Leon Mege or Whiteflash for my Asscher RHR? Reality Check.

[Pandora II]

I thought it sounded a bit steep when you consider that Pokey paid $5k last spring for all that 3 sided pave.

Personally, I didn''t feel I would be happy working with LM. I am looking for a great technician rather than a designer as I''m pretty fixed on what I want. But his work is great - just wasn''t for me.

 

[allycat0303]

Starryeyed,

When I had my ring made about 1 1/2 years ago, the difference between the Leon ring and WF''s price quote was about 2700$ for Whiteflash, and 4500$-4700 for Leon for the exact same ring. I was in agony over this decision. For example WF''s diamonds were ACA, Leon''s were full cut. I didn''t know if it would make a difference, but I was trying to factor all of it in and my head was going to explode. I went with Leon because my guy was rather set on it because he wanted to make sure that it was EXACTLY what I wanted. A few weeks later, another PS member (appletini) had a WF ring made that was similar in style to mine. I thought that our rings were similar, but having never seen hers in real life, I can''t tell if there is a real, worth while difference!

I don''t regret my decision at all. I think my only little annoyance is that we spent so much on the setting, and now I want an upgrade, so a part of me feels that it was wasted

I think if you absolutly love Leon''s ring and this is a forever ring, go with Leon. If you feel confident that WF can make the ring you want and you''ll be thrilled, then go with WF. If you''re set on a Leon ring though, I don''t think you should make a compromise (especially if it''s not a budget constraint). It IS expensive, but if you can afford it, I don''t think it''s a problem. I mean a lot of designer purses are REALLY expensive, and often it''s not because of what material, what labor was used

 

[appletini]

Since Ally mentioned me I'll chime in...

WF made my ring and its beautiful and I get compliments all the time and they were great to work with, but I do secretly wish it was a Leon Mege. The only reason why its not is beause I didn't want to wait 2 months for it. However someday when I get my RHR it will be an LM without a doubt.

If you have the time and the money go for the LM.

ETA: I have seen gingerBcookie's LM in person and it is breathtaking...

 

[starryeyed]

Date: 2/25/2007 6:59:38 PM
Author: Pandora II
I thought it sounded a bit steep when you consider that Pokey paid $5k last spring for all that 3 sided pave.

Wow, Pandora, $5K for 3-sided pave, plus I think the head is all pave too right? This year, LM wants $5500 for what is essentially two sides of pave with none on the head. Sounds like a significant price increase! Thanks for the info.

 

[starryeyed]

Date: 2/26/2007 6:55:07 AM
Author: allycat0303
Starryeyed,

When I had my ring made about 1 1/2 years ago, the difference between the Leon ring and WF''s price quote was about 2700$ for Whiteflash, and 4500$-4700 for Leon for the exact same ring. I was in agony over this decision. For example WF''s diamonds were ACA, Leon''s were full cut. I didn''t know if it would make a difference, but I was trying to factor all of it in and my head was going to explode. I went with Leon because my guy was rather set on it because he wanted to make sure that it was EXACTLY what I wanted. A few weeks later, another PS member (appletini) had a WF ring made that was similar in style to mine. I thought that our rings were similar, but having never seen hers in real life, I can''t tell if there is a real, worth while difference!

I don''t regret my decision at all. I think my only little annoyance is that we spent so much on the setting, and now I want an upgrade, so a part of me feels that it was wasted

I think if you absolutly love Leon''s ring and this is a forever ring, go with Leon. If you feel confident that WF can make the ring you want and you''ll be thrilled, then go with WF. If you''re set on a Leon ring though, I don''t think you should make a compromise (especially if it''s not a budget constraint). It IS expensive, but if you can afford it, I don''t think it''s a problem. I mean a lot of designer purses are REALLY expensive, and often it''s not because of what material, what labor was used

Alleycat, this is great insight. I''m trying to recall - didn''t you have a problem with a diamond popping out? Some quality control issue?

What you say about upgrading is definitely a concern. I love the asscher, but maybe in the future I will want to upgrade. Who knows. This is a great point.

For me, it''s not really a question of being able to "afford" the setting. I am interested in a balance between excellent quality and realistic pricing. I would really like to understand why he''s worth it before I join the cult!

 

[starryeyed]

Date: 2/26/2007 9:21:15 AM
Author: appletini
Since Ally mentioned me I''ll chime in...

WF made my ring and its beautiful and I get compliments all the time and they were great to work with, but I do secretly wish it was a Leon Mege. The only reason why its not is beause I didn''t want to wait 2 months for it. However someday when I get my RHR it will be an LM without a doubt.

If you have the time and the money go for the LM.

ETA: I have seen gingerBcookie''s LM in person and it is breathtaking...

Why do you wish it were a LM appletini?

