Show me your Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry!

[SylviaF]

I am really tempted to get the small Pave Frivole earrings in WG b4 the next price increase which can happen anytime from now.
I like its dimensional design, so feminine & pretty. I feel that they are fit for my son’s wedding in the near future, lol
(Finding excuses & justification), they truly make good presence on my small ears.
Should I?

It sounds like you really love the Frivole pavé earrings! I'm not sure if my memory serves me well, I feel like someone on here had the clip mechanism removed altogether, and they wear the Small size earring as a stud with a backing. I wonder if they stay upright that way.

 

[LLJsmom]

It sounds like you really love the Frivole pavé earrings! I'm not sure if my memory serves me well, I feel like someone on here had the clip mechanism removed altogether, and they wear the Small size earring as a stud with a backing. I wonder if they stay upright that way.

I think wearing without the clip will result in too much drooping. Try rotating the base of the earring and see if that makes the clip harder to see. I had that issue too. Someone suggested moving the post to a lower post. I didn’t even know that was an option. I should check mine.

 

[Missie1]

You have expressed some of my concerns exactly, Missie! In theory I want VCA earrings, in real life I'm not sure how much wear they will get. I love Frivole Pavé but the Small size doesn't sit right on my piercings and you can see the clip on my ear from the front. Any pavé earring of that size, (VA or Frivole), would likely not get worn much week to week. Diamond studs would get worn more frequently. I do have the Onyx VA earrings and matching bracelet, and I ordered a pair of diamond huggies that I'm waiting to receive. I'm curious to see how much they will get worn.

VCA pavé pieces are indeed very metal heavy. I love the way diamonds look in their white gold pavé pieces but I actually don't love the white metal edges against my skin. I adore the sweet pave studs for how tiny and delicate they are but when put them on I feel they look like gray dots on my earlobes. Diamond studs catch the light and have enough sparkle to actually pop against my skin and long hair. Hubby is against lab studs. He said the exact same thing, "how you can spend thousands on something that you don't know its value". And it's funny that I was considering lab stones, while I keep buying mined diamond pieces (huggies and a pendant recently)

I think with VCA, what I appreciate is their design and the meticulous nature of their pavé work, and what I truly want is something I can see while wearing. I don't have formal functions or dressy events to attend on a regular basis so I don't need pavé pieces. I would like a piece that brings me joy, to stare at as I go about my day. A bracelet would be more wearable than a pavé ring, I think. I favor soft bracelets as opposed to bangles; I'm not used to bangles yet and I have a bony wrist that rubs weird against them. The RG and Gray MOP bracelet is gorgeous but it blends onto my skin too much.


I didn't think I was a set person but I might be becoming one. I really liked wearing my VA Onyx earrings with the bracelet recently, but I don't need to have a set.

The top piece on my VCA wishlist is the Frivole Pavé pendant, (white gold pops more but it might be too dressy for me, and I don't love the white chain against my skin, RG is very pretty but now I'm worried it might blend too much). Next on the wishlist would be a pave piece I can see. I love the bangles but not sure I can get used to them.

The rest of the pieces on my wishlist are: upgrading my diamond pendant, studs, tennis bracelet (which I should have bought a looong time ago and just didn't), and I would love, love, love..... a riviere necklace. Which I'm not sure it would even get worn, but looks very much at home around my neck and hubby insists I can wear it with a white button-down and jeans. I also really love the Tiffany hardware bracelet.

I love seeing all the photos of bling! You have a dream collection and you wear your pieces with such confidence and panache! How soon are you planning to upgrade your studs and what size are you looking to go to?

Ok so from what I see you have two objectives and you’re going to need to be patient to achieve both. You know the money tree has to replenish lol. I see need for staple diamond pieces and building out your VCA collection. The first thing I would prioritize is diamond stud upgrade in martini settings so all you see is diamond floating on the ear. One because I’m a stud whore but most importantly they go with everything dressy to casual. You already have pair of VCA earrings and I’m suspecting you’re not an earring girl like our @yssie. If you were we would already know it. You’re trying to make them work and they aren’t. I’ve been down that road and just decided to stop.

Now my SA says that earrings and necklaces are for others to admire on you. Bracelets are for you so my next purchase would be tennis and VCA bracelet. You already have onyx so it’s matter of deciding which bracelet you love. You indicated pave for bracelet so you could go gold metal & pave as it will be versatile to layer with existing onyx or add bangle down the road. Have you tried on any of the Perlee bracelets? They might work better than you think. This paired with wg tennis will be beautiful combo that you could look down at forever.

