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

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fanboy, though i am very picky about designs when i am choosing myself i would be thrilled with anything, and i mean anything - maybe the last piece of jewelry i would buy for myself - if it was made with as much effort by my man as you putting in.

Engagement ring is not a symbol of girl''s taste or her man''s wellness, both can and will change - here comes an upgrade
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Thanks widget!
 
Date: 6/22/2007 10:01:27 PM
Author: Pricescope
fanboy, though i am very picky about designs when i am choosing myself i would be thrilled with anything, and i mean anything - maybe the last piece of jewelry i would buy for myself - if it was made with as much effort by my man as you putting in.

Engagement ring is not a symbol of girl's taste or her man's wellness, both can and will change - here comes an upgrade
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I would be thrilled, too, but still, being thrilled that your man put in a lot of effort is not the same thing as being thrilled that the ring is perfect for you. Also, for all we know, she may rather have a $5k setting and have him spend the $5k saved on a romantic weekend for two. I think it would be nice to let her have some input on that, too.
 
Well, put it this way: cost aside, I seen very little if any downside with using Taffin. The only issue is whether the added value is worth the extra $5,000. If I were infinitely wealthy, I would have chosen Taffin a long time ago.


However, in reality, I''ve got to also worry about wedding bands, paying for the wedding, maintaining sufficient savings, etc. No matter how rich anyone is, $5,000 is still $5,000.
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what is the "added value" of a Taffin ring?
is it--
-the insured stone during setting (apparently you can have the stone insured while Leon is working on it, too)
-the design work of Leon is "not up to par" (although it sound like the design you want is something Leon is considered very good at doing)
-Taffin has better craftsmanship than Leon (although Leon has also been recommended for his excellent work/skill)
-de Givenchy is interested in doing a single side pave (Leon could do this as well, if it were agreed upon, right?)
-you really love Taffin''s designs (but the proposed design does not sound like it would ''look'' like something by the firm, no matter how beautiful and well-executed it is)
-the high quality of service (there''s nothing like feeling that you are being well cared for, it''s one of the beauties of bespoke work)
-the aura of Taffin''s name (i''m pretty smitten, if i may say so)

oh, hum hum, i feel like i could go on and on until i pass out, but in the end, it sounds like you''re the kind of person who knows what he wants. i hope i didn''t come off as critical of your relationship with your partner. it''s just this whole bespoke thing that''s been on my mind lately.

i''m just not sure what you mean by "added value". also, i don''t think anyone on this forum wants to be in the position of convincing you to go with Leon Mege when all signs (by you) are pointing to Taffin. you''re right, high-stakes bespoke jewelry is an opaque world that none of us have apparently been privy to. go with your instinct. i''m sure your future wife will love it no matter what you decide, especially considering all the thought that has gone into it.

i''m a little concerned about the growing frustration underlying this thread, and i fear i might have instigated some of the rancor with my comments. i think it''s wonderful that your partner isn''t the kind of person that ''needs'' a ring. i don''t think many of us here are like that, either. but you''re talking to a group of people who are extremely hands-on about their jewelry. my main point was that it seems the bespoke experience is ultimately something that you''ll gain the most pleasure from, not your future wife. she will most likely love whatever ring you give her (not knowing her tastes, i can''t say much else). my thought was simply that it would be nice if she could partake in the experience. you have been placing such a high premium on the ring being a bespoke object. maybe i''m being mean (i''m hoping to come off as honest), but i feel like this ring is ALSO a lot about you, not just the relationship and the woman you''re planning on spending the rest of your life with. maybe it''s presumptuous and rude (i hope not!) for me to point something like that out, but when you ask whether the extra $5000 is worth it, i wonder, worth it to whom? will she care? will the ring really be that much ''better'' by Taffin than by Leon Mege? i have no freaking clue what the answer is, maybe you do.

personally, i would love it if you chose Taffin, as i am curious to see more detailed photos and descriptions of the final product. i think de Givenchy''s work is marvelous, and i also think the name brings a lot to the table (i''m an avid supporter of a select few small-scale clothing designers. their name really means something to me, hence, no knock-offs allowed in my closet). it sounds like the Taffin name/experience/design is worth the extra money for you.

