDuree and @etoupebirkin
You ladies might like this:
I am also sure you both know there is a big book on Verdura. It's out of print now, but you can get used copies on amazon.
It's worth it, talks of his life and his inspirations for the pieces with photos of his creations of course. The hardcover is the one with the black dust cover showing the Wrapped Heart Brooch.
You ladies might like this:
I am also sure you both know there is a big book on Verdura. It's out of print now, but you can get used copies on amazon.
Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler: Corbett, Patricia: 9780810935297: Amazon.com: Books
Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler [Corbett, Patricia] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler
www.amazon.com
It's worth it, talks of his life and his inspirations for the pieces with photos of his creations of course. The hardcover is the one with the black dust cover showing the Wrapped Heart Brooch.
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Hi all, I fell in love with the Sweet Alhambra rose gold necklace last year and have been dropping by the store to check on it's availability since then but always come out empty handed. One of the SA told my husband to come back in another 6 months while another told me to drop by to check as and when.
May I know if I should really pop by to check cos the stocks are really low or is there any profile or relationships with SA to build before getting any classic pieces? TIA.
May I know if I should really pop by to check cos the stocks are really low or is there any profile or relationships with SA to build before getting any classic pieces? TIA.
Are u looking for the rose gold hammered or carnelian pendant? Or the sweet 16 motif?
For me, if I want a piece, I just ask the SA to order it. Or, you can put down a deposit and there is no obligation to purchase when it arrives. I personally think the SA not offering this option to you is odd. She is wasting your time by asking you to keep coming back. The SA knows popular pieces don't just sit in the boutique showcase for long. They will be sold.
For me, I do not live near a VCA, so it would be silly for me to keep dropping in to a live store.
I would recommend you ordering the piece. Good luck!