VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[tbbbjb]

I think VCA execs are out of their minds if they think that people will purchase $20K items sight unseen!!!
Most women buy VCA for themselves. They want to go to a store, foster a relationship with an SA, and build a collection. That's why the Alhambra line is so successful. The pieces mix and match. And how each woman layers the pieces, makes their own individual style statement. Most women, after they buy their first piece--are hooked.

My wish list.
1. Make it easier for special orders. Do it like Hermes, in which you have some parameters -- YG/WG/RG; #motifs; stone choice; alternating motifs. Design a signifier of the piece's special order status. Create a computer program that would depict what the end product would look like. Have people sign off on the design and pay a significant portion of the cost up front.
2. Bring back WG Vintage Alhambra or make it in sterling silver.
3. 10 and 20 motif necklaces with alternating stones or one diamond motif.

My 2 cents.

Agree with parameters and making the design a signature to the one who special ordered.

I beg to differ about the sterling silver - WG will keep the design from being ubiquitous.

Totally agree with the alternating motifs - VCA has already made it a mainstay with the Malachite/Pave option. Come to think of it, how successful has that been with the Pave? Certainly out priced themselves [emoji107]

The sterling silver would make a great entry level piece and the could price a 20-motif a $5K and I bet it would sell. It should be priced to reflect the workmanship, not necessarily the materials.

Regarding the alternating paves, that's why I suggested placing one diamond motif in a 10- or 20-motif necklace. It would not be beyond core customer affordability.

IMHO, branching out into Sterling Silver will water down the Alhambra line significantly! Look at what it did to Tiffany's. Yes, it does bring in entry level pricing, but at what cost? I personally like VCA because of it's exclusivity, that it isn't mass produced and seen on everyone on the street.

Also, over the years Tiffany's has really watered down their brand even more, again IMHO, by using less and less Sterling silver weight and making more hollow pieces. It used to be my go to for something small but with good craftsmanship but as of late the quality and the actual weight in the same pieces that I have purchased in the past has really gone down. I find it very disappointing.

Adding Sterling Silver to the Alhambra line would really be a huge mistake in my eyes. And would be the last nail in the coffin for me so to speak. I have really become disgusted at what appears to be corporate greed taking over the design, ingenuity and creativity that had made me fall in love with VCA in the first place. The recent designs, redesign (thinking of the Lotus ring in particular here) changes and lazy (again my humble opinion) choice of using porcelain (yes, the colors have been gorgeous and the lots are consistent making matching pieces effortless but I miss the beauty of imperfections that one finds in natural stones) instead of all the beautiful natural stones that could have been easily sourced (I even started a thread here to give VCA inspiration. LOL) is just unacceptable to us, their loyal customers. We deserve so much better than this! I also just personally do not consider Sterling Silver to be fine jewelry at all.

Again, this is just my personal opinion and I hope I didn't offend anyone. I have always thought that VCA was beautiful, feminine, whimsical and special and as of late the designs and materials have been unimaginative and even stale. Even their High Jewelry seems lacking.

 

[HADASSA]

The sterling silver would make a great entry level piece and the could price a 20-motif a $5K and I bet it would sell. It should be priced to reflect the workmanship, not necessarily the materials.

Regarding the alternating paves, that's why I suggested placing one diamond motif in a 10- or 20-motif necklace. It would not be beyond core customer affordability.

EB, in the world of VCA, they will tell you the "SWEETS" line is entry level. And we should hope that they aren't so arrogant as to say the entire Alhambra line is such.

I for one, do pay the price for workmanship and design by purchasing VCA but when at the end of the day, profits (greed) supersede ALL, I will make a quiet exit.

 

[tbbbjb]

If VCA wants to give us what we want, they should try the following:

1)Re-Launch the solid WG Alhambra

2)Launch Grey mother of pearl in any gold configuration as a standard color in their Alhambra line-up. The special orders alone should be enough to prove to them that this would definitely be a best seller.

3)Add the Rose Gold as another option to the pave Alhambra line-up. I have really never understood why they only introduce basics like this in just one or two gold choices when a lot of us collect one particular color or one more than the others.

4)Expand the gold selection choices in the Alhambra Sweets line. They are missing opportunities by limiting introduction of basic pieces like the Alhambra Sweets pave in just one gold color (it doesn't work with every skin tone and lots of people like to mix and match).

5)Please give us a NEW natural stone in the standard line-up. Stop it with the porcelain. We deserve the beautiful imperfections that natural stones provide like the striations in Malachite, the luminosity of MOP, etc. Something like Pink mother of pearl or Pink Opal again based on special orders would be a best seller or a natural blue stone since lapis doesn't seem to be making a return and turquoise appears to be currently unsourceable.

6)Bring back the designers behind the beautiful, feminine, whimsical pieces VCA was known for. There are enough designers who do cutesy and try to redo something from a previous era. Think fresh not stale.

