Leon and AVCs

[nkarma]

http://www.artofplatinum.com/portfolio/details.php?image_id=612

Isn't this Lovestreet's ring? His wording about "Our artisan diamond cutters produce these rare and unique layouts from time to time" seems to indicate that he supplied the center stone when it is really GOG.

 

[Love Street]

Hi nkarma - that's actually Wintotty's ring (predecessor to mine), made sometime last year, but hers is also an AVC center. However, we also noticed that language in the description and it is new since he re-designed his website (my stone was already there being set, with work order signed, when he changed the website description). Maybe this is his new policy on a forward-going basis? I don't know, but it would be a shame to see some of his designes "reserved" for only his cushions.

I really do think his work is stunning - I took my stone to 23rd Street, Single Stone and considered Maytal, but I felt that in spite of all the experiences I had read about, I would be least worried about the actual design of the ring by taking it to Leon. He definitely nails it when it comes to proportions and curves, even without pave. And his designs are very consistent (even while interactions might not be). Between all of his examples on his website and on PS, he felt like more of a known quantity (warts and all) than any of the other custom vendors.

ETA: I think it's benificial to the PS community to hear both good and bad, and Leon is certainly a lightning rod on here for both. I was very worried about approaching him, and it was initially awkward since I made the mistake of mentioning an AVC before I had bought my stone. I did give Perry a fair shot, he didn't have what I was looking for, and I went with the AVC. After that, the source of my diamond wasn't an issue in our conversations (big relief!). And he was complimentary about the stone and seemed concerned with finding the best setting for it, without reservations. So like cpm said on p. 3, maybe there were no issues because I gave Perry a shot.
And I am very happy with how my ring turned out - I'm not sure I could have gotten the same thing elsewhere and been as confident in the ring's outcome.

 

[slg47]

I loved that ruby ring. It was every bit as fine as any Leon I saw on PS.

what ruby ring?

Here's the link on the ruby ring:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ruby-e-ring.115505/?hilit=amethyste%20ruby']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ruby-e-ring.115505/?hilit=amethyste%20ruby[/URL]

His prices are excellent - a little less than leon's, but I think it all depends on the project and it's complexity. You will not be disappointed with his work. His pave work is impeccable.

ok, WOW, WOW, WOW! Thank you for linking this. This is beautiful! beautiful ruby, and beautiful pave setting. I love the little W detail on the shank...just beautiful

 

[Love Street]

I loved that ruby ring. It was every bit as fine as any Leon I saw on PS.

what ruby ring?

Here's the link on the ruby ring:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ruby-e-ring.115505/?hilit=amethyste%20ruby']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ruby-e-ring.115505/?hilit=amethyste%20ruby[/URL]

His prices are excellent - a little less than leon's, but I think it all depends on the project and it's complexity. You will not be disappointed with his work. His pave work is impeccable.

ok, WOW, WOW, WOW! Thank you for linking this. This is beautiful! beautiful ruby, and beautiful pave setting. I love the little W detail on the shank...just beautiful

Yes, that is GORGEOUS!!! It is very curvy and beautiful too!

Gypsy, please keep us posted on your pricing inquiry!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Steven gets the lines and curves right which has always been my biggest issue! I am going to see if he can make me a matching wedding band. I really want one that sits flush as opposed to mine right now that doesn't. Another one to try ... woo hoo!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I loved that ruby ring. It was every bit as fine as any Leon I saw on PS.

what ruby ring?

Here's the link on the ruby ring:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ruby-e-ring.115505/?hilit=amethyste%20ruby']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ruby-e-ring.115505/?hilit=amethyste%20ruby[/URL]

His prices are excellent - a little less than leon's, but I think it all depends on the project and it's complexity. You will not be disappointed with his work. His pave work is impeccable.

You know, it is sad we did not learn more about this man at that time so we could have been recommending him all this time. Honestly, that is one magnificent ring, Amethyste! Thank you for reminding us!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I must admit though .. just looking at the website ... I still like Leon's prongs better and Leon's rings appear to be more delicate. However, still think he has great potential and I am going to get a quote for a wedding band.

