Should I get a Leon..?

[arjunajane]

Hi all,
further to my previous posts, I have received back a couple of quotes from Leon Mege. For a bit of background, I am considering upgrading my ering to a 1.25 RB from GOG, and need to decide on its permanent home.
I originally requested a quote from Leon for his classic solitaire with a small amount of pave just on the basket that surrounds the girdle of the diamond. Unfortunately this was just a bit too expensive for me.
However, his plain classic solitaire is certainly more reasonable and I am now trying to decide what to do.

I do have a few concerns, so here are the pros and cons. I'd really love your guy's input on this situation.

PRO:
- Well, its Leon's solitaire - 'nuff said

I'm in love

CON's:
- I live in Australia, so communiation will not be "easy". This will be my 'permanent set', so I really need it to be as close to perfect as possible.
- I would like to have a *little* bit of input, such as width of shank, colour of metal etc. Not sure how open Leon will be..
- I have a very talented jeweler local to me, where I could collaborate on my "dream solitaire", and still be able to afford the pave on the basket that i can't get with Leon's. I don't expect it to be an exact replica of a LM, but I trust this jeweler will do a great job.
- Wedding band - I really want my ering to fit with a w-band, and not sure I will be able to get around this with LM and still *love* the design..
- Time: Leon, 4-6 weeks. Local: 2-3 weeks.
- I'm not a fan of platinum, which is likely why alot of people go to LM. I would maybe have him make it in 18k yellow gold with plat basket..

I know that seems like an awful lot of "Con's" - sorry! But I have to admit the appeal of having the *real deal* from Leon is strong.

Please help me!!!

 

[arjunajane]

For some reference, here is the Leon classic solitaire that I adore.

 

[arjunajane]

However, if I were to get it made here, I could afford to add pave to the basket like in this image, which I felt makes it a bit more special.

(but still with plain shank and claws).

 

[gwendolyn]

Hmmm. Would you prefer your 'a bit more special' ring with pave, or would you prefer a Leon without pave? Or (if this is an option) can you save up and get the pave from Leon?

 

[mrssalvo]

I''d go with Leon...usually replicas just aren''t quite the same, so if you love it, and can afford it, get the real deal.

 

[Odilia]

Date: 5/6/2008 10:08:04 AM
Author: mrssalvo
I'd go with Leon...usually replicas just aren't quite the same, so if you love it, and can afford it, get the real deal.

I kinda second this. Having just gone custom, I am very leery of custom now. You just don't know what's going to be wrong with it until it's too late. Howver, I totally know the feeling of, "I like this ring except for...." and thinking that you can get what you really want with custom. I don't know if Leon does YG, but if you really like YG better, & he doesn't, I can see why you'd want to get that and the other changes w/ a custom, local jeweler. Boy this reminds me so much of my recent setting decision. I was trying to weigh all the pro's & con's, so similar to yours. If I could do it over I would not go custom, or at least, not with a jeweler who doesn't have a re-do or return policy.

 

[Deelight]

I would usually say Leon all the way but I wonder if you would be truly happy with a plainer solitaire? If you have had pieces made by the local jeweler before and they are of a standard you are happy with and you think that it is possible for him to make you one that your happy with I would say go that route.

The other option is saving for your dream Leon setting but again being OS this is not always viable

 

[CrookedRock]

OK, So I am the one who voted for the custom route. Obviously not bc I don''t love Leon, I''m borderline obsessed with his work! But like you said before, no one will know if it is a Leon or not, just you and us!
Also, I''m a huge fan of pave (as you will see in a short while when I can post mine), and the reason a lot of people (not everyone) uses him is bc he is susposed to be the best when it comes to pave. And trust me, I know how much his pave costs, it''s a hard to thing to swallow... But I love the pave basket you posted, and I think it would be gorgeous for what you want.

Honestly though I feel like you have already decided he will be difficult to work with. What you want is one of his simplest pieces and I really don''t think even with the hassle of having to design it over the phone that it will be all the hard to accomplish. But YOU have to feel comfortable, bc like you said this is your forever ring!! If you totally trust your local jeweler, then you may be better off, and I am sure it will probably be slightly cheaper.

