VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[HeidiDavis]

I have a couple of quick questions for you VCA veterans. I am contemplating a bracelet now (which is crazy since I just bought my first piece one week ago, lol). I am wondering--


a. For those who have the sweet Alhambra bracelet: did you have to have it shortened? I have a very scrawny wrist and have had to shorten every other bracelet I own. However, since these were also marketed for kids, I wondered if maybe these were already smaller.


b. For those who own the five-motif bracelets and had to have them shortened as much as an inch: do the jewelers take a little off each end of the bracelet, or do they take a bit off of each segment (ie. the chain between each of the five motifs) to make the bracelet shorter? I hope that question makes sense.


Also, what is the typical time it takes to get pieces back from alteration? They told me about two weeks, but I've heard it varies. Right now my pendant is just sitting in a boutique (I mailed it to them a week ago, and they haven't sent it in to NY yet.) I really want to have it by Thanksgiving to wear. I'm not a patient girl! Lol.


Thanks, ladies! And have a great Friday!

 

[Candice0985]

I have a couple of quick questions for you VCA veterans. I am contemplating a bracelet now (which is crazy since I just bought my first piece one week ago, lol). I am wondering--


a. For those who have the sweet Alhambra bracelet: did you have to have it shortened? I have a very scrawny wrist and have had to shorten every other bracelet I own. However, since these were also marketed for kids, I wondered if maybe these were already smaller.


b. For those who own the five-motif bracelets and had to have them shortened as much as an inch: do the jewelers take a little off each end of the bracelet, or do they take a bit off of each segment (ie. the chain between each of the five motifs) to make the bracelet shorter? I hope that question makes sense.


Also, what is the typical time it takes to get pieces back from alteration? They told me about two weeks, but I've heard it varies. Right now my pendant is just sitting in a boutique (I mailed it to them a week ago, and they haven't sent it in to NY yet.) I really want to have it by Thanksgiving to wear. I'm not a patient girl! Lol.


Thanks, ladies! And have a great Friday!

for the sweet bracelet- their is two lengths- the kids size and adult size. i think the kids size is 5.5 inches? if this is still too long you could definitely have it shortened.

for the 5 motif- they take 1 link from each segment so it;s evenly spaced along the bracelet

for authorized dealers the wait is a bit longer (in Canada it is 6-8 months to get a piece back from repairs) but if you're in the US or Europe or buying from a VCA boutique directly it's normally 1-2 weeks

 

[HeidiDavis]

for the sweet bracelet- their is two lengths- the kids size and adult size. i think the kids size is 5.5 inches? if this is still too long you could definitely have it shortened.

for the 5 motif- they take 1 link from each segment so it;s evenly spaced along the bracelet

for authorized dealers the wait is a bit longer (in Canada it is 6-8 months to get a piece back from repairs) but if you're in the US or Europe or buying from a VCA boutique directly it's normally 1-2 weeks

Thank you so much! That is really helpful info for me!


I sent my pendant to the boutique in Chicago as we have no VCA store local to me. Sounds like the gal to whom I spoke won't send it in to NY till next week. Then it will need to be altered, shipped back to her, and then shipped back to me. That's quite a process! Wish I could fast forward a few weeks because waiting is killing me! Lol.

 

[Coconuts40]

Thank you, I don't think the onyx comes in the sweet size though? It seems to be just yg/mop, rg/carnelian and all rg. I like all three although I am leaning towards yg/mop

If you are interested in WG, the sweet line also comes in WG/MOP...at least here in canada
I recently purchased them to go with my 20Motif MOP/WG.

 

[stylemechanel]

Which malachite piece are you considering ?
This week I saw the malachite magic pendant and it was stunning!!! I really did NOT need to see that. The striations were so beautiful. It was truly an exceptional piece.

Texasgirliegirl I am so very glad you asked because I need help!!! Ask and you may get a book of ramblings but here is what my brain is thinking .... I was vacillating between the malachite earclips and the malachite vintage alhambra 5 motif bracelet. The other contender is the basic vintage alhambra onyx bracelet. I wear my onyx earclips consistently - they could be a signature piece for me at this point and I only bought them in early September

Here is my dilemma - and please ladies of the VCA thread I need help!

When I was last at the boutique my SA mentioned that she had a client who had purchased all of the vintage alhambra bracelets and she mixes and matches them. She didn't have a picture to show me so she brought them all out - talk about eye candy - and from there my brain when into bracelet high, and overload, and what bracelet do I get next??? But while trying it all on - mixing and matching and playing dress up like a little girl - I kept going back to the malachite earclips because green is my favorite color of all times. Then I say in my head, honestly they should be #2 in priority behind the onyx bracelet because I will get so much more use out of it, but it could get too matchy matchy - I already have the onyx earclips. And, then, I say to myself but I love the green and it's my favorite color and I start to hear "yada, yada, yada" in my head. Somebody please stop me, and my run on sentences

Do any of you wear all the vintage alhambra bracelets at one time? I worry about the fragility of the stones as Chung pointed out in a previous post. Do you worry about wear, scratches, breakage? If you had seen them together you would have swooned, It was amazing eye candy. That was several weeks ago and I still think about it all.

