VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[pink20pink]

Yes, they stopped the earrings as my SA told me clients complained, so VCA just said "no more."
You were probably one of the last approvals, great timing!

If you are a 20 motif person, I would get it! I am not sure why VCA would not make a 20 in WG (they approved the earrings and bracelet, but cited "scarcity" for a 20, which we all know is just a canned answer because blue agate is not a scarce nor expensive stone). Hence, I would get the 20 in YG for sure before they pull back on this stone.

For a 20 set, I actually love the shade of blue agate far more than turquoise. I think it's much more intense and wearable year round vs. turquoise, which to me is more a summer stone. If you do decide to get it, modshot please!

Clients complained about what? I'm considering getting a vca blue agate piece, so I'm curious to know what the issue what that stone is? Please share. Thanks.

 

[BigAkoya]

Clients complained about what? I'm considering getting a vca blue agate piece, so I'm curious to know what the issue what that stone is? Please share. Thanks.

Hi! There is nothing wrong with the stone.

My SA said when the earrings were available via SO, some clients who ordered them complained they could see through the post in the back and hence rejected them. VCA then had to resell these SO earrings. My SA also said other clients complained the earrings did not match their other BA piece, the client rejected it, and again, VCA had to find a home for the SO piece.

My SA said that's why VCA decided to stop allowing the SO of the earrings (too much drama). That's why you rarely see BA earrings. I am sure if you are VVIP you can get earrings made.

The only thing to consider for BA is that it is a translucent stone, so the color will slightly change depending on the background the motif lays against (e.g. skin, white shirt, black shirt, etc... ).

To fully look at a blue agate piece, do not hold the piece up in the air, where light fully passes through the stone as that is never how it is worn, just hanging in the air. Hold the piece against your skin, against your clothing, and if it's a pendant, look at the pendant when it is under your chin in the "shade" (e.g. no direct light).

For me, when judging a stone, I like to see it at its worst, in low lighting (take it away from boutique direct bright light & go off to a lowly lit spot). If you love it in low lighting, it's a keeper!

Blue agate is really pretty; it just pops! Hope that was helpful.

 

[BigAkoya]

I think the blue is stunning on you @Buddysmom but I can see it's not so easy to style. In a similar vein, my new turquoise bag isn't that easy to style. It looks weird with other blues/teal colors, with pink etc. it needs that neutral to pop against, much like your necklace.

Oohh... I am thinking you got the T turquoise bag!
I have concluded with turquoise, you need to pop and pop (two color pops), but it needs to be clean deliberate pops.

Try this...
White top, red jeans (slightly wider leg looks best now for that cool slouchy look), and... drum-roll... turquoise bag! It sounds crazy, but it works, and they are clean pops. Turquoise and red (which is really a neutral) look fabulous together.
I like the third color to be white for that crispy look, but ivory/cream also works.

Another combo if you don't do red bottoms... Yellow is trending now, so try...
Pale lemon yellow top, white jeans, turquoise bag. Just pure pale yellow, not neon yellow and no drop of orange. Yellow is so dreamy yet happy, and it looks amazing with turquoise. Your bag gives it that perfect pop!

Just some ideas for what it's worth...

 

[Buddysmom]

20 motif blue agate is really beautiful. But, it is not the easiest necklace to match with outfits. Since it’s such an expensive purchase, it’s good to think about it carefully. Will be good to order the 20 motif mop to compare. YG mop looks good with summery outfits. Or may I suggest the 20 motif hammered yellow gold? It will go well with your YG pave necklace and match with lots of outfits easily.

@littlecollector ....great minds think alike. I was just thinking about the hammered 20 motif

 

[Nata321]

Attached is a photo of my 5 motif in BA, granted in more direct lighting, that is more representative of what the model has. So it does exist. I will say that of all of my 5 motifs, I don't reach for BA very often. It is so loud and bright that I find it hard to wear. However, when I do put it on, I always think to myself "why don't I wear this more? It's beautiful and striking." I agree with @BigAkoya with the MOP in any metal color. I personally prefer it in RG and YG as the metal really does bring out different colors of the iridescence (rose brings out pinks; yellow brings out more golden notes; WG is more muted and stark white, even a little cloudy grey depending on lighting). I think you should consider tigers eye and chalcedony (albeit they're harder to find with good striations). The photos on the website and even this forum do not do them justice. Both really go with anything, one is just more warm toned and the other is more cool toned. I think @Ylesiya? posted a really good photo of tigers eye and blue agate 20s in one of the threads a while back, maybe look at those photos!