Ok. Anymore and you need to pay all of us here on TPF or at least consider using us for a focus group . LOL

 

[HADASSA]

If VCA wants to give us what we want, they should try the following:

1)Re-Launch the solid WG Alhambra

2)Launch Grey mother of pearl in any gold configuration as a standard color in their Alhambra line-up. The special orders alone should be enough to prove to them that this would definitely be a best seller.

3)Add the Rose Gold as another option to the pave Alhambra line-up. I have really never understood why they only introduce basics like this in just one or two gold choices when a lot of us collect one particular color or one more than the others.

4)Expand the gold selection choices in the Alhambra Sweets line. They are missing opportunities by limiting introduction of basic pieces like the Alhambra Sweets pave in just one gold color (it doesn't work with every skin tone and lots of people like to mix and match).

5)Please give us a NEW natural stone in the standard line-up. Stop it with the porcelain. We deserve the beautiful imperfections that natural stones provide like the striations in Malachite, the luminosity of MOP, etc. Something like Pink mother of pearl or Pink Opal again based on special orders would be a best seller or a natural blue stone since lapis doesn't seem to be making a return and turquoise appears to be currently unsourceable.

6)Bring back the designers behind the beautiful, feminine, whimsical pieces VCA was known for. There are enough designers who do cutesy and try to redo something from a previous era. Think fresh not stale.

Ok. Anymore and you need to pay all of us here on TPF or at least consider using us for a focus group . LOL

LVE THIS !!!!

 

[texasgirliegirl]

IMHO, branching out into Sterling Silver will water down the Alhambra line significantly! Look at what it did to Tiffany's. Yes, it does bring in entry level pricing, but at what cost? I personally like VCA because of it's exclusivity, that it isn't mass produced and seen on everyone on the street.

Also, over the years Tiffany's has really watered down their brand even more, again IMHO, by using less and less Sterling silver weight and making more hollow pieces. It used to be my go to for something small but with good craftsmanship but as of late the quality and the actual weight in the same pieces that I have purchased in the past has really gone down. I find it very disappointing.

Adding Sterling Silver to the Alhambra line would really be a huge mistake in my eyes. And would be the last nail in the coffin for me so to speak. I have really become disgusted at what appears to be corporate greed taking over the design, ingenuity and creativity that had made me fall in love with VCA in the first place. The recent designs, redesign (thinking of the Lotus ring in particular here) changes and lazy (again my humble opinion) choice of using porcelain (yes, the colors have been gorgeous and the lots are consistent making matching pieces effortless but I miss the beauty of imperfections that one finds in natural stones) instead of all the beautiful natural stones that could have been easily sourced (I even started a thread here to give VCA inspiration. LOL) is just unacceptable to us, their loyal customers. We deserve so much better than this! I also just personally do not consider Sterling Silver to be fine jewelry at all.

Again, this is just my personal opinion and I hope I didn't offend anyone. I have always thought that VCA was beautiful, feminine, whimsical and special and as of late the designs and materials have been unimaginative and even stale. Even their High Jewelry seems lacking.

Beautifully stated.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

If VCA wants to give us what we want, they should try the following:

1)Re-Launch the solid WG Alhambra

2)Launch Grey mother of pearl in any gold configuration as a standard color in their Alhambra line-up. The special orders alone should be enough to prove to them that this would definitely be a best seller.

3)Add the Rose Gold as another option to the pave Alhambra line-up. I have really never understood why they only introduce basics like this in just one or two gold choices when a lot of us collect one particular color or one more than the others.

4)Expand the gold selection choices in the Alhambra Sweets line. They are missing opportunities by limiting introduction of basic pieces like the Alhambra Sweets pave in just one gold color (it doesn't work with every skin tone and lots of people like to mix and match).

5)Please give us a NEW natural stone in the standard line-up. Stop it with the porcelain. We deserve the beautiful imperfections that natural stones provide like the striations in Malachite, the luminosity of MOP, etc. Something like Pink mother of pearl or Pink Opal again based on special orders would be a best seller or a natural blue stone since lapis doesn't seem to be making a return and turquoise appears to be currently unsourceable.

6)Bring back the designers behind the beautiful, feminine, whimsical pieces VCA was known for. There are enough designers who do cutesy and try to redo something from a previous era. Think fresh not stale.

Ok. Anymore and you need to pay all of us here on TPF or at least consider using us for a focus group . LOL

This!

 

[Notorious Pink]

If VCA wants to give us what we want, they should try the following:

1)Re-Launch the solid WG Alhambra

2)Launch Grey mother of pearl in any gold configuration as a standard color in their Alhambra line-up. The special orders alone should be enough to prove to them that this would definitely be a best seller.

3)Add the Rose Gold as another option to the pave Alhambra line-up. I have really never understood why they only introduce basics like this in just one or two gold choices when a lot of us collect one particular color or one more than the others.