Pros for the onyx bracelet: I can wear it with everything. My SA said it should be the next piece I get. But, I love green...just like I love the MOP 5 motif bracelet I purchased and I still have not worn yet. I lead much more with my heart then my head - always a consistent and recurring problem.

So there you have it, my brain dump about jewelry. Big sigh. What do you ladies think? Texasgirliegirl what are you buying next?

 

[stylemechanel]

I have a couple of quick questions for you VCA veterans. I am contemplating a bracelet now (which is crazy since I just bought my first piece one week ago, lol). I am wondering--


a. For those who have the sweet Alhambra bracelet: did you have to have it shortened? I have a very scrawny wrist and have had to shorten every other bracelet I own. However, since these were also marketed for kids, I wondered if maybe these were already smaller.


b. For those who own the five-motif bracelets and had to have them shortened as much as an inch: do the jewelers take a little off each end of the bracelet, or do they take a bit off of each segment (ie. the chain between each of the five motifs) to make the bracelet shorter? I hope that question makes sense.


Also, what is the typical time it takes to get pieces back from alteration? They told me about two weeks, but I've heard it varies. Right now my pendant is just sitting in a boutique (I mailed it to them a week ago, and they haven't sent it in to NY yet.) I really want to have it by Thanksgiving to wear. I'm not a patient girl! Lol.


Thanks, ladies! And have a great Friday!

Hi HeidiDavis. I wanted to respond to your second question. I also have very scrawny wrists - like little kid size. When I bought my vintage alhambra 5 motif they did shorten it a full inch. They took links about equally between each motif and then an extra link where the clasp is. It is still a touch too big but I can live with that. It took less than a week for them to do the work - my local boutique does not send it to NY but has a local jeweler do it. Not sure why but it seems to work for them and makes things move much faster.

Can't wait to hear what you get!!!!

 

[texasgirliegirl]

Texasgirliegirl I am so very glad you asked because I need help!!! Ask and you may get a book of ramblings but here is what my brain is thinking .... I was vacillating between the malachite earclips and the malachite vintage alhambra 5 motif bracelet. The other contender is the basic vintage alhambra onyx bracelet. I wear my onyx earclips consistently - they could be a signature piece for me at this point and I only bought them in early September

Here is my dilemma - and please ladies of the VCA thread I need help!

When I was last at the boutique my SA mentioned that she had a client who had purchased all of the vintage alhambra bracelets and she mixes and matches them. She didn't have a picture to show me so she brought them all out - talk about eye candy - and from there my brain when into bracelet high, and overload, and what bracelet do I get next??? But while trying it all on - mixing and matching and playing dress up like a little girl - I kept going back to the malachite earclips because green is my favorite color of all times. Then I say in my head, honestly they should be #2 in priority behind the onyx bracelet because I will get so much more use out of it, but it could get too matchy matchy - I already have the onyx earclips. And, then, I say to myself but I love the green and it's my favorite color and I start to hear "yada, yada, yada" in my head. Somebody please stop me, and my run on sentences

Do any of you wear all the vintage alhambra bracelets at one time? I worry about the fragility of the stones as Chung pointed out in a previous post. Do you worry about wear, scratches, breakage? If you had seen them together you would have swooned, It was amazing eye candy. That was several weeks ago and I still think about it all.

Pros for the onyx bracelet: I can wear it with everything. My SA said it should be the next piece I get. But, I love green...just like I love the MOP 5 motif bracelet I purchased and I still have not worn yet. I lead much more with my heart then my head - always a consistent and recurring problem.

So there you have it, my brain dump about jewelry. Big sigh. What do you ladies think? Texasgirliegirl what are you buying next?

I might be going against the grain here but here's what I recommend-
Either the malachite ear clips OR the malachite magic pendant.
Green is your favorite color. Imagine a black cashmere turtle neck, jeans, your hair in a pony tail and those earrings. No worries about scratches or water. They are safe on your ears.
Get what makes your heart skip a beat.
You will not regret it.

 

[hopingoneday]

I might be going against the grain here but here's what I recommend-

Either the malachite ear clips OR the malachite magic pendant.

Green is your favorite color. Imagine a black cashmere turtle neck, jeans, your hair in a pony tail and those earrings. No worries about scratches or water. They are safe on your ears.

Get what makes your heart skip a beat.

