Show me your Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry!

[m-2-b]

Christmas came a little early this year!

These YG pave VA earrings are rare to see these days but my SA was able to snatch up a new pristine pair!

I have a new found appreciation for VCA YG!

 

[yssie]

Christmas came a little early this year!

These YG pave VA earrings are rare to see these days but my SA was able to snatch up a new pristine pair!

I have a new found appreciation for VCA YG!

This photo is seriously munching on me, it's so romantic Yellow gold really is the most true to the Vintage name, I think - there's just something ultra-luxurious about YG and diamonds! I can't wait to see how you incorporate these into your rotation!


... The more I look at this photo the more I want a pair...

 

[HockeyMama]

Van Cleef experts... I have been wearing my WG pave sweets almost constantly for six months (intermittently taken off to clean). I developed some irritation a couple of weeks ago so I cleaned them, took a few day break, and then tried again when healed. Same problem. It's exactly like when I've worn nickel alloy WG. VCA website states and I called to verify that they use a rhodium plated platinum/WG alloy. I know the rhodium plating wears off with use and I would be exposed to the primary metal underneath.

My questions are:

Is it correct that there is no nickel in the alloy?

If my piercings keep getting irritated and it is the metal, would you try to A) sell them (not myself, through a consigner) or would you B) replace the post (destroying the intrinsic "VCA" value)?

They were my 50th birthday present so I'm devastated in a first world way.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I also know they have thicker posts but I measured with my calipers and the posts are the same as the platinum studs I used to wear all the time so I don't think that's the problem.

 

[NeciaKH]

Van Cleef experts... I have been wearing my WG pave sweets almost constantly for six months (intermittently taken off to clean). I developed some irritation a couple of weeks ago so I cleaned them, took a few day break, and then tried again when healed. Same problem. It's exactly like when I've worn nickel alloy WG. VCA website states and I called to verify that they use a rhodium plated platinum/WG alloy. I know the rhodium plating wears off with use and I would be exposed to the primary metal underneath.

My questions are:

Is it correct that there is no nickel in the alloy?

If my piercings keep getting irritated and it is the metal, would you try to A) sell them (not myself, through a consigner) or would you B) replace the post (destroying the intrinsic "VCA" value)?

They were my 50th birthday present so I'm devastated in a first world way.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I also know they have thicker posts but I measured with my calipers and the posts are the same as the platinum studs I used to wear all the time so I don't think that's the problem.

I am so sorry to hear this, but I react to my earrings sometimes, so I notice what others have done. I would tell my SA that I am suddenly reacting to my earrings, and suspect that some of the rhodium plating has worn off; I would ask to have them replated. Most likely, this will fix the issue since you wore them constantly without issue for 6 months. You may have to pay for the replating, but it would be well worth the cost if so.
I have never done this, but others have requested that the posts be changed to platinum due to allergic reaction and the will also do this for a charge, you could ask for a quote.
I'm not sure if this is a possibility, but for me hormonal changes make me react to my jewelry suddenly. I will get a rash under my VCA necklaces and my ears will start to swell and bleed from the earrings when I am pregnant or other times of hormonal change (I anticipate in a few years I will have to deal with this again for a different reason).

 

[Ally T]

An unexpected little new pretty from me to close out the year! Arrived a few days ago - rose gold Pearls of Gold. In my size, finally!! I need the S/16. My SA said they're very rare still, but it sounds like more might be starting to trickle in. It's a simple little piece but I think it really finishes the stack

The WG is also a size S, I got that one preloved a few months ago. I don't use it much though. The rose gold is definitely my holy POG grail








Maybe a three row will randomly show up too? I'm at the bottom of the fun fund barrel for the year but I'm prepared to divest myself of kidney, firstborn, or both for it...

