VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[stylemechanel]

I have been thinking about VCA earrings since starting my VCA collection. Earrings are not something that I usually purchase. I have pearls, diamond studs and diamond inside out hoops all set in 18kt WG. I have not purchased a pair of earrings since 2007. So since I rarely purchase them I want to make sure I make the right choice for long term wear.

I've looked at the Vintage Alhambra and tgg and tbbbjb have told me they love the Frivole.
So what do you all think? Which VCA is the best all around earring?
I only want YG since my others are in WG.

TIA 🍀

Hi PennyD! I am going to duck while I say this...I am not a huge fan of the frivole earrings, yet....OK ducking now....

You have the two basics I think every woman should have - diamond studs and pearls - you can never go wrong with those two pairs. You also have a great collection of VCA so whatever you get will fit in beautifully.

Here are my votes:
1. Vintage alhambra in onyx. I have these.They are now my go to earrings - all the time, really all the time. I also have diamond studs (two pairs, two sizes - one pair at 1/2 carat each and the othert over 2 carats each). I rarely wear them. I find our lifestyle is becoming more and more casual so while I may pull them out once in a while now that I have the vintage ahlmabra in onyx and yg those diamond earring are in the safe.

I also have pearl earrings, which I love but since I got the VCA earrings I haven't worn the pearls at all.

I think the vintage alhambra earrings are classic and modern and stylish all at the same time. And we could be twins.

2. Magic Alhambra earrings, 2 motifs in yg. From the three pairs of earrings that you mentioned I think this fills a spot that doesn't repeat in style what you already have. These are really beautiful in person - and you could choose which stones would fill a need - onyx, mop, etc. I've seen them in malachite - amazingly beautiful!

3. This is if you have no budget : Oiseaux de Paradis Volutes earstuds. I did say if you have no budget limitations. These earrings are beyond description every time I go to VCA I stare at them and I am sure I drool when I do. The other reasons they should be on your short list? Someone should buy them and I am pretty sure with my husband retiring now and my son getting engaged this year those earrings will not be gracing my earlobes.....big sigh...but they should be gracing someone's and I hope it's a TPF lady.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts from all the suggestions you have been getting!

 

[texasgirliegirl]

Hi PennyD! I am going to duck while I say this...I am not a huge fan of the frivole earrings, yet....OK ducking now....

You have the two basics I think every woman should have - diamond studs and pearls - you can never go wrong with those two pairs. You also have a great collection of VCA so whatever you get will fit in beautifully.

Here are my votes:
1. Vintage alhambra in onyx. I have these.They are now my go to earrings - all the time, really all the time. I also have diamond studs (two pairs, two sizes - one pair at 1/2 carat each and the othert over 2 carats each). I rarely wear them. I find our lifestyle is becoming more and more casual so while I may pull them out once in a while now that I have the vintage ahlmabra in onyx and yg those diamond earring are in the safe.

I also have pearl earrings, which I love but since I got the VCA earrings I haven't worn the pearls at all.

I think the vintage alhambra earrings are classic and modern and stylish all at the same time. And we could be twins.

2. Magic Alhambra earrings, 2 motifs in yg. From the three pairs of earrings that you mentioned I think this fills a spot that doesn't repeat in style what you already have. These are really beautiful in person - and you could choose which stones would fill a need - onyx, mop, etc. I've seen them in malachite - amazingly beautiful!

3. This is if you have no budget : Oiseaux de Paradis Volutes earstuds. I did say if you have no budget limitations. These earrings are beyond description every time I go to VCA I stare at them and I am sure I drool when I do. The other reasons they should be on your short list? Someone should buy them and I am pretty sure with my husband retiring now and my son getting engaged this year those earrings will not be gracing my earlobes.....big sigh...but they should be gracing someone's and I hope it's a TPF lady.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts from all the suggestions you have been getting!

If fairly certain that the malachite version is a three stone drop.
The magic two drop earring is available in mop and a carnelian + tiger eye combination.
Totally agree that the onyx vintage earrings are worth having. I'm wearing mine today !!
Disagree about the frivole earrings. I have the usual collection of classics - pearls, hooos, diamond studs ( large and medium) but the frivole earrings are gorgeous on their own as well as with all things Alhambra. I find myself reaching for them time and time again.

 

[PennyD2911]

Hi PennyD! I am going to duck while I say this...I am not a huge fan of the frivole earrings, yet....OK ducking now....



You have the two basics I think every woman should have - diamond studs and pearls - you can never go wrong with those two pairs. You also have a great collection of VCA so whatever you get will fit in beautifully.



Here are my votes:

1. Vintage alhambra in onyx. I have these.They are now my go to earrings - all the time, really all the time. I also have diamond studs (two pairs, two sizes - one pair at 1/2 carat each and the othert over 2 carats each). I rarely wear them. I find our lifestyle is becoming more and more casual so while I may pull them out once in a while now that I have the vintage ahlmabra in onyx and yg those diamond earring are in the safe.