regardless of hurt feelings about whatever anyone has said, i''m sure everyone is eagerly looking forward to the final creation. we''ve tried to help as best we can, but it''s been clear from the beginning that there''s only so much first-hand knowledge/advice that can be shared before we all have to take a field trip to Taffin''s atelier to scrutinize the jewelry ourselves!
 
fanboy, I do think it''s great you''re putting so much effort and thought into your girlfriend''s ring. I don''t even think it''s bad that you''re surprising her since it seems that''s what she wants. I do think you''re obsessing too much, but I''m sure others thought the same of me when I was searching for my ring. I am a bit offended that you seem to look down on women like myself who want to pick out their own ring, but I''ll let that slide because I don''t know you and don''t have to hang out with you in real life.

Here''s my point: none of us can tell you what to do. At this point, you just need to decide. Flip a coin, draw straws, whatever. My opinion is that for the ring you''re trying to get, there''s no need to pay the extra money for Taffin. Personally, if I commissioned a Taffin, I''d give him a stone and let him go crazy on it. However, you seem extremely enamored by the name and the exclusivity. If that''s worth the extra $5000 to you, then by all means, go for it. But you''re the only one who can decide since you''re the one getting the ring.
 
Date: 6/22/2007 9:59:20 PM
Author: widget
Date: 6/22/2007 9:52:05 PM

Author: NewUser


Date: 6/21/2007 11:35:38 PM

Author: neatfreak

For everyone''s viewing pleasure:
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How are you able to capture the pictures from that site?
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hi, NU...Art Nouveau answered that question at the bottom of her post above:


you can save the picture by doing a print screen. The button is usually on the top row of the key board on the right. After you hit''print screen'', open Word and do ''edit paste''. You will see the picture of the whole page. Use the ''crop'' tool in the picture tool bar. Crop out everything except the picture. Right click on the picture and select copy. Open a photo editing program like Photoshop. Open a new file, then do edit paste. Save the picture as a jpeg.




AN: Well....I still can''t do it. I did get to capture a page on my Word, and was terribly excited.
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Then I bogged down. Still working on it!
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i do the same thing, but i use Paint, not Word. i don''t have photoshop, but i can save it as a jpg in Paint. i was super excited when i first learned how to do this. it made blogging sooo much easier!
 
Date: 6/22/2007 10:15:22 PM
Author: NewUser

Date: 6/22/2007 10:01:27 PM
Author: Pricescope
fanboy, though i am very picky about designs when i am choosing myself i would be thrilled with anything, and i mean anything - maybe the last piece of jewelry i would buy for myself - if it was made with as much effort by my man as you putting in.

Engagement ring is not a symbol of girl''s taste or her man''s wellness, both can and will change - here comes an upgrade
9.gif
Click to expand...
I would be thrilled, too, but still, being thrilled that your man put in a lot of effort is not the same thing as being thrilled that the ring is perfect for you. Also, for all we know, she may rather have a $5k setting and have him spend the $5k saved on a romantic weekend for two. I think it would be nice to let her have some input on that, too.
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I guess i did not make myself clear - i be better off with Wikipedia for my English:

it''s a sufficient condition for a e-ring to be "perfect for me"
 
Date: 6/22/2007 10:35:42 PM
Author: Pricescope

Date: 6/22/2007 10:15:22 PM
Author: NewUser


Date: 6/22/2007 10:01:27 PM
Author: Pricescope
fanboy, though i am very picky about designs when i am choosing myself i would be thrilled with anything, and i mean anything - maybe the last piece of jewelry i would buy for myself - if it was made with as much effort by my man as you putting in.