Just the most awesome collection of bangles In The World

 

[HockeyMama]

I am so sorry to hear this, but I react to my earrings sometimes, so I notice what others have done. I would tell my SA that I am suddenly reacting to my earrings, and suspect that some of the rhodium plating has worn off; I would ask to have them replated. Most likely, this will fix the issue since you wore them constantly without issue for 6 months. You may have to pay for the replating, but it would be well worth the cost if so.
I have never done this, but others have requested that the posts be changed to platinum due to allergic reaction and the will also do this for a charge, you could ask for a quote.
I'm not sure if this is a possibility, but for me hormonal changes make me react to my jewelry suddenly. I will get a rash under my VCA necklaces and my ears will start to swell and bleed from the earrings when I am pregnant or other times of hormonal change (I anticipate in a few years I will have to deal with this again for a different reason).

Thank you! I am thankfully far beyond the influence of hormones after early menopause and I’ve been on the same hormonal replacement therapy for over a year so I don’t think that’s contributing.

I favor replacing the post over replating as I imagine I would have to replate every six months if that’s the solution. I guess despite them saying no nickel it must have some, I’m very surprised. I’ll give them a ring to discuss the options. Thank you! Helps to hear others have experienced this too.

 

[NeciaKH]

Thank you! I am thankfully far beyond the influence of hormones after early menopause and I’ve been on the same hormonal replacement therapy for over a year so I don’t think that’s contributing.

I favor replacing the post over replating as I imagine I would have to replate every six months if that’s the solution. I guess despite them saying no nickel it must have some, I’m very surprised. I’ll give them a ring to discuss the options. Thank you! Helps to hear others have experienced this too.

That is good news, because it makes it more straightforward. Just to warn you, a friend had her posts replaced with platinum, and at first they told her no, but then when she explained it was due to an allergy they did replace them. So just be prepared to explain if they push back at all and don't give up

 

[HockeyMama]

That is good news, because it makes it more straightforward. Just to warn you, a friend had her posts replaced with platinum, and at first they told her no, but then when she explained it was due to an allergy they did replace them. So just be prepared to explain if they push back at all and don't give up

Thanks for the tip! I will definitely stress the allergy part. I guess the moral of the story is there has to be some nickel in their alloy. I'll let y'all know the quote I get!

 

[NeciaKH]

Hello friends, I have been a member of PS for many years, I actually started out as a collector of antique jewelry and old cut diamonds, so of course I found my way to this forum. I am so bad with tech though, so I kept getting locked out of my account. I was looking for some photo inspiration on lesser seen pieces and saw PS come up in my search…lo and behold, my phone had an account saved that I made at some time, so I wanted to say hi to all the VCA friends who know me from the other forum. I am Nicole0612 there. I clicked on this thread right away and saw some gorgeous RDN pieces posted by @yssie! I have always loved this line and find it so beautiful. I had a MOP RDN piece that scared me a bit because a petal became loose, but I still have another one on my wish list (chrysoprase), though fairly sure it will never become available for me. I also think the chalcedony RDN is quite dreamy, and part of me wonders if I should just go for the lapis. Any tips for searching this forum easily? Perhaps…let’s just say…for various sizes and stones of RDN pieces?

Welcome (back)!! I imagine a good number of us recognize you from the other forum I use the same handle on there but I'm pretty inactive - though I can't exactly say I'm active on here either these days

On the searching PS... It's low key heresy but I just google whatever term and stick "pricescope" in double quotes onto the end of my google search. The in-forum search function just isn't very good, never has been. But RDN is pretty rare on here so I'd guess you'd get to everything by filtering your search to "This thread". I think? Probably? LOL.

Chrysoprase is such a marvellous material for RDN!! OMG!! I love those few photos that someone's shared on the other forum - I do hope one comes your way one day!! Are you looking for a pendant? Clip? Earrings?

On the lapis... So I'm on a wishlist for a pair of lapis RDN earrings in the small size. A wish that I suspect is extremely unlikely to find fruition, granted For me this design is especially beautiful because of the asymmetry of the petals and the curvature of the cabs, and the mini size is the most "sterile" scale - petals all the same size and shape, all oriented symmetrically... But the sheen of the MOP forces some dimensionality. The one time I saw the mini lapis in-person I was totally wowed by the colour - but the opacity of that stone, in the mini design, it didn't have the same vitality. For me, my 2c, all the disclaimers.