4)Expand the gold selection choices in the Alhambra Sweets line. They are missing opportunities by limiting introduction of basic pieces like the Alhambra Sweets pave in just one gold color (it doesn't work with every skin tone and lots of people like to mix and match).

5)Please give us a NEW natural stone in the standard line-up. Stop it with the porcelain. We deserve the beautiful imperfections that natural stones provide like the striations in Malachite, the luminosity of MOP, etc. Something like Pink mother of pearl or Pink Opal again based on special orders would be a best seller or a natural blue stone since lapis doesn't seem to be making a return and turquoise appears to be currently unsourceable.

6)Bring back the designers behind the beautiful, feminine, whimsical pieces VCA was known for. There are enough designers who do cutesy and try to redo something from a previous era. Think fresh not stale.

Ok. Anymore and you need to pay all of us here on TPF or at least consider using us for a focus group . LOL

Absolutely [emoji177][emoji177][emoji177][emoji177][emoji177]

 

[chaneljewel]

If VCA wants to give us what we want, they should try the following:

1)Re-Launch the solid WG Alhambra

2)Launch Grey mother of pearl in any gold configuration as a standard color in their Alhambra line-up. The special orders alone should be enough to prove to them that this would definitely be a best seller.

3)Add the Rose Gold as another option to the pave Alhambra line-up. I have really never understood why they only introduce basics like this in just one or two gold choices when a lot of us collect one particular color or one more than the others.

4)Expand the gold selection choices in the Alhambra Sweets line. They are missing opportunities by limiting introduction of basic pieces like the Alhambra Sweets pave in just one gold color (it doesn't work with every skin tone and lots of people like to mix and match).

5)Please give us a NEW natural stone in the standard line-up. Stop it with the porcelain. We deserve the beautiful imperfections that natural stones provide like the striations in Malachite, the luminosity of MOP, etc. Something like Pink mother of pearl or Pink Opal again based on special orders would be a best seller or a natural blue stone since lapis doesn't seem to be making a return and turquoise appears to be currently unsourceable.

6)Bring back the designers behind the beautiful, feminine, whimsical pieces VCA was known for. There are enough designers who do cutesy and try to redo something from a previous era. Think fresh not stale.

Ok. Anymore and you need to pay all of us here on TPF or at least consider using us for a focus group . LOL

Perfectly stated!!

 

[Oleandered]

Ladies, do you by any chance know if the boutiques may carry a wider size range than there is on a VCA website?

Sorry for this offtop-intrusion

 

[mmgoodies]

I am trying to decide to get either a Tiffany Victoria Round Key or a VCA Magic MOP pendent. I know they are very different, but I love them both. Which would you get?

 

[texasgirliegirl]

I am trying to decide to get either a Tiffany Victoria Round Key or a VCA Magic MOP pendent. I know they are very different, but I love them both. Which would you get?

Since you are asking those of us on the VCA thread I would imagine that you are going to receive advice to get the VCA Magic.
If you ask on the Tiffany thread you will likely receive different advice.
You might wish to post your question on the general jewelry discussion thread.

 

[tbbbjb]

Ladies, do you by any chance know if the boutiques may carry a wider size range than there is on a VCA website?

Sorry for this offtop-intrusion

Yes, they do. The online customer service phone representatives have the ability to source items you do not see online from their boutiques (they cannot see or pull from the inventory at independent VCA boutiques or stores that carry their items like Neiman Marcus) in the country that you are purchasing from and sometimes even from other international markets (I've had them locate a ring for me in a specific size for me before). In the same country they can get it delivered to you in a week or so. When it comes from another country it can take several months but it can be done.

 

[kate2828]

Since you are asking those of us on the VCA thread I would imagine that you are going to receive advice to get the VCA Magic.
If you ask on the Tiffany thread you will likely receive different advice.
You might wish to post your question on the general jewelry discussion thread.

Agree. Also these are also entirely different pieces of jewelry. And that's not just referring to shape.

 

[Oleandered]

Yes, they do. The online customer service phone representatives have the ability to source items you do not see online from their boutiques (they cannot see or pull from the inventory at independent VCA boutiques or stores that carry their items like Neiman Marcus) in the country that you are purchasing from and sometimes even from other international markets (I've had them locate a ring for me in a specific size for me before). In the same country they can get it delivered to you in a week or so. When it comes from another country it can take several months but it can be done.

Thank you so much! I was hesitant about going in person or ordering online, but I now I will certainly go myself

 

[riquita]

I have the Vintage Alabama pendant in carnelian on my wish list for the longest time, and I was planning to get it in December. I called the South Coast Plaza store to confirm the price increase, and it is true. So, the pendant I want is going from $2550 to $2850. I am going to buy it, but I will not open it until December.
Just wanted to share a very small piece of information.