VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!

[gagabag]

Wonderful ladies! I need your help
As many of you know how head over heels I fell for Noeud ring in Paris. My SA is back from vacation and I was ready to place an order. She suggested if I would only want one btf ring from VCA, I should try the flying butterfly and Oiseaux de Paradis before committing. I was very confident until she mentioned to try these rings on too..
I crossed off lotus because it looked too overwhelming on my hand.
I know it’s a very personal choice but I would really like to hear your thoughts. I have no problems adding dramatic, out of the box piece. If you could only add one, which one …please help, thank you!

As much as I adore butterflies, I’d choose Noeud for btf ring - looks more elegent and timeless to me, so I got my eye on it too!

 

[Dreaming of H]

Wonderful ladies! I need your help
As many of you know how head over heels I fell for Noeud ring in Paris. My SA is back from vacation and I was ready to place an order. She suggested if I would only want one btf ring from VCA, I should try the flying butterfly and Oiseaux de Paradis before committing. I was very confident until she mentioned to try these rings on too..
I crossed off lotus because it looked too overwhelming on my hand.
I know it’s a very personal choice but I would really like to hear your thoughts. I have no problems adding dramatic, out of the box piece. If you could only add one, which one …please help, thank you!

I think if you decide to try on the others you will know in your gut which one is right for you. For me, the rose gold butterfly BTF ring was the one. As soon as I tried it on I knew I was making the right choice. That's how you want to feel!! There was no dissuading me from my path no matter how anyone else feels about the ring. I'm sure your SA is just making sure you've exhausted all of the options and are completely sure before placing the order.

Whatever you do go with what makes your heart sing! Do not sway one way because your SA or someone else likes a different ring more. They are ALL gorgeous, no matter which choice you make but only you can know what looks best on you, fits with your lifestyle, makes you giddy every time you put it on!!! I feel like you've been obsessed with the Noeud for a bit and that love has not waned since the moment you put it on. That means something!

 

[Notorious Pink]

I have to also vote for the Noeud. It’s quite elegant. And it looks so amazing on you!!!

 

[Hobbiezm]

Wonderful ladies! I need your help
As many of you know how head over heels I fell for Noeud ring in Paris. My SA is back from vacation and I was ready to place an order. She suggested if I would only want one btf ring from VCA, I should try the flying butterfly and Oiseaux de Paradis before committing. I was very confident until she mentioned to try these rings on too..
I crossed off lotus because it looked too overwhelming on my hand.
I know it’s a very personal choice but I would really like to hear your thoughts. I have no problems adding dramatic, out of the box piece. If you could only add one, which one …please help, thank you!

Hi Rami- after seeing your pics on IG - hands down the Noeud on you. I also thought the frivole pave looks great but you didn’t mention. I think the Lotus is gorgeous and stunning but can be also overwhelming and the Noeud with a mix of rose gold and white is very soft... order her - you won’t be disappointed!

 

[Rami00]

As much as I adore butterflies, I’d choose Noeud for btf ring - looks more elegent and timeless to me, so I got my eye on it too!

I have to also vote for the Noeud. It’s quite elegant. And it looks so amazing on you!!!

Hi Rami- after seeing your pics on IG - hands down the Noeud on you. I also thought the frivole pave looks great but you didn’t mention. I think the Lotus is gorgeous and stunning but can be also overwhelming and the Noeud with a mix of rose gold and white is very soft... order her - you won’t be disappointed!

Truly appreciate your input. Thank you

 

[Rami00]

I think if you decide to try on the others you will know in your gut which one is right for you. For me, the rose gold butterfly BTF ring was the one. As soon as I tried it on I knew I was making the right choice. That's how you want to feel!! There was no dissuading me from my path no matter how anyone else feels about the ring. I'm sure your SA is just making sure you've exhausted all of the options and are completely sure before placing the order.

Whatever you do go with what makes your heart sing! Do not sway one way because your SA or someone else likes a different ring more. They are ALL gorgeous, no matter which choice you make but only you can know what looks best on you, fits with your lifestyle, makes you giddy every time you put it on!!! I feel like you've been obsessed with the Noeud for a bit and that love has not waned since the moment you put it on. That means something!

I know exactly what you are saying. I have tried few rings at VCA but when I wore the Noeud ring, I just knew that was the one! I asked my SA why she was trying to sway me from my decision and like you mentioned - just to make sure this is "the only one".
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I love this thread, it really helps to talk it through

 

[ccfun]

Wonderful ladies! I need your help
As many of you know how head over heels I fell for Noeud ring in Paris. My SA is back from vacation and I was ready to place an order. She suggested if I would only want one btf ring from VCA, I should try the flying butterfly and Oiseaux de Paradis before committing. I was very confident until she mentioned to try these rings on too..
I crossed off lotus because it looked too overwhelming on my hand.
I know it’s a very personal choice but I would really like to hear your thoughts. I have no problems adding dramatic, out of the box piece. If you could only add one, which one …please help, thank you!

Noeud is a great piece, but, maybe you need to cross off "only one"?

 

[etoupebirkin]

I loved the Noeud ring on your hand. It's a wonderful choice. Please show us pics when you receive it. I have never seen it IRL.

