Price Differences vs. Quality: Leon Mege v. Taffin v. Garrard

[fanboy]

I finally received a quote from Garrard for a three-sided micro-pave engagement ring to be custom made for my diamond. They want $15,000!!! That''s right, three zeroes.

So now there are three different jewelers in contention to create a micro-pave setting for me, all with very different pricepoints. Leon Mege wants $5,000. Taffin wants $10,000. Garrard wants $15,000.

What would you do?

What am I really getting for the extra money? Does anyone know if Taffin or Garrard really offer superior craftmanship as compared to Leon Mege?

Garrard''s service and response time up until this point has been spotty at best, despite the very friendly contact I have there. Furthermore, they are the most expensive. On the plus side, they say the job will be done in their own workshops.

Taffin''s jewelry is stunning, and I''m sure the ring wouldn''t be let outside their doors with their mark on it unless it were perfect, but James Givenchy told me that he contracts the work to 4 or 5 New York City workshops that he oversees. Taffin will also insure my diamond against damage during the process. James specifically indicated that he does not use any workshop in the Diamond District and would not consider using any of them. Also, unlike Garrard and Leon, James wants to do single-sided pave on my ring.

Leon is the least expensive. On the plus side, he has a good reputation here and does work in his own workshops. However, his design work is not up to par with Taffin''s--at least to me--and he will not insure the diamond against damage while he is working on it.

How good is Leon when it comes to craftsmanship, really? Obviously he''s good, but does anyone here think he''s as good as the others?

 

[widget]

Well, fanboy...you're way outa my league.

I'm a die-hard Leon fan...he's done two rings for me, and I'll be going back. I KNOW he does work for several high-end "status" jewelers, at least one of which is well known by all. I figure if he's good enough for them, he's good enough for me.

I don't understand your comment about his design work not being up to par with the others. You are planning on a pretty basic "classic" design, aren't you? Or are you thinking of getting some kind of different "signature" piece from one of these designers? I wouldn't DREAM of spending that much on a classic mounting.

Didn't DiaGem say something about Taffin being the next JAR? If it's true, then I suppose a ring by them has some sort of extra "collector" value....maybe...


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[fanboy]

Can I ask, who are these ''status'' jewelers that Leon is said to work for? And has anybody substantiated that information?

 

[widget]

trust me.

 

[widget]

Fanboy, did you see the question I edited on to my longer post? I'll ask it again: Are you hoping to get some sort of 'different', one-of-a-kind, 'signature piece'? If you are, I suppose that might justify (to some) the extra $$$...

ETA...hee hee I keep thinking. If I wanted to spend a huge amount for a special specail mounting, I'd at least prefer a better known label. I'd send my rock to Paris (better yet, accompany it

) and have it mounted by Cartier or VCA.

 

[surfgirl]

I thought we had this discussion going on another thread, no? Anyway, if you need to be "talked into" going with Leon Mege, then he's not for you. You have mentioned several times that you do not think his work or his aesthetic is "the best", you continue to question his workshop, etc., so I'm not sure why you are asking to be convinced to use him. And honestly, based on your posts, I dont see you being a good match with working with Leon. On top of that, you seem to think Taffin is the best quality, best workmanship, etc. so just go there.

 

[fanboy]

I don''t really know if Taffin''s quality is ''better''. I suppose that''s what I''m asking: is there a quality difference?

 

[widget]

Surfgirl''s right...go to Taffin.

I''d be surprised if anyone around here knows how their craftmanship compares. I''d never heard of them until you came along...


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[fanboy]

Widget, surfgirl, do you think it''s absurd to spend the equivalent of a third of the center stone''s value on the setting?

 

[decodelighted]

I''m not sure who *else* you expect to be hanging around to answer this question (Elizabeth Taylor? Ellen Barkin? The Queen?) ...all the "regulars" here have already weighed in SEVERAL times now.

I''d guess NO member of Pricescope has a piece made by either Taffin or Garrard (much less a custom one) -- so how can we be any help?

BTW -- you''ve already mentioned you now think your RA is "too small" ... are you SURE you should be designing a custom piece around a stone you may want to upgrade later on. Something tailored specifically to that stone (to the tune of 15K??!!!) isn''t going to do you much good if shrinkage is setting in ALREADY! Perhaps the 15K is better spent on finding a larger stone?

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:41:16 PM
Author: fanboy
I don''t really know if Taffin''s quality is ''better''. I suppose that''s what I''m asking: is there a quality difference?

I think you''ve answered your own question. If you cant see the difference, then there''s your answer. If you cant see Leon''s better in this way and that, then he''s not your guy. You said many times you love the Taffin and it''s better in this way and that, so to me, you''ve made up your mind. Just get the ring set.

