Leon Mege Old Miner Diamond

[Maisie]

Please Don't Buy This Ring!!!!!

Lol - I have been dithering about posting this message as I am really scared someone will buy this before I get a chance!!!

I have seen this beautiful ring on the Leon website. I would buy it now but I don't know anything about the diamond thats in it. Does anyone have any knowledge about Old Miner Diamonds? How do they differ from modern diamonds?

It says its off color with a high dome cut and real brilliance and depth..... The photos on the website are really dark so I can't tell what the color looks like in 'proper' light.

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=320

I have been looking at H - I color diamonds anyway but I wonder if this diamond is more like a L or M.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[boston_jeff]

Hey Maisie-- the only person that can really help you out is Leon! My guess is its more like an M, due to the fact that it is an antique stone and is described as "off-color"

Old Miners are totally different from round brilliants-- much more like an antique cushion with a high crown and large culet.

 

[JulieN]

It says that it's O color.

Nice piece. Tiiiny table, high crown, open culet.

 

[neatfreak]

Maisie we looked at that ring too for awhile (don't worry-went with something else) the fact that it's an O made me concerned about the color. If you could see it in person before you buy or if Leon has a return policy I say go for it. But an O has some serious color to it, so only buy it if you really love the color. The stone itself looks really cool though if you don't mind the color.

 

[Maisie]

What does O/I white round diamond mean? Thats what confused me when I read it.....

 

[Maisie]

Date: 4/9/2007 12:03:52 PM
Author: neatfreak
Maisie we looked at that ring too for awhile (don''t worry-went with something else) the fact that it''s an O made me concerned about the color. If you could see it in person before you buy or if Leon has a return policy I say go for it. But an O has some serious color to it, so only buy it if you really love the color. The stone itself looks really cool though if you don''t mind the color.

I really love the setting - I am slightly worried about the centre stone. Would it be an idea to buy the setting and change the diamond? I don''t know if another vendor would do that for me if I bought the diamond from them..... Not sure if they would want to mess with another designers work.

 

[Lynn B]

Oh, Maisie! Whattafind!!!

I LOVE it! Gorgeous, gorgeous ring!

OMC diamonds do have a different look than our modern RBs... I remember my MIL had one that was just TO DIE FOR! If I remember correctly, it was KILLER in bright sunlight, while that is not my favorite lighting AT ALL for my own AGS-0 RB. It was a "lower" color, too... but honestly, that only enhanced its warm, romantic, vintage look - didn't detract AT ALL.

Can you look at some OMCs locally to see if you like the look? OR -- what is the return policy of the Leon ring? Maybe it would be worth having it sent to you for an up close and personal looksie. I bet to see it is to LOVE it!

Keep us posted. How fun!

ETA: Just saw your post asking what O/I meant. I *assume* I is the clarity grade?? My MILs ring also was probably an I clarity... if you looked real long and real close you could see a few "birthmarks" in the stone... but again, just added to its CHARM! That diamond was a beauty and I bet the Leon one is, too!

 

[neatfreak]

Considering that Leon is selling the diamond AND his own setting for under $3,000, I assume that given another diamond of the same size he could make the setting for well under that too? Might be worth a call.

I assume that O/I was a typo and he meant O/P (since all those letters are next to each other on a keyboard). I don't think that anyone would really consider I too off color, so I assumed that it was an O because Leon mentioned that it was off color. Worth a call to him however if you're really interested in it. I did call and talk to him, but I personally didn't like that he attempted to brush off my questions about viewing diamonds before buying, etc. He basically said that people just needed to trust him and that if you bought something from him, it was yours. I don't know if that applies to his ready made pieces, we were talking about loose stones at that point. I think that scared me off from buying a ready made piece from him. I would still do custom with him in the future, but would never buy a stone from him based on his "artistic temperament".

That is why I went another way in the end...but that was just my experience.


ETA: Lynn has a great point. That could be O in color and I in clarity.

 

[Maisie]

Date: 4/9/2007 12:09:45 PM
Author: Lynn B
Oh, Maisie! Whattafind!!!

I LOVE it! Gorgeous, gorgeous ring!

OMC diamonds do have a different look than our modern RBs... I remember my MIL had one that was just TO DIE FOR! If I remember correctly, it was KILLER in bright sunlight, while that is not my favorite lighting AT ALL for my own AGS-0 RB. It was a ''lower'' color, too... but honestly, that only enhanced its warm, romantic, vintage look - didn''t detract AT ALL.

Can you look at some OMCs locally to see if you like the look? OR -- what is the return policy of the Leon ring? Maybe it would be worth having it sent to you for an up close and personal looksie. I bet to see it is to LOVE it!

Keep us posted. How fun!

ETA: Just saw your post asking what O/I meant. I *assume* I is the clarity grade?? My MILs ring also was probably an I clarity... if you looked real long and real close you could see a few ''birthmarks'' in the stone... but again, just added to its CHARM! That diamond was a beauty and I bet the Leon one is, too!

Lol your enthusiasm is great!!! I don''t have anywhere that I can go and look at OMC close up. I live in England and we just don''t seem to have the places you lot do over there! I need to move I think!

I would love to try it and see - If I thought I could change the diamond if I really couldn''t live with it I would be a lot happier. I really really love the setting.

