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Thank you, you made my day.
My day job is in a conservative (think suits), stuffy, male-dominated industry, but I love what I do. It is however, completely opposite of jewelry and all things girly girl. Jewelry (and gemstones) is my happy place, my time to unwind.
Congratulations--wear it well and it good health. And btw--that Russian Aquamarine is gorgeous!Buy what you love
I thought long and hard about the foundrae piece (YG chain with four medallions) that I tried on last week. I listened to the various pros and cons everyone kindly shared; plus everything DH had to say (he adored it). Then we visited a variety of other boutiques on my list and bergdorfs to see alternatives.
I went back this week with my own pendants, to determine whether the chain was well made and versatile. DH and I both loved the way it all looked together, but the definitive factor for me what that the pieces also worked well separately and with my own russian aquamarine pin/pendant (fourth pic) and my borrocal torso pendant (which is quite heavy). It all worked together really well
Third pic is what I purchased: foundrae necklace all together
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thank you all again for all of your help. Those of you that were skeptical of it, also really helped DH and me to see all the issues and come to a better decision
Yeah, this is perfect for you. Really looks fabulous!!!Buy what you love
I thought long and hard about the foundrae piece (YG chain with four medallions) that I tried on last week. I listened to the various pros and cons everyone kindly shared; plus everything DH had to say (he adored it). Then we visited a variety of other boutiques on my list and bergdorfs to see alternatives.
I went back this week with my own pendants, to determine whether the chain was well made and versatile. DH and I both loved the way it all looked together, but the definitive factor for me what that the pieces also worked well separately and with my own russian aquamarine pin/pendant (fourth pic) and my borrocal torso pendant (which is quite heavy). It all worked together really well
Third pic is what I purchased: foundrae necklace all together
View attachment 5309192View attachment 5309191View attachment 5309190View attachment 5309189 View attachment 5309202
thank you all again for all of your help. Those of you that were skeptical of it, also really helped DH and me to see all the issues and come to a better decision
Beautiful I love this necklace on you.Buy what you love
I thought long and hard about the foundrae piece (YG chain with four medallions) that I tried on last week. I listened to the various pros and cons everyone kindly shared; plus everything DH had to say (he adored it). Then we visited a variety of other boutiques on my list and bergdorfs to see alternatives.
I went back this week with my own pendants, to determine whether the chain was well made and versatile. DH and I both loved the way it all looked together, but the definitive factor for me what that the pieces also worked well separately and with my own russian aquamarine pin/pendant (fourth pic) and my borrocal torso pendant (which is quite heavy). It all worked together really well
Third pic is what I purchased: foundrae necklace all together
View attachment 5309192View attachment 5309191View attachment 5309190View attachment 5309189 View attachment 5309202
thank you all again for all of your help. Those of you that were skeptical of it, also really helped DH and me to see all the issues and come to a better decision
@jennlt, my family can be quite rude. DHs family can be deliberately needling and tenacious.
Hi! Welcome! We're a bunch of friendly, jewelry obsessed people, and we get excited easy when we see bling!
So please feel free to post your bling!
My thoughts on your question...
You are on the VCA forum, so I assume you like VCA. VCA is pricey, and yes, it's not worth it if you look at it in terms of the value of the raw materials. From that perspective, any luxury fine jewelry is "not worth it" even Piaget. You can probably get a similar dainty rose bracelet for about $500.00 or less.
Buying luxury jewelry brands is not about value. It is about the feeling you get when you wear it. The feeling of how you love seeing that Carnelian Alhambra on your wrist, and yes, the feeling that "it's VCA!"
These feelings are priceless.
$500.00 may seem like a lot now, but in the scope of life, you will not remember the $500.00.
What you will remember is how glad you are you splurged on a piece you love, a piece that gives you an ear to ear grin every time you wear it.
I would suggest asking yourself... if both pieces were the same price, which would you choose? Which piece gives you the biggest grin? Whatever piece that is, I would get that one.
For me, hands down I would choose VCA. It's a top luxury brand, and your Alhambra choice is iconic. The carnelian pops.
