Michael B or Leon? arrrggghhh...obsessing....

[angeline]

Dear Pricescopers,

I know I can rely on your collective knowledge and good taste. I am going to reset my 2.1ct RB. I do know that I want a 3-sided pave thinnish shank.

I love Michael B, the 3-sided pave ''Princess'' ring with a plain head. I''ll attach a pic at the end. This will run me approx. $5k give or take with pave only 70% of the way around the shank.

Now Leon has this ring which also has 3-sided pave about 70% of the way around but also has a pave basket and prongs. This too will cost around the $5k mark.

I am torn! I like the fact that I can try on the Michael B but I am pretty much awe-struck at the thought of having a Leon. I have changed my mind SO much that I am making myself sick over it all.

I know it''s up to me finally but I would love anything to help me make this decision. My dh is about to cut the cord to my computer he''s so sick of the obsessing!

Thanks for any insight anyone may have.

a

First the Michael B..

 

[angeline]

Now the Leon...

 

[JulieN]

i'd prefer the leon head. it's awesome.

 

[Independent Gal]

Four magical letters: L E O N.

No question.

 

[jcrow]

Leon! Leon! Leon!
say it with me

 

[angeline]

You guys are beautiful!!! I was leaning to the Leon, I''m so HAPPY I''ve got support here. My dh will thank you! *giggling manically*

a

 

[fabcrab]

Wow I can totally understand why you''re having such a hard time deciding. Both settings are GORGEOUS!!!!! Ok personally I prefer the Michael B. because it looks so classic and elegand. But, the leon looks way more unique. ARGH!! I think either way you can''t go wrong.

 

[yellowsparkles]

L-E-O-N!

 

[Dogmom]

Leon!

 

[mrssalvo]

I LOVE Michael b and have a couple of his designs in my upgrade folder, but I also LOVE leon and having seen a leon ring in person his craftmanship is an equal IMO. out of the 2 you are chosing between I vote for the leon as well, that head is just gorgeous.

are you planning on wearing a wedding band or is this a stand alone ring?
just asking b/c Leon will say no wedding band with 3 sided pave, MB makes a matching wedding band and they say they don''t run into problems with their design. Just something to consider...

 

[Kaleigh]

Leon for me as well. Love it!!!

 

[angeline]

Good point mrssalvo. I do like wearing a band but I would make an exception for a Leon! By the way regarding cleaning the Mchael B from my other thread I did ask Pearlmans but they didn''t have a definite answer for me. Kind of a ''proceed at your own risk'' thing.

a

 

[Tacori E-ring]

LEON!!!!

 

[rainydaze]

the leon is just SPECTACULAR!!

my only concern would be with its durability. just going from the computer pics, the michael b looks like it could take a little more abuse if your hands get a lot of use. but that leon.........

 

[Joolskie]

So I start to scroll down the thread. Wow, that Michael B is gorgeous. Then I scroll down a bit more and WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW, that Leon is eye-popping stunning.

I say go with the Leon. The way the head encompasses the stone is breathtakingly beautiful.

 

[surfgirl]

The Michael B you posted isn''t even in the same LEAGUE as the Leon. If that helps you at all! WIth Leon it''s all about the proportions...I dont see that balance in the MB. But the Leon? Perfection.

 

[Kim N]

Another vote for the Leon as well! Gorgeous!

Date: 5/3/2007 5:22:38 PM
Author: mrssalvo

are you planning on wearing a wedding band or is this a stand alone ring?
just asking b/c Leon will say no wedding band with 3 sided pave, MB makes a matching wedding band and they say they don''t run into problems with their design. Just something to consider...

Mrssalvo, do you know how Michael B doesn''t have a problem with 3-sided pave touching a wedding band? It seems like it would scratch up the band. How do they get around it?

 

[angeline]

Date: 5/3/2007 5:56:25 PM
Author: surfgirl
The Michael B you posted isn''t even in the same LEAGUE as the Leon. If that helps you at all! WIth Leon it''s all about the proportions...I dont see that balance in the MB. But the Leon? Perfection.

Gosh thanks, Kaleigh, Tacori, rainy, Joolskie and surfgirl. I''m getting the feeling that Leon is the favourite?? surfgirl, lmao over your comment and yes it is helpful!

