Show me your Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry!

[RunningwithScissors]

So ladies I guess it’s the week of turquoise as I have gotten my hands on 5 motif wg Alhambra in excellent condition. It just came back from workshop where all motifs were replaced.

Beautiful! The turquoise is so vibrant and summery. What an exquisite stack!

 

[RunningwithScissors]

So the Zodiaque collection is not most people’s cup of tea, but I had a feeling it would be my vibe! I love my medallion, currently on an 18 inch Tiffany chain. I’m probably going to get the 70cm trace chain so I can wear it longer but considering other options- it seems like a Paperclip style or thicker chain could be a nice option.

Super fun and cute on you! Love it!

 

[Missie1]

Beautiful! The turquoise is so vibrant and summery. What an exquisite stack!

Thanks so much

 

[yssie]

Funny you should mention that s I was in Neimans’s yesterday dropping turquoise bracelet off to go get sized and started looking at pearls. I am going to NYC next month so I will pop into Mikki to check some out. What mm do you recommend

Akoya for sure. Mikimoto doesn't have freshwater, only SS and akoya, and their specialty is akoya. And WSS start at ~10mm, they're too big and bulky to stack well IMO. Akoya range from about 6mm-9mm. Mikimoto has four grades of pearls - A, A+, AA, and AAA - and price jumps exponentially with grade... I wouldn't choose AAA pearls for a stacker piece, pearl nacre is softer and metal/diamonds will scratch it - no point paying for perfection when you know you're going to be "damaging" it. AA or even A+ will still be much better than most everything else you'll see!! My NYC boutique Miki SA is wonderful, let me know if you'd like her contact info! I'm on LT with the same name and IG with the same name and "ps" on the end

If you aren't set on Mikimoto you can get non-branded pearls commensurate with Miki A+ and AA quality for significantly less. But it takes a bit more work.

I love my 8-8.5mm akoya. For me it's the perfect size for both standalone and stacking. I have two 8-8.5mm bracelets, I stack one and keep the other pristine Couple older pics - frivole with 8-8.5mm akoya, perlee with 8-8.5mm akoya and 6-6.5mm akoya, and letterwood with 6-6.5mm akoya

 

[RunningwithScissors]

So many beautiful stacks on this thread! Jewelry goals.

 

[upgradingmama]

Um….. I go outside because there was a package at my front door. I look at the return label and it says Van Cleef and Arpels. It’s addressed to my husband. OMG! I have no idea what it could be and I have no idea what it’s for, and he’s not usually a big surprise guy. I just want to rip it open but that is not a good idea…

 

[yssie]

Saw this on IG earlier - super helpful comp of Frivole sizes!

 

[LLJsmom]

OMG You're the cutest!!! That smile says EVERYTHING!!! Congratulations

I'm a big fan of pieces like this myself - the ones that most other people might not instantly recognize as VCA, but I know those who know will know

Will you stack it once you get the trace chain?

Right??? I love it more because of your love. Congratulations @FL_runner ! The medallion looks fabulous on you.

 

[LLJsmom]

Here are some pics of the new SF boutique.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Here are some pics of the new SF boutique.

It looks like a luxury condo! Even has a bar?! Wow, I NEED to visit!

 

[Missie1]

Akoya for sure. Mikimoto doesn't have freshwater, only SS and akoya, and their specialty is akoya. And WSS start at ~10mm, they're too big and bulky to stack well IMO. Akoya range from about 6mm-9mm. Mikimoto has four grades of pearls - A, A+, AA, and AAA - and price jumps exponentially with grade... I wouldn't choose AAA pearls for a stacker piece, pearl nacre is softer and metal/diamonds will scratch it - no point paying for perfection when you know you're going to be "damaging" it. AA or even A+ will still be much better than most everything else you'll see!! My NYC boutique Miki SA is wonderful, let me know if you'd like her contact info! I'm on LT with the same name and IG with the same name and "ps" on the end

If you aren't set on Mikimoto you can get non-branded pearls commensurate with Miki A+ and AA quality for significantly less. But it takes a bit more work.

I love my 8-8.5mm akoya. For me it's the perfect size for both standalone and stacking. I have two 8-8.5mm bracelets, I stack one and keep the other pristine Couple older pics - frivole with 8-8.5mm akoya, perlee with 8-8.5mm akoya and 6-6.5mm akoya, and letterwood with 6-6.5mm akoya

I love love the smaller pearls stacked with the clover. I will definitely need your SA info as my sissy definitely wants to get a strand. I will reach out to you on IG.

 

[Missie1]

Um….. I go outside because there was a package at my front door. I look at the return label and it says Van Cleef and Arpels. It’s addressed to my husband. OMG! I have no idea what it could be and I have no idea what it’s for, and he’s not usually a big surprise guy. I just want to rip it open but that is not a good idea…

Omg that’s the best. I can’t wait to see what he got you. Did you have a wishlist.

 

[LLJsmom]

Some more pics from the visit. It was pretty short, just an hour. Would have loved more time.

This was my SA. She was rocking the small cosmos.

 

[LLJsmom]

Wanna guess what we came away with?


My mom loved the butterfly pendant so it had to be. I love it too. But I think the earrings are definitely next on my list. And surprisingly the lotus pendant is growing on me.

 

[OdetteOdile]

Some more pics from the visit. It was pretty short, just an hour. Would have loved more time.

This was my SA. She was rocking the small cosmos.

Oh my goodness - such eye candy!! Thank you for sharing these pictures! The yellow gold MOP bracelet is on my wish list (I think). I need to try it on in real life to see how the color looks on me! Did anything in particular from this visit catch your eye?

