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Leon Convo...Hmmm...

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CrookedRock

Brilliant_Rock
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Firstly, thanks to those who replied to my questions about Leon Mege. I actually got to speak to him twice today!
I sent him the pic of the ring that I originally fell in love with, and quite honestly, well... He tore it apart!
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I will say thought that I agreed with many of the things he said about it once he pointed them out to me. I little hear breaking since I have loved this ring for over 2 years, and finally I have the chance to get it...

In short.... I don''t have the stone yet. I am narrowing them down from a very long list I have to chose from. Leon told me that I was kinda going about the whole process all wrong bc I don''t have the stone yet. I tried to explain to him that I like to envision the whole picture before I jump into anything. We laughed about the fact that we are both designers (Interior Designer here) and how we saw things so different. In my head it is hard for me to grasp what he was talking about, so I begged him for a sketch, and he wouldn''t do it!! (I even offered to pay! LOL!) He didn''t want to put ideas in my head of what the stone should be, and he wanted me to fall in love with one. That makes me SOO Nervous! I don''t want to spend all this $$ on a square Radiant if it turns out that a Rectangular Radiant will suit the design better... Does anyone see where I am coming from?

I feel a little frustrated with this whole process. I really want to envision the whole thing before I make such a large investment... Anyone have any input on this scenario?
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Gosh I don't know. Do you have a picture of the setting you love?? I would like to see it. I do think you need to find a stone 1st. I think the other way around would be more difficult (not fit the setting, etc).
 
I would also be interested in seeing the setting that you love(d). I just went through the whole design process with Leon - he received my signed work order and deposit today, so work will now begin! He also did not like elements of the design that I had loved for a long time, but given the reasoning that he gave I think that what he and I came up with will be much better.

Post a photo of the setting that inspired you - it might help us.
 
Ugh... I have held off on sharing this with you guys for so long now bc I really wanted to wait til I actually had it. Let me say that I still do love this ring. As you can see I am not a traditionalist, and I know that most of you will not like this. And that's totally fine... espicially now bc I think it will be so different once it is done. I would love any feedback or design ideas that you have.
~Bem3231... Congrats on you Leon project! Just curious how long he told you it would take to be finished?

Let me just add that in person this ring is much more dainty than it appears. The original jeweler we worked we actually had him add a second row of pave to the sides bc I didn't want it so thin...

PScrookedringpic.jpg
 
crookedrock, I think most folks here always find the stone first just b/c you really do need it in order to make the setting to the specs. I would suggest going to some jewelers where you can try on the different shapes and see if one really does speak to you. I went to a jeweler the other day and was just so surprised how many settings that I love on this site or find online and think I''d like, I just don''t when they are on my hand. and settings i''m always kinda not sure about, I end up still loving. So, I think getting out there and seeing the stones, in the different sizes, even loose in a crooked holder
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will really help you know which speaks to you. Then once you know that you can get your stone and have Leon make the appropriate setting...
 
Well, looking at that photo, I'm not surprised that Leon didn't want to do that design...it's not "him" at all. Leon is an artiste and you have him make a ring if you love HIS existing designs. He's usually open to altering his designs if he can see where you're coming from, but I wouldn't bring him a design so radically different from what he does and expect him to do it because it's not indicative of a LM design in the first place. But, that doesn't mean you cant find someone else to make it up for you.

That design is actually quite contemporary and I'm sure you could have a local jeweler do it up for you. I think for something like that, it's better to find an excellent benchman to make up exactly what you want, not an artiste who will want to change it up to suit their own aesthetic vision.

Someone (pauly) just had a lovely ring made by GreenLake in Seattle and they might do that design for you. It's worth asking. I know he showed them a photo and they created a similar design for him to suit his stone, which was different that the photo that inspired his design, so they're clearly willing to work off other designs.
 
I have my heart set on a Radiant. Although I have become a lover of cushions from all the time I have spent here! LOL! Love the crushed ice look...
I guess my biggest concern would be square''er'' vs more rectangular. I really am a whole vision person. I can not buy a stone without knowing how it will be set. I am going to try to get 2 and fly them to NYC to come to a design conclusion then buy one of them. I have tried on many settings and when I tell you that this is the one and only ring I have ever actually stopped and put back on I am not kidding! We both just love it!!! I do want to see his take on it though. I just wish he would throw a sketch my way so I had some idea in my head...
 
Date: 1/18/2008 10:35:21 PM
Author: surfgirl
Well, looking at that photo, I''m not surprised that Leon didn''t want to do that design...it''s not ''him'' at all. Leon is an artiste and you have him make a ring if you love HIS existing designs. He''s usually open to altering his designs if he can see where you''re coming from, but I wouldn''t bring him a design so radically different from what he does and expect him to do it because it''s not indicative of a LM design in the first place. But, that doesn''t mean you cant find someone else to make it up for you.