View attachment 5741260
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This is an amazing shade of blue agate, wow!

 

[pink20pink]

Hi! There is nothing wrong with the stone.

My SA said when the earrings were available via SO, some clients who ordered them complained they could see through the post in the back and hence rejected them. VCA then had to resell these SO earrings. My SA also said other clients complained the earrings did not match their other BA piece, the client rejected it, and again, VCA had to find a home for the SO piece.

My SA said that's why VCA decided to stop allowing the SO of the earrings (too much drama). That's why you rarely see BA earrings. I am sure if you are VVIP you can get earrings made.

The only thing to consider for BA is that it is a translucent stone, so the color will slightly change depending on the background the motif lays against (e.g. skin, white shirt, black shirt, etc... ).

To fully look at a blue agate piece, do not hold the piece up in the air, where light fully passes through the stone as that is never how it is worn, just hanging in the air. Hold the piece against your skin, against your clothing, and if it's a pendant, look at the pendant when it is under your chin in the "shade" (e.g. no direct light).

For me, when judging a stone, I like to see it at its worst, in low lighting (take it away from boutique direct bright light & go off to a lowly lit spot). If you love it in low lighting, it's a keeper!

Blue agate is really pretty; it just pops! Hope that was helpful.

Thank you for your helpful and detailed response. I've been eyeing the BA bracelet.

 

[sassification]

OMG....this blue is incredible!!! If I could find this color I would be over the moon!! I have the WG MOP Magic pendant and I totally agree....it looks a little gray. All of my other pieces are YG so I would lean towards the YG. I love TE too!

I had the 5 motif WG MOP, fell out of love before i could finisb saying hello! Lol

Wg made the MOP look awfully sad. I much prefer n love chalcedony.. still loving it.. i got the 10 and 5 motif chalcedony. I wear it much more than my Onyx x Pave 5 motif now..

 

[missie1]

My first 20 motif just arrived and I am a bit torn. I live at the beach and thought the Blue Agate 20 motif could be worn nice and casual but I have tried it on with tons of outfits and only seem to like it with a white shirt. I guess because the stone is translucent it looks different depending on what color is under it?

I would love to see any photos of others who have a 20 motif BA worn casually. I am questioning my purchase at the moment. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

View attachment 5741022

I love love the vivid pop of blue. I don’t love it against the white shirt to be honest. Shirt is too stark. I think it could be styled successfully with monochrome color blocking and using this as you pop color. What are some of your primary color palettes that you prefer.

 

[Taty]

Attached is a photo of my 5 motif in BA, granted in more direct lighting, that is more representative of what the model has. So it does exist. I will say that of all of my 5 motifs, I don't reach for BA very often. It is so loud and bright that I find it hard to wear. However, when I do put it on, I always think to myself "why don't I wear this more? It's beautiful and striking." I agree with @BigAkoya with the MOP in any metal color. I personally prefer it in RG and YG as the metal really does bring out different colors of the iridescence (rose brings out pinks; yellow brings out more golden notes; WG is more muted and stark white, even a little cloudy grey depending on lighting). I think you should consider tigers eye and chalcedony (albeit they're harder to find with good striations). The photos on the website and even this forum do not do them justice. Both really go with anything, one is just more warm toned and the other is more cool toned. I think @Ylesiya? posted a really good photo of tigers eye and blue agate 20s in one of the threads a while back, maybe look at those photos!

View attachment 5741260
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This is beautiful, you captured really well the shade of blue, mine IRL looks like this color. Congrats the BA looks great on you!

 

[snnysmm]

THIS is absolutely my feeling!
I have a RG 20 and wear it very casually. It goes with most everything and it’s not complicated or competing with colors. I also love MOP for the same reason. (Although if I was collecting 20s, I’d definitely have color in the mix.)
Here’s a repost of my 20…worn everyday of our 6 days of college tours.