Engagement ring is not a symbol of girl''s taste or her man''s wellness, both can and will change - here comes an upgrade
9.gif
Click to expand...
I would be thrilled, too, but still, being thrilled that your man put in a lot of effort is not the same thing as being thrilled that the ring is perfect for you. Also, for all we know, she may rather have a $5k setting and have him spend the $5k saved on a romantic weekend for two. I think it would be nice to let her have some input on that, too.
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I guess i did not make myself clear - i be better off with Wikipedia for my English:

it''s a sufficient condition for a e-ring to be ''perfect for me''
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I see your point and what fanboy needs to determine for himself is whether he wants her to think the ring is perfect for her because he put so much thought and effort into it or because it truly is the perfect ring for her. Don''t get me wrong, I too would be thrilled/touched by his efforts if I were his FF. It is just that it seemed to me that he is not so much interested in that as he is in finding this ring that will wow her because of the ring itself. I can only go by what he posts and that is what came across to me.

I am switching my position now, though, for selfish reasons. Fanboy - go with the Taffin and then post many pictures here so we can all see it!!
 
Thank you everyone for trying to understand what I''m trying to do. I''m sorry if I have not been all too clear with my purpose; however, it was never my intention to make it that clear since I was really just interested in discussing diamonds, rings, and jewelry, etc. My friends and family are there to consult with me on my relationship issues and romantic intentions. Had I known I would be scrutinized for my motivations toward my girlfriend on an internet forum about diamonds, I would have thought twice before asking for advice.

That being said, you''ve all been very helpful and I am very grateful for your patience and wisdom. As you can imagine, given the situation, it is not possible to discuss this topic with many other people in real life.

At this time, let me make clear what my purpose is. It is to discuss the objective qualities inherent to different producers of engagement rings. Price differences are patently clear; craftsmanship is not. The essential format of the ring is already decided: solitaire, micro-pave, single band, no halo, no art deco or period decorations. To many, this simple format means that I shouldn''t be so worried about who I pick to make a ring. However, as with all things that appear simple, elegance is in the details and the execution. Perhaps it''s worth noting that James de Givenchy himself agreed that this format was the most appropriate for the stone and said he would not suggest anything else (the diamond is relatively small compared to many of the large stones you see in his work and an engagement ring serves a different function than whimsical pieces that are only worn on some occasions).

To my mind, the premium you pay for bespoke work (''custom'' for those who don''t like the other word) is not necessarily to get something outlandish or completely different from what someone else might have made, but to better ensure achieving a goal most reflective of a client''s needs, desires, and best interests. It may be, for example, that a ring made by Leon would look just like one made by Taffin, but the process of getting there is quite different.

I did not mean to imply that there is anything necessarily wrong with a woman that wants to be involved in designing her engagement ring. I did mean to imply that whether such a thing is right or wrong is entirely dependant upon the nature of that woman''s relationship with her boyfriend/fiance.

Anyway, since experience with Taffin is non-existent, let me ask about Leon. Hopefully this more direct question will be less controversial: is there any known maker of micro-pave rings that does better micro-pave than Leon? Or is he really one of the best? I know, I''ve seen his work in person; but my amateur eyes can''t match the knowledge and experience that you all have.
 
From everything I''ve read (and seen in photos) on Pricescope, Leon Mege is one of the best, if not the best, micropave makers.
 
people like you really scare me. any qualitative differences between any of the upper tier are jewelers are indiscernable after the ring has been worn for a week or two.

make a decision, and move forward.
 
I''d type in Leon Mege in the search box, and read the threads mentioning him. To me his work is in a league of it''s own. Is there someone better?? Maybe. Go do some reading, it will help I think. We have given you all our own experiences with him. I''m out of ideas to make you feel any more comfortable. If you really need to be talked into Leon, it''s not the right choice for you. I think you have you heart and mind made up with Taffin. I for one, would go that route. It will be a gorgeous ring, and one I will really look forward to seeing!!! HTH, and good luck!!!
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I''m done advising ... but I''m always up for pictures!! Here''s the rock!!

