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Help! Need cheaper version of this Leon Mege Setting

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laurenfischer5

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Joined
May 17, 2009
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Can anyone help me find a similar E-Ring setting thats no higher than $1500 in 18k white gold with at least 1/4 carat in pave? The lower the the better...

perfect rings_5555.jpg
 
oh, And I want it to be no more than 2mm in width...
 
Those are very very close...but not quite there yet. I''ll keep looking. Thanks guys :)
 
This is similar

similarsetting 55.jpg
 
any way you can just wait a little longer and save up and get a Leon original? honestly his pricing really is good for what he offers and he really is a master creating a solid but very delicate ring. I don''t own a Leon ring but have seen them in person and was able to compare it right next to a Michael beaudry and Michael b and his quality was right on par with those designers who are pave masters as well. I just have learned that if you really love something as is, it''s best to just save up and get it right the first time.
 
Date: 5/21/2009 9:56:20 PM
Author: mrssalvo
any way you can just wait a little longer and save up and get a Leon original? honestly his pricing really is good for what he offers and he really is a master creating a solid but very delicate ring. I don''t own a Leon ring but have seen them in person and was able to compare it right next to a Michael beaudry and Michael b and his quality was right on par with those designers who are pave masters as well. I just have learned that if you really love something as is, it''s best to just save up and get it right the first time.
Ditto!
 
Date: 5/21/2009 9:56:20 PM
Author: mrssalvo
any way you can just wait a little longer and save up and get a Leon original? honestly his pricing really is good for what he offers and he really is a master creating a solid but very delicate ring. I don''t own a Leon ring but have seen them in person and was able to compare it right next to a Michael beaudry and Michael b and his quality was right on par with those designers who are pave masters as well. I just have learned that if you really love something as is, it''s best to just save up and get it right the first time.
agreed- otherwise you just keep on collecting sets.. onto #3 for me in 6 months
40.gif
 
Is it the basket you like or the V-cut pave? Leon makes the baskets custom for the stone and it is integrated into the band. That usually means custom no matter who does it. So let us know if that's a detail important to you or not.

I don't know if I've ever seen a gold band at 2mm with pave.
 
Date: 5/21/2009 10:02:43 PM
Author: D&T

Date: 5/21/2009 9:56:20 PM
Author: mrssalvo
any way you can just wait a little longer and save up and get a Leon original? honestly his pricing really is good for what he offers and he really is a master creating a solid but very delicate ring. I don''t own a Leon ring but have seen them in person and was able to compare it right next to a Michael beaudry and Michael b and his quality was right on par with those designers who are pave masters as well. I just have learned that if you really love something as is, it''s best to just save up and get it right the first time.
agreed- otherwise you just keep on collecting sets.. onto #3 for me in 6 months
40.gif
Yep, it never is wise to settle for less than the best quality.
 

Yes, the basket head is what I like most about it. I had planned on getting the setting seperately and buying the diamond from my local jeweler that I trust. Another reason I wanted to buy the setting seperatey is so I could have as long as a gap I needed to save up for a perfect diamond. (There are plenty of diamonds out there I could be happy with but I am super picky with the setting) But it looks like Leon wants the diamond there which makes sense, but isn''t very helpful to be.


Btw, Leon sent we the price quote $2700...for just the e-ring setting. I know its custom, but I still feel like Im being over charged. And thats just and estimate, It could end up being more. And he told me white gold wouldnt be any cheaper because its "more difficult to work with" so the labor would be more - I dont buy that at all. I think he just doesnt like white gold...I mean I''ll still think about it, but I know I can find something almost identical to the setting I like for less.


And I dont see it as me settling at all...

 
Date: 5/22/2009 10:55:02 AM
Author: laurenfischer5

Yes, the basket head is what I like most about it. I had planned on getting the setting seperately and buying the diamond from my local jeweler that I trust. Another reason I wanted to buy the setting seperatey is so I could have as long as a gap I needed to save up for a perfect diamond. (There are plenty of diamonds out there I could be happy with but I am super picky with the setting) But it looks like Leon wants the diamond there which makes sense, but isn''t very helpful to be.



Btw, Leon sent we the price quote $2700...for just the e-ring setting. I know its custom, but I still feel like Im being over charged. And thats just and estimate, It could end up being more. And he told me white gold wouldnt be any cheaper because its ''more difficult to work with'' so the labor would be more - I dont buy that at all. I think he just doesnt like white gold...I mean I''ll still think about it, but I know I can find something almost identical to the setting I like for less.



And I dont see it as me settling at all...


You aren''t being overcharged for what he provides. There is a big difference between a high quality pave ring and a low quality one.