ETA: Going back to the issue of collector value that widget brings up...*waves*, I will state again that I dont think buying an ering as an investment is a valid path to tread as jewelery isn''t a very good investment unless you''re buying an "important" piece that the world will clamor for in the decades ahead (think Hope Diamond, etc.). I dont think diamonds below many carats (and of the highest quality) are worth considering as investments and the settings, while perhaps lovely, aren''t really going to bring in the bucks in the future, regardless of who''s made them. I mean, a Tiffany ring holds it''s basic value but it''s not like people are making hug profits from selling a name brand high end ring. They''re just making more than the average Joe is when s/he tries to sell an old ering.

 

[Kaleigh]

Can you post a pic of the ring you are looking to have made??

 

[fanboy]

Well there's no picture available, only a sketch James did on a Taffin napkin with a BIC pen .

Sorry if this seems like, or is, a repeat topic. I've settled on the diamond: it's the one. I was just remarking in another thread that no matter how large you think a stone is, it won't seem so large later on.

I'm used to making educated decisions about things without relying so much on reputation. I've scoured the internet--and harassed all of you to no end--to try and figure out what substantive differences there may be between a ring made by somone like Leon and a designer like Taffin. The world of high-end custom jewelry is, apparently, rather opaque and difficult to breach.

I'm not looking for a collector's item or to maximize value--although those things are not bad bonuses. The only things keeping me from going with Leon are: (1) the comfort of Taffin's insurance against damage to the stone, (2) the possible superiority of Taffin's quality, and (2) the warranty of liking Taffin's jewelry in general.

I can get past the lack of insurance or the overall aesthetic of either man's jewelry; but I would be willing to pay more for sure even for a slightl improvement in quality.

 

[widget]

Author: decodelighted
I''m not sure who *else* you expect to be hanging around to answer this question (Elizabeth Taylor? Ellen Barkin? The Queen?)

LOL

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:49:00 PM
Author: fanboy
Widget, surfgirl, do you think it''s absurd to spend the equivalent of a third of the center stone''s value on the setting?

Well, if I''m being really blunt, I think you should return your stone and just go to Harry Winston or Graff and buy an already-set rock. For what you''ve spent on your stone and what you''re looking to spend on your setting, you could already have a stunning already made ring from either of those places that would be amazing. Money seems not an issue (lucky you!)and I think no matter who you use for your setting, you''re not going to be 100% happy with the results because you are over-intellectualizing the minutae of every aspect. I say this not as an insult, but as an observation. I could easily see you not liking anything you commission (Taffin or otherwise) because it doesn''t fulfill every teeny tiny aspect of your criteria. Why not just go with a known entity and buy at least a pre-made setting from a high end shop?

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Regarding Garrard - did they tell you where their workrooms are located? Their flagship store is in London. If all their work is done in Eurpoe, that could be what makes their price so much higher.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:56:56 PM
Author: Madam Bijoux
Regarding Garrard - did they tell you where their workrooms are located? Their flagship store is in London. If all their work is done in Eurpoe, that could be what makes their price so much higher.

Yes, I imagine there''s alot of lost work time what with all those tea breaks...

 

[fanboy]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:56:56 PM
Author: Madam Bijoux
Regarding Garrard - did they tell you where their workrooms are located? Their flagship store is in London. If all their work is done in Eurpoe, that could be what makes their price so much higher.

Well, they aren't being very clear about this. Typically, the bespoke commissions are produced in their own London workshops. However, they apparently send their micro-pave work to be done in Los Angeles, by who knows who.

I'm really not considering Garrard anymore. The price is too high and they've been difficult to deal with.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:49:00 PM
Author: fanboy
Widget, surfgirl, do you think it''s absurd to spend the equivalent of a third of the center stone''s value on the setting?

You didn''t ask me, but I think it''s absurd! If I was going to drop that much money on a ring, I''d want the bulk of the money put in the stone. I mean, I probably appreciate designers more than most people (not on PS, but in real life) and I would MUCH rather have a $5000 Leon Mege setting than a similar $10,000 Taffin or a $15,000 Garrard. Especially since it seems you''re getting a relatively simple setting.

 

[widget]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:54:03 PM
Author: surfgirl

Date: 6/21/2007 4:49:00 PM
Author: fanboy
Widget, surfgirl, do you think it''s absurd to spend the equivalent of a third of the center stone''s value on the setting?

Well, if I''m being really blunt, I think you should return your stone and just go to Harry Winston or Graff and buy an already-set rock. For what you''ve spent on your stone and what you''re looking to spend on your setting, you could already have a stunning already made ring from either of those places that would be amazing. Money seems not an issue (lucky you!)and I think no matter who you use for your setting, you''re not going to be 100% happy with the results because you are over-intellectualizing the minutae of every aspect. I say this not as an insult, but as an observation. I could easily see you not liking anything you commission (Taffin or otherwise) because it doesn''t fulfill every teeny tiny aspect of your criteria. Why not just go with a known entity and buy at least a pre-made setting from a high end shop?

