Let's talk branded pieces...Yssie, DS, and all other fans

[LLJsmom]

Thanks, LLJsmom! I don't know if I would wear those, but I love the way they look! And I do like two of them! (Why would I have to like Cartier?)

Deb

Deb, I'm so sorry you have such exquisite taste...

 

[Phoenix]

@LLJsmom

First, if you get an opportunity to get Lapis, please get it, ASAP. Pls also make sure that it's authentic VCA. Finding Lapis or turquoise VCA is like finding the Holly Grail!

Second, the Sweet earrings are far too small, unless you have teeny tiny earlobes (I don't remember how big your lobes are, but from memory, they're not teeny tiny, are they?). I considered them and wanted them to match with my Sweet bracelet but wrote them off. Have you considered the Pure Alhambra pave earrings? I think you may have read that I put down a deposit for them and almost got them instead of the Vintage.
http://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en...re-alhambra/vcara38200-alhambra-earstuds.html

Size-wise and budget-wise, they're in between the Sweets and the Vintage. I think they're a great choice if you find the Vintage too big and heavy. And they only come with posts, not clips; and are extremely comfortable to wear (though with all VCA earrings, the posts may need to be lengthened).

 

[Phoenix]

I adore lapis and turquoise and am sad they can't come up with the material to stock those! How wonderful that you found the lapis one!

I can understand if the vintage earrings are uncomfortable to you. I am considering getting the yg ones to match my bracelet, and get pendants with stones to wear with them.

The rose gold is beautiful. It looked great on my daughter who is Asian. I like the combination of rose old with white metals more, but sadly it just didn't look that good on my skin!

@DS, I'm rooting for you to get the YG Vintage Alhambra's. They'd match your bracelet so well.

@LLJsmom, I agree with DS that while YG really pops, RG suits Asian skin tone better.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Trust me, I have to think hard and spread out the purchases, too! That's what happens when one has expensive taste!!! You were super lucky to find lapis! The gray MOP in rose gold was beautiful! I learned when m2b was here and we went to NM to look at jewelry (and her Chanel bag!), I found that the onyx vintage earrings blended in with my hair too much, and the yg stood out much more. In a few years I will possibly let my hair turn silver, and I am really trying to think what would look right in that case! It just helps for me to stick with only one color of gold other than white, because I don't want to have to buy multiple pieces in each color!!

 

[kama_s]

@LLJsmom Hmmmmmm. Ok, so I have beautiful 3.2ct OEC studs from Grace. They are exceptionally gorgeous and I waited a very long time to find these stones. But I got super bored wearing them and I ended up getting Tiffany Victoria's in medium RG. They are blingy and fun, and small enough to wear comfortably every day. So I absolutely get you wanting the pave sweets! I prefer the sweet size as well as I do not like the clips on the vintage size and I also find the vintage too big and heavy for every day. Ideally, I would love a size in between vintage and sweet, but if I had to choose, I would still go sweet. Personally, I also don't think you need to match sizes. You could totally rock sweets on your ears, vintage on your wrist and magic on your neck. Besides, if you are like me and don't like to be too matchy, you may not even want to wear all your pieces at the same time.

Between the bracelet and the earrings, I would choose the earrings. I feel earrings are something you wear every day, you may be in your pajamas with no make-up but still have earrings on! But I am earring obsessed - even though I have long dark hair that cover my ears haha!

The lapis holiday pendant is insane!!! Would you ever go to Paris? If so, would you consider getting a single motif vintage in the sevres? I find it is faily similar to the lapis and perhaps at a slightly lower price point.

 

[Phoenix]

Ideally, I would love a size in between vintage and sweet

Yeeeesss! Pure Alhambra earrings - perfect!

 

[kama_s]

Yeeeesss! Pure Alhambra earrings - perfect!

Mayybbeeeee! Do you know if they have clips or posts only?

 

[AGBF]

...and I went to the Cartier page and ogled the cuffs. I kept going back and looking at the photos of those cuffs on LLJsmom. They were so splendid! As were the advertisements by Cartier for the bracelets where they were stacked. I loved the photos of several in yellow gold. I also loved the rose gold. Then I wondered if they would look that good on me. And also whether it would be smart for me to buy two (when I could afford them, which isn't now) when I could, instead have two more bracelets made for my set of 24K bangles. (Yes, this is a concern similar to that of ds. Where do I spend my money?)