 

[OdetteOdile]

Yes!! Love that butterfly!!

 

[LLJsmom]

Oh my goodness - such eye candy!! Thank you for sharing these pictures! The yellow gold MOP bracelet is on my wish list (I think). I need to try it on in real life to see how the color looks on me! Did anything in particular from this visit catch your eye?

I learned that I am not that sure about the perlee clover ring. RG would not be for me. It's really really pretty, but just not that pretty on me, KWIM? But I would need to try it on in WG again. I do love the MOP butterfly earrings though. And I am strangely drawn to the lotus pendant. Trying things on IRL really make a difference.

The YG MOP is pretty but on me it didn't blow me away. I gave it a 5/10 for me. It's a pretty stacking piece and complements many other YG 5 motifs. It's warm and inviting and looks good on many people. I can see why it's so loved.

 

[yssie]

Can I just say (again) how much I (completely, totally, utterly, wholly, wholeheartedly) despise 99% of (non-Japanese) VCA resellers?


Christie's auction for both closed a few days ago at $30240. In NY the buyer's premium is 26%, which is $7860. Total of close cost and buyer fee $38100. NY sales tax on that - call it 9%, $3429. Total of buyer's out of pocket = $38100+$3429 = $41529, call it $42k.

Check out what's on eBay right now.

This reseller - they're obviously the same pieces - has the bracelet listed for $18k. And $55k for the necklace. Total of $73k. eBay apparently takes 12.55% of the total amount of sale up to $7500 per item, and 2.35% of the portion of the sale over $7500. I think that means eBay wants 12.55% of $15000 + 2.35% of $58000. That's $1883 +.$1363 = $3246, call it $3500 in ebay seller fees.

So this reseller would like to pocket $73k - $3.5k - $42k = $27.5.

$27500 profit in the pocket. On a $42000 original outlay. For doing absolutely nothing.
Besides buying through a public auction, and relisting on another public platform, and in the process depriving the end consumer(s) of the services and guarantees that buying direct from Christie's would have afforded them. Actually a net negative for the end consumer(s).


Absolutely despicable.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

WOW. @LLJsmom that butterfly collection is gorgeous! How wonderful!! Congrats!

cheers--Sharon

 

[LLJsmom]

It looks like a luxury condo! Even has a bar?! Wow, I NEED to visit!

So funny! I think they said it was the only store with a bar, or maybe in North America. The floral mural on the wall was hand painted. One other thing was that the doors were so freakin' heavy. Certain wall paper on doors were imported from France and other wall paper from England. It was impressive. But honestly I was bummed that they did not have more pieces out on display. For the size, they should have just exhibited more pieces. Some smaller boutiques have more items.

 

[yssie]

I do love the MOP butterfly earrings though.

The butterfly MOP earrings look so pretty on you!! I agree. Love those for your collection. They're very proportional to your ears and your features, and they light up on your skin - I do love that MOP sheen

I can see the butterflies going into frequent rotation with the rest of your earrings

 

[LLJsmom]

Just sharing a few WG and carnelian pics. Couldn’t find this bracelet for a while. LOL.

 

[yssie]

Just sharing a few WG and carnelian pics. Couldn’t find this bracelet for a while. LOL.

Carnelian in WG, still my most-wanted coloured stone combo You're SUCH an enabler LLJsmom.

 

[LLJsmom]

The butterfly MOP earrings look so pretty on you!! I agree. Love those for your collection. They're very proportional to your ears and your features, and they light up on your skin - I do love that MOP sheen

I can see the butterflies going into frequent rotation with the rest of your earrings

I think you are right. I can see reaching for it a lot.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Wanna guess what we came away with?


My mom loved the butterfly pendant so it had to be. I love it too. But I think the earrings are definitely next on my list. And surprisingly the lotus pendant is growing on me.

Yay! Both necklaces are absolutely gorgeous on you ladies! How fun to be able to share this experience (and a love of jewelry) with your mom. My mom has absolutely no interest in jewelry.

And you are rock'n the MOP butterfly earrings! They NEED to come home with you!

 

[upgradingmama]

Um….. I go outside because there was a package at my front door. I look at the return label and it says Van Cleef and Arpels. It’s addressed to my husband. OMG! I have no idea what it could be and I have no idea what it’s for, and he’s not usually a big surprise guy. I just want to rip it open but that is not a good idea…

Lolol! It was a care package with lollipops and a coloring book and colored pencils from VCA. I gave my husband way too much credit

 

[upgradingmama]

Oh my goodness - such eye candy!! Thank you for sharing these pictures! The yellow gold MOP bracelet is on my wish list (I think). I need to try it on in real life to see how the color looks on me! Did anything in particular from this visit catch your eye?

Me too!!!

 

[yssie]

Lolol! It was a care package with lollipops and a coloring book and colored pencils from VCA. I gave my husband way too much credit

Ohhhhh ugh. Sweet, but also ugh!! Maybe hubs will take the hint!!
Mine's like that too, he's not one for either surprises or frivolities, so the occasional unexpected bling is extra beloved

Edited for actual English about four times across four devices*

 

[Kim N]

I do love the MOP butterfly earrings though.

Count me as another who thinks they look so beautiful on you! I love your mom's new pendant too!

 

[upgradingmama]

Ohhhhh ugh. Sweet, but also ugh!! Maybe hubs will take the hint!!
Mine's like that too, he's not one for either surprises or frivolities, so the occasional blingy surprise is extra beloved

I actually think it's hilarious. Why did I even go there....