Are Leon''s prices way more than WF?

[Taylorbug!]

I am awaiting quotes from both Leon and WF. Just curious if Leon is alot higher than what WF is? Anyone else get quotes from both?

 

[LaurenThePartier]

I think a lot of people will agree that Leon is surprisingly reasonable, but it really depends on the type of setting you're going for.

If it's a project that Leon doesn't really want to take on, like a baguette halo (ask me how I know

), it will be astronomically high. For a micropave halo, I think you'll be surprised at how competitive both quotes would be.

 

[E B]

Date: 4/14/2010 8:52:17 AM
Author:Taylorbug!
I am awaiting quotes from both Leon and WF. Just curious if Leon is alot higher than what WF is? Anyone else get quotes from both?

I received a quote from him for my five-stone (no pave, sourced my own diamonds) that was almost double what BGD asked.

 

[stepcutgirl]

I got quotes for both for a three stone. I was pretty shocked at how reasonable his quote was until I read that it didn''t include the side stones. So i emailed back asking for an approx of what they expected the cost to be for side stones and yeap...double WF''s quote.

 

[wishinpink]

I don''t know if this throws a wrench into the mix, but when I was getting my ring done, I contacted whiteflash, several other custom makers, and Bridget Durnell and her quote was slightly less expensive (except for one place, but then I trusted her work more) and the quality was fantastic.

 

[Taylorbug!]

Date: 4/14/2010 10:51:40 AM
Author: stepcutgirl
I got quotes for both for a three stone. I was pretty shocked at how reasonable his quote was until I read that it didn''t include the side stones. So i emailed back asking for an approx of what they expected the cost to be for side stones and yeap...double WF''s quote.

Hey Stepcutgirl.....I got my quote back from Leon....and just as you said, the side stones or the melee were not included in the initial price. OUCH!

Waiting on the quote from WF. Will have that one tomorrow.

 

[Amethyste]

I know most women on here ( and other sites ) go gaga over Leon, his work is really great, but I think he does quote on the upper end. I think it is somewhat deceptive to NOT include the price of the melee so it leaves customers wondering... I know it is hard to estimate the cost but a "guesstimate" on the upper side would be better than none at all. Also, he''s in NYC, in a penthouse I believe, so I bet paying for that kind of rent has to come from somewhere...

I can envision people paying for the first part of the quote and then later when the ring is finished, when the melee cost or side stones, whatever is left to pay, the are left strapped for cash cause it just ended up being much higher than they envisioned... I wonder if that ever happened? I bet it probably has...

As you can tell, I am not a huge fan of his - I do say that he creates beautiful work... So are others as well and I went with someone that was able to give me all of my prices upfront, no surprises, no attitude and very curteous and helpful. I like to be involved with a project, not to be sitting there and accept what he comes up with with little input.

I donno... lol

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 4/14/2010 10:15:01 PM
Author: Amethyste

As you can tell, I am not a huge fan of his - I do say that he creates beautiful work... So are others as well and I went with someone that was able to give me all of my prices upfront, no surprises, no attitude and very curteous and helpful. I like to be involved with a project, not to be sitting there and accept what he comes up with with little input.

I donno... lol

I think your review is a little unfair unless you have actually worked with Leon. His price quote to me had a price for labor and a price for melee so I had the estimate for both. This was consistent for all the estimates I have received from him. Leon spent a long time with me designing my ring - I definetly didn''t have to accept what he came up with .. in fact, we went back and forth on many designs and he was looking for my input and giving me ideas based on my input.

Perhaps he has changed but what you described is very opposite to my experience with him. I had a really pleasant visit with him. I know there has been some not so great stories but for every bad story there are a lot more great stories.

Just my two cents. It cost more but you pay for what you get. I went cheaper once thinking nearly as good was good enough and I regret it.

 

[PumpkinPie]

I have no experience with Leon - but I was curious about the answer to this question. Given the price difference, it would be hard for me to pay for a Leon I think. unless it was one of his spectacularly amazing settings

 

[mrssalvo]

Leon''s rings are also handmade whereas WF''s are cast so that would warrant a higher price from him IMO. You''re not comparing apples to apples. I''ve heard his prices are pretty reasonable though considering...

 

[Amethyste]

Date: 4/14/2010 10:24:07 PM
Author: CharmyPoo

Date: 4/14/2010 10:15:01 PM

Author: Amethyste


As you can tell, I am not a huge fan of his - I do say that he creates beautiful work... So are others as well and I went with someone that was able to give me all of my prices upfront, no surprises, no attitude and very curteous and helpful. I like to be involved with a project, not to be sitting there and accept what he comes up with with little input.


I donno... lol

I think your review is a little unfair unless you have actually worked with Leon. His price quote to me had a price for labor and a price for melee so I had the estimate for both. This was consistent for all the estimates I have received from him. Leon spent a long time with me designing my ring - I definetly didn''t have to accept what he came up with .. in fact, we went back and forth on many designs and he was looking for my input and giving me ideas based on my input.


