Show me your Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry!

[Ally T]

@NeciaKH, @diamondseeker2006 I do wish I'd read these messages weeks ago!!

Baby arrived three weeks early. I just checked the timestamp, I actually went into labour four hours after my last post here! He's eleven weeks now, on the small side still but otherwise a perfect baby in perfect health


And me… Physically - I reckon I’ve had a textbook experience. Mostly uneventful pregnancy, mostly easy delivery, mostly quick postpartum recovery. Emotionally... I stumbled over this pearl of wisdom on Reddit (of all places to source life truths, I know!): Your first child is an existential mindf*, your second child is a logistical mindf*. And omg, I will never forget the doctor putting my brand new baby on my chest and holding him oh-so-gently and waiting to be overwhelmed with emotion, and how my only clear thought was entirely irreverent - “I think I'm supposed to cry now, on instagram they always cry now, right?"

I had next to no experience with infants before having one. And I’ve always been prone to what I’ll call crippling nostalgia. Those first few newborn weeks were so, so, so hard. I will admit that it took a few weeks for attachment to surpass obligation in caring for him; I will also admit that it likely would have taken several more had I not finally taken my therapist’s recommendation and started on an antidepressant.

Happily, the pets seem to have adjusted, and he's sleeping a lot more at night, and the myriad guilts and anxieties over feeding and time passing have lessened. These days watching him cooing and kicking at his beloved Boppy tag - I force myself to not snatch him up and squish him I was so worried about not attaching to him, now I worry about him not attaching to me


You wrote about needing to redefine yourself without losing yourself. That’s pretty much exactly why I cut my maternity leave short, I know that I’m a better mother having my work be an active part of how I define myself. Of course it helps immensely that I work from home and he’s just four doors and a flight of stairs away with his nanny. And that our cleaners come every week and take care of everything we didn’t get to… And our petsitter loves our furchildren and knows their medical needs… And we have family and friends who are always generous with their time… The privilege of the modern village. I cannot even imagine how stressful and chaotic your 2020 must have been!!


Surviving. I wouldn't be able to do this without someone adores being a dad. Another privilege.

I know I’ve said this before but I need to say it again: You write so eloquently and compellingly. You mentioned you were in medicine, I hope that whatever it is you do - the people you work with enjoy your warmth and genuineness And whilst I ended up not having the January baby I’d expected I’d be delighted to search for garnet celebration pieces with you!

Aw, gorgeous lady, congratulations on your safe delivery! Motherhood is tough. Like, hard as nails tough. The first is definitely the hardest because of the sheer upheaval. Subsequent babies just slot into the groove previously worn in the family unit. But you are doing amazingly & it’s soo good to see you back!

 

[Tartansparkles]

@yssie congratulations and I'm so glad to hear you and baby and family are well. I can relate to those very early days. It gets better. Congrats again.

 

[yssie]

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.

Seriously - a baby?? Why have we not heard about this? I'm not a baby person but this is a BIG DEAL. lovedogs had a baby last summer and kept it quite private which everyone respects, but holy moly. A baby. Please share what you're comfortable with. lovedogs's baby was nicknamed "tator tot." She has not corrected it and we don't care. We just care.

Many congratulations, @yssie, enjoy your baby!

Aw, gorgeous lady, congratulations on your safe delivery! Motherhood is tough. Like, hard as nails tough. The first is definitely the hardest because of the sheer upheaval. Subsequent babies just slot into the groove previously worn in the family unit. But you are doing amazingly & it’s soo good to see you back!

@yssie congratulations and I'm so glad to hear you and baby and family are well. I can relate to those very early days. It gets better. Congrats again.

Thank you all, so much!! 

He was due January 6, and being in the US, well, I’ll just say that we’re not at all unhappy he decided not to make that his birthday! And he was small - a hair over 6lb - so we were waking him to feed every 90mins for the first three weeks. Dear lord that schedule was merciless. I'm starting to get time back now, in slivers, and I'll never take it for granted again!

