Show me your Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry!

[LLJsmom]

Ok, I need some help from fellow VCAers. I had been planning to buy the wg perlee clover bangle this month (or at least order it). My SA contacted me today about a special butterfly pin. Her VVIP had it on hold during the pandemic but had to release it today. I had told my SA how much I loved these butterfly pins and she told me they are almost impossible to get. They are a collaboration with a Japanese master artist. I think there were 20 made of this particular pin. I feel it is beautiful and love the rarity but I know that I will get so much more wear out of the bangle. Cost is similar. What would you do? There is a line behind me waiting to buy so I have to decide by Monday.

Hard to say this because this piece is the definition of limited edition. For me, I would buy it if I loved it and I would wear it since I don't find joy in things I can't use regularly. It's very tempting to get since it's rare. But not everyone needs their jewelry to be daily pieces. If you are a collector and would love to have it, even if it doesn't get much wear, and would regret it if you passed, then go for it. The clover bangle will still be there. You will have a wait for it anyway.

 

[LLJsmom]

Here’s the yellow gold plain btf ring being held up to my ear to get an idea of the plain ones….


And a perspective shot of the pave….

Of all the earrings, I like the WG pave frivole the best on you. My favorite. They look great on you. I go back and forth on this piece. Sometimes I'm like, never. Then sometimes I'm like maybe... I would choose this over the polished WG. The price kinda hurts at the outset, but I think over 2-3 years, you'll be glad you went with the pave. Btw, thanks for all the mod shots of everything. You're in NYC right? So nice that they have stock.
The more I look at the pave on you, the more I want to put it back on the list. Nooooooooo..... I really really like it on you.

 

[LLJsmom]

C'mon...can we amend the list?

1. MOP butterflies
2. pave frivole earrings???
3. perlee clover ring
4. perlee d'or
5. sweet turquoise earrings
6. And another pair of sweets...

Sigh...

 

[yssie]

Ok, I need some help from fellow VCAers. I had been planning to buy the wg perlee clover bangle this month (or at least order it). My SA contacted me today about a special butterfly pin. Her VVIP had it on hold during the pandemic but had to release it today. I had told my SA how much I loved these butterfly pins and she told me they are almost impossible to get. They are a collaboration with a Japanese master artist. I think there were 20 made of this particular pin. I feel it is beautiful and love the rarity but I know that I will get so much more wear out of the bangle. Cost is similar. What would you do? There is a line behind me waiting to buy so I have to decide by Monday.

Question? Have you confirmed with your SA that you can actually order the clover bangle? I ask because my SA told me that they aren’t permitted to even take orders for either clover bangle right now (original or sweet), even for people who are happy to pay in full now and wait indefinitely... And other people in different locations have apparently heard the same... Even though it's a stock piece... It's bizarre. But definitely confirm that you've got that option as soon as you're able if you haven't already!!

I totally get the appeal of the pin in terms of it being rare, unique, and desirable (proven by the queue behind you!)... And I'm definitely one of those people @LLJsmom was talking about - one of those people who doesn't need to be able to wear jewellery regularly. I don't mind jewellery that's art that happens to be vaguely wearable. When you told your SA that you loved these pins - can I ask exactly what you love about them?

Here's the thing about these pins, for me. I'm going to blaspheme, fair warning!!
The artistic style presented in these pins - from all the photos I've seen of them - falls noticeably short of genuine mastery. @Mary Queen of Scotch introduced me to makie, raden, rankaku, chinkin - traditional Japanese lacquer art created with mosaics of different materials, hand-assembled and hand-carved and hand-painted - in fountain pens... And whilst some of the VCA butterfly pins look superior to others, none are nearly as precise and pristine as the genuine bests of breed:
https://www.urushipen.com/
https://www.wancherpen.com/collections/dream-pen-raden
https://www.nakaya.org/en/gallery.aspx?body=Chinkin

The VCA pricetag on these pins is eyewatering. Like all things VCA! But in this case IMO it's especially tough to swallow because they're just not top quality examples of the craft. You'd be paying a huge premium for the VCA brand name and associated rarity, uniqueness, and desirability. So if what you love about them is the style and craftsmanship, minus the brand implications - my strong vote is skip because you can get nicer for way way way less!!


TLDR: I vote bangle too

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Ok, I need some help from fellow VCAers. I had been planning to buy the wg perlee clover bangle this month (or at least order it). My SA contacted me today about a special butterfly pin. Her VVIP had it on hold during the pandemic but had to release it today. I had told my SA how much I loved these butterfly pins and she told me they are almost impossible to get. They are a collaboration with a Japanese master artist. I think there were 20 made of this particular pin. I feel it is beautiful and love the rarity but I know that I will get so much more wear out of the bangle. Cost is similar. What would you do? There is a line behind me waiting to buy so I have to decide by Monday.