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 2/26/2007 10:51:18 AM
Author: starryeyed

Date: 2/25/2007 6:59:38 PM
Author: Pandora II
I thought it sounded a bit steep when you consider that Pokey paid $5k last spring for all that 3 sided pave.

Wow, Pandora, $5K for 3-sided pave, plus I think the head is all pave too right? This year, LM wants $5500 for what is essentially two sides of pave with none on the head. Sounds like a significant price increase! Thanks for the info.

it doesn''t surprise me.. they seem to be in high demand so they probably need to increase prices JUST to weed the throng knocknig at their door LOL

 

[appletini]

Date: 2/26/2007 11:24:39 AM
Author: starryeyed

Date: 2/26/2007 9:21:15 AM
Author: appletini
Since Ally mentioned me I''ll chime in...

WF made my ring and its beautiful and I get compliments all the time and they were great to work with, but I do secretly wish it was a Leon Mege. The only reason why its not is beause I didn''t want to wait 2 months for it. However someday when I get my RHR it will be an LM without a doubt.

If you have the time and the money go for the LM.

ETA: I have seen gingerBcookie''s LM in person and it is breathtaking...

Why do you wish it were a LM appletini?

There is just something about the LM, the attention to detail, the quality, its the best pave I''ve seen. Its like the difference between good and great. There are threads for LM custom pieces and WF custom pieces, look through both of those and then make your decision.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 2/26/2007 10:51:18 AM
Author: starryeyed

Date: 2/25/2007 6:59:38 PM

Author: Pandora II

I thought it sounded a bit steep when you consider that Pokey paid $5k last spring for all that 3 sided pave.

Wow, Pandora, $5K for 3-sided pave, plus I think the head is all pave too right? This year, LM wants $5500 for what is essentially two sides of pave with none on the head. Sounds like a significant price increase! Thanks for the info.

everyone has increased their prices. there was a thread last year when plat. really started skyrocking and folks were noticing the stock settings at WF were higher, almost overnight price increases. Pearlmans added a disclaimer on all of their settings to call for current pricing b/c depending on the price of plat. they could be higher too. Add that to the increasing popularity of Leon Mege and you''ve got valid reasons for higher pricing. He''d still be worth it to me..

 

[allycat0303]

Starryeyed,

Well I''m glad I bought up a good point

I think of the reasons that it''s so hard for me to get an upgrade is that we''re going to be taking a hit in terms of the setting (i.e so for me anyways LOST money) I think if my guy had paid for the WF setting, he wouldn''t be looking at 2000$ price loss just on the setting alone.
I have had problems with my ring. Since I''ve had it, I''ve lost 3 stones on it. The first came time it arrived it was missing a stone. We sent it back to be resized and their we''re issues with that (NOTE! DO NOT GET YOUR RING SIZED!!!) I think the sizing might have weakened the pave, or something, because I then lost two more stones on the ring. But I don''t necessarily think that losing pave stones is unique to Leon, as many different pave rings done by different vendors have also lost stones (except for Michael B. I haven''t heard any from him yet....although it doesn''t mean that it doesn''t happen).

To me anyways, when we picked out my ring I was absolutely, 100% sure that this was the ring I wanted. I had dreamed, lusted after Reena''s ring, KNEW it was THE ONE. And I think like the first day I had it...the center stone looked kind of small

But then it becomes a dilemna....we spent so much on the setting....I can garantee that if I had a plain solitaire, this sucker would have been long gone! Or even the WF version, which I found was an entriely reasonable balance between quality and price, I would have been 100% getting an upgrade.

All that being said, we''ve discussed endlessly an upgrade, and I do know that I *probably* would get a Leon, if his quote was reasonable. However, I can''t 100% say for sure that I would because.......uhmm.... you never know....

I think for me, if I was looking for something a little more difficult, for me it was the 3-sided pave, and the halo width size which worried me a lot. I wasn''t confident at that point that WF could make the halo small enough to suit my tastes, wherelse I KNEW that Lovey''s stone (although a larger carat weight asscher) had similar spread as my round, had a halo that didn''t over power the stone. In addition, when we were contemplating my ring, at that point WF hadn''t made many 3-sided halo rings, so I didn''t feel I had an example of a ring they made that EXACTLY was what I envisioned, so I wasn''t confident that mind would be what I wanted. Since then though, they''ve made many more pave rings (appletini''s included) that I look at and say "Yes I would be totally happy with that"

To me it bascially comes down to "this is what I want/expect need to have to ensure my satisfaction with the ring", now who can make this for me? If Leon is the only one that can do it, then I go with Leon. If anyone else can do it (for less), then any one else for less. But I''m not really into the designer things, so that''s just my perspective.