I'm also just a pearls girl through and through though

Seeking some sane input; just quoting since we had discussed it before...

As I mentioned, I am RDN-curious with the new pieces that came out. The mini and small lapis are lovely, but get lost in my dark hair, so I said no them awhile ago. The coral would be my first choice, but not only is red coral out of production, but my boutique does not sell any coral pieces for environmental reasons. The first choices on my list were the mini chrysoprase (or small) or chalcedony (only in small or medium). I have MOP clip in medium, but it is honestly too big for my daily lifestyle; one is enough in the medium. My SA today just offered me the mini in turquoise. Should I consider? The color is exceptional on me, but I am not sure about the mini size, especially in a pendant. The mini earrings would be plenty large since I have very delicate ear lobes, but you mentioned that you are not a fan of the aesthetics of the mini pendant petal shape. Penny for the thoughts of this group! Thanks!

 

[Bay13]

Thanks for the tip! I will definitely stress the allergy part. I guess the moral of the story is there has to be some nickel in their alloy. I'll let y'all know the quote I get!

Good luck! I also have an allergy, and had my posts replaced with platinum a few years ago, $180.

 

[HockeyMama]

Good luck! I also have an allergy, and had my posts replaced with platinum a few years ago, $180.

Oh great to hear! I was waiting for my ears to heal to try them one more time and then decided to wait until after the holidays. Thank you for sharing this.

 

[yssie]

I smiled reading your post @NeciaKH. Honestly sometimes I wonder why I even bother with all of the planning, goodness knows it's inevitable that both my best laid plans and my purse will end up marionettes to the heart's fancies

Me - well, I do have my preferences. I freely admit that some of them are probably more properly called neuroses! And for all that I share them without reservation on here - I wouldn't want to actually impose them on anyone else Those splashes of bold bright turquoise would be entrancing on the ears Especially compared to the more translucent materials.

I do value naturalistic design and dynamic light play. Which leads me to prefer the small size for opaque stones - you've already read all of that story! But I've always loved photorealism in jewellery. And we all know that photorealism isn't a VCA goal. Never has been! I actually think the minis with opaque stones might be more true to Van Cleef's whimsy than the bigger sizes, they way they're more structural and "playful".

If you got the turquoise and were offered a chrysoprase (is the chrysoprase mini actually a thing!?) or chalcedony pair as soon as your exchange timeline ended - how would you feel?

If the turquoise sold to someone else and you weren't offered anything else - how would you feel?

 

[yssie]

Actually, all that said, it's been a couple of days - what did you decide?

 

[NeciaKH]

I smiled reading your post @NeciaKH. Honestly sometimes I wonder why I even bother with all of the planning, goodness knows it's inevitable that both my best laid plans and my purse will end up marionettes to the heart's fancies

Me - well, I do have my preferences. I freely admit that some of them are probably more properly called neuroses! And for all that I share them without reservation on here - I wouldn't want to actually impose them on anyone else Those splashes of bold bright turquoise would be entrancing on the ears Especially compared to the more translucent materials.

I do value naturalistic design and dynamic light play. Which leads me to prefer the small size for opaque stones - you've already read all of that story! But I've always loved photorealism in jewellery. And we all know that photorealism isn't a VCA goal. Never has been! I actually think the minis with opaque stones might be more true to Van Cleef's whimsy than the bigger sizes, they way they're more structural and "playful".

If you got the turquoise and were offered a chrysoprase (is the chrysoprase mini actually a thing!?) or chalcedony pair as soon as your exchange timeline ended - how would you feel?

If the turquoise sold to someone else and you weren't offered anything else - how would you feel?

Actually, all that said, it's been a couple of days - what did you decide?