And most of the cost of a Leon setting *is* in the labor-not the metal-so I am not surprised that it isn''t cheaper. For Leon working with gold may be more difficult because his logo is "The Art of Platinum". Whenever someone goes outside their comfort zone to work with a different material it always is a bit more difficult ya know?
 
Date: 5/22/2009 10:55:02 AM
Author: laurenfischer5

Yes, the basket head is what I like most about it. I had planned on getting the setting seperately and buying the diamond from my local jeweler that I trust. Another reason I wanted to buy the setting seperatey is so I could have as long as a gap I needed to save up for a perfect diamond. (There are plenty of diamonds out there I could be happy with but I am super picky with the setting) But it looks like Leon wants the diamond there which makes sense, but isn''t very helpful to be.



Btw, Leon sent we the price quote $2700...for just the e-ring setting. I know its custom, but I still feel like Im being over charged. And thats just and estimate, It could end up being more. And he told me white gold wouldnt be any cheaper because its ''more difficult to work with'' so the labor would be more - I dont buy that at all. I think he just doesnt like white gold...I mean I''ll still think about it, but I know I can find something almost identical to the setting I like for less.



And I dont see it as me settling at all...

You are making a ton of assumptions here! I don''t think that quote is high at all for the quality of work he provides. I think its in line with what I would expect. I haven''t checked the cost of gold latley but for a little while here platinum was actually cheaper. I''m not sure why you don''t "buy" that.

Good luck finding something identical for less.
 
Im aware that the quality of his rings are very good.. Im not doubting that. I just couldnt personally spend that much on my e-ring setting alone. I have an amazing jeweler where I live and I think Im going to talk to him and see what he can do.

The only reason I said that I didnt buy his excuse for not using white gold was because I had already read things about him preferring platinum and being a little snobby about it. So it was kind of comical to me when he said that. I almost wish he had just said, Sorry I just prefer platinum...and didnt even give an option to choose white gold.

Im not personally attacking any of you, so there is no need to get offended. And Im not attacking him either. Some people have had perfectly pleasant experiences with him and some dont. I was just rubbed the wrong way...
 
You get what you pay for. Leon''s quote might be more than you want to pay ... but I don''t think its fair to characterize his price as "overcharging". What you get from a custom piece is very different than a stock casted piece. And for him to work in white gold (an unfamiliar metal) it IS "more work". And the piece wouldn''t be as durable -- so you''d be likely to keep coming back with problems with it ... as opposed to, say, you took the piece in the material it''s meant for : platinum. He knows the history of how those rings hold up to wear & tear & prefers that method.

When you pay someone like that, you''re paying for their expertise, their particular aesthetic, their judgment. When you buy off the shelf from a manufacturer churning rings out by the thousands OF COURSE its going to be cheaper. If that''s what you want ... fine ... but don''t expect the grace & craftsmanship of a designer piece. Something''s got to give.
 
Lauren, I think the quote Leon provided to you is WAY cheaper than what I thought it'd be. His work is second to none and trust me when I say this, between my mom, my sisters, nieces, friends and myself, I've never seen anything better than his. If you can find someone that can do what Leon does for less than what he charges, I'd LOVE to know, but personally I doubt if you could. I live in Asia now where labour in general is much cheaper than in the US but not much cheaper than the price he's given you and trust me, the quality is nowhere near Leon's.

However, if he rubbed you up the wrong way, it's another thing altogether. I'm really very surprised to hear of some PS'ers having bad experience with Leon. I'm not saying I don't believe you or those that have had bad experience with him. Perhaps it's just chemistry. I've had 2 custom jobs done by Leon and numerous other quotes asked and provided, and I've always found him to be courteous, helpful and friendly. In fact, for my BGD diamond earrings, Leon actually went out of his way to provide me with custom posts in PT (when the standard for La Poussette backs and posts was WG) and he finished the work in less than 4 days, all for no extra charge. I've always been very happy with Leon and his work and will continue to use him.

Anyway, good luck with yr custom job. Keep us posted.
 
I think Lauren, is just not comfortable to pay the price that Leon is charging, it sounds like she will be happier in going to her local jeweler which is ultimately her decision and we should respect that. If Leon rubs her the wrong way, yes, that is another story but from her initial post, she just wants to work in white gold and found a Leon setting that she like to replicate.
 
Date: 5/22/2009 11:45:30 AM
Author: D&T
I think Lauren, is just not comfortable to pay the price that Leon is charging, it sounds like she will be happier in going to her local jeweler which is ultimately her decision and we should respect that. If Leon rubs her the wrong way, yes, that is another story but from her initial post, she just wants to work in white gold and found a Leon setting that she like to replicate.
Exactly, Thank you for being understanding..
 