 

[widget]

I almost answered this thread without even going to look at the picture.

I know I''m shamefully biased, but I have so much respect for Leon''s sense of style, (and picking out stones...he as sourced some wonders...) that I bet this old diamond is indeed special.

Otherwise, he wouldn''t have ''acquired'' it and mounted it!

A lot of color? for sure...but that can be delightful in old-cut diamonds.

I hope by the time you read this you''ve at least called him and asked about it. My best guess is that that ring won''t last long.

You''ll only know for sure if you love it by seeing it IRL. Yes, he does have a return policy on finished pieces.

Surely you KNOW what I think you should do!!

widget (Enabler, Par Excellence)

 

[pyramid]

I thought upgrading the stone was going to be an important thing to you, you would not be able to do that with this diamond?

 

[Maisie]

Date: 4/9/2007 1:11:25 PM
Author: Pyramid
I thought upgrading the stone was going to be an important thing to you, you would not be able to do that with this diamond?

Finding a beautiful setting is proving to be much more difficult than I first imagined. It doesn''t matter how much I look, I can''t find anything I love. To be honest its really getting me down. I have decided to compromise. If I buy this ring now I may (or may not) decide later on to buy a completely new ring.... when we have more money to play with. Our budget the way it is doesn''t allow us to buy what I want. I know keeping the money and carrying in saving might seem to be a good idea but I REALLY WANT A NEW RING NOW!!! lol........

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/9/2007 1:11:25 PM
Author: Pyramid
I thought upgrading the stone was going to be an important thing to you, you would not be able to do that with this diamond?

this was my first thought too. I think it''s a gorgeous ring and wouldn''t be too worried about the color in an old cut, I''m 100% sure it''s special and a great price, but if you''re wanting to upgrade and use a trade up policy this wouldn''t be it.

 

[:)]

OMC was before OEC and they are gorgeous - lemme see if I can find a link

 

[:)]

http://www.diamondsourceva.com/Education/Shape/diamonds-shape-old-mine-cut.asp

 

[Kaleigh]

I''d go ahead and get it then. He does have a return policy as widget mentioned. I think you''ll love this ring, and the stone. OMC''s have such beauty and character. I have a 3 stone ring with OMC''s that belonged to my great great grandmother, it was her ering.

 

[:)]

Maisie, it is a beautiful ring - if it helps any, I think that older cuts like OMC actually look prettier with more color to them, I really think it gives them ''character'' and a true antique feel.

 

[surfgirl]

Jumping on the old cuts bandwagon here! Lovely stones. Yes they tend to be not as white in color but they usually make up for it in sparkle and personality.

If you live in the UK, you can surely go to some antique jewelry shops and see older stones in person, to see if you like them. BTW, that ring has been on Leon''s site for quite a while now. I dont think its going anywhere so why not take a little shopping trip to your local antique/estate jewelers and see these stones can look like in person.

 

[kcoursolle]

ooooh, cool ring! I really don''t know much about old cuts, but keep us posted about purchasing the ring!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/9/2007 1:22:56 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I''d go ahead and get it then. He does have a return policy as widget mentioned. I think you''ll love this ring, and the stone. OMC''s have such beauty and character. I have a 3 stone ring with OMC''s that belonged to my great great grandmother, it was her ering.

I agree. since you can''t seem to be 100% happy with a setting this might just do the trick. I really do think it''s a gorgeous ring..

 

[DMBsGirl]

I say buy it and return it if you dont end up liking it. Though personally, I think it would be pretty hard to return a Leon. I didnt even think you could get one of his settings alone for this price!

 

[Maisie]

Thank you for all your replies!

I think I just needed some encouragement

I will get in touch with Leon tomorrow and will keep you all informed

 

[poptart]

*gasp* PLEASE buy that Leon ring... oh my goodness... so gorgeous. Jump on it.

*M*

 

[Miranda]

What a fab find Maisie! I''d love an O colored OMC stone...It is better than an H colored one IMO!

 

[Maisie]

I have just received an email from Leon. The ball - as they say - is rolling!!! Yey!!!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/9/2007 3:02:04 PM
Author: Maisie
I have just received an email from Leon. The ball - as they say - is rolling!!! Yey!!!

YAY!!! Pictures are REQUIRED once you get it!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Maisie, whereabouts are you? I''m in Scotland - we could meet half way if you want to see an M in real life! PM me!

That ring is gorgeous - go for it.

Jen

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/9/2007 3:02:04 PM
Author: Maisie
I have just received an email from Leon. The ball - as they say - is rolling!!! Yey!!!

please do keep us posted...this is so exciting!!

 

[Maisie]

Date: 4/9/2007 4:17:30 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 4/9/2007 3:02:04 PM
Author: Maisie
I have just received an email from Leon. The ball - as they say - is rolling!!! Yey!!!

please do keep us posted...this is so exciting!!

I know!!!!!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/9/2007 4:50:26 PM
Author: Maisie

Date: 4/9/2007 4:17:30 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 4/9/2007 3:02:04 PM
Author: Maisie
I have just received an email from Leon. The ball - as they say - is rolling!!! Yey!!!

please do keep us posted...this is so exciting!!

I know!!!!!!!

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!