Will VCA change a clasp?

[Mayacamas]

Hello,

My mom purchased a Vintage Alhambra pendant from the Vendôme Paris store last April.
She has terrible arthritis in her hands and the standard necklace clasp is impossible for her to use. Can VCA change the clasp for her to something that’s easier for her to manage? If not, does anyone have any brilliant ideas for her? She loves the pendant and really wants to wear it.

Thank you!

 

[lynne_ross]

Hello,

My mom purchased a Vintage Alhambra pendant from the Vendôme Paris store last April.
She has terrible arthritis in her hands and the standard necklace clasp is impossible for her to use. Can VCA change the clasp for her to something that’s easier for her to manage? If not, does anyone have any brilliant ideas for her? She loves the pendant and really wants to wear it.

Thank you!

I have seen posts of folks changing to the older clasp and a larger version of newer clasp. Positive they will change for a fee. Ask your SA on options.

 

[nicole0612]

Hello,

My mom purchased a Vintage Alhambra pendant from the Vendôme Paris store last April.
She has terrible arthritis in her hands and the standard necklace clasp is impossible for her to use. Can VCA change the clasp for her to something that’s easier for her to manage? If not, does anyone have any brilliant ideas for her? She loves the pendant and really wants to wear it.

Thank you!

Yes, you can no longer change to the older style clasps, but there is a larger clasp that they are happy to swap it out for. It just looks like the normal one, but larger so easier to manipulate. It is a standard offering. I had to pay $180 + tax extra for a clasp change on a SO item at the time of placing the order, so I think they charge for it regardless of when it was purchased.

 

[simplicitea]

Does anyone have an image of the larger clasp or comparison? What did the "old" clasp look like?

 

[nicole0612]

Does anyone have an image of the larger clasp or comparison? What did the "old" clasp look like?

Here is the old clasp style, slimmer, they will not allow you to replace with this one. I do not have any with the old clasp style, but if anyone is skilled with searching in the forum, the photo has been posted before. Wait, I found it in my email from SA! TPM clasp is sweet, PM clasp is regular vintage, MM clasp is the larger option available for replacement.

 

[Mayacamas]

Thank you!
I will call USA customer service tomorrow

 

[BigAkoya]

Hi! If I may share my thoughts...
I think getting the larger clasp is going to be a waste of money. The larger clasp is just a tiny bit larger, less than 2mm, and for a person with arthritis, it's the dexterity of holding down something AND hooking it at the same time that is the issue. My mom's friend has RA, hence I am familiar with the issue. A lobster clasp necklace is the worst for people with RA due to how you need to maneuver your fingers.

Before you ask VCA to swap out the clasp, I would order some cheap necklace with a large lobster clasp from amazon and see if mom can hook it up on her neck. She has to try doing this as if she were putting the necklace on herself, not just holding the necklace in her hand as the finger and eye movement together are very different.

Personally, I think mom needs to wear a long necklace that she can just put over her head; no need to open and close that horrible loster clasp!

Ideas...
- If mom doesn't mind wearing a Vintage size pendant long, mom can purchase the 70cm (28") trace chain. She can easily slip that over her head.
- If no, perhaps mom can sell the VA pendant and buy a Magic long pendant. I am sure mom can wear a Magic size. It will be so easy for mom to slip it over her head. No finger action required. Mom will love it, and she can wear it everyday.

Just a thought.

ETA: Here is the 70cm (28") Trace Chain I am referring to. Mom can shorten it a bit if she wants, but I think anything over 20-22" will fit over her head.

https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/collections/jewelry/other-collections/vcarp7u600---trace-chain-70-cm.html

 

[Mayacamas]

@BigAkoya
Brilliant advice! I’ll order the other clasp and go from there…
Mom is resistant to a longer necklace… so it’s gonna be a process.

I really appreciate the insight. Thank you.

 

[BigAkoya]

This as bit off topic, but since this is not a general thread, I think it's okay to go a bit off topic here...

This evening, I just opened a new jar using this gadget, which then made me think of your mom, and mom need this little gadget...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DWA6KM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&th=1

I am petite, and sometime large jars are hard for me to grip and open.
I saw my dad using this gadget at his house, so I bought one. I love it! I've given this little gadget to friends, and they love it too. You just put the little silicon pad under the jar, push the tool into the jar lid and turn. It works great for me. You do not need any finger grip movement at all. Be sure to watch the video on how to use.

 

[hhw]

Hello,

My mom purchased a Vintage Alhambra pendant from the Vendôme Paris store last April.
She has terrible arthritis in her hands and the standard necklace clasp is impossible for her to use. Can VCA change the clasp for her to something that’s easier for her to manage? If not, does anyone have any brilliant ideas for her? She loves the pendant and really wants to wear it.

Thank you!

Perhaps, try a magnet closure. The one I use is no longer in stock, but there are others. Maybe check out the reviews on the other ones available on Amazon and then test one of them out with a less expensive necklace to see how secure it feels.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009R2YQIO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit to add: The magnet closure attaches to the necklace closure so no need to modify the current necklace clasp.