I have a set of (now) seven 24K bangles and I could (although I do not need to) expand it to a set of 9 bangles. the only reason for doing so, really, is that I have OCD and if I had two more bangles made, I wouldn't have a gap in all the sizes. At least from what I recollect of the sizes I own. I just put the set back into my safe deposit box when I went to visit my friend in Maine in August. I do wear these bangles on the rare occasions that I wear any jewelry, because I wear my 24K jewelry when I wear anything.

What do you think? (Sorry if posting non-branded in this thread is a no-no, but I only had these made because when I bought a Gurhan bangle-from Pearlman's-it was defective)!!! I was trying for Gurhan, which is branded!

​

 

[Phoenix]

Mayybbeeeee! Do you know if they have clips or posts only?

I do know, yes, bc I almost bought them! haha. They only have posts (albeit short, like all VCA earring posts).

 

[kama_s]

I do know, yes, bc I almost bought them! haha. They only have posts (albeit short, like all VCA earring posts).

Perfect

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Speaking of Tiffany, and I do love the Victoria earrings, being the non-trendy person that I am, these are my favorite cuffs (although I'd buy more VCA bracelets before these, I think).

 

[AGBF]

@ds - I am glad to know what is out there (eg these Tiffany cuffs), but the VCA most traditional pieces have grown on me just recently. I do not know if they are all called "Alhambra", but the ones with that design that are plain rose gold, plain yellow gold, or white gold with diamonds. I love your bracelet.

Deb

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thanks, Deb! VCA Alhambra (clovers primarily) is my favorite branded line. I debated a lot about which bracelet to get, but I am so glad I started with a solid gold bracelet. It can be worn with any of the yg pieces with stones which is nice!

 

[LLJsmom]

@LLJsmom Hmmmmmm. Ok, so I have beautiful 3.2ct OEC studs from Grace. They are exceptionally gorgeous and I waited a very long time to find these stones. But I got super bored wearing them and I ended up getting Tiffany Victoria's in medium RG. They are blingy and fun, and small enough to wear comfortably every day. So I absolutely get you wanting the pave sweets! I prefer the sweet size as well as I do not like the clips on the vintage size and I also find the vintage too big and heavy for every day. Ideally, I would love a size in between vintage and sweet, but if I had to choose, I would still go sweet. Personally, I also don't think you need to match sizes. You could totally rock sweets on your ears, vintage on your wrist and magic on your neck. Besides, if you are like me and don't like to be too matchy, you may not even want to wear all your pieces at the same time.

Between the bracelet and the earrings, I would choose the earrings. I feel earrings are something you wear every day, you may be in your pajamas with no make-up but still have earrings on! But I am earring obsessed - even though I have long dark hair that cover my ears haha!

The lapis holiday pendant is insane!!! Would you ever go to Paris? If so, would you consider getting a single motif vintage in the sevres? I find it is faily similar to the lapis and perhaps at a slightly lower price point.

@kama_s You totally get me. I would wear these as studs, which means I would wear them 24/7 except for cleaning, just like my diamond studs. They are bright and white enough that they are neutral yet blingy. I don't have to worry about whether they match with anything. I can see why the Victoria studs appealed to you, blingy yet in a shape so entirely different from your studs, yet still the same scale as your studs. Totally a daily wear piece.

So you approve of the pre-loved lapis too? I prefer it over the malachite, because the color works with me better. I hope it doesn't turn out to be completely destroyed or in bad shape. My mom might go for it too.

Btw, hope your little boy is doing well. How many months is he now?

 

[LLJsmom]

...and I went to the Cartier page and ogled the cuffs. I kept going back and looking at the photos of those cuffs on LLJsmom. They were so splendid! As were the advertisements by Cartier for the bracelets where they were stacked. I loved the photos of several in yellow gold. I also loved the rose gold. Then I wondered if they would look that good on me. And also whether it would be smart for me to buy two (when I could afford them, which isn't now) when I could, instead have two more bracelets made for my set of 24K bangles. (Yes, this is a concern similar to that of ds. Where do I spend my money?)

I have a set of (now) seven 24K bangles and I could (although I do not need to) expand it to a set of 9 bangles. the only reason for doing so, really, is that I have OCD and if I had two more bangles made, I wouldn't have a gap in all the sizes. At least from what I recollect of the sizes I own. I just put the set back into my safe deposit box when I went to visit my friend in Maine in August. I do wear these bangles on the rare occasions that I wear any jewelry, because I wear my 24K jewelry when I wear anything.