Well, that is actually one of the prettiest of the VCA butterflies I have seen! I love the birds, and I like the style of the painting on these pieces. What a dilemma! My answer will be similar to LLJsmom. If you are a VCA collector and treasure rare items that you may not wear often, then definitely buy it. If you are like me and try to buy things you can actually wear at least occasionally or often, then wait for the clover bracelet. I adore the clover bracelet but have not decided whether I want to spend that much on one bangle. But if I had to choose one or the other, I am 100% sure I'd get more use and pleasure out of the Perlee clover bangle, even though I'd be momentarily sad to turn down the butterfly.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

@ac117 I forgot to tag you, so just letting you know that I posted a picture for you on the bottom of page 96.

 

[Missie1]

Ok, I need some help from fellow VCAers. I had been planning to buy the wg perlee clover bangle this month (or at least order it). My SA contacted me today about a special butterfly pin. Her VVIP had it on hold during the pandemic but had to release it today. I had told my SA how much I loved these butterfly pins and she told me they are almost impossible to get. They are a collaboration with a Japanese master artist. I think there were 20 made of this particular pin. I feel it is beautiful and love the rarity but I know that I will get so much more wear out of the bangle. Cost is similar. What would you do? There is a line behind me waiting to buy so I have to decide by Monday.

I like the pin however it doesn’t seem that beautiful imo. I get that it rare and a collectors item but it doesn’t seem very wearable in comparison to the Perlee clover bracelet. As one without endless jewelry budget I have to prioritize my spend at this price point. I would save my 30k and get the clover once it becomes available to order. I paid deposit last month for one so I definitely think the no deposit rule now is to allow them to catch up with existing orders and restock the boutiques.

 

[Missie1]

C'mon...can we amend the list?

1. MOP butterflies
2. pave frivole earrings???
3. perlee clover ring
4. perlee d'or
5. sweet turquoise earrings
6. And another pair of sweets...

Sigh...

Of course the list can be amended. It goes to the end so that we have required time to ponder lol

 

[ac117]

Here's a picture I saved of the wg polished small pair. I do love it. I tried on the yg ones and found them just a little small. But if the purpose is everyday casual earrings, these fit the bill. I still may end up with them. People who love Frivole do have more than one pair for different purposes. One person on another forum has basically all of them, and she said once she got the small pave pairs, she only wears her large polished yg and her small pave wg. But everyone has different lifestyles. Mine is so casual that I cannot pull off pave earrings for daily wear. (I think this person is petite. These earrings look smaller on me!)

This is a gorgeous pic!! They could certainly be dressed up or down I could see the appeal of both for sure, I just don’t think it would work for me in the same metal and size!

 

[ac117]

Of all the earrings, I like the WG pave frivole the best on you. My favorite. They look great on you. I go back and forth on this piece. Sometimes I'm like, never. Then sometimes I'm like maybe... I would choose this over the polished WG. The price kinda hurts at the outset, but I think over 2-3 years, you'll be glad you went with the pave. Btw, thanks for all the mod shots of everything. You're in NYC right? So nice that they have stock.
The more I look at the pave on you, the more I want to put it back on the list. Nooooooooo..... I really really like it on you.

Thank you! The pave do pack a punch for sure - see, at least you already have the polished pair! You could order the pave version and see if you reach for them and could always return/exchange within the window if you don’t. We need a PSer swap/try it out program

Yes, NYC boutique is just a few blocks from my office! I actually have another boutique much closer but my SA is at the flagship. They barely had any stock to be honest, it was slim pickings but I’m happy I was able to try on at least a few sparklies!

 

[Missie1]

C'mon...can we amend the list?

1. MOP butterflies
2. pave frivole earrings???
3. perlee clover ring
4. perlee d'or
5. sweet turquoise earrings
6. And another pair of sweets...

Sigh...

So are we getting two pair of butterfly earrings or are both pairs of the sweets clovers and not butterflies

 

[RunningwithScissors]

Ok, I need some help from fellow VCAers. I had been planning to buy the wg perlee clover bangle this month (or at least order it). My SA contacted me today about a special butterfly pin. Her VVIP had it on hold during the pandemic but had to release it today. I had told my SA how much I loved these butterfly pins and she told me they are almost impossible to get. They are a collaboration with a Japanese master artist. I think there were 20 made of this particular pin. I feel it is beautiful and love the rarity but I know that I will get so much more wear out of the bangle. Cost is similar. What would you do? There is a line behind me waiting to buy so I have to decide by Monday.