Your insights are so valuable! Thank you.
It is amazing how you predicted just what happened; I went back and forth, searched though my saved photos, tried on the turquoise pieces I have again, and realized that I would love to own them, they would certainly be pieces that I would not really use. Even my VA and MA turquoise earrings are not reached for (similar to malachite earrings), they are so beautiful that I hate the thought of damaging them by the required manhandling to get them on my ears. I have owned quite a few turquoise pieces, and while some seem to be more resiliant, some have changed color and texture even with extreme care. It makes me feel cautious. In any case, I understood with confidence that turquoise RDN would be "visited" pieces in my jewelry box. I have entered a practical phase that I cannot quite explain, but I have gone from a collecting focus to a desire to own and add pieces that I really wear, even if only for certain occasions.
I had come to my decision and felt peaceful. As you said, I told my SA that I will wait for chrysoprase or chalcedony, and if they do not come then I can live without. The next day, he offered the turquoise to my good friend (who also declined in the end), but it was such a comfort that I was excited for her and had no regrets or pangs of missing my chance.
So all was well in the end.

 

[yssie]

That makes perfect sense. And I can definitely appreciate the "confirmation" of seeing them move on and having no regrets passing. I know that finding and trusting one's most mind-clean path forward can be really challenging - congratulations!!

I have a good feeling about your two top choices... I feel like your patience will pay off sooner than later

I'm interested to learn that your priority has shifted from collecting to collecting for wear. I think on this forum most members prioritize wear - which is very understandable and reasonable. I'm a bit of an oddity in that I see jewellery mostly as art that happens to be wearable - wearability is a nice-to-have, but it's not a need-to-have, I'm happy to admire pieces in boxes. Same as admiring paintings on walls. What has changed for you? If you're comfortable sharing. I'm curious.

 

[NeciaKH]

That makes perfect sense. And I can definitely appreciate the "confirmation" of seeing them move on and having no regrets passing. I know that finding and trusting one's most mind-clean path forward can be really challenging - congratulations!!

I have a good feeling about your two top choices... I feel like your patience will pay off sooner than later

I'm interested to learn that your priority has shifted from collecting to collecting for wear. I think on this forum most members prioritize wear - which is very understandable and reasonable. I'm a bit of an oddity in that I see jewellery mostly as art that happens to be wearable - wearability is a nice-to-have, but it's not a need-to-have, I'm happy to admire pieces in boxes. Same as admiring paintings on walls. What has changed for you? If you're comfortable sharing. I'm curious.

I love how you expressed this passion for jewelry as art; being able to wear it is just an added benefit! This sums up exactly what I used to feel and could never express as clearly as you have.

If we collected antique gowns or tiaras no one would imagine that we should be wearing them in our daily life, even though we may experience another level of awe and sensory bliss if we ever did slip a piece on and become part of the art and the story it tells.

Jewelry is just the same. It can be utilitarian, but it is mostly valuable in the emotions that they make us feel as we appreciate them.

Regarding your question as to what has changed to alter my perspective; I was about to say something about having a busy lifestyle, with 3 very young kids, working in a sometimes chaotic medical setting etc; which is true, but upon reflection, they are more the reasons behind the true change. I thank you, because it did not occur to me to think about it in deeper terms (meanwhile feeling a bit disappointed and disheartened to find this change in myself). I think it a case of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. I am exhausted, rushing from one immediate need to another, without the space and consciousness left to appreciate art, fulfillment, beauty. It is a touching thing to realize, and encouraging, because though people tell me, "Your kids will not always be young children," and so on, it is hard to imagine a time of less chaos and grueling demand; just that the demands may be different; however, I can imagine a time in the future where there is again space for contemplation and for beauty. So perhaps I should not rethink my jewelry collecting quite yet.

 

[yssie]

I love how you expressed this passion for jewelry as art; being able to wear it is just an added benefit! This sums up exactly what I used to feel and could never express as clearly as you have.

If we collected antique gowns or tiaras no one would imagine that we should be wearing them in our daily life, even though we may experience another level of awe and sensory bliss if we ever did slip a piece on and become part of the art and the story it tells.

