Collecting Luxury

View Original

My First Exeperience at Van Cleef and Arpels

I have been watching all the Instagram luxury collectors keep showing off their Van Cleef and Arpel jewelry and I wanted to find out more about this luxury jewelry brand. I have of course heard of VCA for so many years however their most classic and collectible style, “Alhambra” motif, was something I have been overlooking for years thinking it was another brand. Well to my surprise, I have been enlightened and also educated on how this brand has become one of the leading most coveted jewelry retailers in the world.

As I walked into the boutique in Toronto, I was greeted by a security guard and then a very nice sales associate “Alice”. Alice took me around the boutique asking what I liked and what I was shopping for. I didn’t have much in mind or know much more other than the Alhambra bracelet, necklace, earrings, etc. I asked to see that style in a few color ways.

Alice came over with a black velvet tray and two gorgeous Alhambra Motif VCA Bracelets. She then put both of the bracelets on me which looked so cute. I loved the Orange/Red color and the color of the Abalone Shell which just looked so magical. I then asked if you can wear all of these bracelets together or would they get tangled up? I like to stack my bracelets, as I am sure you are all aware now, so this was a very important factor to me. Alice said all of her clients stack these bracelets and the more the better.

Now after falling for them, how much are these cuties? Well they range around $3,600+ she said and that depends on the motif, style and hardware. Thinking about how much my Cartier bracelets cost, I thought their pricing wasn’t too far off. When I did an online poll for VCA - I got a huge response with followers just LOVING this brand!

Even though I didn’t walk out of the VCA boutique with any purchases this round, I do have a few of those bracelets in mind for some big occasions coming up in my life. I think I would like to add 2-3 of them into my collection and see how they go. I know the resale on these pieces can be extraordinary so as I am dipping my toe into this new luxury brand slowly, I am excited about the world I am going to be exploring!

Are you in LOVE with Van Cleef and Arpel?? COMMENT BELOW!