On hold with Leon Mege...

[tshirtqueen]

Hello everyone! Although I hardly post, I do read the fourm at least twice a day and love hearing the stories, dialogue, etc!

Now I am posting to get everyone''s thoughts and opinions on this ring from Leon Mege....

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=334&sessionid=36abc8315bff3bb81f1787682888ecd1

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=333

I having been looking to ugrade my center stone, or create a new ring entirely. I love OEC diamonds and know they are hard to find in larger sizes.

I spoke to Leon personally this afternoon (he was very nice and we spent quite a bit of time on the phone). He told me he made this ring personally, and the stone was a trade-in from a client and is over 100 years old. He stated the brilliance is incredible and it faces up very nice.

He offered to consider my current stone as a trade-in (2.46 VS2, G, RB) as a trade.

A few questions.....

Anyone have a M-N-O-P colored diamond, especially and OEC?
How do you feel about the color?
How does it look in natural light?

Anyone have any idea what the diameter of a stone of this weight / cut would be? (I believe Leon said it was ''excellent'')
I have a size 6.5 finger and want to be sure that I get good finger coverage!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!!!!

 

[Maisie]

I was considering one of Leons rings and the color was ''O''. Someone showed me something interesting to compare the color differences.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Color/Tinted/

It might help a little bit

 

[surfgirl]

The problem with that GOG chart is that those are modern RBs shown as examples and typically, OMCs and OECs face up whiter due the the open culet letting in more light (listen to me, I''m a diamond expert now!). At least that''s my understanding.

Having said that, I have a smaller .50ctw OEC that is an M color from one of my grandmothers. It''s very yellow and the only way to use it and not have it look so yellow is to bury it in a yellow gold mounting which brightens/whitens it up as much as can be. Those photos of Leon''s ring look pretty good but I''d be careful with his return policy unless you can see the ring in person. In my experience, M is more yellow that I would want in my ering. But that''s just me. Other''s like a warmer tone in older cuts.

 

[Maisie]

Oh yes the no return policy! He won''t let you return it unless its worth more than $10000

 

[kcoursolle]

I really think this is a lovely ring!!! I think the important thing to remember with warmers colors like these is to stop pretending that they are white. You really need to accept them for the beautifully creamy, ecru, antuique white colors they are. If you expect them to be white white, you''ll be disappointed. However, if you like antique white colors and are willing to love this color for what it is, then it will be a beautiful color to you.

The setting itself is gorgeous and amazing!!! I definitely think the ring will face up very large with the halo and all, and the center stone even though it''s an old cut is still a large beauty!

 

[mrssalvo]

my grandmother''s 2.2 OEC round was an M and just stunning. it was not *white* but the warmth of the stone was charming and I wish my parents would have kept it after she passed away b/c I would have proudly wore that ring. I''m also guessing that the ring would be more than 10K so it will probably have the return option. it''s gorgeous and to get one actually made by Leon would be a dream come true...

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 4/13/2007 6:00:57 PM
Author:tshirtqueen


Anyone have a M-N-O-P colored diamond, especially and OEC?
How do you feel about the color?
How does it look in natural light?

I LOVE this color range. my stone is a J and it is an antique style cut and I wish it was lower in color in the range you''ve listed. It is so complimentary to OMC and OEC cut rings. In a modern round brilliant you have rings that face up a bit whiter but IMO almost need to. There is something about a modern cut that almost necessitates a bright white look in my opinion. The older cuts though ::whistles:: not only can they "get away" with the mid range hues, I think they look *better* in that range than in the higher colors. The antique cuts with their chunky facets look very lacy and having a bit of color aka substance really plays them up.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 4/13/2007 6:20:22 PM
Author: surfgirl
The problem with that GOG chart is that those are modern RBs shown as examples and typically, OMCs and OECs face up whiter due the the open culet letting in more light (listen to me, I''m a diamond expert now!).

Where on earth did you get that the culet makes stones face up whiter???

 

[widget]

My goodness. That''s a gorgeous ring!!

Not long ago I fell in love with a pair of M-colored OMC diamonds. They looked absolutely lovely to me....surprisingly white. But that was ME. I think you really have to see the ring with your own eyes to decide if its color is good for YOU.

To ME anyway, from the picture and Leon''s description, that diamond is utterly delicious!!

widget

 

[dtnyc]

Date: 4/13/2007 6:20:22 PM
Author: surfgirl
The problem with that GOG chart is that those are modern RBs shown as examples and typically, OMCs and OECs face up whiter due the the open culet letting in more light (listen to me, I''m a diamond expert now!). At least that''s my understanding.