Jewelry is just the same. It can be utilitarian, but it is mostly valuable in the emotions that they make us feel as we appreciate them.

Regarding your question as to what has changed to alter my perspective; I was about to say something about having a busy lifestyle, with 3 very young kids, working in a sometimes chaotic medical setting etc; which is true, but upon reflection, they are more the reasons behind the true change. I thank you, because it did not occur to me to think about it in deeper terms (meanwhile feeling a bit disappointed and disheartened to find this change in myself). I think it a case of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. I am exhausted, rushing from one immediate need to another, without the space and consciousness left to appreciate art, fulfillment, beauty. It is a touching thing to realize, and encouraging, because though people tell me, "Your kids will not always be young children," and so on, it is hard to imagine a time of less chaos and grueling demand; just that the demands may be different; however, I can imagine a time in the future where there is again space for contemplation and for beauty. So perhaps I should not rethink my jewelry collecting quite yet.

My heart, bones, and stomach are all feeling this post so much

I'm expecting my first in a few weeks. Between house repairs and cleaning, work, my petting zoo, more cleaning - well, you've got three Taking time and space for something that doesn't directly fulfill those agendas is a luxury that generally creates more guilt than pleasure these days and almost everything has been in the bank for months.

I do still steal moments like right before bed to read the fora and watch videos and fantasize about future pieces - the collector on my shoulder still finds opportunities to demand attention. I wonder how long that can last.

I can say that I used to want to know everything about everything related to bling - gemstones, technology, sales, industry direction, everything! Now my interests are much more streamlined: I adore pearls, I covet all the big mined diamonds in the world, and I find Van Cleef's history and portfolio irresistible. Why VCA specifically? No idea honestly. Probably just the combo of lovely SA and satisfying and easy buying experience.

Even if you gave up purchases and curation tomorrow your current collection would be most everyone's treasure island!! I completely agree, our pieces become as emotional as how we feel wearing them! And of course since we've all had the fortune of converging on jewellery rather than textiles or food or anything ephemeral - the fruits of your affection are happy to wait for you to come back to them, whenever that time comes

 

[NeciaKH]

My heart, bones, and stomach are all feeling this post so much

I'm expecting my first in a few weeks. Between house repairs and cleaning, work, my petting zoo, more cleaning - well, you've got three Taking time and space for something that doesn't directly fulfill those agendas is a luxury that generally creates more guilt than pleasure these days and almost everything has been in the bank for months.

I do still steal moments like right before bed to read the fora and watch videos and fantasize about future pieces - the collector on my shoulder still finds opportunities to demand attention. I wonder how long that can last.

I can say that I used to want to know everything about everything related to bling - gemstones, technology, sales, industry direction, everything! Now my interests are much more streamlined: I adore pearls, I covet all the big mined diamonds in the world, and I find Van Cleef's history and portfolio irresistible. Why VCA specifically? No idea honestly. Probably just the combo of lovely SA and satisfying and easy buying experience.

Even if you gave up purchases and curation tomorrow your current collection would be most everyone's treasure island!! I completely agree, our pieces become as emotional as how we feel wearing them! And of course since we've all had the fortune of converging on jewellery rather than textiles or food or anything ephemeral - the fruits of your affection are happy to wait for you to come back to them, whenever that time comes

