VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[Purrsey]

To give another perspective, I was previously considering either the Serpenti in wg or perlee clover in wg (I have yg). I went back and forth and ended up not being about to pull trigger on either. In the end I planning on getting a tennis bracelet. More for the simplicity. I am obsessed with rings and I wear big rings a lot now and either option just felt like too much with my rings. A tennis bracelet while ‘boring’ or ‘simple’ is exactly what I need as a compliment to my ring. I understand a tennis will not have much resale value. However, a Tennis will cost fraction of either bracelet, and diamond designer pieces do not retain full value. So it might be a wash in the end. On others wearing synthetic diamonds, many also wear fake designer pieces. That won’t stop me from buying what I love or want.
If you want a statement bracelet I would get the Serpenti as it is speculation on it’s own. Just my 2 cents.

Thank you for sharing with me too.
I am back and forth with the Serpenti since 2021. Haha.

2021 was when I first bought my Cartier Love and that opened a can of worms in the fine jewelry world. I still don’t have a big collection (not that I need to) but what I have now to me are quite basic. And am contented that they are, as I can wear them, solo or stack, anytime any occasion.

They all still excite me but I think I’m on a diamond-need phase (don’t we all do at some point? Coincidentally last night my DH asked me again if I want to upgrade my e-ring. That’s another story altogether). I have a love pave and absolutely love it but I need bigger diamonds lol. Looking down while drinking my morning tea now.


For TB, I’d say I’m very particular how I would want it to be. If I were to customise one, it gotta be that perfect setting, to be on point, to be on my turf.

And I also remind myself not to make the mistake of just-settle. Maybe I just need to try the VCA to validate what my heart really truly wants.

I think jewelry works differently from say Chanel (referring to recent atrocious price jump) in terms of retaining value. Hermes’ has it worst. Bvlgari may not hold as well as VCA and cartier (I think??). There’s just too much comparatives; sometimes the technicality spoils the fun!

 

[Purrsey]

So I’m late to the party but I have to chime in as a tennis bracelet lover. Even though others finds them quite boring the right tennis bracelet adds a pop when stacking bracelets especially VCA Perlee bangles which tend to be more metal heavy. The 5 motif all diamond while very nice definitely needs another piece to balance it out because by itself it doesn’t feel that special. The bugari all diamond does have great presence but it’s off putting to me that it’s difficult to build a cohesive stack with variation around it from that one brand.

Not late; I’m still same undecided yet haha.
For this next purchase, I focus on having it solo. I find it somehow easier in the decision making. Less to think about.

I want that one piece to shine it’s full glory like how a statement piece should be (but then also cannot be over the top lol).

 

[lynne_ross]

So I’m late to the party but I have to chime in as a tennis bracelet lover. Even though others finds them quite boring the right tennis bracelet adds a pop when stacking bracelets especially VCA Perlee bangles which tend to be more metal heavy. The 5 motif all diamond while very nice definitely needs another piece to balance it out because by itself it doesn’t feel that special. The bugari all diamond does have great presence but it’s off putting to me that it’s difficult to build a cohesive stack with variation around it from that one brand.

You have been biggest enabler of me wanting a tennis bracelet. They are my favourite pieces of yours! I agree they are a great compliment to other pieces.

 

[lynne_ross]

Thank you for sharing with me too.
I am back and forth with the Serpenti since 2021. Haha.

2021 was when I first bought my Cartier Love and that opened a can of worms in the fine jewelry world. I still don’t have a big collection (not that I need to) but what I have now to me are quite basic. And am contented that they are, as I can wear them, solo or stack, anytime any occasion.

They all still excite me but I think I’m on a diamond-need phase (don’t we all do at some point? Coincidentally last night my DH asked me again if I want to upgrade my e-ring. That’s another story altogether). I have a love pave and absolutely love it but I need bigger diamonds lol. Looking down while drinking my morning tea now.
View attachment 5777834

For TB, I’d say I’m very particular how I would want it to be. If I were to customise one, it gotta be that perfect setting, to be on point, to be on my turf.

And I also remind myself not to make the mistake of just-settle. Maybe I just need to try the VCA to validate what my heart really truly wants.