The Piaget rose bracelet is nice too, but to me, it's not really anything special. If you are only considering it because it's cheaper, I have a gut feel you will still want the VCA.
Buying what you really love actually saves you money in the long term.
Compromising can be costly as you still dream of purchasing that piece you really love.
Both pieces are lovely; just remember to look in the mirror and see which piece gives you the bigger grin.
I hope that helps in your decision. Good luck to you and welcome!
i want my first to be something i can use often and can match whatever im wearing (i love dresses and i wear casual clothes too)For me, I would get the bracelet. Here is why and some other thoughts...Really good point! Now... Since its my first, woukd you advise me to get a bracelet or a necklace? As well, i saw they have a VCA hammered rose gold alhambra bracelet and necklace, how would you compare that over the carnelian? I agree i might regret not buying vca its always been in my wishlust and my husband saif to me yesterday that he can get me one for my birthday but we have to save up the entire year as we are in the process of buying a new property
).)For me, I would get the bracelet. Here is why and some other thoughts...
If you get a bracelet, you will personally be able to see it and stare at it all day. Remember that ear to ear grin? Yup... with a bracelet, it's going to be a permanent ear to ear grin. I'm a ring person, and I stare at my rings often. My husband will see me doing that and will say "I see you staring at your bling again."
Which brings me to the necklace...
A necklace, especially a short pendant, is great for others to see. You will smile when you put it on, but after that, you can't see it, hence you will not really be able to enjoy you first VCA piece (unless you see yourself on Zoom all day
So, how to decide... bracelet or necklace...
Think about if you want this piece to look at and enjoy for yourself, or if you want this piece to show others you have a VCA (for the few people that even know about VCA). It's a subtle difference, but how you answer that question may help you decide.
For me, I buy jewelry for me, so no doubt in my mind, I would get the bracelet, especially as a first piece. I will be able to stare at it and see its beauty. You can get the pendant later to add to your growing collection (birthdays come every year!
I see you like Sweet and you like RG, so it's between the hammered RG or Carnelian.
The hammered RG bracelet is safe and worry free. However, to me, safe is also a bit boring in this case. Why? The Sweet bracelet is very dainty, and I think with an all metal RG chain and metal RG motif, the motif will get a bit lost. There is no contrast; it will just look like a chain. The carnelian, however, will pop. You can't miss it, a little pop of red! Both pieces will match with all your outfits. Red is a neutral, it goes with most everything. It's a happy neutral. Hence, of the two, I would get the carnelian. That's just me though, and it's all preference.
If you think you can love YG and MOP, this combo would be my first choice. I love the YG and MOP combination. It's the bomb, and the MOP will make your skin glow. Plus, YG and MOP really goes with everything. This is the bracelet I am thinking of in case you might be interested:
Sweet Alhambra bracelet Yellow gold, Mother-of-pearl- Van Cleef & Arpels (vancleefarpels.com)
I do want to point out with the Sweet bracelet, as there is only one motif, it will drop to the bottom when you wear it. It's natural due to the weight of the motif vs. the chain. You can shorten your bracelet tight so it doesn't move as much, but then you will need help putting it on and taking it off which may prevent you from wearing it often. For me, I would stay with a looser fit but just know gravity will take the motif to the bottom every now and then. It's different than the 5 motif which has motifs all around the bracelet, hence the weight is distributed evenly. Just FYI in case you did not think about this minor point.
I am so excited for you, and I think you will love your first VCA, whichever piece you choose. All VCA is so beautiful, and you cannot go wrong with any piece.
Just my two cents to help you decide. I hope this was helpful.
And... an early Happy Birthday to you!
I think you cannot go wrong with advice from @BigAkoya.
i would say if possible, try before you buy and see what gives you a tingly feeling
also, I am somewhat careless and think it’s very possible I might do something to carnelian if it’s on the wrist. (I don’t own any VCA bracelet and ended up with a GMOP necklace. For a bracelet, I think metal is a bit more worry free. however, VCA will replace the stone for a relatively nominal charge if anything happens.
congrats on your new real estate purchase and happy birthday!
It's beautiful on you! Your baby boy will love the red too!