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Fanboy,
I don''t know anything about Taffin other than he''s thick with the NY socialites. However, I do know that I''d be thrilled if my fiance had done as much due diligence as you.
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Date: 6/22/2007 11:26:36 PM
Author: fanboy


Anyway, since experience with Taffin is non-existent, let me ask about Leon. Hopefully this more direct question will be less controversial: is there any known maker of micro-pave rings that does better micro-pave than Leon? Or is he really one of the best? I know, I've seen his work in person; but my amateur eyes can't match the knowledge and experience that you all have.
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honestly fanboy, this question might be better answered by folks in the trade. most of here aren't qualified to know who really does the best pave around. we've seen pics of Leon's or others work but only a handful have even seen a Leon ring in person. I'm just not sure how to go about getting a non-bias answer from someone who would be qualified to tell you. Maybe start by calling an appraiser in NY who would be familar with the designers you are considering and has inspected their work. they may be able to give you an opinion with nothing to gain.

eta: i still vote for taffin, just sounds like a better match for you to acheive the process you're after and there is no doubt they do quality work
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Date: 6/22/2007 11:26:36 PM
Author: fanboy
Thank you everyone for trying to understand what I''m trying to do. I''m sorry if I have not been all too clear with my purpose; however, it was never my intention to make it that clear since I was really just interested in discussing diamonds, rings, and jewelry, etc. My friends and family are there to consult with me on my relationship issues and romantic intentions. Had I known I would be scrutinized for my motivations toward my girlfriend on an internet forum about diamonds, I would have thought twice before asking for advice.
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This is the internet, it comes with the territory. If you post on a BB, you get the answers the posters feel like giving you and that includes their opinion of your relationship or anything else they care to opine about. If you are sensitive about that, you should rethink posting on the internet because you may be too sensitive for this type of forum.

On that note, I would like to respond to this statement of yours:

"I did not mean to imply that there is anything necessarily wrong with a woman that wants to be involved in designing her engagement ring. I did mean to imply that whether such a thing is right or wrong is entirely dependant upon the nature of that woman''s relationship with her boyfriend/fiance."

LOL! You have got to be kidding me. OK, here is some more advice for you - if you are the one with money in the relationship - make sure you have an iron clad prenup.
 
hi fanboy! i think i am on the same page with you and what you are trying to do. i personally have not seen a taffin or mege irl. after reading the thread i feel the taffin is the correct choice for you.

i would be delighted to receive such a ring and feel a lot of other women would also. it seems to me you have done the homework and are well prepared to make a decision. spend the extra $5000. it will be worth it to you in the long run. you have stated that taffin is your choice and the extra cash is the only hold back. i vote for spending the money and enjoying the return.

we all will eagerly await the pictures of whatever you choose. i feel confident the girlfriend is more eager than we are so get this project on the road. jmho. good luck!

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Date: 6/23/2007 12:43:13 AM
Author: NewUser

''I did not mean to imply that there is anything necessarily wrong with a woman that wants to be involved in designing her engagement ring. I did mean to imply that whether such a thing is right or wrong is entirely dependant upon the nature of that woman''s relationship with her boyfriend/fiance.''

LOL! You have got to be kidding me. OK, here is some more advice for you - if you are the one with money in the relationship - make sure you have an iron clad prenup.
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I''m a bit confused by this comment. When I was referring to the nature of a person''s relationship, I was not referring to financial status. I was referring to the fact that people in different reationships set different standards and expectations for each other with regard to such things as engagement rings and gifts in general. For some women, the engagement ring is more valuable when selected by their boyfriends than when handpicked by themselves. I know I feel that way about gifts my girlfriend gives me.

Remember, this forum naturally attracts people who are more interested than usual in the ins and outs of buying diamonds and engagement rings. Thus, there are probably more women in the world at large who don''t want to micro-manage their engagement ring selection than implied by forum members'' prevalent attitudes.
 
Date: 6/22/2007 11:26:36 PM
Author: fanboy


At this time, let me make clear what my purpose is. It is to discuss the objective qualities inherent to different producers of engagement rings. Price differences are patently clear; craftsmanship is not. The essential format of the ring is already decided: solitaire, micro-pave, single band, no halo, no art deco or period decorations. To many, this simple format means that I shouldn''t be so worried about who I pick to make a ring. However, as with all things that appear simple, elegance is in the details and the execution. Perhaps it''s worth noting that James de Givenchy himself agreed that this format was the most appropriate for the stone and said he would not suggest anything else (the diamond is relatively small compared to many of the large stones you see in his work and an engagement ring serves a different function than whimsical pieces that are only worn on some occasions).


