Leon - better to visit in person?

[spike13]

So...tomorrow hopefully, my diamond will arrive from GOG - whooppeee!!

I have an email quote from Leon for my setting. Now I''m wondering - do I finalize the setting over phone/email or should I travel out there to meet with him in person?

While I''m 99% sure this is the setting I want, I feel nervous without any face to face contact. From the stories I''ve read people have said going there you get the "full" experience and he''s able to show examples. And of course there''s a nagging feeling that perhaps I''ll see or he''ll suggest even something more delicious than the one I picked out. I must admit too that his studio seems amazing so it seems like a little bonus just to get to see all his goodies and such.

The downside is of course the expense to travel to NYC from SF and having to put it off longer but I don''t know when I''ll get vacation time.

Opinions?

 

[spike13]

*bump*

 

[Deelight]

If I could I would but as I live on the other side of the world I can''t.

I guess it is really up to yo would you feel more confident visiting or are you happy to do it long distance

 

[purrfectpear]

If Leon would give you a Saturday appointment (I don''t know if he does?), then you''d only have to travel on Friday and could be home by Sunday. Nothing wrong with a couple of evenings in NYC

 

[darling]

I have the same dilemma and I live in Bay Area also. What setting are you looking at?

 

[lesco]

My INITIAL impression of Leon was very positive. I don''t think you have nothing to worry about with meeting him in person. Things can always go sour but think about it, do you really want to work with someone you are hesitant to meet in person?

I prefer face to face interactions over phone . Traveling to NYC sounds lovely. Maybe you can make a mini vacation out of it.

 

[CKinNYC]

If you can make the trip, I say do it. I don''t think Leon works over the weekend - but he might if ur coming from SF.

The thing with Leon is, as far as I have seen and experienced, he doens''t just accept a picture or description that you give him, and make it regardless of his opinion. If he dislikes or disagrees with a part of the setting, he will take the time to explain why, and suggest an alternative. I don''t know what your setting is like, but perhaps this would be useful - it was certainly useful for me, and I''m not even going for a complicated setting.

He''ll draw and sketch his suggestions, and put them on the work order for you to sign. It''s a fun, collaborative process, and you really feel like you are designing your one-of-a-kind, perfect-for-me ring with him (as, I suppose, you are!).

Now, that''s all not to say that you couldn''t accomplish this over the phone, and via fax/email, b/c you probably could.... but I think it''s worth the trip to do it in person, if you can afford the trip in terms of $$ and time.

Whichever way you go, enjoy it!! I was there last week, and can''t WAIT to get my ring... eh, only 6 weeks to go...

CK

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that is nuts unless you just have an endless amount of extra money. His work is excellent and you have to make a decision of what you want regardless of whether you go or not. I thought at first you lived nearby and were asking if you should drive over there. But the vast majority of us on here who have his rings have done the whole thing by distance. You get your estimate, send the ring, they send you an agreement to sign and return with half the amount, and in about 6 weeks, they ask for the balance and send you the ring. Very easy.

 

[spike13]

Thanks everyone. It really helps to have some more opinions.

Here is the setting. One of my biggest worries is that it look good when it's with a wedding band. With these types of settings I've seen in person small details really make the difference between it looking ok and looking not so good.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=445

ETA - my center stone will be 1.32 - sadly not the 7 ct pictured .

 

[Rhea]

I agree about the small details. I really like the slightly concave shoulders with no extra metal to break up the flow when the ring goes into baguettes. I''ve been casually looking for a stock setting to replace my setting that''s like that and most aren''t that sleek and smooth.

I think it''d be crazy to spend the extra money and time off of work going to NYC to see the setting in person. The internet photos are very magnified so I''m not sure seeing it in person would help any more if you like the style and are comfortable with your communication with Leon.

 

[kcoursolle]

I don''t think you would *need* to travel to leon in order to get a beautiful ring the way you want it. However, if you have the ability and want to...then I think it could be a fun experience.

 

[urseberry]

I think if you''re set on that ring, than it''s not worth it to visit in person. If however you were asking him to come up with a new, custom design, then I think an in-person visit would help a lot.