I''m really not trying to talk you out of the Leon, bc I feel for it myself! I just think that when it comes to such an important, symbolic piece you need to be sure that you trust who you are working with!
Out of couriousity... Did you describe to him exactly what you wanted when you got the quote? And did he have any comments on it?

 

[arjunajane]

Hi girls, thanks for the advice.

gwen - don''t dio that, this is the questions I''m asking you!!! I just don''t know really. But to be honest, I wouldn''t want to save up for the Leon with pave - the price just goes beyond what *I* think is reasonable for a setting. I could upgrade to 1.5cts instead!
So if I want the pave, it won''t be from Leon.

Mrs, and others - here''s a question. Do you think having that pave on the head will "detract" from the RB? As in, would I be better off just getting the plain solitaire then settling my bling desire with some bands? However, this brings me back to the issue of the w''band not fitting with LM erings..

OFG, I read about your bad experience, I''m sorry. However, the reason I have chosen this jeweler is I know from my talks with them that they will be nice to work with - i am confident that if I wasn''t happy with something than they would listen and help me..

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/6/2008 10:18:20 AM
Author: arjunajane
gwen - don''t dio that, this is the questions I''m asking you!!! I just don''t know really. But to be honest, I wouldn''t want to save up for the Leon with pave - the price just goes beyond what *I* think is reasonable for a setting. I could upgrade to 1.5cts instead!

So if I want the pave, it won''t be from Leon.

Ok, well, I had to ask! I am not a pave person, so I would say go with Leon and get the classic solitaire made in 18K gold. You won''t really be modifying it--I would assume everyone gets to say how wide they want the shank to be and stuff like that. And you''ll know for sure you will love what you get. I also don''t think dealing with him in the US from Aus is going to be that big of a deal if you aren''t going custom and designing the ring from scratch.

However, that being said, it''s true that it probably wouldn''t ''stand out'' as much as a ring with pave would. Do you want people to focus on the stone (which is what I think Leon''s classic solitaire setting does), or do you want them to focus on the whole ring? Also, do you have any concerns about durability with pave? If you are at all hesitant about the upkeep/wearability (is that a word?) of it, then I''d suggest you stick with the Leon.

So, I don''t think that helps, but those are my thoughts. I do think, if you trust this local jeweler, that you will end up with a beautiful piece no matter what.

 

[iheartscience]

I''d go for a Leon solitaire because his work is just stunning. However, if you have your heart set on pave, but can''t afford Leon pave, custom is probably your best option.

And sorry to threadjack, but OFG, what''s up with your ring? Any news?

 

[Odilia]

Date: 5/6/2008 10:18:20 AM
Author: arjunajane

Mrs, and others - here''s a question. Do you think having that pave on the head will ''detract'' from the RB? As in, would I be better off just getting the plain solitaire then settling my bling desire with some bands? However, this brings me back to the issue of the w''band not fitting with LM erings..

Boy I can totally relate to these kinds of questions. That was always my problem. I personally like some bling on the sides of my diamond, rather than solitaire - on my own hand at least - but then I don''t like 2 blingy rings together and I don''t like a blingy ring paired w/ a plain. So I always thought, had I found one when engaged, I would have preferred something like pave on both bands, since it is more subtle bling when put together, and matching. And I too always wanted rings to sit flush.

Although, a PS''er named diamondnut got a gorgeous Leon - not sure if it''s considered pave or not, but tiny melee in a very thin band w/ a large diamond. I loved her set, and might have been ok w/ them not sitting flush in her case.

Date: 5/6/2008 10:18:20 AM
Author: arjunajane

OFG, I read about your bad experience, I''m sorry. However, the reason I have chosen this jeweler is I know from my talks with them that they will be nice to work with - i am confident that if I wasn''t happy with something than they would listen and help me..

I thought that too, and I think they really do want to make the ring right, except there are always all these tradeoffs that weren''t known ahead of time, that might make it impossible to get right. Oh well.

thing2of2, I was thinking of starting another thread w/ update.