The Frivole pave pendant is lovely and I definitely can see it paired with diamond Riveria necklace or your existing solitaire pendant. DH is right you can wear it super casual and stacked. For this reason I would go with it in wg so that it doesn’t compete with other necklaces when stacking. You have to think about your future purchases so that pieces you’re acquiring now will work well together later.

Which Tiffany hardware bracelet are you considering? I need a visual.

I’m planning to upgrade my current studs from 3.4 ctw to 5ctw or larger if DH and the budget allows. I’m not going smaller than 5 ctw for sure. I hope within the next 6 months but DH isn’t even aware so keep me in your prayers lol.

 

[SylviaF]

Ok so from what I see you have two objectives and you’re going to need to be patient to achieve both. You know the money tree has to replenish lol. I see need for staple diamond pieces and building out your VCA collection. The first thing I would prioritize is diamond stud upgrade in martini settings so all you see is diamond floating on the ear. One because I’m a stud whore but most importantly they go with everything dressy to casual. You already have pair of VCA earrings and I’m suspecting you’re not an earring girl like our @yssie. If you were we would already know it. You’re trying to make them work and they aren’t. I’ve been down that road and just decided to stop.

Now my SA says that earrings and necklaces are for others to admire on you. Bracelets are for you so my next purchase would be tennis and VCA bracelet. You already have onyx so it’s matter of deciding which bracelet you love. You indicated pave for bracelet so you could go gold metal & pave as it will be versatile to layer with existing onyx or add bangle down the road. Have you tried on any of the Perlee bracelets? They might work better than you think. This paired with wg tennis will be beautiful combo that you could look down at forever.

The Frivole pave pendant is lovely and I definitely can see it paired with diamond Riveria necklace or your existing solitaire pendant. DH is right you can wear it super casual and stacked. For this reason I would go with it in wg so that it doesn’t compete with other necklaces when stacking. You have to think about your future purchases so that pieces you’re acquiring now will work well together later.

Which Tiffany hardware bracelet are you considering? I need a visual.

I’m planning to upgrade my current studs from 3.4 ctw to 5ctw or larger if DH and the budget allows. I’m not going smaller than 5 ctw for sure. I hope within the next 6 months but DH isn’t even aware so keep me in your prayers lol.

You get me, Missie! You probably understand me better than I understand myself.Thank you for talking this through with me! You are correct, I'm not an earring girl. I forced myself to buy earrings this year because I had one pair that I wore to death for many years and they didn't fit my other pieces any more. So I've bought three pairs of earrings in the past year; 9.5 mm pearl studs, the VCA Onyx, and the diamond huggies. I need to stop with the earrings.

As far as the bangles, I've tried on the Perlee Clovers and the Signature. I like the Perlee Clovers. Both feel a little awkward on my wrist. I would love to see the one-row diamond bangle in person. I have a feeling that the thinner width will work better on me. The yellow gold one-row bangle would look amazing with my Onyx bracelet AND a tennis bracelet. This is the Tiffany bracelet I was referring to:



Your new 5 ctw studs will be stunning! I will pray for you! Remember, timing is everything!

 

[Missie1]

You get me, Missie! You probably understand me better than I understand myself.Thank you for talking this through with me! You are correct, I'm not an earring girl. I forced myself to buy earrings this year because I had one pair that I wore to death for many years and they didn't fit my other pieces any more. So I've bought three pairs of earrings in the past year; 9.5 mm pearl studs, the VCA Onyx, and the diamond huggies. I need to stop with the earrings.

As far as the bangles, I've tried on the Perlee Clovers and the Signature. I like the Perlee Clovers. Both feel a little awkward on my wrist. I would love to see the one-row diamond bangle in person. I have a feeling that the thinner width will work better on me. The yellow gold one-row bangle would look amazing with my Onyx bracelet AND a tennis bracelet. This is the Tiffany bracelet I was referring to:



Your new 5 ctw studs will be stunning! I will pray for you! Remember, timing is everything!

You’re so welcome. I find it always helps to have a clear direction when planning such expensive pieces. What size are your current studs and what are your end game goal s for them?

I like the direction of bangle , onyx Alhambra and tennis. Only thing is that single row and tennis essentially serve the same purpose. Still will look great . The Tiffany bracelet while nice has more industrial stack feel and would potentially overpower the onyx and tennis combo.