I also have pearl earrings, which I love but since I got the VCA earrings I haven't worn the pearls at all.



I think the vintage alhambra earrings are classic and modern and stylish all at the same time. And we could be twins.



2. Magic Alhambra earrings, 2 motifs in yg. From the three pairs of earrings that you mentioned I think this fills a spot that doesn't repeat in style what you already have. These are really beautiful in person - and you could choose which stones would fill a need - onyx, mop, etc. I've seen them in malachite - amazingly beautiful!



3. This is if you have no budget : Oiseaux de Paradis Volutes earstuds. I did say if you have no budget limitations. These earrings are beyond description every time I go to VCA I stare at them and I am sure I drool when I do. The other reasons they should be on your short list? Someone should buy them and I am pretty sure with my husband retiring now and my son getting engaged this year those earrings will not be gracing my earlobes.....big sigh...but they should be gracing someone's and I hope it's a TPF lady.



Can't wait to hear your thoughts from all the suggestions you have been getting!

Hi SMC 💜
I was thinking today I hadn't "seen" you in a few days. 😃

I understand what you are saying about the Frivole. At first when I saw them, I was not impressed. I would read posts on here about how great they were and so many loved them. So I decided to give them a closer look and did some research.
I admire TGGs sense of style and VCA collection and she mentioned to me that she had large Frivole and loved them.
Last week tbbbjb told me she loved hers, so I thought "OK, there must be something to these earrings. "
The more I looked at them on the VCA site and read about them the more I liked them. I looked at reputable resell sites at pix and descriptions of the earrings. I thought I would get the vintage alhambra in YG, then I decided the onyx would be better, but I really think the Frivole will be the ones for me. I love the look and gleam of 18kt and as you and I have discussed I adore diamonds. I plan to get the alhambra onyx in the super next year, but for now I think the large Frivole will be something special I'm looking for. I did not plan to purchase any more VCA this year, but the more I wear my VCA pieces, the more I know I need YG earrings. So I do have budget limitations 😃. Guess those OdP Volutes will have to grace your ears. 😃
They might be just perfect for the upcoming wedding. 😊

Thank you for you post. I value everyone's view point, that's what makes tPF such a great place!

 

[texasgirliegirl]

Hi SMC 💜
I was thinking today I hadn't "seen" you in a few days. 😃

I understand what you are saying about the Frivole. At first when I saw them, I was not impressed. I would read posts on here about how great they were and so many loved them. So I decided to give them a closer look and did some research.
I admire TGGs sense of style and VCA collection and she mentioned to me that she had large Frivole and loved them.
Last week tbbbjb told me she loved hers, so I thought "OK, there must be something to these earrings. "
The more I looked at them on the VCA site and read about them the more I liked them. I looked at reputable resell sites at pix and descriptions of the earrings. I thought I would get the vintage alhambra in YG, then I decided the onyx would be better, but I really think the Frivole will be the ones for me. I love the look and gleam of 18kt and as you and I have discussed I adore diamonds. I plan to get the alhambra onyx in the super next year, but for now I think the large Frivole will be something special I'm looking for. I did not plan to purchase any more VCA this year, but the more I wear my VCA pieces, the more I know I need YG earrings. So I do have budget limitations 😃. Guess those OdP Volutes will have to grace your ears. 😃
They might be just perfect for the upcoming wedding. 😊

Thank you for you post. I value everyone's view point, that's what makes tPF such a great place!

You are incredibly sweet.
A while back I was in your position and I purchased the plain yg vintage earrings to go with my vintage necklaces. I reasoned that the gold would go with everything and would coordinate without being so matchy.
My only regret of all my VCA purchases are these earrings. I should have bitten the bullet and bought the pave version.
You like larger earrings ( based on your plan to buy the onyx supers) so you will likely be happiest with more impact. I think you will love the frivole earrings.
Btw- if you haven't already, look at Sbelles posted photos. She has THE most amazing collection of earrings....of van Cleef..
Truly drool worthy and inspiring.

 

[HeidiDavis]

Hello, Ladies!


Hope everyone is doing well and getting excited for the holidays!


I have decided that I really want to get the Sweet Alhambra onyx earrings to go with my pendant. I just wanted to get some feedback about how hard they are to put on and whether or not they are comfortable. When I searched the topic, there were several comments about the posts being very thick and painful and needing to be shaved down or replaced in some cases. There also was mention of the French back being quite difficult. For those of you who own these earrings, are those problems significant or just temporary? I don't usually have problems with earrings but then again, studs are not my typical style (I wear hoops, usually). Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[cvalier26]

What are your opinions on the single socrate flower pendant ?
I can't afford it atm but I'm interested in what you all think about it. What is the carat weight ? Do you think it is very overpriced ? When I searched for it on the forum I found the price list of a couple of years ago, it was so much cheaper!!

 

[hopingoneday]

Hello, Ladies!


Hope everyone is doing well and getting excited for the holidays!