I always imagined I’d have two kids. I’m no spring chicken so if there’s going to be a second it’ll have to be soon… But I’m nowhere near ready for that! We’ll see. Plan B is overcompensating with cats and dogs - which is, y’know, business as usual round here

 

[MissGotRocks]

Congrats @yssie on your beautiful baby boy!

Life with a newborn is not what the movies and commercials lead you to believe - lol! You will settle in just fine, and probably never master all the scenarios that you will encounter during his life! It is all a learning curve and it is necessary to give yourself some grace when needed. Your heart will grow around him in such a way as to make you wonder how you ever existed without him! Next time won’t be such a shock to the system - lol!

 

[yssie]

And I promise I'm not completely derailing this thread - my newest VCA delights were an unexpected blue surprise









My SA said she was surprised too, she hadn't been expecting any more to come in for a few months. F.I.N.A.L.L.Y

 

[finerthings]

Congrats @yssie, so great to hear that you and your baby son are doing well and you are figuring out the complexities of your new lives together. It's no easy feat with a newborn! We have missed your posts here on Pricescope!

Your new pieces are just beautiful!! Congrats on those too!!

 

[empliau]

Congratulations @yssie - enjoy your beautiful baby! It's quite a ride - I'm glad you have support and are loving being a mom.

Just don't let him teethe on the pearls! If they get in the way I'll gladly give them a home.

You think I'm kidding? Our first night out to dinner as a family - my daughter had stopped (or so I thought) tugging on everything. So I wore a pearl string, thankfully faux, unfortunately tiny. Of course you know what followed ---

The happy ending is that it wasn't crowded, and between me and a very kind server we picked up all the tiny pearls!

Enjoy baby time! It goes by so quickly.

 

[Christinak]

@yssie congratulations on your new baby and you really spoke to me with your honesty of what being a new mum is actually like.

It took me 11 IVFs and a failed adoption to have my first daughter and I lost a lot of babies on the way. When she was born I was distinctly overwhelmed with the obligation but not the bonding - I remember watching her breathing in the cot beside my bed and willing her to keep breathing - but not for me - because everyone would be so disappointed with me if I couldn’t keep this baby alive! The thought ‘keep breathing or my husband will kill me’. Rather than ‘keep breathing because you are my heart and soul and I won’t survive without you’ !

Things change and routine settles and it sounds like you have fallen into love from obligation. That happened for me too and it’s an amazing feeling.

Your son and your VCA are beautiful

 

[Ally T]

@yssie congratulations on your new baby and you really spoke to me with your honesty of what being a new mum is actually like.

It took me 11 IVFs and a failed adoption to have my first daughter and I lost a lot of babies on the way. When she was born I was distinctly overwhelmed with the obligation but not the bonding - I remember watching her breathing in the cot beside my bed and willing her to keep breathing - but not for me - because everyone would be so disappointed with me if I couldn’t keep this baby alive! The thought ‘keep breathing or my husband will kill me’. Rather than ‘keep breathing because you are my heart and soul and I won’t survive without you’ !

Things change and routine settles and it sounds like you have fallen into love from obligation. That happened for me too and it’s an amazing feeling.

Your son and your VCA are beautiful

This made me feel really teary & I am so sorry about what you went through. I feel this subject is very hard for women to talk about, for obvious very personal & traumatic reasons. I am so happy to hear you were finally able to let go of those stressful emotions & also that you are able to talk about it openly, because talking definitely helps both you & others around you who are struggling with the same issues, quietly & behind closed doors.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Congrats @yssie ! I recall my DH and I looking at each other and saying "what do we do next?" Fun times. And the white gold & blue VCA is really his color!!!!

cheers--Sharon

 

[MamaBear]

@yssie , The VCA is a beautiful blue…BUT. THE . BABY!!!! I know you are loving all the snuggles, it’s bittersweet how fast they change!

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

CONGRATS @yssie!!! A beautiful blue bundle of joy to love!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

So happy for you, @yssie. I well remember the early days with my newborn, also small, baby son. He was three weeks early, too. We called him Pot Roast because that was how big he was, at 6lbs 8 ozs. It was quite the learning curve! The snuggles were amazing. So happy you are at the enjoying baby stage now.

