VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[sjunky13]

I feel the need to defend the pink porcelain, or any porcelain in that matter.
MOP and ONYX, VCA 2 best selling Alhambra stones are very very cheap natural stones. ( I have both btw) MOP is pennies. Porcelain believe it or not is more labor intensive than polishing some Nacre .
When we buy Alhambra, we are paying for the name, the look, the labor, the price of gold and then lastly the cost of stones which are extremely inexpensive.. I think we believe because the Alhambra is $$$, all natural materials should be used . It can make one feel they are getting better value, when it is just an illusion.
I love the look of all stones in VCA Alhambra. But if I want gemstones , I would not go to Alhambra for it.

 

[sjunky13]

I would love to see pink opal, it is one of my favorite stones . I love Rose Quartz too. I love pale pink stones. Rose Quartz is soothing and healing. Grey MOP should already been in the regular line up and so should white gold Alhambra pieces.
Cartier does a beautiful pink opal in the Amulet collection. It is stunning. I still want a make you own Alhambra event.

 

[Coconuts40]

I feel the need to defend the pink porcelain, or any porcelain in that matter.
MOP and ONYX, VCA 2 best selling Alhambra stones are very very cheap natural stones. ( I have both btw) MOP is pennies. Porcelain believe it or not is more labor intensive than polishing some Nacre .
When we buy Alhambra, we are paying for the name, the look, the labor, the price of gold and then lastly the cost of stones which are extremely inexpensive.. I think we believe because the Alhambra is $$$, all natural materials should be used . It can make one feel they are getting better value, when it is just an illusion.
I love the look of all stones in VCA Alhambra. But if I want gemstones , I would not go to Alhambra for it.

I happen to be a fan of porcelain too. I don't own any VCA porcelain and therefore would love to add it to my humble VCA collection. I'm terrified of resale and buying a fake item, and therefore never entertained the option of resale for porcelain. If it becomes offered again and available in Canada, I would strongly consider it.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

I feel the need to defend the pink porcelain, or any porcelain in that matter.
MOP and ONYX, VCA 2 best selling Alhambra stones are very very cheap natural stones. ( I have both btw) MOP is pennies. Porcelain believe it or not is more labor intensive than polishing some Nacre .
When we buy Alhambra, we are paying for the name, the look, the labor, the price of gold and then lastly the cost of stones which are extremely inexpensive.. I think we believe because the Alhambra is $$$, all natural materials should be used . It can make one feel they are getting better value, when it is just an illusion.
I love the look of all stones in VCA Alhambra. But if I want gemstones , I would not go to Alhambra for it.

I recognize and agree that the value of VCA vintage Alhambra lies in the workmanship, the name and the gold.
Still I really hope that the 50th pieces are not porcelain.
I have the pink porcelain holiday pendant and that’s enough for me.
Then again, this is coming from a person who purchased the (limited edition ) wood.

 

[Junkenpo]

I would love to see them do other types of wood, especially Hawaiian koa. I'd also be pleased to see abalone or a crazy lace agate to contrast the blue lace agate (chalcedony) they offer.

 

[JulesB68]

Had a rather dispiriting visit to VCA today. Was told that VCA would never do an all WG version of alhambra because they feel it's too flat.

We've seen @Suzie's beautiful WG necklace (and I love it!), so it has been made before and looks gorgeous. I was also told that they do not do special orders on alhambra pieces. I'm sure @pazt and others have posted about their special orders. I got totally fed up with the games H plays and now it seems VCA are at it too . Takes all the pleasure out of shopping!

 

[texasgirliegirl]

Had a rather dispiriting visit to VCA today. Was told that VCA would never do an all WG version of alhambra because they feel it's too flat.

We've seen @Suzie's beautiful WG necklace (and I love it!), so it has been made before and looks gorgeous. I was also told that they do not do special orders on alhambra pieces. I'm sure @pazt and others have posted about their special orders. I got totally fed up with the games H plays and now it seems VCA are at it too . Takes all the pleasure out of shopping!

VCA does take special orders for Alhambra pieces.

 

[JulesB68]

VCA does take special orders for Alhambra pieces.

Hopefully it was just an inexperienced SA...

 

[pazt]

Had a rather dispiriting visit to VCA today. Was told that VCA would never do an all WG version of alhambra because they feel it's too flat.

We've seen @Suzie's beautiful WG necklace (and I love it!), so it has been made before and looks gorgeous. I was also told that they do not do special orders on alhambra pieces. I'm sure @pazt and others have posted about their special orders. I got totally fed up with the games H plays and now it seems VCA are at it too . Takes all the pleasure out of shopping!

I'm so sorry to here that. Did she at least ask the manager? Is she new in the store? All her responses are innacurate.

Is this a VCA store inside Neimans, Selfridges or Harrods? Just curious

 

[JulesB68]

Harrods

 

[pazt]

Harrods

That's probably why. Try the VCA on New Bond Street.

 

[pazt]

Harrods

Although my 2nd piece of VCA was from Harrods several years ago - the service was not the same compared to the VCA store outside of department stores.

 

[Sprinkles&Bling]

I would love to see pink opal, it is one of my favorite stones . I love Rose Quartz too. I love pale pink stones. Rose Quartz is soothing and healing. Grey MOP should already been in the regular line up and so should white gold Alhambra pieces.
Cartier does a beautiful pink opal in the Amulet collection. It is stunning. I still want a make you own Alhambra event.

I feel the need to defend the pink porcelain, or any porcelain in that matter.
MOP and ONYX, VCA 2 best selling Alhambra stones are very very cheap natural stones. ( I have both btw) MOP is pennies. Porcelain believe it or not is more labor intensive than polishing some Nacre .
When we buy Alhambra, we are paying for the name, the look, the labor, the price of gold and then lastly the cost of stones which are extremely inexpensive.. I think we believe because the Alhambra is $$$, all natural materials should be used . It can make one feel they are getting better value, when it is just an illusion.
I love the look of all stones in VCA Alhambra. But if I want gemstones , I would not go to Alhambra for it.

You know how I feel about porcelain Thank you for sharing your opinion, I completely agree with you

 

[ShyShy]

Had a rather dispiriting visit to VCA today. Was told that VCA would never do an all WG version of alhambra because they feel it's too flat.

We've seen @Suzie's beautiful WG necklace (and I love it!), so it has been made before and looks gorgeous. I was also told that they do not do special orders on alhambra pieces. I'm sure @pazt and others have posted about their special orders. I got totally fed up with the games H plays and now it seems VCA are at it too . Takes all the pleasure out of shopping!

Ugh, sounds like one of the SAs I met in our local store. Our store only opened this year but I’ve been buying VCA for a few years now. She tried to make it sound like H by saying their pieces are very exclusive. They only get allocated one piece and if I don’t put a deposit down to secure it it could take months or longer for another piece to come by. So much nonsense. When I said I’d only buy if I get a new piece, hey presto they have another brand new piece at the back. Sometimes the SAs crap on. They say whatever so I’d say bypass her and go to the manager.

 

[HADASSA]

Hopefully it was just an inexperienced SA...

Harrods

Jules, if you have time, swing by Harrod's again - my SA will be at work tomorrow.

These boutiques, despite within department stores, operate like full fledged standalone boutiques. There are the added perks of shopping at their stores.

That said, you can always try Bond Street as Pazt suggested.