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Van Cleef Mini Frivole Earrings

For some time now, I’ve been hunting for a pair of everyday gold earrings – I have a few favorite easy studs, but they’re all silver toned. I had a few final candidates and thought about it for a while and finally thought that I’d give the Van Cleef mini Frivole earrings a try! They’re quite cute, right? Below:

The problem – I hadn’t been able to try them on. Since the beginning of the year now I’ve been meaning to go to Van Cleef but I just haven’t had the time – so finally I just went with my gut and placed an order online. It’s funny, I used to never think I’d order fine jewelry online but after kids it is just so much easier. Plus, with the online store there are free shipping and returns. This was my first purchase from VCA online, and when it arrived I was so impressed by the packaging that I thought I would share!

First – I just have to say that the earrings, which are tiny, came in a HUGE box. At first I thought that they were a diaper delivery I was also expecting that day but then I saw the truck was FedEx and they were requiring a signature, I was like…OK? And opened. Everything was super well packaged, covered in thin foam.


From underneath the foam there came this very large, very nice velveteen box. I’d never seen this box before with any of my Van Cleef purchases and was surprised! Plus, as a former product manager, I appreciate a generous packaging spend. This was when I thought I’d photograph, ha.

You can get an idea of the box’s size here – isn’t it really nice? Lined with black velvet, in a really pretty kind of “bird’s nest” confetti set up, and then you’ve got your tiny jewelry box and the certificate and all that stuff. I don’t know if you can tell in the one of the photos, there’s a little sleeve in the lid for you to stick the documents, etc, in.

And then finally – the earrings! I had been looking at the mini frivole earrings since they came out in 2017. At the time they were $2600, but sold out quite quickly, and then Van Cleef did some price increases, and then I was busy with baby, blah blah. When I checked this year, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had only risen $40 in price since 2017. Probably due to the last few price decreases.

And finally, for anyone considering – a photo on my ear. Again these are definitely a “mini” size – but I think they have decent presence! Not *too* mini. And, most importantly, they are so comfortable – and not flashy at all. They also have very secure push backs, unlike the omega backs that most of the larger Van Cleef earrings have, which are also secure, but which I can find to be a tiny pain sometimes when I’m in a rush. Overall I’m really happy with these earrings. I would feel comfortable wearing these on the subway, running errands, traveling. And maybe my daughter might want to wear them when she is older.

Would you ever buy fine jewelry online? For a larger purchase I think I would still want to go to a sales associate for personalized service (and after-purchase care if needed) but I was really happy with my VCA experience. And also think the presentation box is really lovely. Perfect for a gift.

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30 Comments

  • Reply
    A
    April 15, 2019 at 8:04 am

    Love your everyday jewelry, so pretty on you! Thanks for sharing?

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    April 15, 2019 at 9:27 am

    I never thought I would, but after seeing a few youtube videos where they their purchased VCA (pendant necklaces) online, I want the big pretty box so bad now! So my plan (if I ever buy VCA again) is to go to the store and if I decide to purchase something, I would ask if I’m able to get that online box with purchase 😛 Because I’d definitely want to try the item I’m interested in on, but I wouldn’t want to waste the SA’s time and would want to give them my commission. I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing and beautiful earrings!

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    April 15, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Kat, do you have suggestions for simple, everyday silver earrings? I’m still looking for a simple, thin pair of not-too-large silver hoops, but it feels like everything of good quality is gold-toned.

    • Reply
      Liz
      April 15, 2019 at 5:50 pm

      Vanessa, John Hardy makes beautiful silver hoops. See if you can find the small bamboo hoops. They are beautiful!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 16, 2019 at 7:35 am

      Do you want sterling silver? I feel like there are so many great options on Etsy!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    April 15, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    Hi Kat, thanks for posting, and beautiful earrings! Full disclosure: I’m biased, as I have the same pair myself 🙂 I bought them for my “everyday earring” as well, and IMHO you will not be disappointed! They somehow manage to be both discreet yet eye-catching – a difficult balance I find not many earrings can pull off quite as well! I love them so much that I’m content with waiting many more years before purchasing my next earrings from VCA (and therefore a good investment according to my DH). I hope you enjoy and wear them in good health!

  • Reply
    Jenny
    April 15, 2019 at 12:29 pm

    These look so lovely on you! Agree that it has a nice presence but also works really well for every day wear. Any advice on putting on the pushbacks? I had a lot of trouble when I tried on the mini Alhambras that I got the larger Alhambras since the omega backs were easier to put on. Maybe I was just super clumsy and should try again.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 16, 2019 at 7:36 am

      So they aren’t as effortless as pushbacks that doesn’t have that little squeeze hinge – I have to admit that these take an extra few seconds to put on with the push backs. But I don’t find them too bad (and I’m really lazy). I think you’ll get used to them!

  • Reply
    Mila
    April 15, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    Those look good on you! I have been thinking of buying these for a while too and I think now seeing them on you I am going to have to pull the trigger. Do you take them off at night or when you shower?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 16, 2019 at 7:36 am

      I do take these off at night – due to the 3D nature and the fact that I end up sleeping on my side I think they would bother me.

  • Reply
    Sarah
    April 15, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Now THAT’S my kind of grown up Easter “basket.” Have to say I would feel confident ordering online with the obvious high level of care they take in their shipments.

  • Reply
    Liz | wannabeliz.com
    April 15, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    Congratulations! They are beautiful and will take you from day to night! Would you say they are almost as big as a dime please?
    Thanks!

