VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!
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Random question, but for both the Sweets and Vintage-size earrings, are the posts at the top or the middle of the clover? I'm trying to figure out which size earrings would be better for me since my holes are in the middle of my earlobe. Thanks!
I can’t remember who it was — but there is a member here who has had several Alhambra special orders from Harrods. It been a few years since she posted here but I remember she ordered several several 20 motifs in white gold (pieces that were only available in yg).
At the same time she was placing her order I had tried to special order Alhambra pieces in the US and was told by the Chicago boutique, the NYC boutique, and NM head jewelry office that VCA would never entertain a special order request for an Alhambra piece. The SA’s wouldn’t even write them up. I am not sure why there was the inconsistency.
Things have changed in the US though as my SA recently submitted some special order requests on my behalf for vintage Alhambra pieces.
The posts are in the middle for the sweets and closer to the top on the vintage size. However, TGG kindly let me know recently that the posts can be moved if they fall in a less flattering place on the earlobe.
Regarding the Alhambra line, I think VCA is stuck between a rock and a hard place. (Pun intended) I think there are very few stones that can work in and Alhambra setting and shape because the setting is so thin/narrow width wise. Amethyst, citrine, moonstone and other more transparent gemstones will look
dead when cut to the Alhambra specifications. Other, more translucent gemsones are difficult to source in the quality and quantity required, or are too soft to work. That's why porcelain has been offered.
I think pink opal or rose quartz could be really pretty. Or even some Vietnamese or other highly included ruby/sapphire material because the inclusions can be stunning, much like malachite/tiger's eye striations. I own a ruby bangle (all one stone cut like a jade bangle) from Vietnam and it is spectacular. Since corundum is so hard, it would probably be difficult to work with and therefore would make the pieces $$$$.
Another pretty solution is to alternate pave motifs with pink/yellow/blue/purple sapphires or tsavorites. Since they work with these stones regularly in other settings.
dead when cut to the Alhambra specifications. Other, more translucent gemsones are difficult to source in the quality and quantity required, or are too soft to work. That's why porcelain has been offered.
I think pink opal or rose quartz could be really pretty. Or even some Vietnamese or other highly included ruby/sapphire material because the inclusions can be stunning, much like malachite/tiger's eye striations. I own a ruby bangle (all one stone cut like a jade bangle) from Vietnam and it is spectacular. Since corundum is so hard, it would probably be difficult to work with and therefore would make the pieces $$$$.
Another pretty solution is to alternate pave motifs with pink/yellow/blue/purple sapphires or tsavorites. Since they work with these stones regularly in other settings.
I've been looking at the Cartier Amulette pieces- the design isn't really to my taste but is is similarly flat shaped, like the Alhambra. Cartier are able to offer pink opal, chrysoprase (which is a pretty pale green), grey opal AND lapis, in addition to the other basics of onyx, white MOP and carnelian. VCA must have huge buying power out there in the market, why don't they manage to offer more?
I love VCA for their whimsical femininity. However I echo some of the opinions expressed here. There should be more variety in stone offerings. I am also finding the price increases off putting. It is not a good strategy to maintain because there is only so much they can increase before their pieces are "not really worth it" for me. Given the recent offerings, I find I am gravitating towards other houses like Chaumet. Even though there is no Chaumet where I am, their Hortensia range will definitely be on my radar now.
Chaumet's Hortensia range offers turquoise, malachite, lapis lazuli, angel skin and pink opal for their flower motifs. So I wonder why stones like turquoise or lapis lazuli are so "scarce" at VCA. Pink opal or angel skin would be gorgeous... and pink gold with their flower motifs! Many things to love. My next stop will definitely be Chaumet when I travel.
Chaumet's Hortensia range offers turquoise, malachite, lapis lazuli, angel skin and pink opal for their flower motifs. So I wonder why stones like turquoise or lapis lazuli are so "scarce" at VCA. Pink opal or angel skin would be gorgeous... and pink gold with their flower motifs! Many things to love. My next stop will definitely be Chaumet when I travel.
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ShyShy these images are beautiful and you make very valid points, thank you for sharing!
Malachite is my favorite of all the stones. I love the pop of color.
I'm happy to hear about these special orders because frankly yellow gold doesn't look the best on me and rose gold looks better but I think only letterwood comes in pink gold and an all pink gold vintage alhambra. But I'd love to order a 20 motif in MOP or onyx in pink gold.
Ladies and gents,
I would love some advice. i have a pair of brand new turquoise and white gold studs (vintage Alhambra) that my amazing SA got me last year. The problem is that I really don't like studs and have never worn them. I bought them because I realized just how incredibly rare (and basically impossible) it is to find turquoise from VCA now. I was thinking about selling them but my friend had a great idea. How about asking someone (Van Cleef or another jeweler) to make them into drop earrings, perhaps with a white gold round post by the ear and then the turquoise dangling on a chain.
Has anyone seriously altered a VCA piece? I asked my SA but he said people would think it's fake and he would not recommend doing it. Would Van Cleef consider doing it as a custom piece if I sent the earrings in? Should I take it to a local jeweler and ask them? I would like to use the classic Van Cleef chain for the drop so I would prefer to keep it within VCA.
Any advice would be so appreciated! Here is what they look like (pix borrowed from the web).
Kath
I would love some advice. i have a pair of brand new turquoise and white gold studs (vintage Alhambra) that my amazing SA got me last year. The problem is that I really don't like studs and have never worn them. I bought them because I realized just how incredibly rare (and basically impossible) it is to find turquoise from VCA now. I was thinking about selling them but my friend had a great idea. How about asking someone (Van Cleef or another jeweler) to make them into drop earrings, perhaps with a white gold round post by the ear and then the turquoise dangling on a chain.
Has anyone seriously altered a VCA piece? I asked my SA but he said people would think it's fake and he would not recommend doing it. Would Van Cleef consider doing it as a custom piece if I sent the earrings in? Should I take it to a local jeweler and ask them? I would like to use the classic Van Cleef chain for the drop so I would prefer to keep it within VCA.
Any advice would be so appreciated! Here is what they look like (pix borrowed from the web).
Kath
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I would kill for the chance to buy these before they were discontinued so it makes me sad to hear that you might alter them.
If they don't work for you, I understand where you are coming from, but maybe there is a way to keep them and also not to alter them. I wonder if there is a way to add a removable drop piece from the current earring. If you did the drop in diamond or diamond pave, maybe that would give the impact you are looking for.