I have decided that I really want to get the Sweet Alhambra onyx earrings to go with my pendant. I just wanted to get some feedback about how hard they are to put on and whether or not they are comfortable. When I searched the topic, there were several comments about the posts being very thick and painful and needing to be shaved down or replaced in some cases. There also was mention of the French back being quite difficult. For those of you who own these earrings, are those problems significant or just temporary? I don't usually have problems with earrings but then again, studs are not my typical style (I wear hoops, usually). Any input would be appreciated. Thank you!

The posts are normal (standard) thickness – not too thick at all. As for the backs, they are poussette style backs which you should be able to do a search for online to see what style that is. I personally love them – they're extremely secure and I never have to worry about my earrings falling out. I do not find the sweets uncomfortable in the slightest, and I have sensitive ears. I wear them frequently. On occasion, the back will slip out of my hands as I am putting them on or taking them off. I have become careful to do this in a well lighted area just in case I drop one. However, this happens only very rarely.

 

[hopingoneday]

What are your opinions on the single socrate flower pendant ?
I can't afford it atm but I'm interested in what you all think about it. What is the carat weight ? Do you think it is very overpriced ? When I searched for it on the forum I found the price list of a couple of years ago, it was so much cheaper!!

I have to admit that this style is not a favorite of mine, yet I do love the socrate line. I just don't find that this particular pendant packs enough punch for me, for the price.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

What are your opinions on the single socrate flower pendant ?
I can't afford it atm but I'm interested in what you all think about it. What is the carat weight ? Do you think it is very overpriced ? When I searched for it on the forum I found the price list of a couple of years ago, it was so much cheaper!!

I agree with Hopingoneday.
The ring is beautiful but the pendant seems overpriced to me. I've seen this in person and was not impressed in the least. The earrings and ring are lovely IMO.

 

[HADASSA]

Hi SMC ��
I was thinking today I hadn't "seen" you in a few days. ��

I understand what you are saying about the Frivole. At first when I saw them, I was not impressed. I would read posts on here about how great they were and so many loved them. So I decided to give them a closer look and did some research.
I admire TGGs sense of style and VCA collection and she mentioned to me that she had large Frivole and loved them.
Last week tbbbjb told me she loved hers, so I thought "OK, there must be something to these earrings. "
The more I looked at them on the VCA site and read about them the more I liked them. I looked at reputable resell sites at pix and descriptions of the earrings. I thought I would get the vintage alhambra in YG, then I decided the onyx would be better, but I really think the Frivole will be the ones for me. I love the look and gleam of 18kt and as you and I have discussed I adore diamonds. I plan to get the alhambra onyx in the super next year, but for now I think the large Frivole will be something special I'm looking for. I did not plan to purchase any more VCA this year, but the more I wear my VCA pieces, the more I know I need YG earrings. So I do have budget limitations ��. Guess those OdP Volutes will have to grace your ears. ��
They might be just perfect for the upcoming wedding. ��

Thank you for you post. I value everyone's view point, that's what makes tPF such a great place!

P, I just received my small Frivole YG from Mitch - I love them He had to order them in from Paris since NM was sold out. He was very attentive from the beginning to the end of the whole process and kept me very informed throughout, since it took approximately 3 weeks.

I do find them larger than expected and they really are like little mirrors. I must thank my enablers on this thread (you know who you are) and you for recommending a Dream SA

 

[hopingoneday]

P, I just received my small Frivole YG from Mitch - I love them He had to order them in from Paris since NM was sold out. He was very attentive from the beginning to the end of the whole process and kept me very informed throughout, since it took approximately 3 weeks.

I do find them larger than expected and they really are like little mirrors. I must thank my enablers on this thread (you know who you are) and you for recommending a Dream SA

Mod shot!!! So glad you love them.

 

[HADASSA]

Mod shot!!! So glad you love them.

Would love to do one when I get over from the awful flu. They are so special hopingoneday - big enough but not in your face. KWIM??

 

[hopingoneday]

Would love to do one when I get over from the awful flu. They are so special hopingoneday - big enough but not in your face. KWIM??

I absolutely do. Funnily enough, I was just at a luncheon today were one of the women at my table was wearing them. Everyone was commenting on how beautiful they were!

So sorry to hear you've been down with the flu. Hope you're on the mend quickly!

 

[texasgirliegirl]

P, I just received my small Frivole YG from Mitch - I love them He had to order them in from Paris since NM was sold out. He was very attentive from the beginning to the end of the whole process and kept me very informed throughout, since it took approximately 3 weeks.

I do find them larger than expected and they really are like little mirrors. I must thank my enablers on this thread (you know who you are) and you for recommending a Dream SA

Congratulations!!! I'm crazy about the earrings you just received and I'm sure that you make them look beautiful!!

 

[HADASSA]

I absolutely do. Funnily enough, I was just at a luncheon today were one of the women at my table was wearing them. Everyone was commenting on how beautiful they were!

So sorry to hear you've been down with the flu. Hope you're on the mend quickly!

Thank you for your good wishes I so need to take a pic to enable Penny