I think SG has made some REALLY GOOD POINTS. (But I still like my trip to Paris idea...

)


I''m done...Good luck, fanboy!
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[mrssalvo]

Just FYI, Jewelers Mutual will cover your stone while being set. also, you can get around the insurance thing by putting the stone in a temp. setting, insuring the ring that way. Most policy''s will cover the stone when it''s being remounted.

 

[iheartscience]

Plus, do you really think the quality of Taffin is twice that of Leon Mege? You've seen both in real life. If you do, then go for it. If not, go with Leon Mege.

 

[surfgirl]

widget, I dont know what you''re talking about with this "trip to Paris" but can I come too??? We can take our precious'' to the Eifel Tower and do a "Where''s Precious" series...I know, I need to get a life.

 

[fanboy]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:54:03 PM
Author: surfgirl

Well, if I''m being really blunt, I think you should return your stone and just go to Harry Winston or Graff and buy an already-set rock. For what you''ve spent on your stone and what you''re looking to spend on your setting, you could already have a stunning already made ring from either of those places that would be amazing.

I''m not sure I could get a stone of this size or quality from Harry Winston, Graff, etc., for the final price I''m paying if I have my diamond custom set. At any rate, my feeling on such matters is that such an expensive thing should be done bespoke if possible. It''s not like I picked the diamond I did happenstance or without thought. It took months and months of picking up cues from my girlfriend and thinking about how I feel about her, then tracking down this particular stone. At the end, it''s been about a year since I started looking. Now I''m in the home-stretch.

Money is an issue--it always is, isn''t it? I can stretch the expenditure on the setting to $10k, but it would be a small stretch. $40k for the final ring is really at the upper boundary of what I wanted to spend in the first place, but it''s doable if it''s worth it.

Anyway, it appears that knowledge of Taffin is sparce. And while there is a lot of experience with Leon, there''s not so much experience comparing his work to more expensive options. Herein lies the challenge, I suppose.

 

[iheartscience]

But you compared, didn''t you? I thought you went to both places?

 

[enbcfsobe]

I understand the agonizing -- I am quite the indecisive one. But at some point, you have to make a choice. If you can''t see a difference, and you''re not buying from a place with a "reputation" that FI or her friends will instantly recognize (like Cartier, Tiffany, etc. -- unless you have some serious jewelry-fanatic friends, which I assume you don''t since you''re here instead of asking them...), pick one of the two less expensive ones and give the "extra" money to her favorite charity. That would be an impressive and lasting gift.
I have to agree w/ SG''s point, though -- if you analyze this too much you''ll get yourself to the point where nothing will be satisfactory no matter where it comes from. I think her suggestion of a stock setting from a high-end merchant is a valid consideration. Custom work is scary -- even if you are lucky enough to see a wax model, you really can''t tell what it will turn out like until its done. You really need to be ready to let go at some point and let it be what it will be. Its not easy, but it can be done (I managed, and I was a huge control freak about my ring, though I didn''t have this kind of $ to play with!). Good luck and I hope you are happy with whatever you choose.

 

[fanboy]

Date: 6/21/2007 4:38:54 PM
Author: widget

ETA...hee hee I keep thinking. If I wanted to spend a huge amount for a special specail mounting, I''d at least prefer a better known label. I''d send my rock to Paris (better yet, accompany it

) and have it mounted by Cartier or VCA.

According to Cartier in NYC, Cartier will no longer mount stones provided by clients. Unless they''re lying, they called Paris to check. Van Cleef & Arpels starts at $25,000 just to start the custom process (you still have to pay for labor and materials in addition).

 

[decodelighted]

Fanboy,
Are you proposing to Jessica Alba? I can''t *imagine* how phenomenal the *gal* who made it through your rigorous analysis must be!

 

[fanboy]

I should clarify: I accept the pitfalls and risks of going the custom route. I do that with suits, shirts, etc. It''s picking the right maker. Once I do that, I understand I have to ''let go'' of the process.

I did see both Taffin and Mege micro-pave. But not side-to-side. Anyway, they both looked beautiful. I would think, though, that craftsmanship isn''t always visible but may have more to do with the long-term integrity of the piece.

 

[fanboy]

Date: 6/21/2007 5:16:02 PM
Author: decodelighted
Fanboy,
Are you proposing to Jessica Alba? I can''t *imagine* how phenomenal the *gal* who made it through your rigorous analysis must be!

She''s much more glamorous to me than Jessica Alba .