First and foremost, sending you huge congratulations! The first baby was a huge shock to me, and totally frightened and overwhelmed me, because the constant demands of a (beloved) newborn baby felt way too much to deal with and even survive from one day to the next, much less to ever get back the pleasures and sensory delights in life which can only be noticed and appreciated with some space and (dare I say), idle time for contemplation. Let me encourage you that, as I have confirmed with others who were more prepared for the endeavor, the first weeks and months are absolutely like living in a warzone, no time to think, shower or eat other than a bite here and there grabbed while in motion with thought only to sustenance and none to flavor or aesthetics. Similarly, clothing, jewelry and even personal hygiene will be similar to the approach taken if you woke to your house burning down and had a few minutes to gather what you could, throw on some clothes and run out the door. However, after a month or two, things settle down significantly, and after my first child, I was back to enjoying fashion, jewelry and art, and even had time to meet with friends occasionally (though reading long novels or going though hours-long journeys in the woods were treasured memories relegated to the past). After the second baby, it was a totally different situation and this crisis-management/overwhelmed/basic-needs-only way of living became more a permanent way of life. I will also say that having a full-time nanny makes a huge amount of difference. With our first, we did have one, and perhaps that is why I was able to go back to being a mother, having a career and having some time for personal reflection. When my second was born, it was January 2020 and we were in the hotbed of Covid (the first USA case was here), so by the time the newborn stage was done, all were sheltering in place due to Covid precautions, and the nanny was also staying at home. When my baby was older and restrictions lifted, the nanny cared for him again part-time, but by then we had the older boy in preschool so the transport to school vs work schedule chaos began. By the time we had the 3rd, it was ...unspeakable. I would say that if you have family, friends, nanny, please let them take care of your child as much as possible (with my first, I wanted to have special bonding time with only my son, but it was a wrong-headed instinct because it was all a blur of desperation; it is way too much, as it does not even allow for more than a couple of hours of sleep at a time, at best) and do all that you can to reclaim some of your selfhood, before you lose years of your life (lost, but full of love), and have to redefine yourself; figure out how to reclaim your selfhood, once you have become a completely different person. We do this in adolescence, but we have much more time and few burdens to balance while swimming/drowning in this process. Better to not lose your sense of self entirely if possible. You can expect that you will for some weeks or months, but if it continues past then, I would recommend intentionally carving away some time to contemplate your jewelry (or other source of otherworldly pleasure), away from the sound of your child calling to you, with your phone on silent, with a clear and open mind ready for the next entirely inwardly-focused adventure.
As a side note, all 3 of my children are January birthdays, as I assume yours will be. Perhaps we can search for high-quality garnet pieces together, because other than a few tiny-garnet-accented pieces, I have been extremely unsuccessful and unimpressed with the selection.

 

[Missie1]

This photo is seriously munching on me, it's so romantic Yellow gold really is the most true to the Vintage name, I think - there's just something ultra-luxurious about YG and diamonds! I can't wait to see how you incorporate these into your rotation!


... The more I look at this photo the more I want a pair...

Friend you’ve never meet a fabulous earring that you can resist.

 

[Missie1]

Christmas came a little early this year!

These YG pave VA earrings are rare to see these days but my SA was able to snatch up a new pristine pair!

I have a new found appreciation for VCA YG!

So fabulous and I love how distinct the YG makes these pave pop

 

[Missie1]

My heart, bones, and stomach are all feeling this post so much

I'm expecting my first in a few weeks. Between house repairs and cleaning, work, my petting zoo, more cleaning - well, you've got three Taking time and space for something that doesn't directly fulfill those agendas is a luxury that generally creates more guilt than pleasure these days and almost everything has been in the bank for months.

I do still steal moments like right before bed to read the fora and watch videos and fantasize about future pieces - the collector on my shoulder still finds opportunities to demand attention. I wonder how long that can last.

I can say that I used to want to know everything about everything related to bling - gemstones, technology, sales, industry direction, everything! Now my interests are much more streamlined: I adore pearls, I covet all the big mined diamonds in the world, and I find Van Cleef's history and portfolio irresistible. Why VCA specifically? No idea honestly. Probably just the combo of lovely SA and satisfying and easy buying experience.

Even if you gave up purchases and curation tomorrow your current collection would be most everyone's treasure island!! I completely agree, our pieces become as emotional as how we feel wearing them! And of course since we've all had the fortune of converging on jewellery rather than textiles or food or anything ephemeral - the fruits of your affection are happy to wait for you to come back to them, whenever that time comes

Congratulations on the new baby. How exciting for you and your DH. Fortunately you’ve already streamlined your jewelry focus so you will be able to enjoy jewelry as you begin this exciting new chapter of motherhood.