No, the OP wrote:Date: 2/17/2010 11:51:11 AM
Author: kenny
So when LM buys a diamond to set for a client he pays the exact same retail price you or I would?
Leon asked me once to confirm that the prices were indeed the best offered and that he was getting the best online price from his vendor. He made it seem like there was a vendor or middleman this may have been deception, it is mere speculation on who actually earns the markup.Date: 2/17/2010 11:51:11 AM
Author: kenny
So when LM buys a diamond to set for a client he pays the exact same retail price you or I would?
Date: 2/17/2010 12:02:43 PM
Author: Maisie
It strikes me that Leon might have been a bit naughty here. He wouldn''t give a quote based on the new stone, even though the OP had the measurements there. I wonder if he thought that once he had the stone and quoted $5000 that the OP would just think ''Oh well, its there now....I might as well just pay the extra money''.
If Leon had been willing to quote without the stone in hand it would have saved all this time and trouble.
I was a day late to this thread but I didn''t think it would be a problem to give my opinion.Date: 2/17/2010 1:29:48 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
I am sure Reggie is sick of talking about this heartache. It''s done and over with - let''s move on to the next step and find a new setting for Reggie. Theh fun stuff!
Regardless of what some people''s opinions are of Leon, he will continue to get customers because of his quality of work. He will get me as a customer on Friday unless I have horror stories to report after (so far so good though). None of this should really come as a surprise to anyone - it has been talked about frequently on this forum. There are many stories over the years that were far worse than this one. Not only has Leon''s business practices have been called into questions - there are other vendors as bgray has highlighted. We are all entitled to our opinions especially the ones who have actually worked with the vendors. There are always good transactions and bad transactions - just depends on our expectations. I think it is safe to say though .. the chances of a good transaction with the popular PS vendors are higher!
I think one thing is clear and positive thing in this thread. GOG did an outstanding job in supporting Reggie through this service and making sure the diamond is safe and sound.
Nope, he''s worked with smaller stones before. He was fine with me, and my pad sapphire is only 1.5 carats.Date: 2/17/2010 3:26:16 PM
Author: luckynumber
very interesting thread.
here''s the gist of what i''m getting:
leon mege: great artiste, tempermental, amazing work, not a people person. will be nice to you only if he thinks your stone is ''important'' enough (read: big honker), will probably get repeat business as his work is stunning
GOG: smooth operators, great customer service, no stone is too small or too cheap for their time, comes out looking like excellent vendors from this situation, will probably get repeat business due to their great attitude
Date: 2/17/2010 3:16:28 PM
Author: Maisie
I was a day late to this thread but I didn''t think it would be a problem to give my opinion.
Date: 2/17/2010 3:52:45 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Nope, he''s worked with smaller stones before. He was fine with me, and my pad sapphire is only 1.5 carats.Date: 2/17/2010 3:26:16 PM
Author: luckynumber
very interesting thread.
here''s the gist of what i''m getting:
leon mege: great artiste, tempermental, amazing work, not a people person. will be nice to you only if he thinks your stone is ''important'' enough (read: big honker), will probably get repeat business as his work is stunning
GOG: smooth operators, great customer service, no stone is too small or too cheap for their time, comes out looking like excellent vendors from this situation, will probably get repeat business due to their great attitude
LOL. Only on PS would anyone think a 1.5ct pad sapphire is not much to get excited about!! I''m sure it was stunning, no wonder Leon liked setting it!Date: 2/17/2010 3:52:45 PM
Author: TravelingGal
Nope, he''s worked with smaller stones before. He was fine with me, and my pad sapphire is only 1.5 carats.Date: 2/17/2010 3:26:16 PM
Author: luckynumber
very interesting thread.
here''s the gist of what i''m getting:
leon mege: great artiste, tempermental, amazing work, not a people person. will be nice to you only if he thinks your stone is ''important'' enough (read: big honker), will probably get repeat business as his work is stunning
GOG: smooth operators, great customer service, no stone is too small or too cheap for their time, comes out looking like excellent vendors from this situation, will probably get repeat business due to their great attitude
Date: 2/16/2010 3:13:56 PM
Author: autumngems
Another example as to why I will never use Leon.
Date: 2/17/2010 6:12:16 PM
Author: Amethyste
Amen to that.
I got a ''quote'' on a project a little while back. There were too many ''ifs'' that would change the quote he gave me, so I decided to not do business with him. I deal enough with weird and prima-donnas on a daily basis. To deal with him and his ways and pay for that, it''s just not what I am dreaming of... Even if his work is beyond beautiful, I would have a hard time wearing a piece he made if that one gave me nothing else but nightmares...
I am sorry to read your story... The shipping did sound like a cluster $%&^&!
I hope you have a happy ending!