To my mind, the premium you pay for bespoke work (''custom'' for those who don''t like the other word) is not necessarily to get something outlandish or completely different from what someone else might have made, but to better ensure achieving a goal most reflective of a client''s needs, desires, and best interests. It may be, for example, that a ring made by Leon would look just like one made by Taffin, but the process of getting there is quite different.
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hmmmmm.
it still sounds like you believe that Taffin will provide a truer bespoke experience (i prefer the term, as it reflects its sartorial association).

i have no doubt that de Givenchy would also agree that the setting you''re interested in is the best for showcasing the stone. and no, it''s not necessary for it to be whimsical or costume-y for it to be a Taffin piece. Leon Mege, who seems to have a rather consistent aesthetic, has been known to break from it for certain stones and clients. i hope you weren''t implying that i think that bespoke means it should be outlandish, whimsical, and unusual. i tried to stress that bespoke is really about the experience. that''s the whole point of bespoke tailoring, it''s all in the little details and the process (which ultimately produces a beautiful object that may or may not look bespoke except to the studied eye). sorry if i''m being huffy, but it''s very late at night and i should be going to sleep, not fussing over this thread (i swear i am so over this).

i second mrsssalvo. ask others in the trade. you can probably read all about other pricescopers'' experiences with Leon Mege where they expound on the attention to detail and high craftsmanship. you might also hear stories about a difficult or wonderful (or both!) personality, which obviously affects the relationship.

it sounds like you and de Givenchy are on the same page, that you trust him (as i think you probably should). so why not choose him? he''s certainly no stranger to micropave work, understands what you hope to accomplish, and is providing excellent service.

as i am not an expert in micro pave (i like lots of mark morrell fluid-looking platinum), i clearly have nothing left to contribute.

good luck.

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Date: 6/22/2007 8:47:16 PM
Author: surfgirl
Date: 6/22/2007 8:18:32 PM

Author: fanboy

Vix and Surfgirl: there is a huge difference between claiming to not want an engagement ring and not actually wanting one. A very plausible way to understand such a statement is: ''I don''t need an engagement ring to get married or be happy.'' Indeed, if my girlfriend felt that she did need an engagement ring, she certainly woudn''t be the right girl for me. Thankfully, she is neither so shallow nor so materialistic.



Fortunately, I am at a station in life where I am able to do something very nice for my girlfriend and would like to show her how I feel about her. This is purely a luxury. If we needed the money for something actually important, I would never have bought this diamond to begin with. However, just because it is a luxury, and my girlfriend is not well-versed in diamonds or engagement rings, doesn''t mean she deserves anything less than the best I can give her.



Under your school of thought, only women who overtly express a desire or need for an engagement ring should receive lavish rings, while more modest women should receive simple ones. Frankly, I would find it in great distaste if my girlfriend spent significant time discussing what she wants for an engagement ring. I''m sure many men would agree. Anyway, wouldn''t it nice to be genuinely surprised by someone else''s generosity and affection without having to ask for it?



At any rate, you''re not getting the point. I doesn''t matter what my relationship is like. I could easily have signed on under a woman''s name and just said I was looking for a ring for myself. To persist in making my relationship a factor in this discussion--as if you have any idea what you''re talking about in that matter--is truly presumptious and futile. I''m sure you woudn''t like it if I rejected your advice or input because of my inferences about you or your relationships. It''s not just beyond the subject matter of this forum, but quite rude.
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I''m sort of smiling reading this because I too could say ''you''re not getting the point'' of what most of us are saying. Do I NEED an ering? Of course not. Did I want one, sure, most women do. Did I pontificate the details of what I wanted? Of course not. I dont know anyone here that would. Did I have a specific dollar point in mind that I wanted to spend. Of course not, that was entirely up to my FI. Did he want to be the one who decides what I wear on my hand for the rest of my life? Nope. But that''s not good or bad, that''s just how he is. He wanted me to choose something that made my heart sing because he wanted it to be perfect - for me - and therefore, my opinion was key. That''s not to say that every guy out there who wants to ''surprise'' his lady with a ring she knows nothing about is wrong. But at this point, it seems like you just like to say the word BESPOKE an awful lot and let''s be honest, we''ve all given you our thoughts, opinions, etc. and there is nothing left to add. You keep beating a dead horse. Just go get your Taffin ring already. And when it''s finished, please do come back and post photos so we can all see what this ring looks like in the end.