 

[HockeyMama]

Congratulations @yssie! How fortuitous that the arrival of your son can be celebrated and commemorated with the arrival of your beautiful LE pietersite set.

I miss those baby days but I can honestly say every time in my son’s life has been my favorite so far. The teens may be the death of me but I have found the joy in 13 so far.

Enjoy the journey!

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

oh @yssie …. There are no words. Your son is absolutely perfectly beautiful.
From one mama who walked a very similar road… So many many many congratulations! You can breathe now, you did it! Enjoy every second, even the hard ones. It’s all an incredible rollercoaster of unending ups and downs.

YOU DID IT!

 

[canuk-gal]

So happy for you, @yssie. I well remember the early days with my newborn, also small, baby son. He was three weeks early, too. We called him Pot Roast because that was how big he was, at 6lbs 8 ozs. It was quite the learning curve! The snuggles were amazing. So happy you are at the enjoying baby stage now.

I chuckle at the definition of "small"....ours came a month early and was 4lbs 15oz LOL. Grew by leaps and bounds easily. Now is 6 4 and 220.

 

[NeciaKH]

@yssie I am moved by your phrasing; crippling nostalgia indeed, my existential sister. I had the same experience of latent connection with my first baby. I was not surprised, knowing myself, but had wished at least in this case that I could be a more typical and natural mother in feeling, if not in action. There was a distance; and that is heartbreaking. As you have found, that partially driven by hormones and exhaustion (and we would not think of some other emotional state caused by a physiological state to be immutable - eg cranky, vengeful feelings, true in the moment but only situational). I grew to bond with my boy over time, as you have much more quickly. With my second, it was deep love at first sight. With my last, I loved the idea of her before she was even a cluster of cells in my body. I hope for you to fall head over heels for your little child as you grow closer over time; it is normal and not a defect. With the first, it was like an external relationship, like a romantic relationship, we had to get to know each other and fall in love over time. Now we fight like cats and dogs but are very close, he is 9 and we are in our old married couple stage. There is a season for everything, you will evolve, grow and change and so will your child. My favorite thing, and I hope it will be the same for you, is that the only people in the world I can spend time with and feel better, tired but filled-up, not depleted, are my children. It is surprising and beautiful.

My husband is also quite different than I am. It came more naturally to him, as it did for your significant other. I am reliable and he is not, but he is emotional and built to be a father, everything a parent should be, and I would say in our family he actually has more of the "mother" role and I have the father role in some ways. In the end, the kids know they are loved and they also have the day-to day planning and logistics sorted out. They all slept with him as babies and I slept in a different room (not the expected, not the "accepted"), however I did nurse them and I do all of the cooking (which I enjoy), so that is more traditional. I would say not to let yourself be concerned about fitting a certain mold that society tells you to expect, or even what you internally hoped it would be like. It evolves and things can be re-etched if you find you would like a different reality. Babies and children appear to be so delicate, but they are so resilient and forgiving. I am glad that you found more balance by returning to work, balancing neurotransmitters, finding a sustainable life rhythm; I found the same for myself eventually, though now with 3 I do work less in the office than I used to.

Thank you for the kind remarks on my way of phrasing my thoughts. I suppose I am conversational, influenced by way too much novel reading in my teens, and never afraid of a multi-semicolon "paragraph sentence". I do work in medicine; and I do think my patients appreciate my caring and genuineness. You are a delight. I feel we share elements of our deep natures.

I wish you happiness, discovery, the ability to define your own chosen reality and self-grace as you continue to find how to incorporate being a mother into your identity.

 

[NeciaKH]

@yssie Congratulations on the stunning Pietersite set! The best thing is that it is baby-safe so you can enjoy it worry free!
I am so un-tech savvy that I am just now seeing and reading all of the responses that came in reply to your post. I agree with everyone and am just amazed at all of the wisdom and openness in our lovely community here!

