My visit to Leon – Need Your Help

CharmyPoo · Feb 19, 2010

I went to see Leon today and he made me cry.Just kidding!The reality is that I prepared myself for a scary meeting with a “temperamental artiste”.To my surprise, I had an absolutely amazing two hour visit with a friendly and pleasant man who knew how to design and educate. We worked on designs for my ring and he even said that my diamond was beautiful. I got to see a bunch of new rings including some of his recent award winning designs – his work is magnificent.I was so tempted to walk out with a gorgeous moonstone ring.

I have a new perspective on some of the experiences I read on Pricescope.First, he did say that my diamond was small.However, it was in the context that it is small for all the intricate designs I wanted to incorporate – he drew out the actual real estate I had for my design and it really wasn’t that much room.He explained that people get offended when he says the diamond is small but I think what he is saying is that it is small for the type of design that people are asking for – I can totally understand it.Secondly, there is a recent thread that indicated he was against working with vendors such as GOG.I did not sense this at all – Leon knew my stone was from GOG and he even commented that the August Vintages are very nice cushions.It was a non-issue where my cushion came from.

Now - back on topic as to why I need your help. After spending so much time with Leon today, I still walked out without a design!I just can’t figure out what I want to make for my e-ring.I want something unique and special so I really don’t want to go for a boring pave solitaire. The designs we came up with don’t perfect and Leon wanted me to spend a few days to think about it before we start.

The few things I know I want:
1.Tiny split shank that is around 1.7 mm
2.Double prongs
3.No halo
4.Interesting profile view

For your reference, my diamond is a square August Vintage Cushion measuring 7.2 x 7.2 mm.My finger measured at a size 2 5/8 today.

PLEASE GIVE ME SOME DESIGN IDEAS!!!

Resonance.Of.Life · Feb 19, 2010

How about this but with split claw prongs?

akmiss · Feb 19, 2010

your finger is under a size 3?! Lucky girl! I am glad to hear that your meeting went well

No design ideas yet but I will look around

mrssalvo · Feb 19, 2010

what about something like the daniel K split crown? I tried this ring on a few years ago, I'll dig up pics in a sec. I wear a size 3.5 and the cushion that I tried was a 1.5 so you can get an idea of the proportions...

ETA: real pics

akmiss · Feb 19, 2010

not quite a split-shank but it might work

www.singlestone.com/index.php?page=collections2&catID=3&pID=454&startRow=17

HOF Felicity dream setting
http://www.heartsonfire.com/#/us/en-us/diamond-collection/view-details.php?item_id=3203&item_name=Felicity Dream Split Shank Solitaire&style_name=FelDrmSpShR&type_id=1&type_name=Rings&subtype_id=1&subtype_name=Engagement Rings&type=1

another split shank
www.vonbargens.com/catalog/detail.php?product=3863&category=1060

did Leon have any suggestions?

edited- the Daniel K previously posted is spectacular!

CharmyPoo · Feb 19, 2010

Date: 2/19/2010 10:30:34 PM
Author: mrssalvo
what about something like the daniel K split crown? I tried this ring on a few years ago, I''ll dig up pics in a sec. I wear a size 3.5 and the cushion that I tried was a 1.5 so you can get an idea of the proportions...

ETA: real pics

This was the original ring we were going to make and model our ring after. In fact, our first engagement ring was suppose to look just like it except it didn''t turn out right. This is our second try and we were going to make the same thing again but after some thought .. we wanted to go for somethign different. Lovely and gorgeous ring though - it was the first e-ring I ever tried on with the fiance and holds a special spot for us.

mrssalvo · Feb 19, 2010

charmy, I would think from the top down, what you are describing and the DK are going to look pretty much the same. leon''s proportions also seem to be very close to DK in his ability to do dainty and delicate so I think he''d be able to capture it perfectly. As for the profile, have you seen any profile''s of other rings that you like? personally, I think less is more. I wouldn''t try to get too complicated with the design. maybe just doing pave up the prongs and then a pave basket? similar to this one, but with the split prongs?

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=278

CharmyPoo · Feb 19, 2010

akiss - Leon did indeed have suggestions. There are 3 designs that we toyed with. However, one of the designs will be something completely new and could be very risky - ie. not turn out like how we would expect. I love the singlestone design but have a RHR that is very very similar.

Mrrsalvo - From the top down, I have essentially decided. It will be like the Daniel K ring but a little more delicate and with a smaller split. It is the profile view that I am stuck on. You sound just like Leon in terms of the profile. He doesnt' want me to get too complicated and in fact .. he wants me to do something like the image you showed.

mrssalvo · Feb 19, 2010

Date: 2/19/2010 10:52:44 PM
Author: CharmyPoo

Mrrsalvo - From the top down, I have essentially decided. It will be like the Daniel K ring but a little more delicate and with a smaller split. It is the profile view that I am stuck on. You sound just like Leon in terms of the profile. He doesnt'' want me to get too complicated and in fact .. he wants me to do something like the image you showed.

well, i''m a custom chicken and am not risk taker when it comes to my e-ring so I''d advise not to do the risky one. But, I have only seen stunning rings come out of Leon''s shop so although there would be a risk, i''d probably trust Leon more than anyone if I were to take a risk. I do think though at the end of the day that I would probably go with whatever Leon thought was best b/c he really is an artist and seems to know what works in respect to design elements etc. Your ring will be anything but boring b/c it''s a Leon!!

chrono · Feb 19, 2010

Charmy,
I''m so happy and excited for you that this is working out great. I higly suggest the original DK-like setting because you love it and you know it will turn out exactly as you envisioned. Also, sometimes, less is more. It sounds strange now but years later, it''ll be better appreciated, especially as an e-ring.

yssie · Feb 19, 2010

It''s so wonderful that you click with your jeweller - that''s so important!