 

[starryeyed]

Hi Allycat - thanks! In my case, the difference amounts to over $3K. This would preclude any upgrades in the future, that''s for sure. There is definitely something to be said for plain solitaires, huh?

The fact that you have had stones fall out is very real (by the way, Ally, I''m so sorry this has happened - I''d be pretty disappointed if I were you

). Even if I never had stones fall out, if I wanted to upgrade and try to re-sell the setting, it could be hard since sizing is such a bad idea. I''d have to find someone who wanted that style, has same size finger, and has a similar size diamond - not promising.

On the other hand, the asscher is very subtle and needs a delicate setting - can WF achieve this or do I need LM? This is such a quandry for me because $3K+ is a huge price difference. I''m probably driving all of you nuts.

Thanks everyone for the advice and Irina for the fabulous drawing!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 2/26/2007 3:15:35 PM
Author: starryeyed
Hi Allycat - thanks! In my case, the difference amounts to over $3K. This would preclude any upgrades in the future, that''s for sure. There is definitely something to be said for plain solitaires, huh?

The fact that you have had stones fall out is very real (by the way, Ally, I''m so sorry this has happened - I''d be pretty disappointed if I were you

). Even if I never had stones fall out, if I wanted to upgrade and try to re-sell the setting, it could be hard since sizing is such a bad idea. I''d have to find someone who wanted that style, has same size finger, and has a similar size diamond - not promising.

On the other hand, the asscher is very subtle and needs a delicate setting - can WF achieve this or do I need LM? This is such a quandry for me because $3K+ is a huge price difference. I''m probably driving all of you nuts.

Thanks everyone for the advice and Irina for the fabulous drawing!

If you are planning on upgrading anytime soon...3k can buy a fairly significant amount of diamond!!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 2/26/2007 3:15:35 PM
Author: starryeyed
can WF achieve this or do I need LM?

starry, it''s also a difference b/t a cast ring and a handmade one. WF casts, LM makes by hand. i think it''s easier to achieve the delicate look with a handmade ring but that''s just based on rings i''ve seen in person made different ways. you''ve got a lot of factors to consider and I know it''s tough, you just need to decide what is most important in the look you want.

 

[allycat0303]

Starryeyed,

Well you're not driving me crazy because I SO understand your pain!

I'm a little confused though, can you describe your ring to me? I've looked at the pictures attached on this thread, and I'm not sure what you want.

Is it the ring with the black background but with a swoopy, curve? How thick do you want each of the split shanks (do you have a mm requirement)? Do you want miligrain on both borders? Or do you like Pokey's ring, but add some miligrain and a little swoop? All of these factors could be important in deciding who to go with.

Also, I don't mean that the setting would be a total loss if you change your mind and want an upgrade, since this is a RHR, I assume you wear jewelery, do you wear gemstones occassionally like sapphires? emeralds? because that setting could be used for another ring if you grow tired of your diamond. My only problem is that I don't wear any other jewelery (I'm talking zilch, not even a watch) so putting anything else into the setting would be a total waste, because I don't wear anything else. I think a split shank with a colored stone is to die for (if not for RHR then for dinner party, as jewelery), so it wouldn't be an absolute waste if your setting can be reused.

**Incidently, I have a Leon Mege, my mom's ring is from WF and I also have an example of Maytal Hoffman's miligrain work with platinum (she made my guy's wedding band because I didn't want to pay for the Michael Beaudry piece) she's also beyond excellent. I don't know if that is a possible compromise for you between WF and Leon.**

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 2/26/2007 3:15:35 PM
Author: starryeyed
the asscher is very subtle and needs a delicate setting - can WF achieve this or do I need LM?

As the judge in the Anna Nicole Smith case quipped "You''re on repeat now!"

You can ask this question in as many different ways as there are WORDS but the answers are gonna be the same ... some say YES, some say NO ... ultimately you have to look at pix from each designer and decide for YOURSELF.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Bottom line for me (spending imaginary money, of course!)....if I have THE final diamond and I want it in an heirloom setting, I''d go with Leon Mege. If I was uncertain about the upgrading part, I''d get the least expensive setting I could find that looks pretty and enjoy my stone until I am 100% sure about upgrading. (That''s what I had to do in reality, because I just wasn''t going to spend $5000+ on a setting when I wasn''t sure about upgrading or the setting itself).

 

[mrssalvo]

starry, utis1 just posted pics of her asscher e-ring from WF over in smtr if you haven't seen it. it might help give you and idea of how yours would look. also, I do agree with DS that if you think you'll upgrade I would wait on spending the $ on a Leon, I'd want to wait until it was a final stone..

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-beautiful-asscher.58559/

 

[Pokey]

You know where I stand

I think if you want pave to look delicate, Leon''s the guy. That said, my fiancee is a big fan of sticking pave on all available surfaces, so if you''re less interested in that, I''d say it makes less of a difference.