 

[LLJsmom]

You’re so welcome. I find it always helps to have a clear direction when planning such expensive pieces. What size are your current studs and what are your end game goal s for them?

I like the direction of bangle , onyx Alhambra and tennis. Only thing is that single row and tennis essentially serve the same purpose. Still will look great . The Tiffany bracelet while nice has more industrial stack feel and would potentially overpower the onyx and tennis combo.

This is good stuff @Missie1. Really helps to have someone with the same aesthetic help you think things through.

 

[LLJsmom]

You have expressed some of my concerns exactly, Missie! In theory I want VCA earrings, in real life I'm not sure how much wear they will get. I love Frivole Pavé but the Small size doesn't sit right on my piercings and you can see the clip on my ear from the front. Any pavé earring of that size, (VA or Frivole), would likely not get worn much week to week. Diamond studs would get worn more frequently. I do have the Onyx VA earrings and matching bracelet, and I ordered a pair of diamond huggies that I'm waiting to receive. I'm curious to see how much they will get worn.

VCA pavé pieces are indeed very metal heavy. I love the way diamonds look in their white gold pavé pieces but I actually don't love the white metal edges against my skin. I adore the sweet pave studs for how tiny and delicate they are but when put them on I feel they look like gray dots on my earlobes. Diamond studs catch the light and have enough sparkle to actually pop against my skin and long hair. Hubby is against lab studs. He said the exact same thing, "how you can spend thousands on something that you don't know its value". And it's funny that I was considering lab stones, while I keep buying mined diamond pieces (huggies and a pendant recently)

I think with VCA, what I appreciate is their design and the meticulous nature of their pavé work, and what I truly want is something I can see while wearing. I don't have formal functions or dressy events to attend on a regular basis so I don't need pavé pieces. I would like a piece that brings me joy, to stare at as I go about my day. A bracelet would be more wearable than a pavé ring, I think. I favor soft bracelets as opposed to bangles; I'm not used to bangles yet and I have a bony wrist that rubs weird against them. The RG and Gray MOP bracelet is gorgeous but it blends onto my skin too much.


I didn't think I was a set person but I might be becoming one. I really liked wearing my VA Onyx earrings with the bracelet recently, but I don't need to have a set.

The top piece on my VCA wishlist is the Frivole Pavé pendant, (white gold pops more but it might be too dressy for me, and I don't love the white chain against my skin, RG is very pretty but now I'm worried it might blend too much). Next on the wishlist would be a pave piece I can see. I love the bangles but not sure I can get used to them.

The rest of the pieces on my wishlist are: upgrading my diamond pendant, studs, tennis bracelet (which I should have bought a looong time ago and just didn't), and I would love, love, love..... a riviere necklace. Which I'm not sure it would even get worn, but looks very much at home around my neck and hubby insists I can wear it with a white button-down and jeans. I also really love the Tiffany hardware bracelet.

I love seeing all the photos of bling! You have a dream collection and you wear your pieces with such confidence and panache! How soon are you planning to upgrade your studs and what size are you looking to go to?

About labs. My advice after having just bought them myself, from a person who was unsure about them but willing to give it a try: don’t if you’re unsure. If I could do it over I probably wouldn’t cause I just don’t value them. I know. My brain issue and no judgement to others who love labs. However the irony is that I do reach for them 2-3 times a week because they are worry free. It’s like…since I have them... If I could do it over I might have just bought another pair of VCA sweets. If you’re unsure about labs, stick with mined.

 

[Missie1]

This is good stuff @Missie1. Really helps to have someone with the same aesthetic help you think things through.

Yes and you know how creating cohesion with stacks excites me. I also love how we are able to bounce ideas and gain insights that we haven’t considered. Truly invaluable

 

[SylviaF]

My new VA Alhambra earrings...

You’re so welcome. I find it always helps to have a clear direction when planning such expensive pieces. What size are your current studs and what are your end game goal s for them?

I like the direction of bangle , onyx Alhambra and tennis. Only thing is that single row and tennis essentially serve the same purpose. Still will look great . The Tiffany bracelet while nice has more industrial stack feel and would potentially overpower the onyx and tennis combo.

No current studs. I lost one each of two pairs that were given to me pre-Pricescope, from chain stores, so I have two mismatched ones. This is 2ctw which I think is perfect. My piercing is too far back, Alhambra earrings, because they are flat, hide this very well. It is more noticeable with studs.

