VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[nicole0612]

My SA recently went to a NM. I was hesitant to purchase from NM, but she reassured me everything will remain under one profile.

This might be a recent change? New purchases are under one system, but previous purchases cannot be merged?

My DH purchased something for me under his name…I was told they would count that purchase towards a SO, once I qualify.

Yes, I was told that going forward they are merged. Basically, VCA in Neiman marcus is now just VCA. Purchases prior to the change over cannot be merged into the same profile. VCA stand alone cannot "see them" in the system, I am told (they can see my purchases in USA stand alone, UK and Europe; these all share the same system). I have been told that they cannot see purchases in Asia, but I'm not sure what countries that includes. I asked my SA at a Neiman Marcus VCA, now that it is VCA itself, why they cannot see my purchase history when they look through the Neiman Marcus database and then add that to the VCA history, but from what I understand the VCA stores inside Neiman Marcus now are not really a part of Neiman Marcus, they are just like stand alone VCA stores that happen to be inside of a Neiman Marcus. Does anyone else have a different experience?

 

[nicole0612]

My SA recently went to a NM. I was hesitant to purchase from NM, but she reassured me everything will remain under one profile.

This might be a recent change? New purchases are under one system, but previous purchases cannot be merged?

Yes to the latter paragraph, that is what was explained to me.

My DH purchased something for me under his name…I was told they would count that purchase towards a SO, once I qualify.

Possibly for MTO (there seems to be a lot of variability in the rules here), but I don't think it can for SO, since it needs to be approved by Paris based on an individual profile (cannot be approved by the boutique). Of course, in the cases of rare stones where only one or two clients can be considered for approval in a certain period of time, I'm sure they would consider the purchases of your husband towards your loyalty as a client.

 

[butterflyheart]

Hi ladies, I’ll be meeting my SA today and putting deposits for 10 motif necklace. Never thought of buying it but suddenly felt an urge to get it for some reason. Are there any regrets for buying 10 motifs? I’ll be buying MoP yellow gold (attached pic is yellow gold pave I tried)

 

[jp824]

Sharing this pic I took of the limited edition pieces side by side.

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi everyone! Could I possibly please get an opinion about this GMOP piece? Thanks in advance!!

Does it look strange with the 3 wavy lines across?
View attachment 5868906
View attachment 5868907

The other side:
View attachment 5868909

View attachment 5868908

Hi! I love it. I think for a single motif, the wave iridescence gives it dimension and character.
It's like buying a single motif Malachite... you want the striations to give it character, not just a boring solid green.

For GMOP, the color and iridescence flow is what makes the stone special and alive.
In your photo, the stone looks smooth, so it's just the light bouncing off the layers of the mother of nacre. It is not a defect.

I see the aurora borealis in your stone... beautiful.

A special piece to me!

 

[lynne_ross]

So... Toronto peeps... let me know what you think...
A beautiful VCA flagship boutique just opened up on Bloor...
I don't know if I am the only one in this predicament as I have built up my profile with VCA in Birks (since I live downtown) even after the boutique opened at Yorkdale... I didn't think much of it since I have always had great service with my SA and Yorkdale is just too far for me... I am definitely not a VVIP/VIP but I guess since I am always on the list for holiday pendants, my profile isn't too shabby...
Now... I suspect Birks will be closing their Toronto VCA "store" in the near future (same thing happened in Vancouver a few years ago after VCA opened up their standalone store).
I am devastated that I have to start from 0 with VCA...
Anyway... just a bit disheartening after years of purchase... now having to rebuild a purchase history.... sigh...

Thanks for "listening"... rant over...

The positive is that as the boutique will be brand new everyone will start as new clients. If you have items you are planning to buy soon I would wait for the new boutique to open and start shopping there.
I actually like this as my family home is near Bloor shopping area but I shopped at Yorkdale as I prefer boutiques.

 

[Hiker4life]

Unfortunately no, they could not merge the profiles. With original documentation/receipts they can add the items to your purchase history, but it does not count towards purchase history spend for special orders and such. I'm not sure what it is for, perhaps just documentation in case a piece needs repair in the future, to make the process go more smoothly. This is for Neiman Marcus and VCA stand alone in the USA.

I think @nicole0612 is correct about entering the information for future repairs. I bought a pair of Guilloche earrings in Vegas at the Caesar’s Palace VCA. It is privately owned and their registry is not linked to corporate. I read the @BigAkoya post regarding the adjustments that could be made and brought it in the usual store I purchase from, my SA informed me that it was not in the system and added it in in order to track the repair.

 

[cloee]

I think @nicole0612 is correct about entering the information for future repairs. I bought a pair of Guilloche earrings in Vegas at the Caesar’s Palace VCA. It is privately owned and their registry is not linked to corporate. I read the @BigAkoya post regarding the adjustments that could be made and brought it in the usual store I purchase from, my SA informed me that it was not in the system and added it in in order to track the repair.

How do they add it? We just bring the items and certificate? Do they need receipts too? Mine may have vanished from the paper as some are from 10 years ago. Thanks

 

[DreamingPink]

Sharing this pic I took of the limited edition pieces side by side.
View attachment 5869503

thank you for sharing!!
what did you end up getting, if any?

 

[BigAkoya]

Speaking of @Hiker4life's earring adjustments...

I am obsessed with adjustments being the exact same; hence, I want to share a new tool VCA is using for earring adjustments.

First, some background...
I have three VCA earrings. I have adjusted all my earrings by loosening the tension and replacing the post with a thinner post. I like to wear my earrings loose as I have very sensitive ears. Hence, I like a tiny bit of air space between the earring and my ears to allow them to breathe a bit (the earrings will not fall off due to the closed French clips).

