What Other Jewelry Brands Do You Buy/Wear?

[BigAkoya]

I like in HK, land of expensive boutiques. I think we have 7 VCA boutiques here. Just looked up Mikimoto and there appears to be 7 locations. Would looooooove to get to Japan but no way we can travel anytime soon with our crazy quarentine requirements . Have to manage with what is here or what I can import in for now.
Will let you know once I get to try some pieces!

Oh wow... HK.. yes, shopping mecca! I am so excited you will go to a real Mikimoto boutique and see all the pieces.
You are so lucky to live in HK.. there is a VCA L'ECOLE there which I am sure you know. In the U.S., we have to wait several years before the "travelling" L'ECOLE comes back to NYC.

A bit off topic, but I love tea and scones, and since you're in HK... there is a Fortnum & Mason in HK! I am sure you already know this, but in case not and you like tea, maybe check it out.

Jewelry shopping, then afternoon tea at Fornum & Mason is the bomb! Life does not get any better than this!
Keep us posted!

 

[eletons]

@nightbefore you are too kind, I am definitely not an expert on pearls, just obsessed with them so I try to learn as much as I can.

@eletons The Cosmos would be nice with pearls, but as you said, they are big. I don't think they will go with the choker as the pearls in the choker are 5mm creating more a delicate look. I think the thick Cosmo MOP would overpower the choker. Plus, the buckle theme and Cosmos flower theme might not work together. If you decide to get a classic double strand (no buckle) and larger pearls (maybe 7mm?), I think Cosmos would look beautiful with it. In some photos, Cosmos looks similar in size to Frivole small, but in real life, Cosmos looks bigger. The reason is Cosmos is thicker and looks much bolder given the design. Of the three similar styles, to me, I find Cosmos has the largest presence, then Frivole, then Lotus.

I actually love the look of Cosmos (I tried on the RG MOP earrings). The design is beautiful, the MOP leaves are convex/rounded, like a cabochon, not flat like an Alhambra motif. The MOP then has more depth and a natural inner deep glow which is very beautiful. The one thing I do not like about Cosmos is the bezel, especially in a WG piece. I can't seem to get over the bezel which is why I have not purhased Cosmos WG. I have stared at so many Cosmos WG pieces, and my eye first goes to that darn bezel. If I were a RG lover, Cosmos MOP in RG would be it! Cosmos MOP RG is stunning to me. Should you ever consider Cosmos, pay attention to the bezel and see if that matters to you.

Since you have a credit at VCA, I think a pair of earrings is a good idea. I would save anything on the neck (choker, pendant) until you have decided if you want VCA or pearls. For earrings, as you said, maybe the VA or sweet. Since you had issues with your Frivole earrings, I think you may want to think about the thickness and tightness of the post to get them adjusted as my guess is the VA earrings will be the same (I had to adjust all my VCA earrings).

If you decide on Sweets, my two cents on the Sweets post... Sweets has La Pousette backs. I am a klutz and cannot work with squeezing those La Pousette backs. It takes me 10 minutes to put them on, and that's after I've dropped the backing at least two times! You may be much more skilled, but as an option, VCA will switch out the backs for you to regular posts. Actually, my SA recently told me VCA will switch out the ear clips in VA earrings to regular posts also, so just FYI.

The upside to having credit is now you can go through the VCA website and plan your next piece! You don't need to save or wait as the "money is there!" I am sure you will find a VCA piece you love. Good luck to you.

Thank you for your detailed response. I called Mikimoto boutique and asked if they can shorten the choker and they said it could be done. It's good news as I don't want the dangling 'tail'. As for the classic double strand pearl necklace, I need to try it on first. But I gravitate towards the buckle one because the two strands hold tight to one another. If I want to add some more other things to it, it can be done easily. I imagine adding tennis choker, or simply a velvet chocker with a cameo. Yes, it might look costume jewelry but the chocker can help hide the aging neck. I am thinking about wearing it long term.

I really am not fond of cosmos earrings. It's just that they don't look good on me. I called vca this afternoon and they still don't have what I am looking for. Since I am very impressed with the pearl chocker, I might need to wait till I get it first before planning on more vca. I don't know which pair of earrings to get from vca to match with the chocker. I am thinking about wg mop va. But maybe a pair of sweet will do. I think I will drop pave earrings at this point. After all these talks, I think I need two or three months to fulfill my goal. First to save up, second is to wait for vca stock and to avoid festive craze - Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. I worry there will never be vca stock for me as it seems that customers need to queue up for vca. It feels like vca goldsmiths have a strike or something. Anyway, encountering Mikimoto pearls is a way out for me.

 

[BigAkoya]

Okay... last post on pearls, I promise. Ya'll just have me so excited talking about pearls!

