My husband surprised me in April when he suggested that I start looking for my anniversary present. Our anniversary (36th) was not until July and I already had a good idea of what I wanted, an emerald cut solitaire. I found a few stones online that looked promising, and they were all listed by several vendors at different prices. In every case the Leon Mege website had the second lowest price. I decided to contact Perry Chen at LM because the idea of buying the stone and setting together made a lot of sense. Before I called I spent many hours reading LM threads on this forum, and I happened upon one by Boston Jeff. After some waffling I changed my mind and decided to look for an OMB like his.
I gave Perry a restrictive set of criteria which included F color or higher and VS or higher, and a l/w ratio between 1.1 and 1.2. Within a week my husband and I were in his office looking at several stones that he brought in. Honestly, it was hard to distinguish among them, and any one would have made me very happy. The largest of the group was still within my budget so the choice seemed clear. Then, almost apologetically, Perry said he had one more for me to see, but he hesitated because it was only an SI1. It was noticeably larger than the others, eye clean even up close with my reading glasses, and several thousand dollars less than the stone I had been considering.
Up to this point my husband was not enthusiastic about any of the cushions. He has always loved my current solitaire, a radiant that we picked out together four years ago. I took it out of my purse and we did a side by side comparison. The radiant faced up a little bigger and a lot whiter, but next to the cushion it looked a bit boring.
This next part is off topic: Just as we were comparing them the door opened and Leon came in, all apologies for having been delayed. He had a display box of jewelry that he let me admire and try on. There was a magnificent pair of marquise drop earrings among the pieces, and Leon said that he would give them to me for free if I could name the gemstone. I was really wishing that I had spent more time on Colored Stones at this point, but I squinted and frowned and pondered until he said, “Of course you know that I am only joking, they are golden beryls.”
After Leon left we discussed options for my radiant ring, and I mentioned that I might try to sell it. Perry offered to “shop it around” for me. I had brought a copy of the cert which I left with him, but I took the ring home and we never got around to discussing a number or consignment terms. A few days later he emailed me with an offer that was not too far from what I was hoping to get.
I decided to buy the SI1 stone and also sell my radiant, if possible. At our next meeting I handed Perry my ring. He popped the stone out and spent the next five minutes inspecting it with a loupe. Then he wrapped it in paper, put it in his pocket, and was gone. I met with Leon to discuss my setting and then headed for home. Later that evening Perry emailed me with a very good offer which I accepted. The fee he requested for his services was a mere two per cent.
Working with Perry was a pleasure and the results exceeded my hopes. I got the finished ring a few weeks ago. I cannot stop staring, just the way I stared at my engagement ring thirty seven years ago.
3.42 OMB, F SI1 9.73 X 8.48 X 5.56 Table 55%, Depth 65.6%, Polish EX, Symmetry VG, Fluor None
I gave Perry a restrictive set of criteria which included F color or higher and VS or higher, and a l/w ratio between 1.1 and 1.2. Within a week my husband and I were in his office looking at several stones that he brought in. Honestly, it was hard to distinguish among them, and any one would have made me very happy. The largest of the group was still within my budget so the choice seemed clear. Then, almost apologetically, Perry said he had one more for me to see, but he hesitated because it was only an SI1. It was noticeably larger than the others, eye clean even up close with my reading glasses, and several thousand dollars less than the stone I had been considering.
Up to this point my husband was not enthusiastic about any of the cushions. He has always loved my current solitaire, a radiant that we picked out together four years ago. I took it out of my purse and we did a side by side comparison. The radiant faced up a little bigger and a lot whiter, but next to the cushion it looked a bit boring.
This next part is off topic: Just as we were comparing them the door opened and Leon came in, all apologies for having been delayed. He had a display box of jewelry that he let me admire and try on. There was a magnificent pair of marquise drop earrings among the pieces, and Leon said that he would give them to me for free if I could name the gemstone. I was really wishing that I had spent more time on Colored Stones at this point, but I squinted and frowned and pondered until he said, “Of course you know that I am only joking, they are golden beryls.”
After Leon left we discussed options for my radiant ring, and I mentioned that I might try to sell it. Perry offered to “shop it around” for me. I had brought a copy of the cert which I left with him, but I took the ring home and we never got around to discussing a number or consignment terms. A few days later he emailed me with an offer that was not too far from what I was hoping to get.
I decided to buy the SI1 stone and also sell my radiant, if possible. At our next meeting I handed Perry my ring. He popped the stone out and spent the next five minutes inspecting it with a loupe. Then he wrapped it in paper, put it in his pocket, and was gone. I met with Leon to discuss my setting and then headed for home. Later that evening Perry emailed me with a very good offer which I accepted. The fee he requested for his services was a mere two per cent.
Working with Perry was a pleasure and the results exceeded my hopes. I got the finished ring a few weeks ago. I cannot stop staring, just the way I stared at my engagement ring thirty seven years ago.
3.42 OMB, F SI1 9.73 X 8.48 X 5.56 Table 55%, Depth 65.6%, Polish EX, Symmetry VG, Fluor None
please post more pictures if you get a chance!
More pics please!!!
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