 

[Pandora II]

Wink has sent me through his quote which is coming out at around $2735 without the stones. Stones are around £1,200 per carat for F-G VS or $900 for G-H SI. No contest for me - I''ll be going with the F-G VS which he tells me look amazing and are extremely well cut. He''s getting his bench to let him know what the tcw is - I''m thinking it will be around the 0.70 mark tops.

I sent him another email asking about cast and handmade - he can do both, cast is cheaper.

Hope this gives you a bit more of a view re prices

 

[starryeyed]

Hi Pandora. Thanks!

Just checking - was that $1200 or British pounds?

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 2/28/2007 1:00:42 PM
Author: starryeyed
Hi Pandora. Thanks!

Just checking - was that $1200 or British pounds?

ooops, yes that was US$ not GBP. Wink also reckons that it will need between 1.5ct and 3ct of diamonds with the graduation. Sounds a lot more than your estimate. Hmmm, I was rather out on my estimate too - time to give FI a minor heart attack! I'd rather keep it nearer the 1.5 than the 3.

 

[starryeyed]

Ok, so I finally decided.....it only took me a month!

I''m going with Leon Mege. I sent the stone today. I decided that LM''s sense of style and balance will mean that I won''t be disappointed. The handmade pave has a much more delicate look than the cast pave. I think the asscher is very refined and subtle and requires a setting that is also subtle and delicate.

In addition, I decided that I will not be upgrading this asscher anytime soon. I think this diamond is a good size for me and it won''t dwarf my e-ring.

So many people raving about Leon Mege can''t be wrong. I have listened carefully to the advice of everyone and appreciate the candid opinions I have received. At first I suspected massive KoolAid ingestion, but after reviewing a lot of pictures, I think I get it.

I hate to say it, but I also felt a little concerned about some of the QC problems that WF has been having. They have been GREAT to work with for the diamond and I''d totally recommend them.

So now the wait begins!

 

[widget]

Date: 3/13/2007 8:21:59 PM
Author: starryeyed
Ok, so I finally decided.....it only took me a month!

I''m going with Leon Mege.

HOORAY!!!!!!

Can''t wait to see it!!

widget

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/13/2007 8:37:01 PM
Author: widget

Date: 3/13/2007 8:21:59 PM
Author: starryeyed
Ok, so I finally decided.....it only took me a month!

I''m going with Leon Mege.

HOORAY!!!!!!

Can''t wait to see it!!

widget

Double HOORAY!!!

 

[mrssalvo]

YAY starry, I have a very strong feeling you''re not going to be bit disappointed. Can''t wait to see the finished product.

 

[iheartscience]

I always love seeing Leon Mege''s work and the fact that your stone is an asscher cut makes it extra exciting...I love asschers! Can''t wait to see the finished product!

 

[kohdy]

Starryeyed! I think you have made the right decision. The new Ritani setting I ordered for my 1.81 ct princess stone from Bailey Banks and Biddle in Santa Clara, CA cost me almost $4000 after taxes, and I think it is well worth it. I looked at many different micro-pave settings before reaching my decision, and the price difference usually shows in the quality of workmanship. Your stone is a premium quality and deserves no less than the best there is!

I get a feeling that your ring will turn out absolutely perfect. You''ll have to post the pictures of your new ring once it''s done, okay? I cannot wait. I know for a fact that I will be drooling all over your ring...

 

[upgrading mama]

That is a big difference.
Sadly, I do not own anything made by either vendor so I have only seen their work in pictures....

I personally would not go for LM but that is bc I don''t have that kind of money to toss to the wind, lol.

Whiteflash does great work, as represented in many people''s experience.
It''s your call!

 

[boston_jeff]

Date: 3/13/2007 10:27:28 PM
Author: Sophie
That is a big difference.

Sadly, I do not own anything made by either vendor so I have only seen their work in pictures....


I personally would not go for LM but that is bc I don''t have that kind of money to toss to the wind, lol.


Whiteflash does great work, as represented in many people''s experience.

It''s your call!

I know Sophie was kidding, but I do not think you are tossing the money to the wind! I truly believe that the added expense will return better craftsmanship and a piece that you will be happy with forever (without any regret). WF does great work, but LM is really a class above, especially when it comes to micropave. Once I get a stone (which, if you''ve been following, may be happening soon), I will be going to Mege to get a basic solitaire setting, which really may be overkill...

Congratulations on making the decision-- I am the indecisive type and I know how it can feel to be struggling between two options... its going to turn out great!

 

[KristyDarling]

Yay, StarryEyed! Your LM ring will be magnificent! I''m glad you decided to entrust your asscher to the master of pave!