Perhaps he has changed but what you described is very opposite to my experience with him. I had a really pleasant visit with him. I know there has been some not so great stories but for every bad story there are a lot more great stories.


Just my two cents. It cost more but you pay for what you get. I went cheaper once thinking nearly as good was good enough and I regret it.

Not really, I did speak with him 3 times for my pear reset into a 3 stone with trillions. first he said that trillion were "passe" and I should think about 1/2 moons or other shapes. Then he gave me a quote for the setting only ( was over $2,000+ cause it would be 2 tone - if I remember correctly... ) and he said that he couldn''t really tell me much about the trillions cost-wise cause he doesn''t order that shape hardly ever. "he''d get bak to me".

2 weeks later, I called him 2 times, and wrote an email asking status.... Still waiting.

I am REALLY happy that you are satisfied. That is all that matters in all honesty. I wasn''t satisfied with the way he handled my project, and felt that he really didn''t want my business. It happened to me, I am sure it happened to others, just like many are happy with his services and his art.

 

[butterfly 17]

I think I was the first person on PS to actually purchase and post one of his rings and I would say that at that time his prices were very reasonable.
Since then, he has become extremely popular here and the same setting that I paid $1k for, he now sells for $1.5k, if not more now. I think it''s around $1750 now.
But, that was also in 2004, so of course prices in general have gone up.

I think his pave work is second to none really, but WF also does great work.

I do have to say that if you go with Leon and you are really really picky and find some small "flaw", don''t expect that he will bend over backwards to make everything right for you and don''t expect him to fix it for free, if at all.

WF will do that though. They will fix any "flaw" you may find and stand behind their work.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 4/14/2010 10:35:49 PM
Author: Amethyste

Not really, I did speak with him 3 times for my pear reset into a 3 stone with trillions. first he said that trillion were ''passe'' and I should think about 1/2 moons or other shapes. Then he gave me a quote for the setting only ( was over $2,000+ cause it would be 2 tone - if I remember correctly... ) and he said that he couldn''t really tell me much about the trillions cost-wise cause he doesn''t order that shape hardly ever. ''he''d get bak to me''.

2 weeks later, I called him 2 times, and wrote an email asking status.... Still waiting.

I am REALLY happy that you are satisfied. That is all that matters in all honesty. I wasn''t satisfied with the way he handled my project, and felt that he really didn''t want my business. It happened to me, I am sure it happened to others, just like many are happy with his services and his art.

Thanks for the clarification. This feedback is helpful to potential buyers. I definetly appreciate direct experience and feedback.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 4/14/2010 10:47:49 PM
Author: butterfly 17

I do have to say that if you go with Leon and you are really really picky and find some small ''flaw'', don''t expect that he will bend over backwards to make everything right for you and don''t expect him to fix it for free, if at all.

This is what scared us away from Leon in the first place. What I learnt though is that others can''t do pave like him - so the small picky flaws are probably more livable than lots of metal showing

 

[butterfly 17]

Date: 4/14/2010 10:52:36 PM
Author: CharmyPoo

Date: 4/14/2010 10:47:49 PM

Author: butterfly 17


I do have to say that if you go with Leon and you are really really picky and find some small ''flaw'', don''t expect that he will bend over backwards to make everything right for you and don''t expect him to fix it for free, if at all.

This is what scared us away from Leon in the first place. What I learnt though is that others can''t do pave like him - so the small picky flaws are probably more livable than lots of metal showing

LOL, I know! That''s my dilemma too. But, I have to say, he was really nice to the person I sold my LM solitaire to. He set her stone for about $100 and resized it for free for her.

I so want a pave setting from him for my ACA, but I am afraid he will get "creative" on me and not make what I want and then not fix what I don''t like. He doesn''t do CADs, KWIM?

I probably will just go with him though. I have my eye on one of Harriet''s designs, but can''t bite the bullet yet because I am so indecisive. So instead, I am getting a five stone band, lol.....

 

[Viola]

Date: 4/14/2010 11:03:09 PM
Author: butterfly 17

Date: 4/14/2010 10:52:36 PM

Author: CharmyPoo

Date: 4/14/2010 10:47:49 PM


Author: butterfly 17



I do have to say that if you go with Leon and you are really really picky and find some small 'flaw', don't expect that he will bend over backwards to make everything right for you and don't expect him to fix it for free, if at all.

This is what scared us away from Leon in the first place. What I learnt though is that others can't do pave like him - so the small picky flaws are probably more livable than lots of metal showing

LOL, I know! That's my dilemma too. But, I have to say, he was really nice to the person I sold my LM solitaire to. He set her stone for about $100 and resized it for free for her.


I so want a pave setting from him for my ACA, but I am afraid he will get 'creative' on me and not make what I want and then not fix what I don't like. He doesn't do CADs, KWIM?