What do you think? (Sorry if posting non-branded in this thread is a no-no, but I only had these made because when I bought a Gurhan bangle-from Pearlman's-it was defective)!!! I was trying for Gurhan, which is branded!

​

Deb, is it the clean, sharp, symmetrical lines of the Love cuff that appeals to you? Are your 24K gold bracelets more rounded and shaped like the Gurhan bangles pictured above? If you get two more gold bangles, will that scratch your itch for the stacked love cuffs? I am guessing you appreciate the actual look of the Love, which is very different from your gold bangles.

Honestly, if you won't wear them much, from a person who is a wearer, and not a collector, I would say they are not worth the investment. However, if you do love them enough to get some good wear out of them, then I wouldn't rule it out.

Also, would scratches bother you? I have very few scratches on mine, but honestly, I struggle with getting over it. Scratches are part of the life of the Love, and it is hard to enjoy them when you/anyone is constantly paranoid about the cuff hitting on anything. I don't know how two cuffs stacked on top of each other will interact. Will one crossover the other and then scratch each other?

If possible, I would go to a Cartier store and try one on and see which size works for you. They don't allow returns, but if you can find one in a Saks, that carries Cartier jewelry, you may be able to buy it and return for a full refund, based on the Saks' return policy. Or if it's not available, try ordering off of TrueFacet.com. They have a 7 day return period, and you can try it to see if it fits into your lifestyle. The cuff is around $4500/$4600 retail. You get a decent discount on TrueFacet.

https://www.truefacet.com/cartier-love-18k-yellow-gold-cuff-size-20.html

There is also the new Loves that are thinner. I tried them on and discovered i prefer the original thicker ones. But the new ones are full (all the way around), and you can take them off yourself without the screw.

As to how it looks, I think it would look fabulous on you. When I have gotten through my more immediate desires, a second cuff is still on my list.

 

[LLJsmom]

@LLJsmom

First, if you get an opportunity to get Lapis, please get it, ASAP. Pls also make sure that it's authentic VCA. Finding Lapis or turquoise VCA is like finding the Holly Grail!

Second, the Sweet earrings are far too small, unless you have teeny tiny earlobes (I don't remember how big your lobes are, but from memory, they're not teeny tiny, are they?). I considered them and wanted them to match with my Sweet bracelet but wrote them off. Have you considered the Pure Alhambra pave earrings? I think you may have read that I put down a deposit for them and almost got them instead of the Vintage.
http://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en...re-alhambra/vcara38200-alhambra-earstuds.html

Size-wise and budget-wise, they're in between the Sweets and the Vintage. I think they're a great choice if you find the Vintage too big and heavy. And they only come with posts, not clips; and are extremely comfortable to wear (though with all VCA earrings, the posts may need to be lengthened).

@Phoenix, so you approve of the lapis too?! I have looked for it for a long time, and I usually saw it in longer pieces with multiple motifs, and longer necklaces just don't fit into my lifestyle. I did wonder why I could not find them in the secondary market. Maybe people just like it so much they don't want to let it go. I will take it to my SA and ask his opinion when I get it.

I will go to look at the Pure Alhambra line. I have never considered them, but I will check it out. They look gorgeous. Who knows. This may cause further additions to my wish list. The sweet diamond studs are a good idea for me now. These are earrings that I wouldn't take off, and anything else I would need to take off at the end of the day. The only thing I would need is for VCA to change the posts to platinum, and to make them thinner if possible. I would feel really sad if they couldn't make it thinner.

I can't wait for your earshots of the vintage alhambras. They are going to be stunning.

 

[AGBF]

I have a question. Does anyone know the length of this VCA Alhambra vintage necklace? Whether it has a clasp or some kind of closure or whether one is just supposed to pull it on over one's head? Does it (I am assuming it does) come in yellow gold as well as rose gold? I just visited the VCA website for, I believe, the first time. Since I was shocked to find that the Cartier bracelets (which ds warned me are meant to be worn 24/7) come with a screwdriver, I am taking absolutely nothing for granted! I am not sure how I came to be so ignorant about VCA and Cartier. I am very cognizant of Gurhan and Buccellati! Luckily I have all of you on Pricescope to tutor me! I just hope I do not charge that Alhambra necklace in a moment of madness. I have an enormous vet bill to pay! (Over $8,000 for about two days!)

