calling for e-ring help/opinions! and leon mege price help?

[user09876]

Took me only four after joining/finding PS that I had to post my burning questions! This community is so informative and helpful, I'm glad to be posting!

My finance and I have a pretty strict budget and I'd love your help!

So, I've narrowed it down to two (slash three) options that I equally love for lots of reasons:

1. vintage piece--the design lends itself to a smaller diamond without leaving you wanting bigger. this piece doesn't lend itself to a wedding band (which I don't mind too much about). also, I wonder if it's sort of limiting because it's not as versatile as a forever ring (when I'm 50 years old?)


one day I will own/upgrade to...

2. leon mege emerald or asscher cut
https://www.leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/engagement/five-stone-emerald-diamond-engagement-ring-detail
https://www.leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/engagement/five-stone-ring-paris-detail

I think the five stone pieces are stunning--just ice . However, do you think a 1.2 carat emerald or asscher can hold up to the setting? At around 1.2 carats, should I go emerald or asscher for that setting?? Please post hand shots of your 1._ _ carat emerald/asscher rings if you could please! All the LM five stones on PS are 2-4+ carats (gorgeous... I hope one day! )

I've submitted quotes for the setting, but no response. Could anyone chime in to this post or message me separately with your LM setting price range (the labor/platinum excluding accessory diamonds)? My fiance and I will be apart for several months due to work/school and are trying to settle on a ring pretty quickly. I don't even know if LM rings are in my price range given I have no idea!!

Deeply appreciate all advice and comments!

 

[swingirl]

Re: calling for e-ring help/opinions! and leon mege price he

What is the range of your budget for the entire ring (setting and all 5 stones)? $10K—$15K? $15K—$20K?

 

[Christina...]

Re: calling for e-ring help/opinions! and leon mege price he

I'm sure that you've already realized, if you've been out and about shopping, that asschers face up much smaller than some other shapes for their ct weight. So if getting the most bang for your buck is your goal, an asscher may not be the best option. Additionally, step cuts tend to show more body color than brilliant cuts do, so depending on your color tolerances, you may have to increase the color and thus pay the additional premium that incurs. Inclusions are also more apparent in step cuts, so considering a higher clarity is important if you want an 'eye clean' stone. All that said, asschers and emerald cuts are dreamy! I had a 1ct asscher and spent many hours getting lost in it's deep steps! *sigh* I ended up trading for a larger MRB, As beautiful as I thought the asscher was, I was never satisfied with its face up size. I would love to own another asscher, but I would purchase one with a more substantial size, I personally feel that in order to completely appreciate the patterning that I would need a 2ct or larger. You may find you agree and that could be why the only good examples that you are finding are in that ct range.

I had to sort of chuckle when I read that you felt that the setting you posted (the vintage) left you feeling as though you wouldn't want to go bigger. Stick around PS long enough and you will always be wanting something bigger and better! Well, most of us do anyway. When I joined I thought my 1ct asscher was HUGE! It took 6 months before my belly rumpled for something larger. I've convinced myself that I could never go larger than 1.75, but I've recently begun to realize that 2ct stones no longer look too large, in fact they look average to me. Anyway, I guess my point is, if you have any...ANY...thoughts of upgrading the size of your stone within the next few years or so, don't buy a piece from Leon. They are gorgeous...and expensive, and you won't be able to have the setting re-worked to include a larger center stone should you decide that you want to upgrade

I have no personal experience with LM's pricing but I suspect. that the stone (1-1.2ct) and 5 stone setting will run you 10-15k, much of course depends on the quality stone and where you purchase the stone from. I'm sure that others with more pricing experience will chime in and be able to give you an accurate idea of price. If you do decide to work with Leon though, you may want to read about others experiences with him first. It's my understanding that he can be difficult....some people have enjoyed their experiences, others though have chosen to never work with him.

 

[user09876]

Re: calling for e-ring help/opinions! and leon mege price he

swingirl: we're looking at between 10-15k, but more like 10-13k.

Christina: thanks for the reply and thanks for sharing! I totally fear exactly that happening to me. I just want to get it right the first time and then let it be... but I just love step cut stones! It's so hard to imagine what your ring is going to look like and so I go off searching this forum... and then just want shinier, bigger.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: calling for e-ring help/opinions! and leon mege price he

The first design will run you 4-6 K from LM. I also don't think that design is something he would do normally - LM is not "vintage" feel usually.