Goodnight, Good Luck, and enjoy your Station!
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I''m sorry but this is just too funny!!!
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Date: 6/22/2007 9:29:35 PM
Author: NewUser
If my DH had done what you are doing, he would have picked out a ring that I would have liked. However, he would not have been able to pick one out that I loved because until I educated myself about all the wonderful designs out there, I would have not been able to let him know what it was that I loved. I need to look and look and look and examine this one and that one and yet another one and see them on MY fingers, not anyone else's fingers, and then I would know what it is that I loved. I think you are depriving her of all that fun and possibily depriving yourself of seeing the joy in her eyes when she finds the perfect ring for her. You may never see that because the one you pick for her may not be the one she would have picked for herself to wear on her hand every day of her life. Of course, she won't love you any less if the ring is not perfect for her but it seems like you are looking for the perfect ring for her and I don't see how that is possible without her input. She may say it is perfect for her not to hurt your feelings or you may really pick out the perfect ring for her all by yoursef. I just think you maximize the odds of getting it right if you get her input.


It could be a wonderful experience for both of you to go through the custom ring process together.
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Ahh, New User, this is beautifully said. Exactly! What an experience to go through together, eh? Now that's a lovely experience. fanboy, if people are getting annoyed, it's because you keep asking the same questions over and over and over ad infinitum (of course the continued 'bespoke' speak and references to 'stations of life' isn't helping, but then again, perhaps my station is lower than yours
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and all this bespoke-speak is going over my head) . People here love talking diamonds and erings, but you've had threads for all aspects of this ring. You have already asked if we think Leon is better than Taffin is better than Garrard, etc. At this point it doesn't matter what WE think, it only matters what YOU think. If, to your eyes, a LM pave ring is not better quality than a Taffin, then again, LM is NOT right for your project. Your choice is made.

As for this comment:
"I did not mean to imply that there is anything necessarily wrong with a woman that wants to be involved in designing her engagement ring. I did mean to imply that whether such a thing is right or wrong is entirely dependant upon the nature of that woman's relationship with her boyfriend/fiance."

I certainly do believe you were inferring that those of us with specific tastes and desires for our erings were somehow uncouth or tasteless because we know what we'd like (or would at least like to participate in the process of deciding what it is we love!).

As for this comment (I clearly have far too much time on my hands):
"Under your school of thought, only women who overtly express a desire or need for an engagement ring should receive lavish rings, while more modest women should receive simple ones. Frankly, I would find it in great distaste if my girlfriend spent significant time discussing what she wants for an engagement ring."

Well yes, women who are "modest" usually do not want erings that are blinged out and lavish. That's because they're 'modest'. That's what modest usually infers, doesn't it? Perhaps I need to consult my Oxford English unabridged dictionary as I've mainly been using a Webster's for far too long, but I thought modest meant 'simple', 'demure', 'understated'. You describe your lady as that, and yet you want an asscher that is pave'd to the nth degree. So yes, people will question you. And will bring up the question of WHY you refuse to include the lady in the process since she appears different - by your own description - than the ring you are trying to 'bespoke', so to speak (heh...try saying *that* ten times fast!).

You seem terribly offended that some have commented on your relationship but what do you expect when you say things like you'd never want to be with a woman who discusses what she'd like in her ring. Those are comments that appear quite controlling and you're posting on a board that is primarily composed of women who are quite confident in their tastes and opinions (and their love of diamonds!). Just something to consider...opposing viewpoints and all that...cheers.
 