Deb

 

[AGBF]

Deb, is it the clean, sharp, symmetrical lines of the Love cuff that appeals to you? Are your 24K gold bracelets more rounded and shaped like the Gurhan bangles pictured above? If you get two more gold bangles, will that scratch your itch for the stacked love cuffs? I am guessing you appreciate the actual look of the Love, which is very different from your gold bangles.

Thank you so much for your long, thoughtful reply, LLJsmom. I was off looking at VCA necklaces (which I need like a hole in the head) because this thread is making me into a maniac!!! I love everybody else's jewelry!

Yes, it is the clean, symmetrical lines of the Love cuff that appeal to me. Only I couldn't have articulated that. I am stunned at how very clean the lines are in the photo. The bangles pictured above are mine, not Gurhan's. I mean, they are the ones I had custom made. As you said, they are far more rounded than the Love cuffs. I do love my bangles and I do wear them (as much as I wear any jewelry), but I do not really need more of them. Seven of them already actually weigh a ton!

Thank you so very much for all the time you spent on your reply.

Hugs,,
Deb

 

[Hayley87]

I have a question. Does anyone know the length of this VCA Alhambra vintage necklace? Whether it has a clasp or some kind of closure or whether one is just supposed to pull it on over one's head? Does it (I am assuming it does) come in yellow gold as well as rose gold? I just visited the VCA website for, I believe, the first time. Since I was shocked to find that the Cartier bracelets (which ds warned me are meant to be worn 24/7) come with a screwdriver, I am taking absolutely nothing for granted! I am not sure how I came to be so ignorant about VCA and Cartier. I am very cognizant of Gurhan and Buccellati! Luckily I have all of you on Pricescope to tutor me! I just hope I do not charge that Alhambra necklace in a moment of madness. I have an enormous vet bill to pay! (Over $8,000 for about two days!)

Deb

I believe I found the YG version of that necklace here: http://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en...vintage-alhambra-long-necklace-20-motifs.html

If you click on "Details+," it includes, "Clasp : Hallmark clasp small model yellow gold. Chain length : 33.6 inches"

If you scroll below "Details," it shows the necklace as a single long strand, so the double-strand look of the thumbnail link photo is just the necklace looped around the neck. So it looks like one could either pull it over the head if worn long or use the clasp if worn looped.

Hope that helps!

 

[Phoenix]

@Phoenix, so you approve of the lapis too?! I have looked for it for a long time, and I usually saw it in longer pieces with multiple motifs, and longer necklaces just don't fit into my lifestyle. I did wonder why I could not find them in the secondary market. Maybe people just like it so much they don't want to let it go. I will take it to my SA and ask his opinion when I get it.

I will go to look at the Pure Alhambra line. I have never considered them, but I will check it out. They look gorgeous. Who knows. This may cause further additions to my wish list. The sweet diamond studs are a good idea for me now. These are earrings that I wouldn't take off, and anything else I would need to take off at the end of the day. The only thing I would need is for VCA to change the posts to platinum, and to make them thinner if possible. I would feel really sad if they couldn't make it thinner.

I can't wait for your earshots of the vintage alhambras. They are going to be stunning.

Woot wooot wooot!! LOVE Lapis!

The Pure are super comfy, you wouldn't want to take them off. In any case, VCA would definitely be able to thin out the posts. I dunno, however, if they can replace them with platinum ones; I could ask my SA if you'd like me to.

 

[LLJsmom]

Thank you so much for your long, thoughtful reply, LLJsmom. I was off looking at VCA necklaces (which I need like a hole in the head) because this thread is making me into a maniac!!! I love everybody else's jewelry!

Yes, it is the clean, symmetrical lines of the Love cuff that appeal to me. Only I couldn't have articulated that. I am stunned at how very clean the lines are in the photo. The bangles pictured above are mine, not Gurhan's. I mean, they are the ones I had custom made. As you said, they are far more rounded than the Love cuffs. I do love my bangles and I do wear them (as much as I wear any jewelry), but I do not really need more of them. Seven of them already actually weigh a ton!

Thank you so very much for all the time you spent on your reply.

Hugs,,
Deb

You are most welcome Deb. Always happy to enable. Yes, the solid gold Alhambra necklaces and bracelets are just gorgeous. I found that I prefer them to the stones, probably because they are more durable. I am paranoid that I may crack the stones. Would you find that the Alhambra solid gold bracelet a possible option for you? It's quite a departure from your gold bangles. The 10 motif necklace is amazing too.