I probably will just go with him though. I have my eye on one of Harriet's designs, but can't bite the bullet yet because I am so indecisive. So instead, I am getting a five stone band, lol.....

Butterfly,

Oh, noo! I love the Harmony-set that you have. Which setting is it that you're considering ordering from Leon?

PS. Sorry for the threadjack. DS.

 

[Viola]

And to answer your question regarding Leons pricing, I think his solitaires are priced "low", and can be compared to the pricing of Whiteflash, BUT as soon as it''s a liiittle more intricate, as in three-stones, five-stones, pave work etc, the prices go up drastically.

I could be wrong though as I''ve never bought from him, but I''ve gotten a quote from him on a ring he has up on his website (5-stone with some pave work), and it was in my opinion crazy high.

 

[suzannea]

I have to put in my comment here- I know this will be unpopular- but I contacted Leon 3X over 3 weeks and asked for a quote (which coincidentally had baguettes channel set into a band)- I received NO response- the only response I received was when I asked for a quote on a setting he had already done and it was the same price as the other settings I was asking about from other jewelers- but his was not including side stones in a 3 stone ring- so I have to say that the quality of work is very nice- but not responding to my request three times and the prices without the diamonds made him someone I wasn''t interested in working with- I also prefer to know the price up front and to get a response.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 4/15/2010 2:37:32 PM
Author: suzannea
I have to put in my comment here- I know this will be unpopular- but I contacted Leon 3X over 3 weeks and asked for a quote (which coincidentally had baguettes channel set into a band)- I received NO response- the only response I received was when I asked for a quote on a setting he had already done and it was the same price as the other settings I was asking about from other jewelers- but his was not including side stones in a 3 stone ring- so I have to say that the quality of work is very nice- but not responding to my request three times and the prices without the diamonds made him someone I wasn''t interested in working with- I also prefer to know the price up front and to get a response.

He is not great with emails, calling would be better, although I think now that he doesn''t do bench work as much the communication should be better.
The submission form is always replied to but follow up emails may not have been in the past.

Leon quotes are perhaps more complicated than they should be but not necessarily more complicated than other designers who gave me quotes.
He will give you a reasonable estimate of what the side stones and melee will cost, and a full labour and metal quote so its not like anything is a surprise if you add the two numbers together. He tells you the cost per carat of melee, so the final end cost within +/- $200 for most designs is pretty accurate I would think. I didn''t ask about a design with large sidestones but I''d imagine upon enquiry you could get a reasonable cost for those as well.

 

[Amethyste]

Date: 4/15/2010 2:37:32 PM
Author: suzannea
I have to put in my comment here- I know this will be unpopular- but I contacted Leon 3X over 3 weeks and asked for a quote (which coincidentally had baguettes channel set into a band)- I received NO response- the only response I received was when I asked for a quote on a setting he had already done and it was the same price as the other settings I was asking about from other jewelers- but his was not including side stones in a 3 stone ring- so I have to say that the quality of work is very nice- but not responding to my request three times and the prices without the diamonds made him someone I wasn''t interested in working with- I also prefer to know the price up front and to get a response.

Kind of the same thing as I experienced....

 

[Treenbean]

I had absolutely no issue when I requested a quote, subsequently, made an appointment and met with Leon. I had looked at approx. 13 million different settings before going with him. I considered Tacori, but the prices were fairly high for the "cookie cutter" setting I would have received. (This is not a dis to Tacori wearers, I just wanted something different)

For the price I am paying I sure I will be quite happy with what I will be receiving. I got to see his work first hand, it is not typical. His work is distinctive and in 100 years when my great great grand-daughter shows the appraiser on Antiques Roadshow my Mege they will know his work and talk about his place in the art that is jewelry.

He is in the "penthouse" but it is not a huge space. He was really polite and charming to my fiance and I, as was Rachel. For some reason I feel like I have to defend him.

 

[Amethyste]

No need to defend him.
It's just like anything in life. Some people will be all YAY and find the same on the opposite of the spectrum.

I am happy that people are satisfied, and love their pieces. THat's the ultimate goal. But I also feel that a lot of people on here do "defend" him when someone post less than positive experience with him. I think it is important to be able to post freely what we gone through so people in the future sort of know what to expect.

His space might not be huge, but it is NYC after all, in the diamond district and on top of a building. That can't be cheap. Customers quotes reflect all of that.

 

[Treenbean]

You are absolutely right. You should be able to post truthfully your feelings and experiences. I know, personally, I won''t buy from ebay vendor that have negative feedback.

I guess take it as it is. Some people have no problem with him and others do. I know I don''t get along with everyone.

You are also correct that his rent is probably more than I make in months of work. NYC is a world away from my lifestyle, but it''s still nice to visit.

 

[Amethyste]

Yes!!! NYC is a fun place to spend a long weekend in.. I agree with you!!!