 

[Delster]

arjunajane I'm in Ireland so I can totally understand the communication concerns. Leon has been wonderful with us, having long long conversations with BF on the phone, and mulling over every last intricate detail with him.

He is making us a solitaire that will sit flush with a wedding band (he's also making the wedding band). The design is still very much the same as his classic solitaire, just he's making the doughnut shape under the stone a lot smaller so it won't push a wedding band out away from the ring. Just thought I'd let you know that it can be done!

I had to make the decision about pavé myself as we (OK, I

) wanted a subtle flash of sparkle that wouldn't be obvious to a casual observer. BF asked about our options and Leon advised against adding pavé just to the girdle or prongs. I think it was kind of an 'all or nothing is best' philosphy. We mulled it over and went with the all metal solitaire in the end as having the Leon product was more important to us than the extra sparklies. We know for sure a plain metal solitaire style looks best on me, and we've never seen anything we like as much as the Leon classic solitare.

Go with your gut. If you will always regret not having that pavé on the girdle, if your heart sinks a little bit thinking of a ring without it, then you have your answer. If your heart sinks more thinking about not having a Leon, well then...

 

[Maisie]

I am probably in the minority here, but I wouldn''t buy a plain setting from Leon. I know that its lovely, but I don''t think its any more lovely that a lot of the plain settings available.

If I wanted a blingy sparklefest ring I would go with him though!

 

[Sharon101]

Date: 5/6/2008 10:43:33 AM
Author: Delster
arjunajane I''m in Ireland so I can totally understand the communication concerns. Leon has been wonderful with us, having long long conversations with BF on the phone, and mulling over every last intricate detail with him.

He is making us a solitaire that will sit flush with a wedding band (he''s also making the wedding band). The design is still very much the same as his classic solitaire, just he''s making the doughnut shape under the stone a lot smaller so it won''t push a wedding band out away from the ring. Just thought I''d let you know that it can be done!

I had to make the decision about pavé myself as we (OK, I

) wanted a subtle flash of sparkle that wouldn''t be obvious to a casual observer. BF asked about our options and Leon advised against adding pavé just to the girdle or prongs. I think it was kind of an ''all or nothing is best'' philosphy. We mulled it over and went with the all metal solitaire in the end as having the Leon product was more important to us than the extra sparklies. We know for sure a plain metal solitaire style looks best on me, and we''ve never seen anything we like as much as the Leon classic solitare.

Go with your gut. If you will always regret not having that pavé on the girdle, if your heart sinks a little bit thinking of a ring without it, then you have your answer. If your heart sinks more thinking about not having a Leon, well then...

Great post!!! Out of curiosity, did you see LM`s work irl or just on the net? I also would like him to make me something, but I have never seen his work in the flesh!!! Im just wondering if its too risky to order something very much sight unseen??? And cant wait to see your ring made up.

 

[Delster]

Just in photos on here. I''ve tried on about a bazillion solitaires though, at local stores (cheaper stores right through our most expensive stores) and at Cartier and Tiffany and nothing has matched Leon''s solitaire. Closest anything came was the Cartier 1895 but we could afford much more by buying the stone online and then using Leon. And I can''t wait either!

 

[arjunajane]

Wow, thankyou all so much for your detailed responses . This is really helping me alot.
I guess the other thing with getting Leon Pave - if I lose a stone, its going to be totally impractical, verging on impossible to send it back for replacement. This is where having someone local comes in..


And Gwen, please don''t take me the wrong way, I''m sorry if that didn''t come across properly sweetheart! You have been so very helpful and I appreciate it heaps!

I am reading everyone''s opinons at length and taking them in , I promise. I apologize I can''t post more detailed responses right now as my Fi just got home from wk and wants me to spend some time.

Delster, I would just like to pick your brain as you seem to be in the same situation as me - with regards to the pave on the head - was it Leon''s opinion that this wouldn''t look very good.? Thankyou for your response, you have put it in a good perspective.
Do you possibly have any pics of how the modified basket will look? I understand he doesn''t do drawings at all?

