Pls educate me about Leon Mege

[UrsTx]

Hi all - I've been looking at 3-4ct vintage/antique cut cushions (Leon Mege, GOG, VIctor Canera, JbEG, JA, BE, etc) at various sites based upon postings by fellow PSers. Many are over my budget or not in my color range but I found one that I'm VERY interested in at Leon Mege's site. I have no issues with this stone's quality since it's GIA graded, it's one of Leon's "Elite" stones, and it also fits all of my personal criteria/requirements that I've learned from PSers' postings, but I've read a few times on PS that Leon can be challenging(?) to work with. What do I need to know before/if I move forward?

I checked the "Pricescope Testimonials" and didn't see anything current on him. I've read every page of his site and understand his warranty, trade up program, deposits/payments, shipping, etc.

Also, his site says he does not sell Elite stones as loose - they must be set. I can't call them today bc they're closed but does anyone know if the setting price is rolled into the stone price, or if it's extra?

 

[artdecolover71]

I would post this in Rocky talk

 

[UrsTx]

Thanks! I almost did but then didn't. I'll contact admin.

 

[luv2sparkle]

The cost of the stone is separate from the cost of the setting. There are some settings that he refuses to make unless he sell the stone to go into it. Leon made my ring, and I had no issues with him. It depends on what you are looking for in a setting. Leon does amazing pave. If you want a simple setting, he does lovely ones, but you can also have those made elsewhere. Compare prices. You might find that you can find a stone elsewhere for about the same price with a setting that is less costly.

 

[sunflower81]

I talked to him on the phone today regarding his Tulip solitaire and he said that he does not like setting other people's stone and he would not sell his empty setting. He said he could make the setting but he would need to have our diamond on his possession while he is working on the setting. He said that he could get us a stone for a good price, but we have already bought our stone. He also offered us to buy a ready ring that he currently has.

 

[kenny]

I believe he does superb work.

I've been reading PS for over 10 years and there have been many times he has treated customers horribly.
I'd never give him my business, although I confess I'd love to wear a LM piece.

Google and search for the insulting, horrible, and degrading things he's done to customers who dare to not bow down to this diva.

Again, I believe he does superior work.

 

[sunflower81]

I believe he does superb work.

I've been reading PS for over 10 years and there have been many times he has treated customers horribly.
I'd never give him my business, although I confess I'd love to wear a LM piece.

Google and search for the insulting, horrible, and degrading things he's done to customers who dare to not bow down to this diva.

Again, I believe he does superior work.

Kenny,

I read that his work used to be superb when he did everything on his own. But the quality of "his" work went down since he had other people (jewelers) work on his settings. I do not Know how true it is. This was the main reason why I decided not to have him make my setting. Besides that he was not friendly on the phone, but I would have overlooked that if I knew there would have been no issue with "his" (by "his" I meant his team's) craftsmanship. I do have to say that during our first conversation he was very unfriendly and seemed annoyed that we got the stone from Brian Gavin and were asking him to do just the setting. I immediately called back to clarify whether he would do the setting with BGD diamond and somehow he softened quite a bit during the second conversation and said that he could make the setting if there is no rush.

 

[tiger007g]

I've worked with Leon numerous times over almost 10 years, sometimes with diamonds sourced by him, sometimes with my own stones (you can see my previous threads) and have had very positive experiences. Leon has always sourced my side stones and his eye for proportions has always been spot-on. Leon and his staff are very responsive and the work was flawless each time. It's always been a collaborative discussion - do I want it set low? As delicate as possible vs. substantial? I don't try to micromanage the process and then I just wait for the final product. I've never been disappointed

 

[arkieb1]

Contact him and see how you go and if you get along with him personality wise - Leon is a bit like a box of chocolates he is fine with some customers that operate within his set of rules and not so great with others. If you find you get along with him you should be fine if not then I would say shop somewhere else to avoid the drama.

 

[bbziggy]

Hi Sunflower81
I just had my ring done by Leon and used my own stone. I Had no issues at all with him or his office. They were great! I spoke to him about a year and a half ago and then again a few months ago when I actually decided to go through with the setting I wanted. I love the workmanship on my finished ring!
My husband and I went to NY to meet with him. We found him to be informative, friendly, and he had a great sense of humor. My husband liked talking to him. He made suggestions about how the setting would look best but still gave me the option to choose a low or high set stone. Single or double prongs, pinched or not pinched shank, etc. I went with what he thought would look best. He is the artist. He was patient in helping me pick side stones. He didn't like the first few sets of pears that he had brought in for my sides. He had a few more sets for me to look at the next day with him. He was careful in choosing the ones with the best proportions for my stone. He was very patient with us. I had no negative issues with him. And so you see that I could highly recommend him from my experience. Good luck with whatever you decide to do for your ring!

 

[UrsTx]

Thank you all for your replies. Leon's work product is just so pretty....

I called him yesterday to confirm that purchasing a setting from him is mandatory if I buy one of his stones - he said yes unless I was a collector (he would consider selling the stone loose to a collector). I made a comment that his website implies the Elite stones come with a setting and he promptly had his website folks change that.

He wasn't super nice nor super horrible during our short conversation - just "regular" - and he informed me, once I let him know I'm in the process of selling my stone after it returns from AGS, that his company accepts outside stones too and will apply the value toward one of his stones.

I'm looking at a simple Princessa or similar solitaire with double prongs so, based on previous comments above, hopefully it will be a smooth process if I don't fall in love with something somewhere else.

Thanks so much!!

 

[UrsTx]

I believe he does superb work.

I've been reading PS for over 10 years and there have been many times he has treated customers horribly.
I'd never give him my business, although I confess I'd love to wear a LM piece.

Google and search for the insulting, horrible, and degrading things he's done to customers who dare to not bow down to this diva.

Again, I believe he does superior work.

Kenny - I will do that! Good idea.