 

[Pomelo]

@yssie Congrats on your beautiful baby boy! He wears the pietersite so well

Sending you lots of love: I struggled with the newborn days too and it’s great that you have intentionally set up your life so that you get plenty of support - a village is a must! <3

There are so many pearls of wisdom (dare I say, “MOP of wisdom” to stay on track?) that have already been shared. As I’m still in the thick of it (eldest is nearly 1.5yo, second one is due next month), one phrase that keeps me going is: this too shall pass.

Sleep regressions: they will pass.
Food fussiness: they will pass.
Weird poop: they will pass.
Drooling and mouthing and strange obsessions or behaviours: this phase shall pass.

Of course, there might be some occasions when your baby needs medical attention, but you will recognise it and take the appropriate action.

And I think it’s easy to get hung up on what guidelines say / what other babies are achieving on social media (the grandparents have a wonderful habit of sending me videos of potty-trained kids at 1y3mo or rock-climbing kids at 2yo…). Shut out the noise. Each child, each family is unique

 

[empliau]

@yssie Congrats on your beautiful baby boy! He wears the pietersite so well

Sending you lots of love: I struggled with the newborn days too and it’s great that you have intentionally set up your life so that you get plenty of support - a village is a must! <3

There are so many pearls of wisdom (dare I say, “MOP of wisdom” to stay on track?) that have already been shared. As I’m still in the thick of it (eldest is nearly 1.5yo, second one is due next month), one phrase that keeps me going is: this too shall pass.

Sleep regressions: they will pass.
Food fussiness: they will pass.
Weird poop: they will pass.
Drooling and mouthing and strange obsessions or behaviours: this phase shall pass.

Of course, there might be some occasions when your baby needs medical attention, but you will recognise it and take the appropriate action.

And I think it’s easy to get hung up on what guidelines say / what other babies are achieving on social media (the grandparents have a wonderful habit of sending me videos of potty-trained kids at 1y3mo or rock-climbing kids at 2yo…). Shut out the noise. Each child, each family is unique

Baby books can be helpful, but I realized I was obsessing over them too much when I took my daughter out in the carriage shortly after feeding and she projectile vomited for the first and only time and I turned to my husband and said "Pyloric stenosis!" Sometimes too much information is .... just too much information.

The two jewels that helped me, from two very different books, one physical and one developmental:

Once they can move around, always have popsicles in your freezer. If they fall and have blood in their mouth (of course this doesn't apply to a major bleed), it's a lot easier to have them suck on a popsicle than to hold a cold pack inside their mouth. Also, those baby teeth are sharp!

For each major developmental stage, sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back. Maybe even one step forward, one back. So if a skill or stage you thought mastered seems to disappear, patience and no panic - most likely it'll be back.

 

[RunningwithScissors]

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

I just pulled the trigger on a VCA bracelet that's been retired for several years and I've always loved but never thought I'd find for sale in my size. I tried this piece on at my local VCA in 2020 and fell in love with its heft/chunkiness. Online pics do not do this piece justice.

I'm literally shaking right now. I didn't expect to spend that much before breakfast.

Fingers crossed!

Perlée Pearls of Gold Bracelet

From the Perlée Collection. 18K Yellow Gold. Designer Size S. Includes Certificate of Authenticity & Jewelry Pouch.

www.therealreal.com

 

[Rubies-R-Me]

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

I just pulled the trigger on a VCA bracelet that's been retired for several years and I've always loved but never thought I'd find for sale in my size. I tried this piece on at my local VCA in 2020 and fell in love with its heft/chunkiness. Online pics do not do this piece justice.

I'm literally shaking right now. I didn't expect to spend that much before breakfast.

Fingers crossed!

Perlée Pearls of Gold Bracelet

From the Perlée Collection. 18K Yellow Gold. Designer Size S. Includes Certificate of Authenticity & Jewelry Pouch.

www.therealreal.com

GORGEOUS bracelet!! Such a classic but so unique too.
Wear it in good health with all smiles!

 

[HockeyMama]

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

I just pulled the trigger on a VCA bracelet that's been retired for several years and I've always loved but never thought I'd find for sale in my size. I tried this piece on at my local VCA in 2020 and fell in love with its heft/chunkiness. Online pics do not do this piece justice.