Having said that, I have a smaller .50ctw OEC that is an M color from one of my grandmothers. It''s very yellow and the only way to use it and not have it look so yellow is to bury it in a yellow gold mounting which brightens/whitens it up as much as can be. Those photos of Leon''s ring look pretty good but I''d be careful with his return policy unless you can see the ring in person. In my experience, M is more yellow that I would want in my ering. But that''s just me. Other''s like a warmer tone in older cuts.

First off it''s a stunning ring-
I have a 2.17 M transitional brilliant cut and while not yellow at all- I would say it''s more greenish/gray- it does have "body" and it definitely doesn''t match the i/j side stones that flank it. My stone has strong flour which definitely helps out. Something to keep in mind is that as you move down the color spectrum the range gets more broad- in other word the difference between a K and an M and is going to be much greater than the difference between an D and an F. Also remember that as the carats increase the more color you "see" in a stone.
I don''t know how this stone wouldn''t contrast the F colored stones surrounding it.

As far as diameter, OEC tend to be a little deeper (higher crowns, smaller tables) than modern RBs, so it probably wouldn''t have the same diameter as well cut 3.43 a modern RB, but I would think it would definitely appear to be around a 3.25 at least- also it will have a completely different kind of fire and sparkle that will really make it stand out. I would think that it would definitely appear larger than your current stone- especially w/ that halo!

My appraiser explained to me that the color grading scale used to be much different and that some color was actually desired (while clarity was held in much higher regard) and that they use to judge stones by the shades of color presented in them and different mines put out stones of different colors (India vs. various parts of Africa, etc.) Sitting w/ him made me really appreciate the special nature of my stone and I think it''s cool- but it''s not for everyone.

 

[surfgirl]

Cehra, that''s how I remember it told to me, perhaps I''m mis remembering??

dtnyc, my appraiser also mentioned this. I asked him why so many of the older stones you see are the warmer colors and not a ton of options in the D-G range and his theory was that alot of the older stones were mined in areas where warmer stones were just what those deposits were producing based on a variety of local environmental contributing factors. And that today''s diamond mining has so many mines that are being used, and whiter deposits have been found in the mines since the "good ol days". At least that''s what two appraisers said. I wonder if others have other theories.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 4/13/2007 8:28:58 PM
Author: surfgirl
Cehra, that''s how I remember it told to me, perhaps I''m mis remembering??

well... it doesn''t surprise me that someone would tell you that but it''s just not true. I mean, I''m the first to go around and say that light does enter through diamonds in every direction and the top only direction is short sighted (but okay fine, in ideal rounds it works to do *that* job sobeit) and yes, light *can* come up through the culet, but most ring designs are not really geared for that... mine will be. Rather than looking down through it at the pink of my skin, you''ll be looking down into a mirror bouncing the light back up at you. BUT I don''t expect that to enhance the brilliance very much, and in a ring that doesn''t have that under it, you''re really losing much more light through the culet than gaining. But don''t let that scare you off from the culet, they''re a thing of beauty imo and the amount lost is negligible.

You''ll hear jewelers say some really bizarre things... I think I''ll chalk this one up under the laugh while shaking the head file LOL

 

[dtnyc]

Date: 4/13/2007 8:28:58 PM
Author: surfgirl
Cehra, that''s how I remember it told to me, perhaps I''m mis remembering??


dtnyc, my appraiser also mentioned this. I asked him why so many of the older stones you see are the warmer colors and not a ton of options in the D-G range and his theory was that alot of the older stones were mined in areas where warmer stones were just what those deposits were producing based on a variety of local environmental contributing factors. And that today''s diamond mining has so many mines that are being used, and whiter deposits have been found in the mines since the ''good ol days''. At least that''s what two appraisers said. I wonder if others have other theories.

Also they used to not "care" about color as people do now- hence the color grading scale was not as specific/segmented as the current scale.

A theory as to why there are so many warmer old stones around is because many stones have probably been re-cut into modern cuts.

 

[mrssalvo]

surfgirl, I''m not sure what the experts say but I could definitely see a tiny bit of color in my OEC G (which was a low G) and I saw no warmth a mondern cut G when side by side. I''m more color sensitive though so that could be why too. I think the chunky facets of the old stones don''t hide color as well, kinda like cushions. But I believe any warmth just adds to the character of the old cut.

 

[tshirtqueen]

I asked Leon to send a photo....the file he sent was 8X10 size so I could easily see the color. It is warm..I say maybe a very light ecru, but there is not a lot of contrast from the F-G colored side stones.

One of the cool things was seeing the detail and precision of his work and this magnification...it is perfect!

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Date: 4/13/2007 6:00:57 PM
Author:tshirtqueen

He offered to consider my current stone as a trade-in (2.46 VS2, G, RB) as a trade.

Tshirt, if properly graded, your stone is worth more than Leon's stone and mounting together.