I also love the medium Tiffany Victoria earrings as a possible alternative to rounds...

About labs. My advice after having just bought them myself, from a person who was unsure about them but willing to give it a try: don’t if you’re unsure. If I could do it over I probably wouldn’t cause I just don’t value them. I know. My brain issue and no judgement to others who love labs. However the irony is that I do reach for them 2-3 times a week because they are worry free. It’s like…since I have them... If I could do it over I might have just bought another pair of VCA sweets. If you’re unsure about labs, stick with mined.

This is really helpful, thank you LLJsmom! I think I will stick with mined for the same reasons. If I change my mind after I just don't know if I'd be able to sell them. There are other jewelry pieces I would rather purchase for the same amount that I would treasure more.

Hubby is wonderfully supportive but there is only so much he can take listening to me gripe about jewelry. I'm grateful I have all of you ladies' fresh perspectives and experience!

 

[Missie1]

My new VA Alhambra earrings...



No current studs. I lost one each of two pairs that were given to me pre-Pricescope, from chain stores, so I have two mismatched ones. This is 2ctw which I think is perfect. My piercing is too far back, Alhambra earrings, because they are flat, hide this very well. It is more noticeable with studs.

I also love the medium Tiffany Victoria earrings as a possible alternative to rounds...


This is really helpful, thank you LLJsmom! I think I will stick with mined for the same reasons. If I change my mind after I just don't know if I'd be able to sell them. There are other jewelry pieces I would rather purchase for the same amount that I would treasure more.

Hubby is wonderfully supportive but there is only so much he can take listening to me gripe about jewelry. I'm grateful I have all of you ladies' fresh perspectives and experience!

I definitely prefer the rounds on you. Much more presence on the ear. For 2ctw definitely go with mined diamonds from vendor with great upgrade policy. Also remember you can go .90 pointers each ear and save tremendously and look will be identical. Then use savings towards funding your VCA piece.

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Hello VCA pals!
Question.. does anyone have the thin Perlee bangle and an Alhambra bracelet that you stack together? I was thinking of buying the thin Perlee bangle in yellow gold and I already have a Lucky Alhambra bracelet that I would like to stack it with.
Would love to see a picture of the combo.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Oops! Meant to post these pix.

 

[Missie1]

Oops! Meant to post these pix.

I have both pieces but my perlee bead is wg. Let me know if you want me to take pic of them together for you

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

I have both pieces but my perlee bead is wg. Let me know if you want me to take pic of them together for you

Oh yes!! Thanks so much Missie1! I would LOVE to see them together!

 

[mjea]

I have both pieces but my perlee bead is wg. Let me know if you want me to take pic of them together for you

Ditto would also love to see - thank you!!
For the bracelet - do you ever get annoyed by the dangle set motifs? Do they bang on the table or ever get caught in your clothes?

 

[m-2-b]

My new VA Alhambra earrings...



No current studs. I lost one each of two pairs that were given to me pre-Pricescope, from chain stores, so I have two mismatched ones. This is 2ctw which I think is perfect. My piercing is too far back, Alhambra earrings, because they are flat, hide this very well. It is more noticeable with studs.

I also love the medium Tiffany Victoria earrings as a possible alternative to rounds...


This is really helpful, thank you LLJsmom! I think I will stick with mined for the same reasons. If I change my mind after I just don't know if I'd be able to sell them. There are other jewelry pieces I would rather purchase for the same amount that I would treasure more.

Hubby is wonderfully supportive but there is only so much he can take listening to me gripe about jewelry. I'm grateful I have all of you ladies' fresh perspectives and experience!

The VA onyx earrings look great on you!

BTW, many of us have upgraded through WF for our ACA studs. However, they have changed their upgrade policy recently so you may want to read through it first if you are looking.

 

[SylviaF]

The VA onyx earrings look great on you!

BTW, many of us have upgraded through WF for our ACA studs. However, they have changed their upgrade policy recently so you may want to read through it first if you are looking.

Thank you! I noticed that recently. I saw that now you have to go 50% up in value on the upgraded stones. I think that is still pretty reasonable. I will likely get the 2 ctw studs right off the bat, and that will be as large as I’ll go. I was also going to upgrade my current pendant from them, I wonder if the old policy will apply as it was bought a while back. I’ll check with them.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

... I will likely get the 2 ctw studs right off the bat, and that will be as large as I’ll go.

Famous last words. So many of us have uttered the same thing...and then six months later the upgrade process begins.