Thankyou all for your time to help me!

One more thing, I know i look silly but how do i view the poll results..?

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 5/6/2008 10:17:06 AM
Author: CrookedRock
OK, So I am the one who voted for the custom route. Obviously not bc I don''t love Leon, I''m borderline obsessed with his work! But like you said before, no one will know if it is a Leon or not, just you and us!
Also, I''m a huge fan of pave (as you will see in a short while when I can post mine), and the reason a lot of people (not everyone) uses him is bc he is susposed to be the best when it comes to pave. And trust me, I know how much his pave costs, it''s a hard to thing to swallow... But I love the pave basket you posted, and I think it would be gorgeous for what you want.

Honestly though I feel like you have already decided he will be difficult to work with. What you want is one of his simplest pieces and I really don''t think even with the hassle of having to design it over the phone that it will be all the hard to accomplish. But YOU have to feel comfortable, bc like you said this is your forever ring!! If you totally trust your local jeweler, then you may be better off, and I am sure it will probably be slightly cheaper.

I''m really not trying to talk you out of the Leon, bc I feel for it myself! I just think that when it comes to such an important, symbolic piece you need to be sure that you trust who you are working with!
Out of couriousity... Did you describe to him exactly what you wanted when you got the quote? And did he have any comments on it?

Crooked, I totally hear you and don''t worry I am definately not judging the man before I have met him

However, I am a little disgruntled. I just sent him an email before asking if he has any pics of settings he has made where a wedding band can sit flush. I explained to him very politely that this element would be instrumental to my decision, as this is my second ering.

This is the reply I received - not cool imho.

"The exact specs we will work out when I have the job."

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/6/2008 10:08:04 AM
Author: mrssalvo
I''d go with Leon...usually replicas just aren''t quite the same, so if you love it, and can afford it, get the real deal.

Ditto, I love Leon''s double prongs.

 

[lyra]

I am not fond of plain Leon solitaires unless it is a very large stone. I like the idea of having some extra bling on the ER too, so I voted go custom, since that seems more affordable, and gives you more options. If you really want gold, you should stick with that too. You don''t need platinum prongs, although I like the look of YG with WG prongs.

 

[Odilia]

Date: 5/6/2008 11:20:00 AM
Author: arjunajane

Date: 5/6/2008 10:17:06 AM
Author: CrookedRock


I''m really not trying to talk you out of the Leon, bc I feel for it myself! I just think that when it comes to such an important, symbolic piece you need to be sure that you trust who you are working with!
Out of couriousity... Did you describe to him exactly what you wanted when you got the quote? And did he have any comments on it?

Crooked, I totally hear you and don''t worry I am definately not judging the man before I have met him

However, I am a little disgruntled. I just sent him an email before asking if he has any pics of settings he has made where a wedding band can sit flush. I explained to him very politely that this element would be instrumental to my decision, as this is my second ering.

This is the reply I received - not cool imho.

''The exact specs we will work out when I have the job.''

That is why I never even called him for a quote. I knew I would have too many inputs - even just minor tweaks, that he might not want to deal with - and I don''t want to find out "after he has the job." I wanted someone who would listen to my inputs, and the custom jeweler I chose was reputed to do that, which he did. For myself, if I had to do it all over again, I would have gone with someone who guarantees a remake or refund or store credit. Even if it cost more.

 

[Delster]

Gosh I don't know why he wouldn't discuss the design with you at least broadly. Maybe he feels like as he has already quoted you he'll just be re-hashing the same ground? Might he be nervous you want to have a three hour conversation about nitty gritty design elements?

To answer your questions

Leon felt that putting pavé onto the girdle around the stone, or onto the prongs, would ruin the balance and symmetry of the design. He said so clearly to BF, but he also said he'd happily do it if that was what BF wanted. He didn't refuse to do it, just gave his opinion as a designer. We mulled it over and went with his opinion. After all, that's what we're paying him for!