I'm literally shaking right now. I didn't expect to spend that much before breakfast.

Fingers crossed!

Perlée Pearls of Gold Bracelet

From the Perlée Collection. 18K Yellow Gold. Designer Size S. Includes Certificate of Authenticity & Jewelry Pouch.

www.therealreal.com

What a stunning classic! No need for a stack with that beauty. How elegant! Congratulations and fingers crossed!

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

I just pulled the trigger on a VCA bracelet that's been retired for several years and I've always loved but never thought I'd find for sale in my size. I tried this piece on at my local VCA in 2020 and fell in love with its heft/chunkiness. Online pics do not do this piece justice.

I'm literally shaking right now. I didn't expect to spend that much before breakfast.

Fingers crossed!

Perlée Pearls of Gold Bracelet

From the Perlée Collection. 18K Yellow Gold. Designer Size S. Includes Certificate of Authenticity & Jewelry Pouch.

www.therealreal.com

Oh this is so pretty! So excited for you to finally get one, congratulations!

 

[SandyK]

And I promise I'm not completely derailing this thread - my newest VCA delights were an unexpected blue surprise









My SA said she was surprised too, she hadn't been expecting any more to come in for a few months. F.I.N.A.L.L.Y

AHHH THAT LITTLE SMILE - CONGRATULATIONS!! Babies/kids are the best!! Even when they are being the worst!! I think there should be a separate babies n' bling thread...

 

[HockeyMama]

Are there pre loved vendors for Van Cleef that are safer than others (knowing that all have risks)?

I finally have my VA WMOP white gold bracelet and the earrings or on order (waiting on earrings to take a family photo of my small collection with my sweet pave and a single row pearls of gold ring). I decided for a pendant I really want the white gold perlee diamonds pendant but of course it's discontinued. I have found some pre-loved but am super hesitant.

https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/collections/jewelry/perlee/vcaro9pc00---perlee-diamonds-pendant.html

I've heard of Signed Bubles, Komehyo Japan, any others?

 

[NeciaKH]

Are there pre loved vendors for Van Cleef that are safer than others (knowing that all have risks)?

I finally have my VA WMOP white gold bracelet and the earrings or on order (waiting on earrings to take a family photo of my small collection with my sweet pave and a single row pearls of gold ring). I decided for a pendant I really want the white gold perlee diamonds pendant but of course it's discontinued. I have found some pre-loved but am super hesitant.

https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/collections/jewelry/perlee/vcaro9pc00---perlee-diamonds-pendant.html

I've heard of Signed Bubles, Komehyo Japan, any others?

Ann's Fabulous Finds is very reputable also. She has asked for a receipt from VCA in my name for every item I consign with her to keep on file, and she is also a professional jeweler and inspects every jewelry item she takes in personally.

 

[HockeyMama]

Ann's Fabulous Finds is very reputable also. She has asked for a receipt from VCA in my name for every item I consign with her to keep on file, and she is also a professional jeweler and inspects every jewelry item she takes in personally.

Thank you! I’ll watch her site!

 

[RunningwithScissors]

@HockeyMama Also, if you really want to make sure the pre-loved piece you purchase is authentic, you can have VCA authenticate it for you. I forget the exact amount they charge, but it's around $1,000 and the process takes time (they send the piece away). But, doing so can provide peace of mind and may be worth it if it's for an expensive item.

 

[HockeyMama]

@HockeyMama Also, if you really want to make sure the pre-loved piece you purchase is authentic, you can have VCA authenticate it for you. I forget the exact amount they charge, but it's around $1,000 and the process takes time (they send the piece away). But, doing so can provide peace of mind and may be worth it if it's for an expensive item.

Yes! I read about this service and likely would do it. The piece I'm looking at is rather plain and I could otherwise get something similar elsewhere. The idea of signed pieces feels important to me at this season in my life.

I've also read that just getting the piece serviced by them is not foolproof. Just this authentication process!