 

[etoupebirkin]

I'm going to Paris in a few weeks.
1. Is it worthwhile to go to the Alhambra exhibit at the Place Vendome?
2. If I go there, with the price reduction in the US, is it worthwhile to get a little something at the Flagship? I'm thinking about a YG Alhambra 10-motif. Believe it or not, I don't have one.
They may have blue agate. But I have the Lapis/Turquoise Bouton D'or Pendant. So I think I'm set on anything blue.

 

[Rami00]

Ohhh it’s a tough choice! And agreed that it’s quite personal. I’d probably stick with your original choice of Noeud. This is just my personal preference out of the three. I am not a huge fan of butterfly (they scare me at times). They are absolutely gorgeous to look at however I had the misfortune of witnessing one dressed in a VCA boutique as if the ring was just a play dress up ring.

You are funny! Thank you for responding.

Noeud is a great piece, but, maybe you need to cross off "only one"?

you are not the only one who said that!
Thank you!

 

[Rami00]

I loved the Noeud ring on your hand. It's a wonderful choice. Please show us pics when you receive it. I have never seen it IRL.

I definitely will, thank you! Enjoy Paris!
If I was you..I would go to the Alhambra exhibit at the Place Vendôme! Take pics for us too!!

 

[sbelle]

If I go there, with the price reduction in the US, is it worthwhile to get a little something at the Flagship? I'm thinking about a YG Alhambra 10-motif. Believe it or not, I don't have one.

It is worth checking out, but my previous experience is that they have done a good job of equalizing prices between the US and Europe. If you declare upon return to the US and the agent charges you duty, my personal experience is there isn't much savings even after the VAT refund.

I know there are those who don't declare and have successfully escaped paying duty, but I have heard three stories from a reliable source about clients who were caught not declaring VCA purchases last year. The information was shared with me as a warning because she knows I travel to Paris. In two of the cases her clients were discovered not declaring at the airport and one was contacted after she returned home. I really don't understand how this can be, so I asked her how her clients thought they were discovered and she said the digital information that now exists with Pablo and the French VAT refund system. I cannot vouch 100% for these stories, but I trust my source.

One other thing that would be worth investigating. There may be some pieces where there is a savings and some where there is not. I think it should be relatively easy to check the online euro prices on VCA and compare them to the dollar prices and that will help guide you.

A couple of years ago I wanted to get the wg pave butterfly earrings in Paris and there was a savings of a couple hundred dollars after VAT refund and US duty. For me personally that was not a large enough savings to endure declaring at US customs, and then watching my credit card every week to see if the VAT refund was put on my credit card.

One last thing though -- it may still be worth you while to purchase in Paris, as your piece will always be a lovely reminder of a wonderful trip!

 

[Stardust Andromeda]

It is worth checking out, but my previous experience is that they have done a good job of equalizing prices between the US and Europe.

One last thing though -- it may still be worth you while to purchase in Paris, as your piece will always be a lovely reminder of a wonderful trip!

Spoken like a true romantic!

 

[etoupebirkin]

It is worth checking out, but my previous experience is that they have done a good job of equalizing prices between the US and Europe. If you declare upon return to the US and the agent charges you duty, my personal experience is there isn't much savings even after the VAT refund.

I know there are those who don't declare and have successfully escaped paying duty, but I have heard three stories from a reliable source about clients who were caught not declaring VCA purchases last year. The information was shared with me as a warning because she knows I travel to Paris. In two of the cases her clients were discovered not declaring at the airport and one was contacted after she returned home. I really don't understand how this can be, so I asked her how her clients thought they were discovered and she said the digital information that now exists with Pablo and the French VAT refund system. I cannot vouch 100% for these stories, but I trust my source.

One other thing that would be worth investigating. There may be some pieces where there is a savings and some where there is not. I think it should be relatively easy to check the online euro prices on VCA and compare them to the dollar prices and that will help guide you.

A couple of years ago I wanted to get the wg pave butterfly earrings in Paris and there was a savings of a couple hundred dollars after VAT refund and US duty. For me personally that was not a large enough savings to endure declaring at US customs, and then watching my credit card every week to see if the VAT refund was put on my credit card.

One last thing though -- it may still be worth you while to purchase in Paris, as your piece will always be a lovely reminder of a wonderful trip!

I think it would be nice to get something from Paris. But I am traveling with DH who may conduct some business as well as another couple who are good friends. So, I do not know how much patience they will have with my shopping. I do have to stop off at Collector Square to pick up my new to me Barenia Toile Jypsiere.

FYI, I always keep my receipts and declare everything. It's just not worth the hassle/fines/future travel difficulties if you get caught.

 

[Aimee3]

Just want to add that my husband and I had a rather unpleasant experience returning to the US from Italy last month. We declared everything we bought which was above the allowance US citizens are permitted without penalty and were treated like criminals by one agent in particular. Well after other agents had cleared us, he pulled us aside and demanded passports again and questioned us further then started punching info into a computer. I believe maybe to see if what we said matched what the VAT in Italy had on file but I don’t know for sure. Luckily we had told the truth and there was no wrong info on file so he had to let us go, but he was rather nasty about it. So take heed. With everything on computer now, one even innocent mistake will surely show up.