Seriously, DSS is real.

 

[Missie1]

Oh yes!! Thanks so much Missie1! I would LOVE to see them together!

 

[Missie1]

Ditto would also love to see - thank you!!
For the bracelet - do you ever get annoyed by the dangle set motifs? Do they bang on the table or ever get caught in your clothes?

I just posted the pics. It’s not a daily wear piece for me so it doesn’t bother me at all. Just a couple of hours when I think to wear it. Also all my bracelets are shortened so this minimizes the movement.

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Oh yay Missie1! I love the way it looks together. A picture is worth a thousand words so thank you a thousand times!

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

Ditto would also love to see - thank you!!
For the bracelet - do you ever get annoyed by the dangle set motifs? Do they bang on the table or ever get caught in your clothes?

Hi mjea!
I was also so happy to see that Missie1 posted the pix.. I think they look great together.
As far as the Lucky Alhambra.. I feel like the malachite leaf sometimes droops a little too low. I am mindful of it when I am cooking.. not that I cook very much
specifically chopping something. The MOP clover I find doesn't sit that low.

 

[Emeraldcutlover]

I’ve been meaning to post that butour daughter got engaged!! It was an estate VCA engagement ring, circa 1920. It’s so simple and beautiful. I think I need ans OEC now . K/VS1 (had GIA certified) and placed back in original signed setting. Needed some tweaks but they were able to keep it in tact! This is on my finger but looks way better on hers!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Tried on some earrings too, keep in mind I have pretty small attached lobes

I think the black onyx vintage size Alhambra was my favorite! But not enough to buy. They didn’t give me flutters

I’d been dying to try on the two butterflies - but honestly I just can’t imagine splurging like that on something I couldn’t wear everyday. They were lovely, I would’ve wanted the yellow gold + turquoise. Maybe I’ll try them on one day…but not on the imminent #wishlist

The small frivole didn’t work for me AT ALL. The bar at the bottom was so conspicuous, it would drive me nuts. Made it easy to scratch off the list! The pave was gorgeous but they felt so dressy, not for me on multiple fronts

All I see is your amazing turquoise crescent! Love love love.

 

[LLJsmom]

I’ve been meaning to post that butour daughter got engaged!! It was an estate VCA engagement ring, circa 1920. It’s so simple and beautiful. I think I need ans OEC now . K/VS1 (had GIA certified) and placed back in original signed setting. Needed some tweaks but they were able to keep it in tact! This is on my finger but looks way better on hers!

We need so many more pics!! Never seen a vca estate solitaire! Side views and everything please! Thank you for sharing! What a find!

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

I’ve been meaning to post that butour daughter got engaged!! It was an estate VCA engagement ring, circa 1920. It’s so simple and beautiful. I think I need ans OEC now . K/VS1 (had GIA certified) and placed back in original signed setting. Needed some tweaks but they were able to keep it in tact! This is on my finger but looks way better on hers!

GORGEOUS ring!!! Would love to see a 100 more pix of it.
Congrats on the engagement too!!!

 

[Cerulean]

All I see is your amazing turquoise crescent! Love love love.

Awww you’re so sweet!!!

 

[SylviaF]

I’ve been meaning to post that butour daughter got engaged!! It was an estate VCA engagement ring, circa 1920. It’s so simple and beautiful. I think I need ans OEC now . K/VS1 (had GIA certified) and placed back in original signed setting. Needed some tweaks but they were able to keep it in tact! This is on my finger but looks way better on hers!

OMG this is gorgeous! Please do indulge us with more photos! Congratulations on the engagement! I hope the wedding planning is a lot of fun!

 

[monarch64]

A few weeks ago I decided that I wanted, nay, NEEDED the malachite vintage Alhambra bracelet. Called on Friday, there are none available. I know it’s a fragile stone and I’d have to baby it, so fate is obviously saving me from myself. My logic was that I love my emeralds and if I can take good care of them I can take good care of malachite. I’m bummed. Pre-loved prices are insane…not going that route.

 

[LLJsmom]

A few weeks ago I decided that I wanted, nay, NEEDED the malachite vintage Alhambra bracelet. Called on Friday, there are none available. I know it’s a fragile stone and I’d have to baby it, so fate is obviously saving me from myself. My logic was that I love my emeralds and if I can take good care of them I can take good care of malachite. I’m bummed. Pre-loved prices are insane…not going that route.

Or you can get the malachite and pave version. That’s at least two less motifs you need to baby.