That design is actually quite contemporary and I''m sure you could have a local jeweler do it up for you. I think for something like that, it''s better to find an excellent benchman to make up exactly what you want, not an artiste who will want to change it up to suit their own aesthetic vision.

Someone (pauly) just had a lovely ring made by GreenLake in Seattle and they might do that design for you. It''s worth asking. I know he showed them a photo and they created a similar design for him to suit his stone, which was different that the photo that inspired his design, so they''re clearly willing to work off other designs.
Thanks for the reply...
Leon and I actually had a great convo about all this, and we both def want to work together... He''s actually excited to come up with a unique design for us. And I do believe that in the end we will come to a conclusion... Just wish I knew more of which direction he was thinking... And I do love his designs! Just like to have one of a kind things...
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Date: 1/18/2008 10:35:21 PM
Author: surfgirl

Someone (pauly) just had a lovely ring made by GreenLake in Seattle and they might do that design for you. It's worth asking. I know he showed them a photo and they created a similar design for him to suit his stone, which was different that the photo that inspired his design, so they're clearly willing to work off other designs.
CrookedRock, I was just looking at GreenLake's website and saw a setting similar to the one you posted so I would go browse what they have on their website. The one I see is under antique and the asscher cut sort of same design elements.
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THanks for the Greenlake suggestion! I am looking through their site... Maybe it's bc their site isn't so great but their stuff does not jump off the page as much as Leon's does. Don't get me wrong, It looks fabulous!!! I kinda just have my sights set for the man
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. Also I do want to go and meet him and discuss the design and even pick it up in person, and being in FL it is much easier to go to NYC than Seattle.

This is the leon that we love!
http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=281


Oh and he also mentioned a Radiant without a culet... What on earth? Can someone show me or explain... Would it be as sparkly?
 
Just like to have one of a kind things...
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Well...I can understand that but, once he makes something up for you it''s going on his website and anyone else can order one just like it so...it might not be one of a kind anymore...y''know? I know if it was me, I''d go to someone whose designs were more similar to what I really wanted, especially if you love that design as much as seem to(and if you truly love that ring why would you want someone to change the design that you''ve loved for 2 years? I''m just curious)...I''d also need a sketch to give approval...but that''s just me.
 
Hi Crookedrock...

First, because you asked, Leon gave me a timeframe of 5 weeks to completion.

Next, I will add a little about my experience working with Leon. Firstly, as you probably have already been able to sense, he is extremely accommodating and open to discussion about various designs. He is also remarkably humble for someone who is so sought after in a ''flashy'' market. Anyway, long story short, I met him twice - the first time just to have some very preliminary discussions and meet him because I had flown to NYC to look at some stones (I live in Canada), and the second time once I had purchased my stone to come up with a definite design. He told me the same thing that he told you - buy the stone first. I respect the fact that he wants his clients to have stones that they truly love without being influenced by him. That said, from our discussions I do know that RB''s are not his preference, and he is *very* anti-fluorescence. Anyway - I ended up with a RB regardless (I knew that''s what I wanted from the start), but I think that you should take his advice and find a stone that you truly love.

I think that Leon''s reputation as a visionary ''artiste'' is overplayed to his detriment. I say that because I went into meeting him with a preconception that he would want a wide berth in creating any piece that he was commissioned for. My experience was quite the contrary. The ring that I brought in was a Tacori - the one that was in ad campaigns for a long time with the twisted pave shank. He told me that in his honest opinion there were many design flaws to that particular setting, and he pointed them out and explained why he felt that way. That said, he also flat out said that he would do an exact copy of that Tacori if that''s what I wanted. Given that I''d decided by that point that I wanted a Leon and *not* a Tacori (there were things about the Tacori that I really didn''t like once I saw it in person), I worked with him to fit the elements that I liked most about the Tacori with design elements that I liked from his work. I went into our meeting with a photo of the Tacori that had inspired me, but also with many photos of pieces from his website and I pointed out little details of each that I liked. We worked on a design that I think will be *way* more beautiful than the Tacori. I will also add that Leon would not provide me with a written quote until he''d actually received my stone.

Anyway, to wrap it up, I would suggest based on my experience that you do look at enough stones to know what shape you want exactly, and then find a stone that you love, and then I know that Leon will be more than accommodating in working with you to come up with an extraordinary design. When I met with him the second time we did sit down and he did sketches - not necessarily a perfect sketch of the whole ring, but he sketched out different elements of the ring, and also provided me with a printout of a design from his portfolio to highlight a particular detail. That said, I do not know *exactly* what the ring is going to look like when it''s done, and that is part of my delicious anticipation, the part that will make it a true ''Leon experience''...