 

[dtnyc]

Date: 4/13/2007 9:37:39 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood

Date: 4/13/2007 6:00:57 PM

Author:tshirtqueen


He offered to consider my current stone as a trade-in (2.46 VS2, G, RB) as a trade.

Tshirt, if properly graded, your stone is worth more than Leon''s stone and mounting together.

I was hoping an expert could shed some light on this- I don''t know what her current stone is worth- but I do know the approx. cost per carat on my M VS2, and I can''t imagine an M VS1 would be worth that much more...

 

[Beacon]

Date: 4/13/2007 9:37:39 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood

Date: 4/13/2007 6:00:57 PM
Author:tshirtqueen

He offered to consider my current stone as a trade-in (2.46 VS2, G, RB) as a trade.

Tshirt, if properly graded, your stone is worth more than Leon''s stone and mounting together.

I was wondering about this too. I think the Leon ring is very lovely and very unique. But I would really think twice before swapping a stone like yours for this Leon one. Could you take the Leon one for a RHR, which would be so nice!

 

[yellowsparkles]

Date: 4/13/2007 9:37:39 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood

Date: 4/13/2007 6:00:57 PM
Author:tshirtqueen

He offered to consider my current stone as a trade-in (2.46 VS2, G, RB) as a trade.

Tshirt, if properly graded, your stone is worth more than Leon''s stone and mounting together.

I wanted to ask you about this. Did you discuss the trade in in detail? Did you get the price od his ring before metioning your trade in? Just wondering how trade-ins work.

 

[tshirtqueen]

Date: 4/14/2007 3:18:50 AM
Author: yellowsparkles

Date: 4/13/2007 9:37:39 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood

Date: 4/13/2007 6:00:57 PM
Author:tshirtqueen

He offered to consider my current stone as a trade-in (2.46 VS2, G, RB) as a trade.

Tshirt, if properly graded, your stone is worth more than Leon's stone and mounting together.

I wanted to ask you about this. Did you discuss the trade in in detail? Did you get the price od his ring before metioning your trade in? Just wondering how trade-ins work.

Hi Everyone!
thanks for your replies!

Yes, I did discuss the trade in detail. He said that because my stone did not have a cert. it may be graded lower (as an SI1-H). He has someone that he works with on a regular basis that grades and evaluates (and i assume prices) stones for him.

I originally called to get the price, thinking that I would buy it outright for a right-hand ring. When I heard the price of 27,500 I suggested a trade as that was out of my range. As I had been considering having him re-set my stone for me (and mentioned this to him), he suggested I send it in so he could have it evaluated for a trade, or work on resetting it.

The price does seem high to me. However, I have seen some other OEC stones of this size and color though and they range from 18-23k.

It my perfect world we would do an even trade, plus I would get credit towards something else!

Keep you thoughts coming! I have to make a decision this weekend!!

 

[pyramid]

tshirtqueen

You should have your own stone independently appraised by an appraiser who has no association with Leon Mege so that you know the true value of your stone before you trade it in. What if the lower grade you get told your stone is isn't true and you do have a G VS2?. What if the person who grades your diamond gives Leon a different price from the one he relays to you? As Richard Sherwood said, then your stone is worth a lot more. Would an H SI1 be an equivalent price to Leon's stone/mount, Richard Sherwood should be able to answer this?

 

[yellowsparkles]

I am just wondering how trade ins work in general. Is leon going to give you 100% of its value toward another ring? You don''t have to reveal the specifics - I always thought a vendor would offer 50% or 70% toward a trade. Am I in the ballpark?

 

[tshirtqueen]

Date: 4/14/2007 8:45:34 AM
Author: yellowsparkles
I am just wondering how trade ins work in general. Is leon going to give you 100% of its value toward another ring? You don''t have to reveal the specifics - I always thought a vendor would offer 50% or 70% toward a trade. Am I in the ballpark?

The way I understood it, I would recieve 100% of the value of my diamond towards the new ring. Of course, that wouldn''t be a great deal if my stone is only valued at say $13k of so (half the value of the ring!)

 

[yellowsparkles]

That could be a great deal for you. You may want to take it to a good appraiser just to make sure you have what you think you have. Good luck! I really love the Leon ring you are considering.

 

[dtnyc]

The price does seem high to me. However, I have seen some other OEC stones of this size and color though and they range from 18-23k.

I know that this stone is larger than mine, but 18-23k for a 3.43 M VS1 OEC seems high...
My stone is 2.17 M VS2 transitional brilliant and it was appraised around 10K fall 2005- I had it appraised by Ted Baer who is relatively conservative and knows his antique cuts and told me that M VS2 antique cuts go for about 3K per carat and of course increasing w/ size.

Would the difference between a 3.43 M VS1 OEC really be worth double a 2.17 M VS2 transitional?

Could an expert chime in here?