 

[nkarma]

Hi nkarma - that's actually Wintotty's ring (predecessor to mine), made sometime last year, but hers is also an AVC center. However, we also noticed that language in the description and it is new since he re-designed his website (my stone was already there being set, with work order signed, when he changed the website description). Maybe this is his new policy on a forward-going basis? I don't know, but it would be a shame to see some of his designes "reserved" for only his cushions.

I really do think his work is stunning - I took my stone to 23rd Street, Single Stone and considered Maytal, but I felt that in spite of all the experiences I had read about, I would be least worried about the actual design of the ring by taking it to Leon. He definitely nails it when it comes to proportions and curves, even without pave. And his designs are very consistent (even while interactions might not be). Between all of his examples on his website and on PS, he felt like more of a known quantity (warts and all) than any of the other custom vendors.

ETA: I think it's benificial to the PS community to hear both good and bad, and Leon is certainly a lightning rod on here for both. I was very worried about approaching him, and it was initially awkward since I made the mistake of mentioning an AVC before I had bought my stone. I did give Perry a fair shot, he didn't have what I was looking for, and I went with the AVC. After that, the source of my diamond wasn't an issue in our conversations (big relief!). And he was complimentary about the stone and seemed concerned with finding the best setting for it, without reservations. So like cpm said on p. 3, maybe there were no issues because I gave Perry a shot.
And I am very happy with how my ring turned out - I'm not sure I could have gotten the same thing elsewhere and been as confident in the ring's outcome.

I completely agree with everything you have said. I compared the buying experience with him to Russian Roulette in another thread because you are either going to get the greatest thing (an absolutely perfect setting from him or life in this metaphor) or you couold go down burning like many others on here. Not to mention the questionable ethical nature of dealing with someone who is consciously trying to deceive his consumers and bad mouth other reputable vendors.

I got my AVC that is half the size as yours set in his plain solitaire and I don't think I would be nearly as happy with it set in anything else even though it is the most simple thing. His lines and the delicateness of the setting are comparable to none, in my opinion. Because of this, if I ever have some expendable income that I don't decide to travel with (unlikely), then I will consider playing Russian Roulette with him again.

P.S. I absolutely LOVE your ring btw! It is one of the most beautiful rings I have ever seen and cannot imagine a more perfect setting for your perfect diamond. You are one lucky lady!

 

[Amethyste]

I must admit though .. just looking at the website ... I still like Leon's prongs better and Leon's rings appear to be more delicate. However, still think he has great potential and I am going to get a quote for a wedding band.

If you look at my ruby ring - the prongs he did for it are flawless. Remember, most of the time, what is on a website are customer requests and most of them are not PSers that are a little more A retentive on some aspects of a design like we are...

 

[CharmyPoo]

I must admit though .. just looking at the website ... I still like Leon's prongs better and Leon's rings appear to be more delicate. However, still think he has great potential and I am going to get a quote for a wedding band.

If you look at my ruby ring - the prongs he did for it are flawless. Remember, most of the time, what is on a website are customer requests and most of them are not PSers that are a little more A retentive on some aspects of a design like we are...

Your ruby ring is lovely. I think I have a different personal preference for my prongs - I like them to be very sharp and claw like giving off an impression of being strong and cougar like. I know it sounds strange but that is the only description that comes to mind. Based on what I have seen, Steven's prongs while very nice do not match what I have in mind. This doesn't mean he can't because I don't have any experience with him to make that judgement.

 

[Amethyste]

I must admit though .. just looking at the website ... I still like Leon's prongs better and Leon's rings appear to be more delicate. However, still think he has great potential and I am going to get a quote for a wedding band.

If you look at my ruby ring - the prongs he did for it are flawless. Remember, most of the time, what is on a website are customer requests and most of them are not PSers that are a little more A retentive on some aspects of a design like we are...

Your ruby ring is lovely. I think I have a different personal preference for my prongs - I like them to be very sharp and claw like giving off an impression of being strong and cougar like. I know it sounds strange but that is the only description that comes to mind. Based on what I have seen, Steven's prongs while very nice do not match what I have in mind. This doesn't mean he can't because I don't have any experience with him to make that judgement.