Rainydaze, I felt that way a bit too. The MB looks a little more substantial but Leon said I can obviously tailor the other to fit with what I want so I guess it can be made a little thicker and more squared off.

Yay girls! (assuming you''re all gals..) this is most helpful. Thanks again, a

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 5/3/2007 6:00:44 PM
Author: Kim N
Another vote for the Leon as well! Gorgeous!

Date: 5/3/2007 5:22:38 PM

Author: mrssalvo


are you planning on wearing a wedding band or is this a stand alone ring?

just asking b/c Leon will say no wedding band with 3 sided pave, MB makes a matching wedding band and they say they don''t run into problems with their design. Just something to consider...

Mrssalvo, do you know how Michael B doesn''t have a problem with 3-sided pave touching a wedding band? It seems like it would scratch up the band. How do they get around it?

kim, there was a thread around here a while ago about it when the 3 sided pave was just becoming popular. The MB people say they don''t have problems due to the way the pave work is done that there is enough metal to keep the stones from actually touching or something like that. of course, this is from the manufacter so I''d take it with a grain of salt. however, like I said, i''ve got a couple of MB designs that i''m considering and have researched a ton on him and driven Pearlmans as well as other retailer crazy''s with all my questions and all have them have said they''ve had very little trouble with the MB rings, whether it be a pave stone popping out or damage from the rings rubbing. However, I''d only get one sided if I were wearing a band b/c more pave = more reason to be worried.

 

[Kim N]

Date: 5/3/2007 6:24:17 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 5/3/2007 6:00:44 PM
Author: Kim N
Another vote for the Leon as well! Gorgeous!

Date: 5/3/2007 5:22:38 PM

Author: mrssalvo


are you planning on wearing a wedding band or is this a stand alone ring?

just asking b/c Leon will say no wedding band with 3 sided pave, MB makes a matching wedding band and they say they don''t run into problems with their design. Just something to consider...

Mrssalvo, do you know how Michael B doesn''t have a problem with 3-sided pave touching a wedding band? It seems like it would scratch up the band. How do they get around it?

kim, there was a thread around here a while ago about it when the 3 sided pave was just becoming popular. The MB people say they don''t have problems due to the way the pave work is done that there is enough metal to keep the stones from actually touching or something like that. of course, this is from the manufacter so I''d take it with a grain of salt. however, like I said, i''ve got a couple of MB designs that i''m considering and have researched a ton on him and driven Pearlmans as well as other retailer crazy''s with all my questions and all have them have said they''ve had very little trouble with the MB rings, whether it be a pave stone popping out or damage from the rings rubbing. However, I''d only get one sided if I were wearing a band b/c more pave = more reason to be worried.

Thanks, it helps that several retailers say they don''t have problems with the rings. But I totally agree about more pave = more worry.

 

[hikerchick]

OH MY, that Leon is stunning . . . leon all the way.

 

[doobao]

When I was scrolling down and seeing the Michael B., I was like.."um...pretty~"
But when I was scrolling to the Leon ring, I was like..."OMG!" & stared for a good few minutes.

So.....you know my answer

 

[emilina22]

LEON!!!!!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love the Leon, but I would be very hesitant to wear a solitaire with no wedding band because it would look like I was perpetually engaged and never married! So if it was me, I''d choose pave on the top only.

 

[Ellen]

Leon.

 

[Jewels]

Leon for sure. I am not crazy about the Michael B prongs.

 

[NYCsparkle]

LEON is the man!!!!!

 

[iheartscience]

Another vote for Leon! His setting looks so delicate and unique. And I''m with everyone else...when I saw the Michael B, I was like "That''s pretty," but when I saw the Leon, I was like "THAT''S THE ONE!"

 

[kcoursolle]

Between these two...it''s a slam dunk for Leon!!! The head on the leon makes this an easy decision.

However, in general I prefer one-sided rounded pave bands than three-sided. They are thinner and less maintenance, but three sided are lovely as well.

 

[angeline]

Good golly! this makes it so easy to decide - Leon it is! I felt in my gut I wanted a Leon, I guess I was worried a little about communicating to him what I want etc without putting him off. But I do love that ring pretty much as it is so that should be okay.

A big thank you to all who replied. I REALLY appreciate everyone''s input. I''m chronically bad at making up my mind and the overwhelming consensus for Leon makes it a lot easier. I trust PS''ers taste and judgement!

Whew!

a