Maytal or Leon

[MsSparkle]

My boyfriend is working with Mark at ERD to purchase a 1.2ct ish cushion. We would like to get a custom setting similar to the Daniel K Split Crown ring but not exactly the same. Some key features we would like are the claw prongs, one sided pave, a very tiny split, and a thin band (around 1.5 to 1.8 mm). My ring size is around 3.

I have read a lot of positive feedback on both Maytal and Leon. I enjoy both their work and have trouble picking between them. Has anyone worked with both of them and can provide specific comparisons? I would like to know how their workmanship compares and perhaps prices (if you feel comfortable sharing). I understand that Leon may sometimes be difficult to work with while Maytal is very pleasant. I am not sure what that translates to in terms of getting the ring we want. I care about the quality of the bling and not so much the box (can be replaced easily).

Any advice on who we should go with?

 

[dutchflowers]

Hi MsSparkle,

I''ve only worked with Leon, but I thought he was great. My ring has some of the components you are looking for... thin shank, claw prongs and split shank. Leon executed them wonderfully.

Here''s a link

 

[arjunajane]

Hi MsSparkle
I have not worked with either, so I hope no one minds me posting.
From what I have read, if you are particular about what you want, Maytal may be the way to go.
If you are happy to be a little open to letting the jeweller go with their vision then of course Leon will be fabulous.
The only reason I say this is because you mention the Daniel K setting - I understand Leon may not like "inspiration" pics. And you mention quite a few details you would really like.

Please nobody fry me for this, I am only basing on reviews.

 

[MsSparkle]

Thank you to all those who replied. I know there are many of you who have actually worked with these two wonderful designers. Maybe a public forum isn't a good place to ask the question. Thanks so much!

 

[CKinNYC]

Don''t mean to threadjack, but Dutchflowers, your ring is BEAUTIFUL!!

I worked with Leon, and was very happy with the result. He really listened to what I wanted (though it was a fairly simple design).

CK

 

[October2008bride]

I''m sure it will be beautiful! Honestly, from the work I''ve seen, I''d actually ask Mark to quote you on the setting! I think that some of the pieces he''s done on here are just as nice as Leon/Maytal, and it would be nice to have them done in the same location.

OR you can have Mark deal directly with Leon. However I would first have him take a stab at it.

 

[MsSparkle]

I appreciate everyone''s comments. I must say I am a little disappointed that I didn''t get replies from people who have worked with both of them (I know they are here!). It is too bad that there is no private messaging capabilities on Pricescope.

Mark is wonderful in finding diamonds and custom setting work is good too but I have always been blown away by Maytal and Leon''s work. We were actually going to go with Maytal until I read a post where the person said she was disappointed in the claw prongs.

 

[cara]

Which designer has made settings that appeal more to your eye? That is really the best testament, apart from evaluating other parts of the experience such as customer service issues and quality control.

I haven''t worked with either but I have lurked on pricescope for several years now and think you will do best searching for old threads where psers report on their experience with either designer and post the goods. Many of these folks may not post currently and yet have valuable contributions to make to your decision.

Look for thread''s on Ellen''s aquamarine by Leon to see if you are bothered enough to look elsewhere or are prepared to put up with much for the beauties he usually produces. There are other threads with imperfect Leon experiences, but he also has a much longer track record here on PS than Maytal.

As for Maytal, I have seen some beautiful work by her and would consider her for many kinds of pieces... But if I wanted claw prongs and superthin, I would go with Leon based on their work posted on this site. I trust his eye with that stuff, it all comes out totally fabulous. And he does do custom. He might not let you micromanage it, so there is an element of trusting his eye, but what you want sounds right in line with his eye from your brief description.

 

[Demelza]

Date: 8/9/2008 7:59:39 PM
Author: MsSparkle
I appreciate everyone's comments. I must say I am a little disappointed that I didn't get replies from people who have worked with both of them (I know they are here!). It is too bad that there is no private messaging capabilities on Pricescope.


Mark is wonderful in finding diamonds and custom setting work is good too but I have always been blown away by Maytal and Leon's work. We were actually going to go with Maytal until I read a post where the person said she was disappointed in the claw prongs.

I'm quite sure I'm the person you're referring to who was a little disappointed in the prong tips on my Maytal ring. I will be posting pics of my ring in the next day or two, so you can see for yourself whether the prong tips are a deal breaker for you. Leon is known for incredibly pointy claw prongs and only Leon (or his benchpeople) can do Leon prong tips. Don't go to Maytal hoping for a Leon. I too was deciding between Leon and Maytal and went with Maytal for a variety of reasons. I have not worked with Leon other than to exchange half a dozen emails about my project, so I can't really compare the two other than to say that Maytal was a better fit for me personality-wise. Good luck making your decision.

ETA I'm not sure how many people here have worked with both. I can think of only one person, so hopefully she'll see this soon.

 

[mrssalvo]

just to throw another option your way. Bridget Durnell makes and almost exact replica of the DK split crown and could probably do the claw prongs if you like. She used to work for beaudry and does amazing pave. Pearlmans carry''s the line and could probably send you the setting ahead of time to see her workmanship. that way you''d at least know exactly what you''d be getting. my guess is pricing would be about the same b/t Leon/maytal and Durnell.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/durnell-jewelry/rings/59AA1/0/

 

[pixley]

Sounds like it''s going to be a gorgeous ring!

I think you''d be able to have all the other elements of your ring done well by other designers but thus far, I''ve only seen Leon and HW execute those pointy little claw prongs to microscopic perfection. The design doesn''t sound like it would be too far out of Leon''s repertoire since there are several rings that are similar to some of the DanielK designs.

 

[MsSparkle]

Thank you for all the responses.

Demelza - I did read your post and got nervous. I wasn''t sure what about the prongs you didn''t like. When I compared in detail Leon and Maytal''s work, I did notice that her points were very blunt compared to the refined point claws I love. I was thinking that the blunt prongs was requested by the people. I am guessing I might have a problem

and my boyfriend really liked Maytal too and wanted to go with her.

mrssalvo - Wow. That is almost a total replica of the DK split crown. I will have to look into this. I have never heard of her before so I will dig through the Pricescope archives.

 

[MsSparkle]

I just finished browsing Durnell''s site and her work is stunning! Decisions decisions.

 

[Demelza]

Date: 8/10/2008 10:19:10 PM
Author: MsSparkle

Thank you for all the responses.

Demelza - I did read your post and got nervous. I wasn't sure what about the prongs you didn't like. When I compared in detail Leon and Maytal's work, I did notice that her points were very blunt compared to the refined point claws I love. I was thinking that the blunt prongs was requested by the people. I am guessing I might have a problem

and my boyfriend really liked Maytal too and wanted to go with her.

mrssalvo - Wow. That is almost a total replica of the DK split crown. I will have to look into this. I have never heard of her before so I will dig through the Pricescope archives.

Stay tuned. I'm about to post pics of my ring. The prongs on my ring are definitely not as pointy as the ones you see on Leon's rings. That said, you don't see many rings out there with tips as severe as Leon's -- to my eye, his tips are unusually pointy which is probably why we identify them so strongly with his work. I did tell Maytal that I wanted pointy prong tips, but it's possible that this is her version of pointy and that she could do better if I ask her to refine them a bit. I may or may not do that and have not brought this up with her yet. I guess I'm not sure how much it bothers me.

Off to post pics -- hope they help you decide.