For jewelry lovers and especially pearl lovers or soon-to-be pearl lovers...
This is the most beuatiful coffee book on pearls. It is a huge book, gorgeous photos. It is no longer in publication, but you can find used copies. This book was done jointly with Assouline and Mikimoto, so all the photos are gorgeous pearls.

Yes, look at each photo, but I would also suggest taking your time to pause and stare at the pearls...
Look at how they are worn with an outfit, the size of the pearls, where they land on the body, how it highlights the face or torso... I found these photos very inspiring for ways to wear pearls, for where I like my pearls to land, the size of pearl I prefer, etc...

I love this book and thought some of you might enjoy it as well for ideas and inspiration...

I see a few on amazon US:
Amazon.com: The Pearl Necklace (Classics): 9781614285120: Becker, Vivienne: Books

Here is a brand new one on eBay US that looks to be a great price:
Pearl Necklace (2016, Hardcover) 9781614285120 | eBay

 

[DS2006]

Thank you for your detailed response. I called Mikimoto boutique and asked if they can shorten the choker and they said it could be done. It's good news as I don't want the dangling 'tail'. As for the classic double strand pearl necklace, I need to try it on first. But I gravitate towards the buckle one because the two strands hold tight to one another. If I want to add some more other things to it, it can be done easily. I imagine adding tennis choker, or simply a velvet chocker with a cameo. Yes, it might look costume jewelry but the chocker can help hide the aging neck. I am thinking about wearing it long term.

I really am not fond of cosmos earrings. It's just that they don't look good on me. I called vca this afternoon and they still don't have what I am looking for. Since I am very impressed with the pearl chocker, I might need to wait till I get it first before planning on more vca. I don't know which pair of earrings to get from vca to match with the chocker. I am thinking about wg mop va. But maybe a pair of sweet will do. I think I will drop pave earrings at this point. After all these talks, I think I need two or three months to fulfill my goal. First to save up, second is to wait for vca stock and to avoid festive craze - Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day. I worry there will never be vca stock for me as it seems that customers need to queue up for vca. It feels like vca goldsmiths have a strike or something. Anyway, encountering Mikimoto pearls is a way out for me.

I have to tell you that I would never stack a Mikimoto or other fine quality pearl necklace with a chain pendant or a tennis necklace. You do not want to scratch those pearls! Only do that with inexpensive pearls. Mikimoto is heirloom quality and should be worn with care. (BigAkoya may have a different opinion as she has several Mikimoto pieces, but I just personally would never allow other jewelry to scratch nice quality pearls.)

VCA has low stock now due to the pandemic and shut-downs of businesses. In some cases, fewer workers were allowed in a workspace. Many workers may have been ill. There certainly has not been a strike! There was a tremendous amount of buying fall of 2020 when there was a price increase, and stock has never recovered. It WILL recover short of another major disaster. If you decide on something you want at VCA, make sure your SA knows and ask if you can apply your credit as a deposit for that piece. You'll eventually get it! I didn't get any VCA for the holidays, either, and I am sure there are many people here who couldn't. VCA wants to sell jewelry, and I am certain they will restock as soon as they possibly can.

 

[880]

I imagine adding tennis choker, or simply a velvet chocker with a cameo. Yes, it might look costume jewelry but the chocker can help hide the aging neck. I am thinking about wearing it long term

i agree with all of @BigAkoya ’s observations re mikimoto, but if you want to layer, i agree with @DS2006 above. I suggest buying less expensive south sea, Tahitian or other pearls. Even if you would like mikimoto eventually, it might not hurt to experiment with less expensive options first. Also, I find as one gets older, larger pearls are more desirable but YMMV

for the opening cocktail of the dior exhibit in Brooklyn, my mom loaned me a few diamond riviera necklaces bc I specifically did not want to wear branded jewelry. I experimented with layering them to make them less serious, (I have no issue with mixing costume and real) but in the end, I decided not to wear any diamond necklace. I wore baroque pearls on white gold chain as a lariat.

 

[eletons]

I have to tell you that I would never stack a Mikimoto or other fine quality pearl necklace with a chain pendant or a tennis necklace. You do not want to scratch those pearls! Only do that with inexpensive pearls. Mikimoto is heirloom quality and should be worn with care. (BigAkoya may have a different opinion as she has several Mikimoto pieces, but I just personally would never allow other jewelry to scratch nice quality pearls.)

VCA has low stock now due to the pandemic and shut-downs of businesses. In some cases, fewer workers were allowed in a workspace. Many workers may have been ill. There certainly has not been a strike! There was a tremendous amount of buying fall of 2020 when there was a price increase, and stock has never recovered. It WILL recover short of another major disaster. If you decide on something you want at VCA, make sure your SA knows and ask if you can apply your credit as a deposit for that piece. You'll eventually get it! I didn't get any VCA for the holidays, either, and I am sure there are many people here who couldn't. VCA wants to sell jewelry, and I am certain they will restock as soon as they possibly can.