 

[LLJsmom]

Woot wooot wooot!! LOVE Lapis!

The Pure are super comfy, you wouldn't want to take them off. In any case, VCA would definitely be able to thin out the posts. I dunno, however, if they can replace them with platinum ones; I could ask my SA if you'd like me to.

I can't wait wit to look for my SA and ask about the pures. I did ask my SA about changing them for platinum posts and he said they could do it. But I hope they don't change their minds if I ask them again.

 

[PintoBean]

Considering the Paloma Picasso olive leaf RG studs.
http://m.tiffany.com/collections/pa...asso-olive-leaf-earrings-32371191?trackpdp=pr
I usually don't look great in RG and look better in YG with my neutral beige undertones, but Tiffany's YG looks awful on me and RG looks good on me lololol.

 

[liaerfbv]

Considering the Paloma Picasso olive leaf RG studs.
http://m.tiffany.com/collections/pa...asso-olive-leaf-earrings-32371191?trackpdp=pr
I usually don't look great in RG and look better in YG with my neutral beige undertones, but Tiffany's YG looks awful on me and RG looks good on me lololol.

Those are stunnnnnnnnning. I vote yes x100.

 

[Hayley87]

Considering the Paloma Picasso olive leaf RG studs.
http://m.tiffany.com/collections/pa...asso-olive-leaf-earrings-32371191?trackpdp=pr
I usually don't look great in RG and look better in YG with my neutral beige undertones, but Tiffany's YG looks awful on me and RG looks good on me lololol.

Very, very pretty!

 

[PierreBear]

It's been so fun reading this thread and looking at the goods. Sorry if this is a bit off topic but I was curious about branded pieces versus large e-rings. Do ya'll get more attention from strangers/friends/family from branded pieces or diamond size?

 

[PintoBean]

It's been so fun reading this thread and looking at the goods. Sorry if this is a bit off topic but I was curious about branded pieces versus large e-rings. Do ya'll get more attention from strangers/friends/family from branded pieces or diamond size?

Hmmm maybe one friend commented on my bean being new? Otherwise, I seem to make jewelry disappear on me lolol. I think it's bc I carry myself like I'm in flannel and combat boots grunge even if I'm in a black lace dress and heels.

 

[LLJsmom]

Considering the Paloma Picasso olive leaf RG studs.
http://m.tiffany.com/collections/pa...asso-olive-leaf-earrings-32371191?trackpdp=pr
I usually don't look great in RG and look better in YG with my neutral beige undertones, but Tiffany's YG looks awful on me and RG looks good on me lololol.

Paloma picasso's pieces are so soft and fluid, yet clean and unfussy and bold. Very much my style. If you love it, I can see it being a piece that you can wear all the time.

 

[LLJsmom]

It's been so fun reading this thread and looking at the goods. Sorry if this is a bit off topic but I was curious about branded pieces versus large e-rings. Do ya'll get more attention from strangers/friends/family from branded pieces or diamond size?

My Cartier cuff always garners a comment or some surreptitious glances if I am out shopping or eating. My Alhambra pendant always gets a comment if I am in a jewelry store, or other people who love jewelry, but no where else. The only people that comment on my ering are my co-workers, my family, people who are comfortable enough around me to say anything, and jewelers. To answer your question, generally, yes the branded pieces get more direct comments.

 

[LLJsmom]

Update: The lapis piece is not gonna happen. The seller backed out so @Phoenix apparently it was the holy grail, cause it ain't happening. I'm secretly glad because I may be able to move my other purchase up, which is the sweet pave alhambra ear studs. I may wait until next year, but I'm fairly certain those will be my next purchase. I took over three years for me to get bored with my studs so I feel quite comfortable mentally with this next selection. After all, it's only my second pair of earrings that I wear. It's time, don't you think? @Phoenix I tried on the Pure with diamonds. The size is a nice one, and it's very blingy. However, I would choose your pave alhambras if I was going to go bigger.


I also tried on the yellow gold and rose gold vintage bracelets to see which I like better. Believe it or not, I may go with yellow gold. The rose blends so well with my skin that I may want my piece to pop a little more. This piece will probably come after my earrings. But maybe I won't want to spend as much right away. The difference is that I get to see the VCA gorgeousness if I get the bracelet, whereas others get to see the ear studs if I get the earrings. What to do!?!


Fun...