You will not regret it.

+1. The earrings are so easy to wear, and I love the long pendant which also looks so fantastic doubled. Maybe go through your closet and see what you could wear each with. Make sure your choice works with your wardrobe!

 

[Candice0985]

Thank you so much! That is really helpful info for me!


I sent my pendant to the boutique in Chicago as we have no VCA store local to me. Sounds like the gal to whom I spoke won't send it in to NY till next week. Then it will need to be altered, shipped back to her, and then shipped back to me. That's quite a process! Wish I could fast forward a few weeks because waiting is killing me! Lol.

it sounds like you'll probably have it within a few weeks, which i completely understand. i was the same way waiting for my holiday pendant! i wanted it NOW lol. no patience!

hopefully it arrives back sooner than later

this is why i shop the florida VCA rather than order it locally in Toronto. I ordered my turquoise butterfly sweet bracelet from my local AD and it took 6 months to come in....ugh! btw this was before the turquoise shortage- this is their normal wait time for repairs and orders!!!

 

[HeidiDavis]

it sounds like you'll probably have it within a few weeks, which i completely understand. i was the same way waiting for my holiday pendant! i wanted it NOW lol. no patience!

hopefully it arrives back sooner than later

this is why i shop the florida VCA rather than order it locally in Toronto. I ordered my turquoise butterfly sweet bracelet from my local AD and it took 6 months to come in....ugh! btw this was before the turquoise shortage- this is their normal wait time for repairs and orders!!!

Thank you for your input! Yes, I am NOT a patient girl. And it seems to be getting worse, not better, as I get older! Lol.


So, do you place your orders with the Florida VCA over the phone? I'm beginning to think I should have done something like that rather than ordering through the online boutique. I think the alteration process would have been faster and less confusing if I'd just gone through an SA that someone recommended. Oh well, live and learn, I guess!

 

[Candice0985]

Thank you for your input! Yes, I am NOT a patient girl. And it seems to be getting worse, not better, as I get older! Lol.


So, do you place your orders with the Florida VCA over the phone? I'm beginning to think I should have done something like that rather than ordering through the online boutique. I think the alteration process would have been faster and less confusing if I'd just gone through an SA that someone recommended. Oh well, live and learn, I guess!

yes i just order over the phone my SA's name is Rosie and she's great!

and i didn't mean to say you weren't patient, i meant i'm not at all

 

[HeidiDavis]

yes i just order over the phone my SA's name is Rosie and she's great!

and i didn't mean to say you weren't patient, i meant i'm not at all

Thank you, Candice0985, for the information! I may call Rosie next time I order rather than go the online boutique route.


No, I truly am impatient! Having to wait for the pendant to be lengthened is making me very grumpy! Lol. I guess it's because I barely got to see it before I had to pack it up and send it out again. Maybe I should have enjoyed it for a bit before parting with it. I have a feeling it's going to be a while before I get it back. Sigh.

 

[kimber418]

I might be going against the grain here but here's what I recommend-
Either the malachite ear clips OR the malachite magic pendant.
Green is your favorite color. Imagine a black cashmere turtle neck, jeans, your hair in a pony tail and those earrings. No worries about scratches or water. They are safe on your ears.
Get what makes your heart skip a beat.
You will not regret it.

I 100% agree!!!!! I love when my heart skips a beat for VCA!

 

[hermes_fan]

Fellow NYC VCA fans: anyone going to the anniversary party at the store next Thursday? If so I thought it would be fun to meet up! PM me if interested!

 

[kimber418]

I'm sorry I did not make my post clear. I knew you were speaking only of the Sweets line, but was comparing the different stone choices in the alhambra line. In the Sweets my choice is first the clover motif in RG, second clover motif in MOP/YG.

I've been thinking of getting one of the sweet bracelets in the clover motif to wear on my right wrist. I wear the Cartier LOVE bracelet and the VCA YG Vintage Alhambra bracelet on my left wrist. I do not take them off I wear them all the time. Sometimes I wear the Vintage Alhambra in Onyx on the left wrist with the other bracelets. I want the Sweet bracelet for the right wrist. At some point I want the Signature Perlee bracelet for my right wrist also.

I don't think you will grow tired of the Sweet bracelet for a long time if ever. Your only 25. I'm 54 and I'm going to wear one.
At my age I would not wear it alone as my only piece of jewelry, I'm going to stack it with other pieces. At your age I see no problem in you wearing it alone or stacked.

Penny,
Do you wear the 5 motif YG bracelet with your love? Was wondering if you shower with it on, etc. Was it hard to get used to wearing all the time? I have been wearing a Love for many years on my left wrist and always stack it with another piece of jewelry but I never leave anything on all the time with it. Just wondering if it was easy to get used to have the VCA with the Love all the time?