As to the flush-fit element, what we have agreed on is that the basic design of the ring will remain the same, but the stone will be set a small bit higher than in the original design. This will allow the prongs to come in closer together underneath the diamond, and the doughnut shape underneath will be the same diameter as the band width. Hope that makes sense? We don't have photos as I don't believe he's done it before. He doesn't provide drawings.

For the record, he explicity told us that he doesn't like the flush-fit look but it was a non-negotiable for us and he's been great helping us to work out how to do it in a way that will still look great. In fact, when BF rang him to finalise the very last few details he frightened the poor boy by telling him he'd already started working on the ring because he was interested in the design! Poor BF was floored. There was much happy dancing all around the kitchen that night, ha ha!

I can also say that he was very open to discussion about the design. And after we got the work order through BF added certain things to it, to make sure some of the bits and pieces we'd discussed were reflected in the written work order, and he was fine with that.

Honestly I'd just ring him. BF has never found him rude or anything less than accommodating. I think English isn't his first language and from personal experience it's so much harder to express oneself in writing in a second language. Spoken language is always much more fluent than written, no matter how fluent you are in a language.

BTW - to view poll results, you have to vote in the poll

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 5/6/2008 11:59:42 AM
Author: Delster
Gosh I don''t know why he wouldn''t discuss the design with you at least broadly. Maybe he feels like as he has already quoted you he''ll just be re-hashing the same ground? Might he be nervous you want to have a three hour conversation about nitty gritty design elements?

To answer your questions

Leon felt that putting pavé onto the girdle around the stone, or onto the prongs, would ruin the balance and symmetry of the design. He said so clearly to BF, but he also said he''d happily do it if that was what BF wanted. He didn''t refuse to do it, just gave his opinion as a designer. We mulled it over and went with his opinion. After all, that''s what we''re paying him for!

As to the flush-fit element, what we have agreed on is that the basic design of the ring will remain the same, but the stone will be set a small bit higher than in the original design. This will allow the prongs to come in closer together underneath the diamond, and the doughnut shape underneath will be the same diameter as the band width. Hope that makes sense? We don''t have photos as I don''t believe he''s done it before. He doesn''t provide drawings.

For the record, he explicity told us that he doesn''t like the flush-fit look but it was a non-negotiable for us and he''s been great helping us to work out how to do it in a way that will still look great. In fact, when BF rang him to finalise the very last few details he frightened the poor boy by telling him he''d already started working on the ring because he was interested in the design! Poor BF was floored. There was much happy dancing all around the kitchen that night, ha ha!

I can also say that he was very open to discussion about the design. And after we got the work order through BF added certain things to it, to make sure some of the bits and pieces we''d discussed were reflected in the written work order, and he was fine with that.

Honestly I''d just ring him. BF has never found him rude or anything less than accommodating. I think English isn''t his first language and from personal experience it''s so much harder to express oneself in writing in a second language. Spoken language is always much more fluent than written, no matter how fluent you are in a language.

BTW - to view poll results, you have to vote in the poll

Thankyou Delster - no definately no 3 hour discussions wanted here, lol, its too late! I did think was strange, but oh well.

I agree with you that I need to just ring him I think. He does say in his emails that he prefer you call for further discussion.
Your idea for the deisgn sounds just like what i''m thinking. If you don''t mind, I may mention him the couple from ireland so he knows what i''m referring to for this deisgn! Sorry for being a copycat

 

[Delster]

No problem arjunajane! You're right to ring him. Paraphrasing CrookedRock - you can't make this decision without having a feel for how he'll be to work with.

Good luck!

 

[CrookedRock]

I guess only bc I have met him, I have to laugh at his response. You have no idea what I went through when I first spoke to him before I had a stone. I tried everything, including bribery

, to get him to help me design something around a stone I didn''t even have!!! LOL So I am not surprised in is response.
Yes he can do rings where the bands will sit flush, I saw pics when I was there. The bottom line is that he can do whatever it is you want, but you have to be prepared for him to give his input just like delster said. I went against what he said on a few things bc I am the one that has to wear it and love it, not him, and he was fine doing that. ANd I have to add that he will do a drwaing, I have about 3 pages of them...
One thing to keep in mind is that his rings take up to 6 weeks to complete so he must have a ton of work in his workshop bc realistically it should not take that long! So if he doesn''t exactly make time to get into the nitty gritty beforehand it is probably bc he is a busy man... Again I agree with Delster... Call him. And try to call in the early morning hours around 9am or so his time bc he is much better on the phone than email.