Good luck to you and keep us posted!! I will also add that Leon would not provide me with a written quote until he''d actually received my stone.

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Date: 1/18/2008 11:05:17 PM
(and if you truly love that ring why would you want someone to change the design that you''ve loved for 2 years? I''m just curious)...I''d also need a sketch to give approval...but that''s just me.
This was the original ring that I fell in love with when it was redesigned for me the first time we did change some things. I guess I just really love the 45 degree angle. I think it''s nice to get someon else''s take on things. Espicially someonewith such a reputation!

And thank you... I was starting to think I was crazy for wanting to envision the Big Picture before the Big Purchase. And now I am wondering if Ishould be considering Cushions to do an east west setting with like the one I posted from his site.

Oh and he Does Not put everything he does on his site, and he will not if we don''t want him to... And like previously mentioned it is not his normal style so it would not make sense for him to advertise it.
 
BEM! Thanks so much for all the info!!! To be honest I haven't even brought up money with him, other than trying to bribe him to give me a sketch...LOL! I saw the stats on your amazing stone, and I am sure that you agree that once you have purchased a stone such as that, the setting price was not going to really matter... Espicially bc I have continously read that he is so reasonable!
I guess I am just crossing my fingers and hoping that 1 stone will speak to me and I will have to have it! I am just nervous at this point bc I always thought I wanted a Radiant bc of this setting, not cushions are really intriguing me!

I absolutely agree that even just speaking to him over the phone and through emails today he is nothing like I thought he would be considering what I have read and the reputation that proceeds him. He really was incredibally accomidating! And I have faith that no matter what I will love the design in the end. I feel like flying to NYC tomorrow and just cornering him bc I am so anxious to pick his brain!

Thank you for sharing your experience, it sounds quite similar to mine! And congrats!
What have you figured out about his different types of pave? For example...what is this one? http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=163

And did he give you a quote on the single cut stones vs the double cut? And did you see them in person and notice an amazing difference?
 
I think that Leon would definitely do a ''sketch before giving approval'' (similar to what I described from my experience) as part of the quote / work order process. I think the issue is that he''s not willing to do sketches prior to determining a quote, for which he needs information on the stone. I would imagine this is more a function of having to prioritize his time for clients who are in a position to move ahead with getting a quote. On his website he states that he will not discuss design until you know what stone you will use, I believe.
 
The way he put it to me was that he didn''t want to influence my decision on what stone to get bc I should LOVE the stone and not buy it to fit a setting... I get that... BUT... Once again I will say... I am a Big Picture girl!
 
Thanks, Crookedrock!

We are doing brightcut pave - just on one side because I want to wear a wedding band with my ring (and I got his ''blessing'' to do this based on my design!). No, I did not look at single vs. double cut. Can you tell me more about that?

And, in my opinion, his prices are *very* reasonable.
 
We are doing brightcut pave - just on one side because I want to wear a wedding band with my ring (and I got his ''blessing'' to do this based on my design!). No, I did not look at single vs. double cut. Can you tell me more about that?

And, in my opinion, his prices are *very* reasonable.
NO... I was hoping you could! LOL!
YOu can read about it here... towards the middle of the page the paragraph begins with.... Typically each stone...

Do you have a pic of brightcut pave? And did you see a few options in person at his store?
 
Was there supposed to be a link in your last post re: reading about the double cut?

The photo that I used to reference the type of pave that I wanted was this one, so I presume that this is brightcut pave.

r939_051Wwb.jpg
 
Thanks for that, Crookedrock. I know that I am not getting single cut because this was not discussed (I also do not want to wait weeks for it to come in perfectly matched from Europe!). However, I''m also thinking that perhaps there''s a difference between micropave and pave? On my workorder for the shank and head ''pave'' is checked rather than ''micropave''. My understanding from the article is that single cut applies to micropave rather than pave genrally? Are you as confused as I?!
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Hi Crooked....

First off, let me start this note by saying I''m sure you''re not going to like what I have to say about this...

You have been waiting for this ring for a long time. It seems to me that you''ve spent almost a year designing and planning and looking.... and I personally don''t think that you should compromise on the ring you want to work with a certain designer.

I know you respect and love Leon''s work...as many women on this site quite obviously do...and his work is beautiful, it is special...but, with that said...if you''re already having conflict with him over basic design elements and time lines...I would seriously reconsider moving forward. Like I said, Leon''s work is very well recieved and very beautiful...but maybe it''s not for you. You can always revisit Leon for other peices over the years...like a RHR or whatever...