Date: 2/17/2010 3:26:16 PM
Author: luckynumber
very interesting thread.
here's the gist of what i'm getting:
leon mege: great artiste, tempermental, amazing work, not a people person. will be nice to you only if he thinks your stone is 'important' enough (read: big honker), will probably get repeat business as his work is stunning
Date: 2/16/2010 3:54:58 PM
Author: bebe
Reggie, I''m still confused why you didn''t keep the GOG diamond. And I agree, try ERD, they are just across the street from Leon.
Maybe a courier service could have helped you transport the stone.
Date: 2/17/2010 7:22:14 PM
Author: Collee
Reggie. SO happy that you decided to keep the AVC. As mentioned, focus your efforts on finding your girlfriend’s dream setting. If the stone and setting are within budget than GREAT. If under budget than decide at that point how to allocate the additional funds (upgrade stone, save for bands, wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway etc.)
Enjoy the setting search. Take your time and be patient. Can't wait to hear the progress reports!
I suspect not a large enough budget for a Mc² setting, but agreed a great place to look.Date: 2/17/2010 9:43:40 PM
Author: pixley
reggie - Thank you for posting your story and sharing your experience. It''s good to hear all of the Leon stories, as it helps everyone brace themselves for any side of Leon that he happens to present. In the end, you have to do what''s right for you and your budget.
One other design team that has AMAZING designs, which many of us have lusted over, but I don''t think anyone has commissioned yet is McTeigue and McLelland: http://www.mc2jewels.com/gallery/. They work with diamonds and have a lot of extraordinary sapphire rings, so you may want to have a look through their ring gallery and if you like something, give them a call and see if they are able to work within your budget. I think ~4,000 is a pretty substantial setting budget and if this is a stone and setting ring that will not be upgraded, it would be worth it to go with a special setting. Best of luck and keep us posted!
Pixley
Gailey - I would be looking for a blue sapphire. Knowing that some people would be very willing to help does feel good to hear. Once I have narrowed everything down more I will post on the colored stones forum if needed. Thanks!Date: 2/17/2010 10:02:45 PM
Author: Gailey
I suspect not a large enough budget for a Mc² setting, but agreed a great place to look.Date: 2/17/2010 9:43:40 PM
Author: pixley
reggie - Thank you for posting your story and sharing your experience. It''s good to hear all of the Leon stories, as it helps everyone brace themselves for any side of Leon that he happens to present. In the end, you have to do what''s right for you and your budget.
One other design team that has AMAZING designs, which many of us have lusted over, but I don''t think anyone has commissioned yet is McTeigue and McLelland: http://www.mc2jewels.com/gallery/. They work with diamonds and have a lot of extraordinary sapphire rings, so you may want to have a look through their ring gallery and if you like something, give them a call and see if they are able to work within your budget. I think ~4,000 is a pretty substantial setting budget and if this is a stone and setting ring that will not be upgraded, it would be worth it to go with a special setting. Best of luck and keep us posted!
Pixley
Reggie, do you want a white sapphire or a blue sapphire? Either way, if you want to investigate the sapphire route, please start a thread on finding a sapphire over on Coloured Stones. A number of members have some simply stunning sapphires and would be very willing to help you find your dream stone and guide you through the process (with is almost diametrically opposed to buying a diamond).
Good luck!
Date: 2/17/2010 9:14:39 PM
Author: reggie
Date: 2/17/2010 7:22:14 PM
Author: Collee
Reggie. SO happy that you decided to keep the AVC. As mentioned, focus your efforts on finding your girlfriend’s dream setting. If the stone and setting are within budget than GREAT. If under budget than decide at that point how to allocate the additional funds (upgrade stone, save for bands, wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway etc.)
Enjoy the setting search. Take your time and be patient. Can''t wait to hear the progress reports!
Collee - I''m sorry I gave you that impression. Looking back at what I wrote before I can see how you got that idea. My example was a condensed version of the conversation I had with Jon at GOG a few days ago. I did tell him I would like my diamond refunded and that process has already been implemented by them.
As for setting''s I am still looking. If I go the sapphire route and don''t have it in a halo a James Meyer setting with a cushion sapphire seems absolutely perfect. I love the profile of that setting and it basically shows the beauty of that stone without detracting from it at all. This could easily turn into a rhr in the future if she wanted (the girlfriend likes this idea). I am still looking for settings with a halo for a sapphire or diamond. I have a few possibilities but nothing official yet.
I do know that the cut of the diamond/sapphire will be square in shape. It will probably be a cushion or asscher cut but it depends on the setting I think.
I should probably end up starting a new thread once I have everything nailed down more. My biggest concern really is the time it will take me to find a good sapphire. It’s not like a diamond where you can basically find something in a day if you know what you are looking for. Because of this I could drop the whole sapphire idea and focus my efforts on a diamond.
Thanks again for everyone’s positive and constructive criticisms of everything. I really do appreciate it.