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Frivole Earrings
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ProductScore
Materials: 18K yellow gold with round brilliant diamond center
View on Van Cleef & Arpels →The Verdict
The Frivole Earrings are Van Cleef & Arpels' celebration of flowers in mirror-polished 18K gold with a central diamond. Heart-shaped petals sculpted to catch light from every angle create a floral effect that is simultaneously delicate and luminous. At $5,200, they deliver VCA's signature poetic design in a versatile format suitable for both daily elegance and special occasions.
Score Breakdown
What Customers Say
Based on 2,890 mentions across social media and review platforms
The Frivole earrings are praised for their extraordinary light-catching properties and the way the polished gold petals create a flower effect that appears to glow. Social media users love how they photograph and the versatile scale that works for both casual and formal occasions.
"The mirror-polished petals on the Frivole earrings catch light like nothing else I own. Each petal reflects differently, creating this living, breathing flower effect. They're like wearing tiny golden suns on your ears."
Reddit r/jewelry
"These earrings are VCA at its most poetic. The flower design feels like a love letter to nature, and the central diamond adds just the right amount of sparkle without overwhelming the gold's beauty. I chose these over Alhambra earrings and regret nothing."
Trustpilot
"Beautiful earrings but $5,200 for gold studs with a tiny diamond seems excessive. The design is lovely but similar flower studs exist at a fraction of the price. The VCA premium here is particularly steep."
Reddit r/frugalfemalefashion
"Exquisite craftsmanship — the mirror polish on each petal is flawless and the proportions are perfect. They sit beautifully on the ear and have a presence that transcends their modest size. Classic VCA design language."
Google Reviews
"I wear my Frivole earrings with everything — jeans, suits, evening dresses. They're the most versatile luxury earrings I own because the gold flower works with any outfit. The way they catch candlelight at dinner is absolutely magical."
Instagram comment
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- + Mirror-polished heart-shaped petals create extraordinary light play
- + Central diamond adds brilliant accent without dominating the design
- + Versatile flower motif transitions seamlessly from casual to formal
- + Lighter weight than they appear — comfortable for all-day wear
- + Part of VCA's nature-inspired collection with strong collector appeal
Trade-offs
- − Mirror polish shows fingerprints and requires regular cleaning
- − Modest diamond size for the price point
- − Flower motif may not suit those preferring geometric or minimal designs
- − High brand premium over comparable gold earrings from other houses
Specifications
| Metal | 18K yellow gold |
| Diamond | Single round brilliant center (approximately 0.09 carats per earring) |
| Petal Shape | Heart-shaped, mirror-polished |
| Earring Diameter | 15mm |
| Back Type | Post with VCA clip-on backing |
| Weight | Approximately 6 grams per earring |
| Finish | Mirror polish |
| Hallmarks | VCA, 750 |
Alternatives to Consider
Frequently Asked Questions
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Full Review
Flowers Rendered in Gold
The Frivole collection represents Van Cleef & Arpels at its most poetic — designs that capture the essence of wildflowers in precious metal and stone. These earrings feature heart-shaped petals in mirror-polished 18K yellow gold, each one sculpted and finished to reflect light with intensity that rivals polished crystal. A single round brilliant diamond nestled at the center of each flower adds a point of pure white sparkle against the warm gold, creating a visual effect that evokes a flower catching morning dew.
The Mirror Polish Technique
The defining characteristic of the Frivole earrings is their extraordinary mirror polish. Each petal is polished to a surface quality that creates true reflections — you can see the world distorted in miniature on each curved surface. This level of finish requires multiple stages of polishing by hand, with each successive stage using finer compounds until the gold achieves optical-quality reflectivity. The result is gold that doesn’t merely shine but actively engages with its environment, reflecting colors, movement, and light in constantly changing patterns.
Wearability and Versatility
Despite their luxurious construction, the Frivole earrings are remarkably practical. The weight is modest thanks to the hollow construction technique (the petals are not solid gold, which would make them prohibitively heavy), and the post-and-clip backing combination ensures they sit securely and comfortably on the ear for extended wear. The 15mm diameter hits a sweet spot — large enough to register as a meaningful jewelry choice but not so large as to overwhelm or distract.
Beyond the Alhambra
For VCA collectors whose collection centers on the Alhambra, the Frivole earrings offer an exciting expansion into the maison’s broader design universe. The nature-inspired philosophy is consistent, but the expression is entirely different — where Alhambra celebrates geometry and symmetry, Frivole celebrates organic form and reflective light. Adding Frivole pieces to an Alhambra collection creates textural and conceptual variety that deepens the overall collection narrative.