love Leon Mege can''t afford him period, what to do?

[historychick]

Is there a way to get the leon look without ripping off his designs (which I am not comfortable with)
I really can''t afford more than 2,000 for a setting and would like to stay around 1500 any ideas

 

[swingirl]

Have you gotten a quote from him for a setting?

What type of a setting are you interested in? Post a photo of what you are liking and maybe someone will know of a designer who has something close.

 

[arjunajane]

If you just like the plain solitaire it should be about~$1600. Anything with pave, yup much more..

 

[Skippy123]

People have tried to get the Leon look but it to me it does not look like it. I would save for it if that is what makes your heart sing. Mark Morrell makes gorgeous rings too but I don''t know about his prices.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/22/2008 7:51:21 AM
Author: Skippy123
People have tried to get the Leon look but it to me it does not look like it. I would save for it if that is what makes your heart sing. Mark Morrell makes gorgeous rings too but I don''t know about his prices.

I think I saw ds say he''s higher than Leon.

 

[scarlet16]

What about Maytal Hannah? I''ve seen her name around the boards and I think she has a similar style. But I don''t know her prices.

 

[DiamondGirly]

A lot of people on here love Leon so much that this might get people annoyed but Leon''s classic solitaire is a rip off of the Cartier 1895 in my opinion. In other words, don''t be shy about getting someone to replicate his replica.

I saw a similar setting at JE Caldwell. It wasn''t as rounded around the shank but it still looked nice and b/f I saw the Cartier in person it looked great. I''m not sure of the price but I doubt it was over $1500.

 

[Delster]

I'm getting a LM classic solitaire and I agree it's very similar to the Cartier 1895. I actually prefer Leon's version though, and I don't like Cartier's prices!

Have you considered the Vatché Caroline? That is a very beautiful solitaire that is similar in style to both Leon's classic solitaire and the Cartier. You can get it from Excel Diamonds and they have plenty of good photos on their website. I believe Good Old Gold stock it too. If you search for 'mrsdarlinjoy' here on PS you'll be able to see handshots as she has that setting.

ETA - here is MrsDarlinJoy's thread

 

[LegacyGirl]

Personally I would save up for it. I''m in love with one of his settings and I''m going to get it maybe as a 10th anny present

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/22/2008 7:59:35 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 5/22/2008 7:51:21 AM

Author: Skippy123

People have tried to get the Leon look but it to me it does not look like it. I would save for it if that is what makes your heart sing. Mark Morrell makes gorgeous rings too but I don't know about his prices.

I think I saw ds say he's higher than Leon.

If you're comparing the Flame or Torchiere with diamonds in the head (I don't know about prices for without), then yes, his prices are a couple hundred more than the price for Leon's plain solitaire.

ETA: Of course, that was a couple of months ago and Mark's prices only stay fixed for 3 days after you get the quote, and with the rate platinum keeps going up...I think my post was basically useless.

 

[lisamarie]

Which styles of his do you like? Maybe we can help you find a similar design that''s a bit less complicated?

 

[Miranda]

Save up for it. Get a nice temp setting and when you can afford a Leon, get one. I''ve never seen (apart from Harry Winston) any other designer or custom piece that mimics his style. If you don''t want to wait maybe you could try articulating what element of his designs you love and look for a jeweler or designer that can replicate that particular element.

 

[historychick]

thanks for your posts trying to help guys! In response to a request to post a pic of the setting I like, well I''m not quite sure how to set up a link in this post where the pic shows. I know it''s been done before but let''s just say I am not message board savvy. The image numbers that I like are r970 and r876 under the solitare category.
maybe this will work.... http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=393 and http://wwwartofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=447
if this does not work please let me know how to link to the site thanks for your help everyone

 

[lisamarie]

Date: 5/22/2008 5:40:36 PM
Author: historychick
thanks for your posts trying to help guys! In response to a request to post a pic of the setting I like, well I''m not quite sure how to set up a link in this post where the pic shows. I know it''s been done before but let''s just say I am not message board savvy. The image numbers that I like are r970 and r876 under the solitare category.
maybe this will work.... http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=393 and http://wwwartofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=447
if this does not work please let me know how to link to the site thanks for your help everyone

If it''s the halo look you really like, maybe look into this Whiteflash design in white gold:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Halo-Bezel-Ring-By-WF_940.htm

 

[iheartscience]

The description of the first setting you linked to says it''s part of his "production" line, so it may not be super expensive. Did you get a quote for it? (The second link didn''t work, FYI.)

If I were you, I would probably just go for a cheap setting now and save up for a more expensive setting (Leon, etc.) later on, especially if you''re never going to upgrade your diamond.

If it''s just the halo you love, there are tons of halos out there, but if it''s the Leon halo you love, definitely just save up for his. I don''t think anyone else really can compare, and if they did, it would cost just as much as Leon!

 

[pixley]

Date: 5/22/2008 7:51:27 PM
Author: thing2of2
The description of the first setting you linked to says it''s part of his ''production'' line, so it may not be super expensive. Did you get a quote for it? (The second link didn''t work, FYI.)


If I were you, I would probably just go for a cheap setting now and save up for a more expensive setting (Leon, etc.) later on, especially if you''re never going to upgrade your diamond.


If it''s just the halo you love, there are tons of halos out there, but if it''s the Leon halo you love, definitely just save up for his. I don''t think anyone else really can compare, and if they did, it would cost just as much as Leon!

Ditto thing2of2''s advice. Just call him and get a quote before you rule it out. If it''s too much, save up. There really aren''t any substitutes for his miraculous prongs. The second ring may be more expensive but the first one you posted shouldn''t be too $$$. I think a Leon will be worth the wait!

Cheers,

Pixley

 

[fabcrab]

Which leon design are you interested in? I''m all about saving up for it too and getting a temp simple setting. It took me 2 years (from engagement) to get the tacori setting I want and it was SOOOO worth it.

 

[babysteps]

Hi Historychick - agree with the other thoughts about waiting and doing a Leon setting later if it is totally what you want. I think if you did a simple setting now and knew that you were going to get your dream setting for a special b''day, anniversary etc. it might be preferable to having that "close, but not what I really wanted" feeling. I think a lot depends on the settings, although there are a lot of halos out there I do love the delicacy of his halos/prongs. (My Leon reset was a big anni. gift so I definitely know that waiting/wanting feeling!) Good luck with your ring search!

 

[historychick]

thanks for your input everyone... it looks like I will be saving for what I really want, unless something else really knocks my socks off I don''t think that I will be happy with an almost right ring. After all it''s an important purchase my upgrade will just have to wait a while longer.

 

[bgray]

Leon Mege is not the only top quality bench jeweler. There are lots of wonderful and reasonable custom options out there:I have had great success with Quest as well as Whiteflash and Leon M.

 

[swingirl]

I''m not sure I''d call Leon a bench jeweler. He oversees the work, meet with clients, and the designs are his but my understanding is that he isn''t on the bench anymore.