View attachment 5741826

I don’t need a 20 motif… I don’t need a 20 motif… I don’t need a 20 motif…

… I think I want it

 

[BigAkoya]

I don’t need a 20 motif… I don’t need a 20 motif… I don’t need a 20 motif…

… I think I want it

You don't think you want it... you KNOW you want it!
To me, a 20 motif is the bomb of all Alahambra pieces. I love the 20 motfi. Very very easy to wear.

 

[WingNut]

You don't think you want it... you KNOW you want it!
To me, a 20 motif is the bomb of all Alahambra pieces. I love the 20 motfi. Very very easy to wear.

I keep seeing the 20 on others and loving it, but I don't think it would work for me. Any long non-pendant necklace always either joins at the bottom, nestling in the crevice between my boobs, or hooking over one or the other. So I've never even tried one, just assuming it wouldn't work. Anyone busty care to chime in?

 

[BigAkoya]

I keep seeing the 20 on others and loving it, but I don't think it would work for me. Any long non-pendant necklace always either joins at the bottom, nestling in the crevice between my boobs, or hooking over one or the other. So I've never even tried one, just assuming it wouldn't work. Anyone busty care to chime in?

Yes... the boobie issue! Well, I am definitely not boobie, so it still lays nice on me and the necklace stays in the long "U" formation.

I would agree with you since you are boobie. 20 motifs (and other long necklaces) are tough for boobie ladies as they tend to sit in the valley, trapped between the mountains!
It's similar to a Magic long pendant where I've seen some Magic long necklaces land. The necklace ends up in a "Y" formation, stuck in the valley.

The problem is length...
What would look great is the 16 motif. It's longer so it will land in a better position, past the boobies and further down the torso.
To help visualize... think of the boobie ladies in the Gilded Age and their gorgeous long diamond necklaces and pearl strands that went past their torso. So gorgeous! I love that look.

You could try the 20 motif, but my guess is, sure, it will work, but it won't look super great, especially when you start moving.
Try on the 16 motif too. It's also a bit more airy if you like that.

 

[Aimee3]

I keep seeing the 20 on others and loving it, but I don't think it would work for me. Any long non-pendant necklace always either joins at the bottom, nestling in the crevice between my boobs, or hooking over one or the other. So I've never even tried one, just assuming it wouldn't work. Anyone busty care to chime in?

I’m busty and petite. The only way I would wear a 20 would be doubled. I haven’t bought one either.

 

[WingNut]

Yes... the boobie issue! Well, I am definitely not boobie, so it still lays nice on me and the necklace stays in the long "U" formation.

I would agree with you since you are boobie. 20 motifs (and other long necklaces) are tough for boobie ladies as they tend to sit in the valley, trapped between the mountains!
It's similar to a Magic long pendant where I've seen some Magic long necklaces land. The necklace ends up in a "Y" formation, stuck in the valley.

The problem is length...
What would look great is the 16 motif. It's longer so it will land in a better position, past the boobies and further down the torso.
To help visualize... think of the boobie ladies in the Gilded Age and their gorgeous long diamond necklaces and pearl strands that went past their torso. So gorgeous! I love that look.

You could try the 20 motif, but my guess is, sure, it will work, but it won't look super great, especially when you start moving.
Try on the 16 motif too. It's also a bit more airy if you like that.

Had not considered the 16!!!! Will try it...Thank you again for your guidance . How I envy those who can wear things like the 20!

For my next dilemma, can we tackle earrings?
I have only the YG sm Frivole earrings. I also have the Onyx Magic pendant (I always wear it doubled), 5-motif MOP bracelet, and VA Pave necklace. All YG. Eventually I'll venture into WG but I want to complete a few sets first (see we are learning about sets from you!).

I want earrings, and I think I want:

MOP. VA? Magic?
Onyx. VA? Magic?
Malechite ( I KNOW I want the magic!!)
Pave Frivole (Going to say the large would probably suit me and it would differentiate from my more daily small)
Pave VA (to go with necklace). My SA who is no longer in the boutique in HI that also no longer exists once said they looked too "mature" for me. Hello I'm in my late 50s what does he expect me to wear????

I keep looking online (no VCA near me) and nothing is available but the VA size for MOP and Onyx. Given my height I fear the VA wouldn't have enough impact....unless maybe I got the Onyx in VA and the MOP in Magic.

This is what is keeping me from getting work done today. On a Saturday. Musings about VCA earrings. Meanwhile I study everyone else photos and love how everything looks!