I really just want to put all my rings on your finger and stare at them... I''d never have issues with shrinkage again!! Is that weird?

y2kitty · Feb 20, 2010

You didn''t, by any chance, ask who Benjamin Kirk and his father Froim were did you?

sparklyforever · Feb 20, 2010

someone posted a link to the cartier rings - and some of those were beautiful split shanks.. maybe some inspiration there.

CharmyPoo · Feb 20, 2010

Date: 2/20/2010 8:33:30 AM
Author: y2kitty
You didn't, by any chance, ask who Benjamin Kirk and his father Froim were did you?

No I didn't since I wasn't looking for another cushion but now that you mention it .. I am curious again and should have asked. I did meet Perry - his new diamond sales guy.

CharmyPoo · Feb 20, 2010

Date: 2/20/2010 8:34:24 AM
Author: sparklyforever
someone posted a link to the cartier rings - and some of those were beautiful split shanks.. maybe some inspiration there.

Thank you for the idea and they are lovely rings! I have two Cartier Ballerine replicas already for RHRs

penskip · Feb 20, 2010

My ring is supposed to be ready this week (antique cushion solitaire). That wasn''t one of the rings you saw was it

? I am crawling out of my skin waiting!! I am sure that whatever you pick it will be beautiful.

panda08 · Feb 20, 2010

Did you see some of the pics in this thread? https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/split-shank-rings.18917/ I surfed around some websites but didn''t see anything that was WOW, particularly with the profile. Wish I could be more helpful but can I see a pic of your cushion?

I''m glad to hear that your visit with Leon was pleasant. I had little contact with him with my ring as he made me a simple solitaire. Sounds like he''s better in person than over email or phone.

pixley · Feb 20, 2010

Charmy,
I''m so excited for you and can''t wait to see THE STONE in your dream setting! The prettiest split shank with an interesting side view is Harriet''s red spinel. What about something like that?

CharmyPoo · Feb 20, 2010

Date: 2/20/2010 4:23:03 PM
Author: panda08
Did you see some of the pics in this thread? https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/split-shank-rings.18917/ I surfed around some websites but didn''t see anything that was WOW, particularly with the profile. Wish I could be more helpful but can I see a pic of your cushion?

I''m glad to hear that your visit with Leon was pleasant. I had little contact with him with my ring as he made me a simple solitaire. Sounds like he''s better in person than over email or phone.

You can see my diamond at http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6267. I think I must have seen most of the rings on PS and still can''t find what I want. The fiance and I spent several hours today visiting numerous high end jewelers around Manhattan. Still couldn''t see anything that was "the one". Doh.

I had pleasant conversations with Leon and Rachael over the phone, email and in person. I may be a lucky one but I am pretty easy going although I could be a real pain in the butt too. Perhaps Leon is changing his ways since he doesn''t work on the bench anymore and has time to focus on customer service.

CharmyPoo · Feb 20, 2010

Date: 2/20/2010 4:23:46 PM
Author: pixley
Charmy,
I''m so excited for you and can''t wait to see THE STONE in your dream setting! The prettiest split shank with an interesting side view is Harriet''s red spinel. What about something like that?

Pixley - I know you have been on this really long journey with me

Harriet''s red spinel if I recall has a pretty standard profile - plus she has a halo which my ring won''t have. Doh.. I am so difficult.

panda08 · Feb 20, 2010

Date: 2/21/2010 12:13:10 AM
Author: CharmyPoo

Date: 2/20/2010 4:23:03 PM

Author: panda08

Did you see some of the pics in this thread? https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/split-shank-rings.18917/ I surfed around some websites but didn''t see anything that was WOW, particularly with the profile. Wish I could be more helpful but can I see a pic of your cushion?

I''m glad to hear that your visit with Leon was pleasant. I had little contact with him with my ring as he made me a simple solitaire. Sounds like he''s better in person than over email or phone.

Click to expand...

You can see my diamond at http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6267. I think I must have seen most of the rings on PS and still can''t find what I want. The fiance and I spent several hours today visiting numerous high end jewelers around Manhattan. Still couldn''t see anything that was ''the one''. Doh.

I had pleasant conversations with Leon and Rachael over the phone, email and in person. I may be a lucky one but I am pretty easy going although I could be a real pain in the butt too. Perhaps Leon is changing his ways since he doesn''t work on the bench anymore and has time to focus on customer service.

What a gorgeous stone! With a Leon setting, your ring''s going to be stunner. Sorry you still couldn''t find anything that was the "one" today. Hopefully, you''ll see something soon that''ll knock you off your feet. Can''t wait to see the final result!

pixley · Feb 21, 2010

Date: 2/21/2010 12:19:46 AM
Author: CharmyPoo

Date: 2/20/2010 4:23:46 PM

Author: pixley

Charmy,

I''m so excited for you and can''t wait to see THE STONE in your dream setting! The prettiest split shank with an interesting side view is Harriet''s red spinel. What about something like that?

Click to expand...

Pixley - I know you have been on this really long journey with me Harriet''s red spinel if I recall has a pretty standard profile - plus she has a halo which my ring won''t have. Doh.. I am so difficult.

Ohhh, I forgot - no halo! Whoops!

What about a basket with upside down arcs like the Daniel K rosebud? Those would give you the ability to have claw prongs. The attached pic is what I think is the underside of Harriet''s red spinel (maybe I''m mistaken). I love the little arcs and the shape of the split shank. I wonder if that could be done without the halo - similar to the scale of the Daniel K rosebud...