VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

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#2,422
HeidiDavis said:
Hello, Ladies!


This is my first VCA post and only my second ever TPF post! As someone said above: the gals in this thread all seem so lovely and kind to one another. Some of the other threads can get a bit snarky on occasion, which terrifies techno hermits like me, so I just tend to lurk. Lol
Anyway, I just ordered my very first VCA piece: the single motif Vintage Alhambra pendant in onyx. Now I'm worried that I won't love it when I get it (hopefully tomorrow). I tried searching here and elsewhere for modeling pics of this pendant, but the onyx doesn't seem to be as popular as the MOP. I chose the onyx because I wear a lot of black and I hoped the onyx would tie the pendant in with much of my wardrobe. If I don't like it once I receive it, does the online boutique allow exchanges? I have considered the single motif all-gold pendant and the Byzantine pendant as alternates, as I know these would coordinate with other jewelry I have and wear often. Thoughts? I wish I could consider the multiple motif necklaces and bracelets, but my budget is only around 3K this time. Maybe someday, though! Lol.
Again, thanks for being the best thread on TPF and always keeping it classy! :-) Sorry this is so long-winded.
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Hey, Heidi! Welcome out of the shadows - LOL!
I tried responding to this from my phone earlier today but for some reason it wouldn't work. Sorry about that.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the black onyx alhambra. I think it is the most versatile of any of the stones offered, other than perhaps the all-gold, but that is a toss-up. Interestingly, I almost never see the single motif onyx pendant out in the wild, so to speak - not that I see any of the others very often either. I think this is terrific: it will be recognizable to those "in the know," or simply a beautiful necklace for those who aren't as "into" jewelry, and you won't see it everywhere you go!

Put aside your worries and see how you feel about it when it arrives. I'll bet you're going to love it. I've never bought from the online boutique, but the one time I had had any second thoughts or issues with a purchase, my local boutique was AMAZING and offered to take the piece back - even though it was probably seven or eight months after purchase (I mentioned in passing that I really didn't find myself wearing this particular piece much and the store manager immediately said, "then we have to take it back! You should only have what you love" - talk about cementing me as a customer forever!!!).

If you are as in love with the pendant as I think you'll be once it arrives, the only thing I'd encourage you to consider is maybe extending the length and adding a jump ring if it doesn't already have one. VCA typically extends necklaces 2" free of charge. If you do this, you'll have the option of wearing the pendant either nestled into your throat OR over clothing more easily. Depending on the neckline of what you're wearing, you'll find that the pendant looks best at different lengths and you'll like having the flexibility.

Major congrats on this purchase!!!
 
#2,423
HeidiDavis said:
I would love the matching onyx Alhambra earrings! Do you recommend the sweet size or the vintage? I have long hair so my earrings sometimes get lost in it, but larger earrings can overwhelm me as my face is small. Decision, decisions!!!! :-)
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OK, so some questions first:
-are you the sort of woman who wears jewelry EVERY DAY or just when you go out at night?
-What is your style? Casual? Dressy?
-Where do you spend the majority of your day (in a school, an office environment, ….)

That will help us to help you. Your hair may be long now but hairstyles change; you should purchase earrings that flatter your face shape and work with your lifestyle. VCA purchases are expensive enough that they need to have longevity through as many phases of your life as possible though!

And, as TGG and I almost always say, consider the frivoles too! They're amazing earrings.
 
#2,424
stylemechanel said:
I do think you are wise hopingoneday.....and maybe, someday we can meet and I can use your help with the next piece I buy. Beverly Hills? Las Vegas? Just asking....and hoping...:graucho:
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LOL! At the moment my lifestyle is quite boring, I am pretty homebound!!! Fantasy Me would love to meet you in Beverly Hills or Vegas, though... Maybe one day when the kids have flown the coop!
 
#2,426
Birdonce said:
FYI: I was at a reception at the Neiman Marcus in Bellevue, WA and the Van Cleef and Arpels had some very beautiful museum pieces (and an unusual ballerina pin) that were shipped in. Not sure when they are going back, but wanted to alert any local gals that are fans who might want to see them.
Fancy jewelry is not really my thing, but it was fun to try on gorgeous pieces like this!
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This ring looks lovely on you.
 
#2,427
Hard to tell about the authenticity from the pics and listing. Some trusted ebay seller (eg. doverjewelry) always list their items with 0.99 starting bids, maybe to avoid the fee??? But eventually the great item always ends up with high price. I won't rely on the authentication cert. as well because it is very easy to be made with a color printer. If I intend to buy expensive items on ebay, I would look for the one offered by reputable sellers who run B&M stores and have listed their items outside off ebay. Those sellers just use ebay as an alternative sales option, and always offer authentic guarantee and no question asked return policy.
 
#2,428
cung said:
Hard to tell about the authenticity from the pics and listing. Some trusted ebay seller (eg. doverjewelry) always list their items with 0.99 starting bids, maybe to avoid the fee??? But eventually the great item always ends up with high price. I won't rely on the authentication cert. as well because it is very easy to be made with a color printer. If I intend to buy expensive items on ebay, I would look for the one offered by reputable sellers who run B&M stores and have listed their items outside off ebay. Those sellers just use ebay as an alternative sales option, and always offer authentic guarantee and no question asked return policy.
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Cung you make an excellent point – the vendor I bought from did indeed have a brick-and-mortar store, and offered a no questions return policy as well. I don't think I would've made the purchase without those two things!
 
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