I think jewelry works differently from say Chanel (referring to recent atrocious price jump) in terms of retaining value. Hermes’ has it worst. Bvlgari may not hold as well as VCA and cartier (I think??). There’s just too much comparatives; sometimes the technicality spoils the fun!

From all your replies, I feel you clearly want the Serpenti. Go for it!

 

[missie1]

You have been biggest enabler of me wanting a tennis bracelet. They are my favourite pieces of yours! I agree they are a great compliment to other pieces.

Can you believe not too long ago I thought they were too traditional and boring lol. Then I realized it was the settings that I didn’t like and the rest was history. You know I’m in total support of your tennis and can’t wait to see what you get.

 

[lynne_ross]

Can you believe not too long ago I thought they were too traditional and boring lol. Then I realized it was the settings that I didn’t like and the rest was history. You know I’m in total support of your tennis and can’t wait to see what you get.

Thx! You will need to wait until next year. This year I am busy begging Rolex to sell me a watch haha!

 

[glamourbag]

So I’m late to the party but I have to chime in as a tennis bracelet lover. Even though others finds them quite boring the right tennis bracelet adds a pop when stacking bracelets especially VCA Perlee bangles which tend to be more metal heavy. The 5 motif all diamond while very nice definitely needs another piece to balance it out because by itself it doesn’t feel that special. The bugari all diamond does have great presence but it’s off putting to me that it’s difficult to build a cohesive stack with variation around it from that one brand.

This 100%

 

[ProShopper1]

Does anyone have a mod shot of two MOP YG bracelets or two guilloche YG bracelets? I'm trying to decide what my complete set should be and I'm thinking double bracelets might be a contender.

 

[waterlily112]

Thank you for sharing with me too.
I am back and forth with the Serpenti since 2021. Haha.

2021 was when I first bought my Cartier Love and that opened a can of worms in the fine jewelry world. I still don’t have a big collection (not that I need to) but what I have now to me are quite basic. And am contented that they are, as I can wear them, solo or stack, anytime any occasion.

They all still excite me but I think I’m on a diamond-need phase (don’t we all do at some point? Coincidentally last night my DH asked me again if I want to upgrade my e-ring. That’s another story altogether). I have a love pave and absolutely love it but I need bigger diamonds lol. Looking down while drinking my morning tea now.
View attachment 5777834

For TB, I’d say I’m very particular how I would want it to be. If I were to customise one, it gotta be that perfect setting, to be on point, to be on my turf.

And I also remind myself not to make the mistake of just-settle. Maybe I just need to try the VCA to validate what my heart really truly wants.

I think jewelry works differently from say Chanel (referring to recent atrocious price jump) in terms of retaining value. Hermes’ has it worst. Bvlgari may not hold as well as VCA and cartier (I think??). There’s just too much comparatives; sometimes the technicality spoils the fun!

Love your stack! I see why you're drawn to the serpenti, it has a great balance of edgy and blings. I think definitely give perlee single row a try too to compare with the serpenti. It's not as feminine as the 5 motif or perlee clover, but has the bling effect of a tennis bracelet because of the bigger/brighter diamonds than their other pave pieces. I'm a new fan of VCA's diamond creations, their diamonds are more brilliant than other luxury brands (except for harry winston) so it'll definitely scratch the itch for your diamond-need phase.

 

[LenaDuree]

Thx! You will need to wait until next year. This year I am busy begging Rolex to sell me a watch haha!

Ha, rolex is such a pain. Are you going through an actual rolex store or an AD?

 

[BigAkoya]

Does anyone have a mod shot of two MOP YG bracelets or two guilloche YG bracelets? I'm trying to decide what my complete set should be and I'm thinking double bracelets might be a contender.

Hi! I'm a big fan of buying two of the same bracelets and do that a lot, especially if the bracelets are on the small side as link bracelets such as Alhambra can be. I don't have YG MOP, but I posted an old photo with two WG MOP bracelets so you can see how two bracelets look. I love how it looks together as it gives it more presence. However, because the bracelets are matching, it looks clean, not busy, so the eye doesn't go bonkers looking at the wrist.

Of your two choices, I would for sure go with YG MOP. Why?
The YG MOP is beautiful, and each motif is unique in its iridescence, so two bracelets would be stunning.