Date: 6/23/2007 1:53:33 AM
Author: surfgirl
At this point it doesn''t matter what WE think, it only matters what YOU think. If, to your eyes, a LM pave ring is not better quality than a Taffin, then again, LM is NOT right for your project. Your choice is made.
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surfgirl, I see your point but fanboy is asking b/c although he''s seen the settings, he was unable to compare them side by side and doesn''t feel educated enough to understand what quality pave is. I''ve been on this form for years and don''t completely understand the process myself. he''s getting ready to spend a lot of $ and wants the best, so although folks here adore Leon do any of us really know if he is the *best*? Leon falls into a lot more budgets so it''s an easy choice for most, but who''s to say if folks had 10K to spend they wouldn''t choose something/someone else?I do want to add that I adore Leon but chose someone else for myself b/c of the design I wanted, not the quality of his work and have have a huge respect for him b/c he won''t copy/knock off other designers.


I also wanted to add, I''m a modest girl, don''t wear any other jewelry and yet my new ring will have pave and sidestones. so modest/simple doesn''t necessarily exclude a pave ring. I think the stone and setting he''s after will be classic and gorgeous but not over the top from the bling factor in any way. He''s also bought jewelry for her in the past and feels very confindent that he knows her style so if she feels confindent enough to trust him with this forever purchase, at this point, I think so should we
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PS is a place where the women here love to research and explore. I know none of my real life friends feel the same obsessions with their rings that I have. My sister wanted her hubby to pick the setting. He did and she was over the moon thrilled with her ring and I''m sure her hubby didn''t put in half the time or thought fanboy is.
 
Woulldn''t it be funny if it turned out that Leon did Taffin''s pave work?
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I mean, I do not think James does the actual benchwork.
 
Haha DS, then all Leon would need is an auntie Chanel
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Date: 6/23/2007 9:39:47 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Woulldn''t it be funny if it turned out that Leon did Taffin''s pave work?
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I mean, I do not think James does the actual benchwork.
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HEEElarious, it would be. I''m sure -- even if it''s true, that during the Taffin-specific projects he wears a trucker hat embroidered with the word "Bespoke" on it, whereas when working on his *own* projects, his "Custom" chapeau is donned. The resulting difference in quality is subtle, yet pricey!
 
fanboy,

You are very sweet to put so much effort into your girlfriend''s engagement ring. Personally, I love the romance of surprising your ff with the engagement. Especially if you feel that you know what she wants. My husband did that for me, and I found it so sweet to see how excited he was to present me with the ring. He does know my taste very well, and we have similar taste, so I didn''t worry that he would buy something I didn''t like.

I have never seen any of LM''s or Taffin''s work in person. I never even heard of Taffin until seeing this thread. My feeling is this. It does seem that you perceive a difference between LM and Taffin''s work, and feel that Taffin''s work is superior. To my eye, I don''t think that I would be able to perceive a difference between the two. That is just my guess about what I could see. That doesn''t mean that I think someone else couldn''t see, and appreciate the difference. Honestly, the only people who will ever examine the ring closely will be you and your girlfriend. Therefore, if that difference is important to you, by all means get the Taffin.

From a financial perspective, if you think that the Taffin may someday become a collector''s item, that may warrant the extra expense. However, like any investment, this is a bit of a gamble. However, even if the ring doesn''t become a collector''s item, you will still have a ring that you (and hopefully she) are thrilled with. Also, if it becomes a collector''s item, I''m guessing that you would never want to sell the ring. So, any increase in value would only be on paper. It would be a wonderful heirloom to pass on, and one with a great deal of sentiment behind it.

If it was me, I would save the $5,000.00 and go with LM. I think that 99.999999% of the population would be thrilled with his workmanship.

Best of Luck with your decision and let''s get that GORGEOUS stone set!!
 
Date: 6/23/2007 9:39:47 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Woulldn''t it be funny if it turned out that Leon did Taffin''s pave work?
9.gif
I mean, I do not think James does the actual benchwork.
Click to expand...

ha DS, that would be hysterical and it seems to me, quite possible
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Date: 6/23/2007 10:06:21 AM
Author: mrssalvo
Date: 6/23/2007 9:39:47 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Woulldn't it be funny if it turned out that Leon did Taffin's pave work?
9.gif
Click to expand...
it seems to me, quite possible
1.gif
Click to expand...
I thought the same thing ... but for a random reason: 100% seems to be the standard industry mark-up. If Leon's work & materials cost 5K ... 10K is *exactly* what a reseller would charge.
 
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