Everyone is different, but for me, I'd buy this brooch in a heartbeat!

I love wearing brooches. My go-to uniform in the winter months is a cashmere turtleneck sweater. Adding a conversation-piece brooch to a sweater is an easy and so much fun thing to do when you go out to dinner with your DH, or for any evening cultural events, like a classical concert, a gallery opening, etc.

The bracelets are absolutely lovely, no question about that. But I see so many of them out there in the world, like the Cartier Love bracelets, that to me, they aren't particularly "special" anymore. Beautiful yes, but unique, no.

 

[LLJsmom]

Everyone is different, but for me, I'd buy this brooch in a heartbeat!

I love wearing brooches. My go-to uniform in the winter months is a cashmere turtleneck sweater. Adding a conversation-piece brooch to a sweater is an easy and so much fun thing to do when you go out to dinner with your DH, or for any evening cultural events, like a classical concert, a gallery opening, etc.

The bracelets are absolutely lovely, no question about that. But I see so many of them out there in the world, like the Cartier Love bracelets, that to me, they aren't particularly "special" anymore. Beautiful yes, but unique, no.

I Can totally see that working for your lifestyle @RunningwithScissors . As a member of the art community that would be quite a distinctive piece.

 

[LLJsmom]

So are we getting two pair of butterfly earrings or are both pairs of the sweets clovers and not butterflies

No sweet butterflies for earrings. I prefer the sweet Alhambra. The butterflies I love are the two butterfly collection.

 

[Missie1]

No sweet butterflies for earrings. I prefer the sweet Alhambra. The butterflies I love are the two butterfly collection.

Ok that’s what I was thinking but wanted to be sure. I’m was like are three pair of butterflies overkill?

 

[yssie]

Pave Cosmos today

 

[Phoenix]

@yssie, I DIE!! haha

Those are my ultimate VCA earrings!! Looooooove!!!

ETA: I do not think pics do these earrings justice. IRL, they are beyond STUNNING!! Would you agree, @yssie?

 

[yssie]

@yssie, I DIE!! haha

Those are my ultimate VCA earrings!! Looooooove!!!

ETA: I do not think pics do these earrings justice. IRL, they are beyond STUNNING!! Would you agree, @yssie?

Yes!! OMG 100% agree!! Pics don’t capture the real-life contrast and sparkle at all!!

 

[oldcutclubmember]

Pave Cosmos today

I’m so glad that my pierced ears closed up a few years ago and I never re-pierced them because I have saved so much $$$ from buying up earrings LOL These are the perfect size and sparkle

 

[MiniMinerva]

Pave Cosmos today

So dreamy! @yssie I am smitten by how well these complement your face shape…an echo of your natural beauty.

 

[ac117]

Pave Cosmos today

So so gorgeous!!!!

 

[yssie]

@Muluver That's one perspective LOL!! Thank you!!

@MiniMinerva Thank you I don't wear them terribly much, all that pave in white metal definitely packs a punch! The MOP Cosmos get a lot more ear-time. Has the side effect of guaranteeing I think "wow" when I do put them on and look in the mirror

@ac117 Thank you!!

 

[FL_runner]

Is anyone else into the new Zodiaque collection? https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/collections/jewelry/other-collections/zodiaque.html

I've been jonesing for January Jones' (haha) antique Virgo pendant since I first saw it about a year ago, and tried to track one down online but they're so rare, and just randomly heard that they re-released the line! Scooped this baby up already!

Bumping an older post- anyone see the Zodiaque in person or purchase a piece? Opinions?

 

[RosieR]

Bumping an older post- anyone see the Zodiaque in person or purchase a piece? Opinions?

Bumping an older post- anyone see the Zodiaque in person or purchase a piece? Opinions?

I was at a boutique last month and saw the libra one. It didn’t make my heart sing. I’m not really a necklace person. I also don’t enjoy new items which are aged to make them look antique.

 

[Missie1]

Pave Cosmos today

I love these OMG your earrings are so fabulous. I love how they sit half off the ear.

 

[LLJsmom]

I love these OMG your earrings are so fabulous. I love how they sit half off the ear.

I’m discovering how gorgeous the half off ear look is. These are just perfect on @yssie My favorite earrings of hers.

 

[Missie1]

I’m discovering how gorgeous the half off ear look is. These are just perfect on @yssie My favorite earrings of hers.

Yes it’s something about them floating half on that’s so chic. She is the earring guru

 

[m-2-b]

Posting some VCA eye candy! Love their btf rings!

 

[m-2-b]

Lotus rings…

 

[m-2-b]

More butterflies...