With two YG guilloche bracelets, that is a lot of gold metal. The look is now a heavy metal shiny chain bracelet look, but if that's what you are after, this is the look.

I hope you decide to get two bracelets! I love the look; think of it as a two-row Alhambra bracelet.

The photo below shows me wearing the two bracelets with the Lotus ring.
However, I never wear the ring and bracelet together as I don't think they match (soft flowers vs. geometric quatrefoil). The modshot was only done for this VCA forum, to stay with VCA pieces. I usually wear other rings with my 5 motif bracelets and wear the rest of my WG MOP Alhambra set. If you have other Alhambra pieces, the matching set look is nice and a look I do often.

Hope this helps in your decision. Good luck!

 

[ProShopper1]

Hi! I'm a big fan of buying two of the same bracelets and do that a lot, especially if the bracelets are on the small side as link bracelets such as Alhambra can be. I don't have YG MOP, but I posted an old photo with two WG MOP bracelets so you can see how two bracelets look. I love how it looks together as it gives it more presence. However, because the bracelets are matching, it looks clean, not busy, so the eye doesn't go bonkers looking at the wrist.

Of your two choices, I would for sure go with YG MOP. Why?
The YG MOP is beautiful, and each motif is unique in its iridescence, so two bracelets would be stunning.

With two YG guilloche bracelets, that is a lot of gold metal. The look is now a heavy metal shiny chain bracelet look, but if that's what you are after, this is the look.

I hope you decide to get two bracelets! I love the look; think of it as a two-row Alhambra bracelet.

The photo below shows me wearing the two bracelets with the Lotus ring.
However, I never wear the ring and bracelet together as I don't think they match (soft flowers vs. geometric quatrefoil). The modshot was only done for this VCA forum, to stay with VCA pieces. I usually wear other rings with my 5 motif bracelets and wear the rest of my WG MOP Alhambra set. If you have other Alhambra pieces, the matching set look is nice and a look I do often.

Hope this helps in your decision. Good luck!

View attachment 5778261

. Thanks for the pic! I definitely want to order one or two pieces in the next couple of weeks, but I have been teetering between a second matching bracelet for the MOP/guilloche or a 10 motif (that I still keep going back and forth on).

 

[BigAkoya]

Anyone here loves Bvlgari as well?
Because I am hoping for an unbiased opinion haha (I know this is a VCA thread).

I’m not really a “sentimental” person when it comes to jewelry but I’ll just use the excuse of Mother’s Day is around the corner to make a decision of a big purchase, which equates to a one way ticket to the ban island for a looooong time.

I’ve gone to B store a few times to try the Serpenti bracelet. Full pave. I’m not interested in other designs nor variations.
View attachment 5777208

For VCA, the close contender (relatively close price range) is the vintage Alhambra full diamond 5 motif. As you can see, I’m eyeing on all diamonds bracelets.

Alternatively I can custom make a tennis bracelet. I’ve done some homework by speaking with a recommended jeweller. However, it also all comes down to if I want bang for my buck or I want to own something “distinctive”. I need to be careful on this as one will never be able to replace the other, if you know what I mean.

The Serpenti is very comfy to wear, and also easy on/off. Undeniably sparkly. I know the serpent context is not for everyone. Every time I wear it, I feel my whole outfit is elevated. One of my concerns is wearability (especially at my work place).

As for VCA, I have not tried it and it actually belongs to my aunt who is an avid jewelry lover. She has been keeping it unworn since her purchase from a vacation last year. I’ve seen her wearing the earrings and I think it’s so feminine and elegant. And I will pay her if I’m going for it.

I feel the VCA might be more wearable than the B piece? Or I’m totally wrong? For sure, both pieces give different vibe so it also comes down to what I am looking for. My aunt is back to my country end of May; I might visit VCA to have a try.

And I don’t plan to stack.

Any pros and cons of the VCA will be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hi! You have received a lot of great advice here, and I will share my two cents.

I would not get any of your choices. Rather, I would get the VCA YG Clover bangle bracelet.