  • Reply
    Elizabeth
    April 16, 2019 at 7:30 am

    Beautiful earrings, Kat! And thanks for the Tory link – I had actually already bought the green track pants and had wanted the jacket (it’s sold out in my size). If I love the pants I will go search out a matching jacket and we can both be Stepfords, but I like track pants on their own, with dressier pieces, for work.
    I have the same q Vanessa had – what are your daily silver earrings? I can’t wear hoops as my hair invariably gets stuck, plus my ears are irregularly pierced, so small studs are my game.

    • Reply
      Jane
      April 16, 2019 at 5:23 pm

      Your new frivole earrings are beautiful! For those looking for silver, I just purchased the VCA sweet Alhambra in turquoise. I love them so much and they are very easy to wear every day. Also, my ears are also irregularly pierced and i don’t usually look good in stud earrings. The Alhambra shape looks great though.

  • Reply
    Katherine
    April 16, 2019 at 7:39 am

    How are the length of the pants?? That was my main concern!

    My everyday earrings are a pair of basic platinum studs from Tiffany with some little floral diamond pattern – they don’t make the exact pair anymore but similar to these (but I think I might like these more)
    https://www.tiffany.com/jewelry/earrings/tiffany-victoria-earrings-23954168/

    • Reply
      Anonymous
      April 16, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      Those are beautiful!
      The track pants are at home and I am on the road in Cali – as soon as I unbox them I will let you know the inseam!

    • Reply
      Anonymous
      April 16, 2019 at 7:46 pm

      I’m another anonymous 😛 Wow those Tiffany studs are so beautiful indeed!

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    April 17, 2019 at 4:25 am

    They look lovely on you!

    Quick unrelated question. Have you ever sold brand name or nonbrand jewelry similar to your closet clean outs? If so, which site offered you the best deal? TheRealReal, ebay, etc?

    Sometimes I look at my jewelry box and think, “If I sell these pieces which I haven’t worn in years, I could sure buy that $xx,xxx item.” I am wondering if you have sold any jewelry similar to your other designer goods (Hermes, Chanel, etc). A friend mentioned Cartier and Van Cleef tend to sell less (perhaps 30% less than retail price) with online resell sites due to the ubiquity of these brands. Do you find that to be true or quite the opposite?

  • Reply
    Jin
    April 17, 2019 at 5:36 am

    They look beautiful on you! So perfect for everyday wear (and dressy occasions too honestly). This is going to sound funny but sometimes I actually prefer buying fine jewelry online. I enjoy the personalized service but most of the time I just want to shop in peace.

  • Reply
    Jaime Stephens
    April 17, 2019 at 7:53 am

    I frequently purchase fine jewelry online – Cartier, for example, and Rolex watches. I like the anonymity and the low pressure it affords me!

  • Reply
    Michelle
    April 17, 2019 at 1:34 pm

    Congrats! They are pretty on you!

  • Reply
    Anna
    April 18, 2019 at 4:03 am

    I’m so tempted now! After losing one after another earring (I have four earrings sitting without their pair, including a diamond stud! A 24k gold leafy statement piece!), I’ve forbidden myself from buying expensive earrings. These are so beautiful I might reconsider my rule!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      April 18, 2019 at 1:19 pm

      The backs on these are super secure. More so than my Tiffany ones.

    • Reply
      A V A
      April 18, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      Hi Anna,
      Some friends of mine were in the same boat as you – left with lovely earrings which lost their mates, so I suggested to them to turn their studs into a solitaire necklace/bracelet and their other earrings into charms for a necklace/bracelet – essentially repurposing the earring into another jewelry piece.

      It was a good way to keep wearing the jewelry they loved and not leave it unworn. Two went to jewelers and had it done at a premium but one friend went to an art school which had a jewelry program, did some due diligence and found someone (can’t remember if the person taught there or was a student) but they also ran their own business and she liked their aesthetic and had them redesign her single expensive earrings while she was in the studio with them. Just a thought!
      Hope that helps!
      🙂
      Ava

      • Reply
        Anna
        April 20, 2019 at 8:11 pm

        Thank you, Ava! Seems such a creative way to reuse the earrings. I just checked and the leafy one is super easy to convert to a pendant. I can do it myself! And I love how it looks as a pendant. How come I never thought of this. Thank you so much!!

  • Reply
    A.S.
    April 18, 2019 at 1:17 pm

    Very pretty!

    Thought readers might be interested in this new chapter of a very old debate: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/nyregion/preachers-sneakers-instagram-account.html

  • Reply
    A V A
    April 18, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    These earrings are lovely and perfect for what you wanted. 😀
    I bought the white gold ones for my best friend for a significant birthday years ago. She lives in another state so I am not sure how often she wears it, but she loves them.
    Thank you so much for sharing the packaging – I am surprised at how luxurious that giant velvet box is – what a nice touch for an online order!

    I’ve never purchased fine jewelry (nor HOP for that matter) online always believing I needed to see it, touch it and try it out in person, but you – you, my dear, with this post and the post on the Evelyne TPM have me SERIOUSLY RECONSIDERING this once-firm-rule I held…oh I fear this is going to be slippery slope ;-P!

    Have a lovely weekend with your family!

    xx
    A

  • Reply
    Ammu
    April 20, 2019 at 4:48 pm

    They are so pretty! And that huge box will be great for storing papers, postcards, etc.
    I often buy gold jewelry from Net-a-Porter — and have bought pieces from Aurate in the past.

  • Reply
    Arionna Stanley
    March 4, 2024 at 6:53 am

    Great ROI, now they are priced $3200 pretax and worth my bonus for 2023:) I think im getting white gold. Thanks for the review

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