The first two earrings were adjusted perfectly. They are loose, but they hang nice. However, the third earring always flopped a bit. I assumed all the earrings were adjusted to the same tension as that is how I requested it. Hence, I assumed the slight flop was due to the design of the earring. It's not a biggie for me as my top priority is that all my earrings are adjusted to the exact same tension, regardless of how they hang on my ears.

One day, I used my micrometer to measure the tension on all three VCA earrings to make sure all earrings were exact. Horrors, but the earring that slightly flopped was 0.5mm looser! Well... that 0.5mm annoyed me as I like things to be exact.

I told my SA my earrings are not the same... I need them fixed please!
He said the problem has been that SAs measure and give direction differently (e.g. "loosen posts"... what does that mean? how loose?), they are not experts at measuring, and the result has not been consistent. Therefore, VCA often has re-dos for earring tension adjustment.

He then said there is an earring tension measuring tool being piloted in NYC. This tool measures the tension opening in earrings, so once you have them measure an earring that fits you perfectly, they can adjust all earrings to the exact same tension. For those who have one, the tool is basically a micrometer caliper, but it's for VCA earrings so the start/end points referenced are the same for anyone who measures.

Well of course, I had to bring in all my earrings as I am sure the way I measure on my micrometer is different then how VCA measures using their micrometer!

I brought my earrings in, and I am happy to report, I now have in my profile that my perfect earring tension should be set to a 3.5mm opening.

It's great they have this tool for consistency vs. just noting in the instructions "loosen posts" only for the bench jeweler to now have to guess how loose. The SA said VCA is piloting this in NYC, but they hope to bring it to other boutiques to minimize the number of earring adjustment re-dos.

I just wanted to share this as FYI in case anyone has concerns about needing earring adjustments. You can get a precise measurement and in the future, just tell your SA the exact tension you prefer.

 

[jp824]

Speaking of @Hiker4life's earring adjustments...

I am obsessed with adjustments being the exact same; hence, I want to share a new tool VCA is using for earring adjustments.

First, some background...
I have three VCA earrings. I have adjusted all my earrings by loosening the tension and replacing the post with a thinner post. I like to wear my earrings loose as I have very sensitive ears. Hence, I like a tiny bit of air space between the earring and my ears to allow them to breathe a bit (the earrings will not fall off due to the closed French clips).

The first two earrings were adjusted perfectly. They are loose, but they hang nice. However, the third earring always flopped a bit. I assumed all the earrings were adjusted to the same tension as that is how I requested it. Hence, I assumed the slight flop was due to the design of the earring. It's not a biggie for me as my top priority is that all my earrings are adjusted to the exact same tension, regardless of how they hang on my ears.

One day, I used my micrometer to measure the tension on all three VCA earrings to make sure all earrings were exact. Horrors, but the earring that slightly flopped was 0.5mm looser! Well... that 0.5mm annoyed me as I like things to be exact.

I told my SA my earrings are not the same... I need them fixed please!
He said the problem has been that SAs measure and give direction differently (e.g. "loosen posts"... what does that mean? how loose?), they are not experts at measuring, and the result has not been consistent. Therefore, VCA often has re-dos for earring tension adjustment.

He then said there is an earring tension measuring tool being piloted in NYC. This tool measures the tension opening in earrings, so once you have them measure an earring that fits you perfectly, they can adjust all earrings to the exact same tension. For those who have one, the tool is basically a micrometer caliper, but it's for VCA earrings so the start/end points referenced are the same for anyone who measures.

Well of course, I had to bring in all my earrings as I am sure the way I measure on my micrometer is different then how VCA measures using their micrometer!

I brought my earrings in, and I am happy to report, I now have in my profile that my perfect earring tension should be set to a 3.5mm opening.

It's great they have this tool for consistency vs. just noting in the instructions "loosen posts" only for the bench jeweler to now have to guess how loose. The SA said VCA is piloting this in NYC, but they hope to bring it to other boutiques to minimize the number of earring adjustment re-dos.

I just wanted to share this as FYI in case anyone has concerns about needing earring adjustments. You can get a precise measurement and in the future, just tell your SA the exact tension you prefer.

Wow, I had no idea you can set your earring tension. I’ve had my guilloche earrings adjusted but didn’t realized that measurements can be so precise. Thanks for this info!

 

[jp824]

thank you for sharing!!
what did you end up getting, if any?

I ended up with the pietersite 20 & 5 motif set and the 5 motif rock crystal.

 

[Belle2273]

Hi, I'm new here I purchased a sweet carnelian pendant today and I wanted to ask if these air gaps are normal? Thank you

 

[Hiker4life]

Wow, I had no idea you can set your earring tension. I’ve had my guilloche earrings adjusted but didn’t realized that measurements can be so precise. Thanks for this info!

The stand alone at Caesar’s SA did not either when I asked if the tension could be adjusted. I didn’t realize that they were separate from the other VCAs in Vegas such as the one in the Wynn, City Center, and Bellagio which are linked. My usual SA confirmed what @BigAkoya had explained that it could and would be done and that they adjust it like she explained precisely even depending upon when it bothers you ie. Immediately or after an hour of wear. I just wore the earrings into the store not realizing it was in the system. He just looked at the earrings and entered in the serial number on them just to track the repair.

 

[Hiker4life]

The stand alone at Caesar’s SA did not either when I asked if the tension could be adjusted. I didn’t realize that they were separate from the other VCAs in Vegas such as the one in the Wynn, City Center, and Bellagio which are linked. My usual SA confirmed what @BigAkoya had explained that it could and would be done and that they adjust it like she explained precisely even depending upon when it bothers you ie. Immediately or after an hour of wear. I just wore the earrings into the store not realizing it was in the system. He just looked at the earrings and entered in the serial number on them just to track the repair.

Oops I meant they they were not already in the system