Thank you,
Date: 5/22/2009 10:58:43 AM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 5/22/2009 10:55:02 AM
Author: laurenfischer5

Yes, the basket head is what I like most about it. I had planned on getting the setting seperately and buying the diamond from my local jeweler that I trust. Another reason I wanted to buy the setting seperatey is so I could have as long as a gap I needed to save up for a perfect diamond. (There are plenty of diamonds out there I could be happy with but I am super picky with the setting) But it looks like Leon wants the diamond there which makes sense, but isn''t very helpful to be.




Btw, Leon sent we the price quote $2700...for just the e-ring setting. I know its custom, but I still feel like Im being over charged. And thats just and estimate, It could end up being more. And he told me white gold wouldnt be any cheaper because its ''more difficult to work with'' so the labor would be more - I dont buy that at all. I think he just doesnt like white gold...I mean I''ll still think about it, but I know I can find something almost identical to the setting I like for less.




And I dont see it as me settling at all...


You aren''t being overcharged for what he provides. There is a big difference between a high quality pave ring and a low quality one.

And most of the cost of a Leon setting *is* in the labor-not the metal-so I am not surprised that it isn''t cheaper. For Leon working with gold may be more difficult because his logo is ''The Art of Platinum''. Whenever someone goes outside their comfort zone to work with a different material it always is a bit more difficult ya know?
Thank you, That makes sense...
 
emeraldlover1 and decodelighted - I get what you are saying, but you could have been a little nicer in the way you said it....
 
Date: 5/22/2009 10:55:02 AM
Author: laurenfischer5
he told me white gold wouldnt be any cheaper because its ''more difficult to work with'' so the labor would be more - I dont buy that at all. I think he just doesnt like white gold...
And *you* could have refrained from calling a very popular PS vendor a LIAR. But you didn''t.
 
I said I think - I didnt call anyone a liar
 
Date: 5/22/2009 10:58:43 AM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 5/22/2009 10:55:02 AM
Author: laurenfischer5

Yes, the basket head is what I like most about it. I had planned on getting the setting seperately and buying the diamond from my local jeweler that I trust. Another reason I wanted to buy the setting seperatey is so I could have as long as a gap I needed to save up for a perfect diamond. (There are plenty of diamonds out there I could be happy with but I am super picky with the setting) But it looks like Leon wants the diamond there which makes sense, but isn''t very helpful to be.




Btw, Leon sent we the price quote $2700...for just the e-ring setting. I know its custom, but I still feel like Im being over charged. And thats just and estimate, It could end up being more. And he told me white gold wouldnt be any cheaper because its ''more difficult to work with'' so the labor would be more - I dont buy that at all. I think he just doesnt like white gold...I mean I''ll still think about it, but I know I can find something almost identical to the setting I like for less.




And I dont see it as me settling at all...


You aren''t being overcharged for what he provides. There is a big difference between a high quality pave ring and a low quality one.

And most of the cost of a Leon setting *is* in the labor-not the metal-so I am not surprised that it isn''t cheaper. For Leon working with gold may be more difficult because his logo is ''The Art of Platinum''. Whenever someone goes outside their comfort zone to work with a different material it always is a bit more difficult ya know?
And that was before Neatfreak informed me of this which I completely understand and makes a lot of sense. She just said it in a nicer way that wasnt personally attacking...
 
Date: 5/22/2009 11:55:33 AM
Author: laurenfischer5
Date: 5/22/2009 11:45:30 AM

Author: D&T

I think Lauren, is just not comfortable to pay the price that Leon is charging, it sounds like she will be happier in going to her local jeweler which is ultimately her decision and we should respect that. If Leon rubs her the wrong way, yes, that is another story but from her initial post, she just wants to work in white gold and found a Leon setting that she like to replicate.

Exactly, Thank you for being understanding..


I understand that completely. I think what many of us are trying to say is you just can''t replicate a leon setting for less and expect it to look like the Leon setting.

Lauren, you seem to have a great understanding of the tiny details of this ring which is why I suggested just getting the real thing by the guy who makes it. Most of the time when someone can really detect those minute details they will end up disappointed in something close. If you''ve got a skilled local jeweler who can make it for less and you are happy with the quality and workmanship they provide then there is nothing wrong with going that route and supporting a local business which is good thing too. You will probably still want to get your stone first if they are going to make the bastket style head that is integrated into the ring and not a peg head. you can change the size of the head to accommodate different stone sizes in peg head rings but not in the Leon ring you posted.
 
white gold is harder to work with in general because it's a harder metal than platinum. platinum is softer and more dense which makes it weigh more than white gold. leon settings are made by hand. It's much harder to work in whitegold by hand so his cost analysis is true. cast rings are a completely different ball of wax...(pun intended
3.gif
) many high end designer jewelers do not work in WG at all.
 
If I were doing a ring like this, I would only use platinum.
 
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