I am pretty sure if given the chance and a photo example of what you have in mind, I have no doubt in my mind that he would be more than capable to fulfill your dream of perfect and strong prongs.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

http://www.artofplatinum.com/portfolio/details.php?image_id=612

Isn't this Lovestreet's ring? His wording about "Our artisan diamond cutters produce these rare and unique layouts from time to time" seems to indicate that he supplied the center stone when it is really GOG.

That link didn't work for me, but yes, it is worded to make one thing he supplied the diamonds.

http://artofplatinum.com/vault/inde...&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

 

[crown1]

I must admit though .. just looking at the website ... I still like Leon's prongs better and Leon's rings appear to be more delicate. However, still think he has great potential and I am going to get a quote for a wedding band.

If you look at my ruby ring - the prongs he did for it are flawless. Remember, most of the time, what is on a website are customer requests and most of them are not PSers that are a little more A retentive on some aspects of a design like we are...

thanks for linking your ruby. i think i have seen it here before and commented. i just want to repeat that i think it is lovely and that it was probably difficult to let that one go.

 

[Rhino]

http://www.artofplatinum.com/portfolio/details.php?image_id=612

Isn't this Lovestreet's ring? His wording about "Our artisan diamond cutters produce these rare and unique layouts from time to time" seems to indicate that he supplied the center stone when it is really GOG.

That link didn't work for me, but yes, it is worded to make one thing he supplied the diamonds.

http://artofplatinum.com/vault/inde...&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Interesting how he is quick to put down and bad mouth others yet falsely present our own product as his.

 

[nkarma]

http://www.artofplatinum.com/portfolio/details.php?image_id=612

Isn't this Lovestreet's ring? His wording about "Our artisan diamond cutters produce these rare and unique layouts from time to time" seems to indicate that he supplied the center stone when it is really GOG.

That link didn't work for me, but yes, it is worded to make one thing he supplied the diamonds.

http://artofplatinum.com/vault/inde...&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Interesting how he is quick to put down and bad mouth others yet falsely present our own product as his.

Is it legal for him to do that? I would think not.

 

[Amethyste]

I must admit though .. just looking at the website ... I still like Leon's prongs better and Leon's rings appear to be more delicate. However, still think he has great potential and I am going to get a quote for a wedding band.

If you look at my ruby ring - the prongs he did for it are flawless. Remember, most of the time, what is on a website are customer requests and most of them are not PSers that are a little more A retentive on some aspects of a design like we are...

thanks for linking your ruby. i think i have seen it here before and commented. i just want to repeat that i think it is lovely and that it was probably difficult to let that one go.

Yes.... It was a hard one to let go... But I have a gorgeous pear now - and I didn't want to hang onto it to just collect duct in my box... It's just too gorgeous to not be seen. THank you for the nice comments - It is a spectacular ring!

 

[yssie]

Interesting how he is quick to put down and bad mouth others yet falsely present our own product as his.

Sadly apparently few can be both classy and nurturing of the hands that feed him like you are on this board, Rhino.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Interesting how he is quick to put down and bad mouth others yet falsely present our own product as his.

Sadly apparently few can be both classy and nurturing of the hands that feed him like you are on this board, Rhino.

Big ditto! They are like polar opposites.

 

[CherryBlossom]

I asked this elsewhere but nobody seems to have an answer. Does anyone know if his rings are fully handmade?

We all know that Leon no longer makes the rings himself and that he has a bench do most of the work. What I am wondering is if the rings are completely hand fabricated or if it's done via a CAD/wax/casting. There are certain aspects of some of his rings that simply do not look handmade. I know some do partial casting and partial handmade pieces, Could anyone whose purchased items from him clarify this?

 

[Harriet]

Hi CherryBlossom,

I don't know. But I do have four of his pieces with me to show an appraiser. Can someone tell by looking?

 

[mrssalvo]

CherryBlossom, As far as I know, Leon's rings are still entirely handmade with no wax/casting done. But, I'm no expert and could be wrong or he could have change his business model and started doing it.

Harriet, I would think an appraiser will be able to tell..

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am certain my ring is handmade. Cast rings are more "perfect", and I can see the little imperfections that assure me my ring is handmade. I think his pieces all appear to be handmade.

