Which Van Cleef Alhambra necklace to choose?

[SunStruck]

As the title says ladies, a bit of help please! 😄 This will be a push present (I am due on the 12th of July!), I am currently choosing between these 2 necklaces from Van Cleef. I usually only use gold jewelry but my wedding band and engagement ring are platinum and diamonds. I also have a pearl necklace and use pearl earrings from time to time (with gold settings).

I am having a hard time choosing between these 2 as the pearl one is super classic which I love, but the gold one is also really nice with the textured clover. Buying something this expensive though I'm thinking maybe good to go classic (pearl) as it's also set in gold? I haven't been to the shop to try on yet so I'm not sure if some ladies here seen them in person (I've seen the pearl one but not the gold), which is nicer in person?

If it has any relevance I am of Asian origin and have olive/tan skin (Chinese Asian).

I have the white one (but in black).

I like those better than the gold ones

I think the Alhambra range is so, so overpriced and already looks quite dated. If you’re sure you love it and will always love it and think it is genuinely worth 10k then I would go for the pearl.

I bet you could get a jeweller to make you it for a quarter of the price. There isn’t a lot of gold there

Apologies just noticed the price was in AED so it’s actually just over £2k? Is that right? That’s much more reasonable although I still think hugely overpriced for the actual materials there. I’m sticking with the pearl one.

mother of pearl.

Changed, They aren’t £10k, well under £2k. As for dated, they are pretty classic and not fashion items.
Go for the pearl.

Pearl

Pearl.

Another vote for the pearl

The currency is AED. If you live in the UAE, skip the fancy jewellers and head to the old gold souk. You will get far more for your money, and it won’t date the same way that necklace will/already has.

Why would OP want to buy a cheap copy. Branded jewellery like Alhambra is always going to retain value, whereas something from the souk will be worth scrap value. As for all of this out of date talk, Alhambra has been a classic since 1968, it isnt a fashion item.

I have t heard of this range before , I really like the pearl one.
Having been to the Alhambra palace I would
Rather like one myself

Ladies! Thanks so much for your inputs, it makes a big difference and yes I will go for the pearl one as I also think it stands out more 😄

Yes it is in AED, not GBP! Would not be able to afford that ha-ha. I know it's a lot but as it's very classic I'm hoping I can pass it on in the future hopefully x

The pearl one of course (because that's the one I have ;))

It's classic and the colour goes with pretty much everything, easy to dress up or down. The gold one is nice too but the way it's cut makes it reflect the light and it's very shiny in person. Is that a look you'd like?

And yes alhambra is a classic design. It keeps its value.

I wasn’t suggesting a copy! There are many beautiful and original pieces in the Gold Souk and it is also easy to commission things to your own design.

I understand it is a personal choice but I would prefer that to something that is so widely available. Van Cleef is headed the way of Tiffany’s - it is becoming more popular and selling more pieces at the lower end of the market. That makes it harder for them to hold their value. They are more likely to end up on eBay than in Christie’s.

Agreed! The pearl is timeless!

The pearl one is beautiful.

Whatever you buy, or commission in the gold souk is going to be worth scrap value. If you buy branded, you are more likely to retain value. As for selling more pieces at the lower end of the market. This is not a new item to the range, which hasnt been extended for years. You have a strange view of the luxury goods market.

What is a push present?

A present you have from your partner on the birth of your baby.

@Hadenoughofbloodycovid a baby delivery present. Gift for giving birth.

@WowIlikereallyhateyou @fallfallfall really? Is this a new thing?
I didn’t get a present 37 & 40 years ago, I feel cheated☹️

Haha it's not really needed with a push present but it's a nice thing to get after 10 months of no wine 🤣

I think its relatively new yes.

@Hadenoughofbloodycovid certainly the last 10-15 years.