I have never thought about scratches because it seems that the chocker is tight enough to hug the neck. Maybe adding a single motif pendant underneath wouldn't hurt.
Maybe I have been brainwashed by YouTuber, I saw them having one piece after another and I was wondering what's that shortage is all about. How come they are not experiencing shortage.
The store credit also have the expiry date that got me worried. Probably after a year, I still can't get a vca.
Not being able to travel is a pain plus a vca shortage. Sigh! I suggest vca setting up a resale market getting all the preloved pieces and repolish them before selling, that can be a win win. Buyers don't need to worry about authentication and vca shortage solved.

 

[eletons]

i agree with all of @BigAkoya ’s observations re mikimoto, but if you want to layer, i agree with @DS2006 above. I suggest buying less expensive south sea, Tahitian or other pearls. Even if you would like mikimoto eventually, it might not hurt to experiment with less expensive options first. Also, I find as one gets older, larger pearls are more desirable but YMMV

for the opening cocktail of the dior exhibit in Brooklyn, my mom loaned me a few diamond riviera necklaces bc I specifically did not want to wear branded jewelry. I experimented with layering them to make them less serious, (I have no issue with mixing costume and real) but in the end, I decided not to wear any diamond necklace. I wore baroque pearls on white gold chain as a lariat.

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Thank you for your kind suggestions. I remember when I was a child, I had a fake pearl necklace made of plastic I guess it looks real though. I still have it in my drawer. Just a few years ago, I took it out and put it on my neck and I thought it weird, just couldn't describe where the weirdness is from until I put that mikimoto choker on. Real pearls have life just like a piece of wood furniture. They have left their natural environment but they are still sending out the natural glow. You can feel it when you're near them.
The layerings look cool on you maybe I was thinking another style. After trying on the chocker, I did a bit of research and found out Queen Alexandra's chocker looks is nice not that by wearing one makes one look like a royal but the layering technique is very unique. I have a few pieces of Michal Negrin costume jewelry that I can play with.
Then I realized a pearl chocker can be worn with many different types of necklines without competing with the texture or the garment of the outfits. This is what a 10 motif vca cannot do as it always compete with my clothes, whenever I put a 10 motif on, I didn't know whether to look at the pattern of my clothes or the necklace.

 

[DS2006]

I have never thought about scratches because it seems that the chocker is tight enough to hug the neck. Maybe adding a single motif pendant underneath wouldn't hurt.
Maybe I have been brainwashed by YouTuber, I saw them having one piece after another and I was wondering what's that shortage is all about. How come they are not experiencing shortage.
The store credit also have the expiry date that got me worried. Probably after a year, I still can't get a vca.
Not being able to travel is a pain plus a vca shortage. Sigh! I suggest vca setting up a resale market getting all the preloved pieces and repolish them before selling, that can be a win win. Buyers don't need to worry about authentication and vca shortage solved.

Okay sure, if the pearls are above the chains and wouldn't touch them, then that could work. I didn't realize the pearls would be completely above the base of your neck.

All I can tell you is that I have a friend who was in the NYC flagship US boutique yesterday, and they have very little stock other than high jewelry. The little they have gotten in has sold immediately as there have been waiting lists plus holiday shopping. I don't know if that it is true of every boutique in the world. But many others here will verify that there is low stock at most VCA boutiques due to the pandemic. I think people who buy VCA were not affected negatively during the pandemic for the most part and continued buying. So most popular items sold out.

If your credit has a time limit, I would certainly ask for a written extension due to the short supply of items to buy. That surprises me that they have a time limit, though. Is it one year from the date of return?

 

[eletons]

Okay sure, if the pearls are above the chains and wouldn't touch them, then that could work. I didn't realize the pearls would be completely above the base of your neck.

All I can tell you is that I have a friend who was in the NYC flagship US boutique yesterday, and they have very little stock other than high jewelry. The little they have gotten in has sold immediately as there have been waiting lists plus holiday shopping. I don't know if that it is true of every boutique in the world. But many others here will verify that there is low stock at most VCA boutiques due to the pandemic. I think people who buy VCA were not affected negatively during the pandemic for the most part and continued buying. So most popular items sold out.

If your credit has a time limit, I would certainly ask for a written extension due to the short supply of items to buy. That surprises me that they have a time limit, though. Is it one year from the date of return?