Are you using the same stone you already have or are you upgrading it?? I missed that...

PS... If it makes you feel any better I sent him an email while he was setting my stone about a few concerns I had over a progress pic he sent me (which he never does and even after he said he wanted to, he tried to get out of it!). He simply emailed me back and told me he didn''t have time for emails like that! I laughed, I had to, what else can you do!

And this was while he was holding my stone and had about 4k from me!!! It''s just kinda how he is... But like you said, It''s a Leon

and this is all part of it...

I hope some of this is helpful, I just want you to get what you really really want!

 

[Delster]

Ooooh CrookedRock you lucky thing getting to see pictures and having drawings! He definitely doesn''t provide that service when you''re dealing with him ''remotely''

Asking purely on behalf of arjunajane you understand, how did those flush-fit rings look?

 

[scarlet16]

Date: 5/6/2008 12:25:48 PM
Author: Delster
Ooooh CrookedRock you lucky thing getting to see pictures and having drawings! He definitely doesn''t provide that service when you''re dealing with him ''remotely''

Asking purely on behalf of arjunajane you understand, how did those flush-fit rings look?

This one is flush fit...but not as pretty as the classic in my opinion. Personally, I''d get the classic and deal w/ the tiny gap.

 

[Delster]

Yeah we didn''t like the capuchonné style so much either. Our ring isn''t based on that design at all, it''s based on the classic solitaire, the one arjunajane posted.

 

[pixley]

I voted to go with the Leon and call him only after you have your stone ready to go. Ditto CR's advice to call him first thing in the morning while he is fresh and hasn't worked a full day.

I was in the same boat as you (although in Canada and not as far out to sea) so I opted not to go with a Leon because he wanted to turn it into a three stone ring or halo it like his Jubilee settings due to its size. He said he would do the solitaire for me if I really wanted him to but he thought, as a 1 carat antique style cushion, it might be drowning in metal in that setting. I can see where he was coming from because antique cushions can carry a lot of weight in the crown and face up small for their weight. He did tell me to send it to him and he could determine whether or not it was spready enough to handle the classic solitaire, but the shipping, insurance and customs stuff was just too much expense and hassle for me to deal with so I found a wonderful local jeweler to set my stone, and while I love it and he did a fantastic job, the prongs are not as microscopically perfect as Leon's and he used a square stock for the shank, while Leon uses more of a 1/2 round shape that looks more fluid. Leon can also go thinner than 2mm which my jeweller absolutely wouldn't do.

In the end, it was worth it to me to have the local experience and I'm delighted with the way the ring looks, but I still wish I had those elements that I love about Leon's work: perfect little prongs, and fluid, liquidy curves.

Regarding input: he will let you choose your shank thickness (as others have indicated) and you could simply talk to him about your choice of metals. Regarding pave on the basket - that may depend on the size stone and may come down to his "drowning in metal" argument. I also don't think the little donut element below the basket will be so big that it would prevent you from wearing a w-band with it.

His solitaires are truly special - I'd rather have a Leon solitaire than a Cartier any day. When I have time to go to NY, I will likely upgrade to a Leon setting now that I know it can handle it. Or, I may just go wild and trick it out with a halo and pave!

 

[Lill_The_Thrill]

Date: 5/6/2008 9:40:42 AM
Author: arjunajane
For some reference, here is the Leon classic solitaire that I adore.

OMG!!!! it's amazing! But can I just ask, is that the same solitaire that Diamondseeker has? it looks a bit different?

It's beautiful, I would probably go with that. I've heard that Leon can be difficult to work with, BUT for me I think his "lack" of ability to compromise on his designs would still be worth it, because his work really is art. But that's just me. Good luck!