 

[Imdanny]

Interesting how he is quick to put down and bad mouth others yet falsely present our own product as his.

Sadly apparently few can be both classy and nurturing of the hands that feed him like you are on this board, Rhino.

Big ditto! They are like polar opposites.

Yes, for Leon's website to say that when he does not accept a stone it is because the diamond vendor is disreputable is despicable.

It's not only false disparagement, it's a false pretense for hiding his interest in sourcing a stone.

Ugly.

 

[iheartscience]

http://www.artofplatinum.com/portfolio/details.php?image_id=612

Isn't this Lovestreet's ring? His wording about "Our artisan diamond cutters produce these rare and unique layouts from time to time" seems to indicate that he supplied the center stone when it is really GOG.

That link didn't work for me, but yes, it is worded to make one thing he supplied the diamonds.

http://artofplatinum.com/vault/inde...&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Interesting how he is quick to put down and bad mouth others yet falsely present our own product as his.

Apparently he's very threatened by your work...so threatened he claims it as his own! That is BOLD.

I haven't bought from GOG (yet), but I would have no concerns about working you and your staff because of your presence on PS and the overwhelmingly positive reviews here. I certainly can't say the same about Leon Mege!

 

[Envyme]

Well, I am not 100% sure about the whole "handmade" concept...This is what I have been told by a jeweler who does make things 100% handmade (thus I could not order my setting in Platinum from them)- the term "handmade" is used lightly in the US, and often people use it when they are hand "finishing" an item (polishing, setting stones, etc). But platinum has too high of a melting point to work by hand, where open flame is used on the setting (open flame can't reach the temperatures required to make the metal malleable, but casting can). It necessarily has to be cast ... I believe his (meaning LM) work is handfinished. I was referring to the beautiful work of James Meyer.

ETA: I am not saying this info above is fact-I am no expert LOL this is just what was explained to me

 

[CharmyPoo]

Envyme - I wouldn't trust that jeweller. Someone posted step by step photos of their platinum ring being made not too long ago.

 

[CherryBlossom]

Envyme, rings can be fully handmade, but it's very delicate work and it takes such an incredible amount of time/skill that it simply isn't seen as worthwhile by some vendors, because they would rather just pump out ring after manufactured ring. It's beautiful to see real handmade pieces, they all look different and so delicate. I find these skills to be a lost art, and for personal/political/cultural reasons I think it's so important to support artisans who take the time to learn and perfect these techniques.

I want to point a few things out that simply do not look handmade about LM's and if anything actually show evidence of casting... but I don't want to pick on someones ring. I am willing to go on a limb and say that I do not think these rings are fully handmade, I think they are handfinished, but not fully handmade.

In the work orders that most of you have filled out, does it state that the ring is fully hand fabricated?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Cherryblossom, I really hate to post the imperfections of my ring, but the cathedral sizes joining the basket are not perfectly the same on both sides and clearly were hand done. 100% positive. The basket really needs to be a tiny bit higher,too. Fortunately no one really looks at the profile when they look down at your hand, so it doesn't really matter. My nature is that I want things to be 100% perfect and I had to deal with it not being perfect. I dealt with it by remembering that it is handmade, technically unique rather than a cast reproduction. And it looks good as it is normally viewed.

I do sometimes consider switching to the Tiffany knife edge, though, but hate to do it since it would waste a platinum setting.

 

[CharmyPoo]

CherryBlossom - I don't think anyone has ever called Leon's hand fabrication to question. I know for all 3 of my Leon rings they are absolutely fully hand fabricated. There are slight imperfections. I don't even think Leon's team is even trained on building wax moulds and absolutely .. they don't do CADs!

 

[Amethyste]

Interesting how he is quick to put down and bad mouth others yet falsely present our own product as his.

Sadly apparently few can be both classy and nurturing of the hands that feed him like you are on this board, Rhino.

Big ditto! They are like polar opposites.

Yes, for Leon's website to say that when he does not accept a stone it is because the diamond vendor is disreputable is despicable.

It's not only false disparagement, it's a false pretense for hiding his interest in sourcing a stone.

Ugly.

That's really abominable to read. It is wrong in so many ways...........