To be honest, I want to ask for refund- money back refund because I don't want to wait to get the pearl chocker.
The chocker's design allows the wearer to move the length long or short to adapt to the neck so I can move it up or down a bit because of the buckle but who knows, later I will try on their classic two strands or maybe something else will catch my attention. You see why I am desperated to get the money back.
Yes, one year limit. Judging from the situation and my pickiness, I doubt I will find something by the end of the year. Better purchase the pearl and enjoy wearing it for the time being.

 

[DS2006]

To be honest, I want to ask for refund- money back refund because I don't want to wait to get the pearl chocker.
The chocker's design allows the wearer to move the length long or short to adapt to the neck so I can move it up or down a bit because of the buckle but who knows, later I will try on their classic two strands or maybe something else will catch my attention. You see why I am desperated to get the money back.
Yes, one year limit. Judging from the situation and my pickiness, I doubt I will find something by the end of the year. Better purchase the pearl and enjoy wearing it for the time being.

I do understand not wanting money tied up long term. It certainly cannot hurt to ask if they'd do a refund since they do not have enough items available to allow you to use your credit. The circumstances are unusual. If they don't, then the good part is that the Mikimoto items will likely be available in the future. So hopefully you can get the choker you want eventually!

 

[eletons]

I do understand not wanting money tied up long term. It certainly cannot hurt to ask if they'd do a refund since they do not have enough items available to allow you to use your credit. The circumstances are unusual. If they don't, then the good part is that the Mikimoto items will likely be available in the future. So hopefully you can get the choker you want eventually!

We will never know when people's taste change. I never thought I would like a pearl chocker until it's at my convenience to try it on. I thought I would just focus on vca earrings and bracelet and rings because I don't want to focus on my neck and suddenly a chocker came along and my worries about aging neck solved it's not that serious but I don't like to see my veins when I speak. I can wear scarf of course but what about summer months? I hope to get it sooner rather than later.
People seem to hoard everything, first the bags, now vca, maybe later real pearls. We will never know.

 

[Cool Breeze]

i agree with all of @BigAkoya ’s observations re mikimoto, but if you want to layer, i agree with @DS2006 above. I suggest buying less expensive south sea, Tahitian or other pearls. Even if you would like mikimoto eventually, it might not hurt to experiment with less expensive options first. Also, I find as one gets older, larger pearls are more desirable but YMMV

for the opening cocktail of the dior exhibit in Brooklyn, my mom loaned me a few diamond riviera necklaces bc I specifically did not want to wear branded jewelry. I experimented with layering them to make them less serious, (I have no issue with mixing costume and real) but in the end, I decided not to wear any diamond necklace. I wore baroque pearls on white gold chain as a lariat.

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Your pearls are gorgeous! You look so pretty in both photos.

 

[880]

I suggest vca setting up a resale market getting all the preloved pieces and repolish them before selling, that can be a win win

Your pearls are gorgeous! You look so pretty in both photos

Thanks @Cool Breeze For your kind words! @eletons, VCA does have a heritage counter at flagship for certain types of older pieces. Not sure though if VCA corporate has any interest in preloved alhambra, either bc of the difficulty with authentication or supply, or bc the reseller market values increase desirability and number of clients hoping to get a new piece from a VCA source

im pretty sure the supply chain will start to loosen up in 2022 so long as corp doesn’t decide to artificially restrict store orders and allocations

 

[papertiger]

I used to wear a lot of 18k gold by a local designer here before shifting to VCA and Cartier, I found myself so obsessed with Alhambra necklace, ring and bracelet that I've got few years back and it was the only thing I wore, I made another set purchase few years ago, it was the Onyx and I held back until just a year or so and I got the MOP then SO then this year 2020 I spent a lot on VCA that I forgot to branch out like you said lol now I have almost everything I want from VCA and Cartier, I am thinking of the Boucheron serpent boheme collection. I have few on my wishlist and hoping to get them next year

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I think I am just crazy about stones in general, I don't mind solid gold but stones makes me so happy

I'm the opposite regards stones/gold but the lapis set is stunning

 

[Deleted member 626500]

i agree with all of @BigAkoya ’s observations re mikimoto, but if you want to layer, i agree with @DS2006 above. I suggest buying less expensive south sea, Tahitian or other pearls. Even if you would like mikimoto eventually, it might not hurt to experiment with less expensive options first. Also, I find as one gets older, larger pearls are more desirable but YMMV

for the opening cocktail of the dior exhibit in Brooklyn, my mom loaned me a few diamond riviera necklaces bc I specifically did not want to wear branded jewelry. I experimented with layering them to make them less serious, (I have no issue with mixing costume and real) but in the end, I decided not to wear any diamond necklace. I wore baroque pearls on white gold chain as a lariat.

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What fabulous baroque pearls!