The ring you have wanted is stunning, it is an element of design and creativity...it has a very "one off" quality to it. If you really want that for yourself, I would consider meeting and entertaining the idea of perhaps finding another designer that shares in your ideas as opposed to being set in his own. As a designer yourself, you would want a client to have the room of her dreams--and your vision should be secondary to that.
 
Yes! So confused...

What I got from it was that pave was just covering the surfave with small stones that may vary in size in order to create a random but pave look. Micro is using all the same size stones and they are smaller than pave stones, and they are set in a honeycomb pattern? Did I get wrong?

AHH!!!
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So many decisions!!! I knew imagined this project being so tough! I know it will be worth it in the end!
 
Yes! So confused...

What I got from it was that pave was just covering the surfave with small stones that may vary in size in order to create a random but pave look. Micro is using all the same size stones and they are smaller than pave stones, and they are set in a honeycomb pattern? Did I get wrong?

AHH!!!
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So many decisions!!! I never imagined this project being so tough! I know it will be worth it in the end!
 
Hey ItalianHairColor!!!

Again I am so glad you posted your beauties!!

I completely agree with everything you said! Luckily Leon said it too! He without hesitation said... Look, if this is the ring that you love I will make it for you. If you want to consider other options, which I think you do bc you contacted me, then we will explore other options. In the end this is YOUR ring, you have to wear it.
When he said that I literally breathed a breathe of relief. He really does want the client to be happy...
Just to give you an idea of his things he didn''t like, so maybe you will understand, bc I did when he said it...
-there is too much metal on the band...why so much needed?
-he doesn''t like the 2 square prong thingies on the top...I actually like them. it makes it so no part of the ring really sticks up.
-he didn''t like its bulkiness... I understand that, but he likes really thin, which I think is gorgeous, just not practical for me.
and a few other things...it''s late can''t remember everything!
That being said... If I go there and we can''t come to an agreement on a custom setting incorporating some elements of this ring and some of his that I adore then this will be what he makes for me. But I am always open to suggestions! You have great taste... Do you have any?
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Crooked...

I like that Leon was open to "appeasing" you...because your happiest is by far the first and foremost consideration...

But as far as where you should go from here...I really believe that if you love that ring...if it makes you feel bubbly, and excited, and thankful, and loved...then, that is the ring for you.

When Mark (my husband) and I were looking at rings, we were very set on what we wanted because to us it wasn''t just about a rock in a bit of gold or plat, it was really seriously a reflection of us and our love and I was going to be wearing this every day for the of my life.... So, we visited many jewelers and they often tried to convince us of changing our minds...we didn''t.

In the end, it was lot more work to get where we wanted to be...but worth everything it took.

I really believe you''ll know when you find the ring you''re meant to have...and once you know, go for it...accept no substitutions!!!!
 
UPDATE!

Just wanted to update those of you who were so helpful. We went out looking at diamonds today, and being that we are in the Palm Beach area we decide to head over to Worth Ave... (If you don''t know what that is, just think Snooty!) Anyway. I feel in love with cushions. They really took my breath away! And I am now very excited to start working towards an amazing Cushion Ering. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Or suggestions on settings that have caught your eyes... I still plan to work with Leon, and I emailed him to let him know the change. I think he will be excited bc he mentioned that personally he would take a Cushion over a Radiant and an Asscher over a Cushion.
I will say though, the info on cushions is in depth! Although there is not a ton of it, what there is is mind boggling!!
 
congrats on finding the stone shape you love. cushions are amazing and difficult to pinpoint. are you planning on finding one locally or using a PS vendor? tons of wonderful cushion settings out there as well.
 
Date: 1/19/2008 10:02:32 PM
Author: mrssalvo
congrats on finding the stone shape you love. cushions are amazing and difficult to pinpoint. are you planning on finding one locally or using a PS vendor? tons of wonderful cushion settings out there as well.
Thanks for checking back! Thanks, I was really blown away when I put the first one on my finger. It''s a really good feeling to see something and just know you have to have it. As far as where we are purchasing the stone... This is where the long story comes into play. I actually met a guy in Vegas who ironically happened to be the diamond wholesaler (I know PS hates that word) for the jeweler we were originally planning on using. By going through him we are even below internet pricing, so I have to go for the best buy! And he is personally flying whatever stones we chose down to us in FL., so it makes our lives easier!

As far as a cushion goes, do you have any thoughts? I started this thread, but haven''t had any replies yet..
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-experts-stats.76749/
 
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