I am going to give you my biased opinion to share another point of view.
I am not a Bulgari fan as many here know. There are a lot of Bulgari Serpenti lovers here, but not me. Bulgari is heavily pushing the Serpenti theme now which is why you see it a lot. Bulgari has expanded to include $1K pieces, and that is not a good direction to me for what is supposedly a luxury brand. LVMH is turning Bulgari into another LVMH mass-market brand.

Finally, for me, if I had a Serpenti bangle, I know a serpent bracelet is not a theme I could wear long term as I will tire of it.
That's my two cents on Bulgari.

The VCA Clover bangle bracelet is gorgeous. It is pure glamour, a classic, and the design is beautiful. This bracelet can be worn with anything. This bracelet is also distinctive VCA. I say this as you mentioned you wanted something distinctive, and to me, the Clover is it. You cannot miss the Clover, and it is the HG for some.

You mentioned you want one piece to shine in it's glory, so I have a great story on the Clover to share with you...
I was at a jewelry event at a few months ago. A gentleman came up to me and asked "is that the Van Cleef Clover bracelet you are wearing?" I nodded and said yes. Then, a lady walked up who I assume was his wife/girlfriend (I did not ask). The gentleman then said "she called it, she saw it from far away and said that's the Clover, that's the bracelet I want."

That comment put an ear to ear grin on my face all day! I was at a jewelry event, so I had to restrain myself from staring at my gorgeous Clover bangle!

Hope this helps. In the end, jewelry is 100% preference. Good luck in your decision.
Also, since you have not been to VCA often, this is the bracelet I am referring to:

https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/collections/jewelry/perlee/vcaro3yb00---perlee-clovers-bracelet-medium-model.html

 

[BigAkoya]

. Thanks for the pic! I definitely want to order one or two pieces in the next couple of weeks, but I have been teetering between a second matching bracelet for the MOP/guilloche or a 10 motif (that I still keep going back and forth on).

Do you already have a MOP and a guilloche bracelet? As in, do you already have two bracelets?
If yes, get the 10 motif next (or for me, I vote a 20 motif).
A necklace and bracelet set is gorgeous. Then, get the matching earrings!
A 10 motif and matching earrings just lights up the face!

 

[BigAkoya]

To give another perspective, I was previously considering either the Serpenti in wg or perlee clover in wg (I have yg). I went back and forth and ended up not being about to pull trigger on either. In the end I planning on getting a tennis bracelet. More for the simplicity. I am obsessed with rings and I wear big rings a lot now and either option just felt like too much with my rings. A tennis bracelet while ‘boring’ or ‘simple’ is exactly what I need as a compliment to my ring. I understand a tennis will not have much resale value. However, a Tennis will cost fraction of either bracelet, and diamond designer pieces do not retain full value. So it might be a wash in the end. On others wearing synthetic diamonds, many also wear fake designer pieces. That won’t stop me from buying what I love or want.
If you want a statement bracelet I would get the Serpenti as it is speculation on it’s own. Just my 2 cents.

I love that you wear big rings now! I think they pop and make such a statement, more so than any other category of jewelry.
And you, with the gorgeous hands, look fabulous with big rings!

My two cents...
I don't think the Clover is too much with rings, especially the WG with say, your Lotus. On the contrary, I think the Clover is a great statement piece, especially worn with non-VCA or colored gemstone rings.

For what it's worth... I've been down the tennis bracelet path; I had two, with the large one at 8cttw, so not huge. I loved it at first, for a few months, then it got old on me... boring, simple, plain. I thought maybe it was not big enough and thought about getting a larger one, 15cttw? Nope... in the end, I realized the issue was the tennis bracelet was too common for me, as in, everyone has a tennis bracelet, like a rite of diamond passage. It's just a simple line bracelet. That's just me of course.

I hope you re-consider the WG Clover. I am actually 51% sure I will buy a second to create a bolder look. I tried a YG Clover on recently with my WG Clover. It's definitely a lot of metal, but if I get two WG Clovers, it's a matched look, like a wide bangle which I love wide bangles. My SA thought I should also try the single-row, even though he thinks it's a bit narrow, but he wanted to me to try it.

Here is an old photo for inspiration... imagine your fabulous Lotus ring with the WG Clover...
To me, tennis bracelets do not create the same glamorous effect.
(Sorry for the silly shoe… . This photo was in the context of H nail colors.)