What info do I need to have when I contact Leon Mege?

[Bling419]

Hi ladies!

This is my first post on PS and I am excited about joining the forum and getting some great advice from ladies who clearly know diamonds, rings, and what they're talking about!

So after lurking over PS for a while now admiring all the absolutely gorgeous, beautiful rings on here, I found myself becoming more and more fascinated with the rings of Leon Mege. After almost three months of ring shopping for the "perfect" setting, I am about at my wits end. I have looked at numerous jewelry stores and brands from Verragio, Tacori, Jack Kelege (who has some amazing rings, btw -I would love a RHR someday day or a pair of earrings), etc. and have also looked at Tiffany and Cartier. I just can't seem to find all of what I'm looking for in any rings I've seen. Thanks to the lovely ladies on here who posted their Leon Mege ring, I have fallen in love with his masterpieces and, quite frankly, everything that he touches. I want to contact him but I'm not really sure if I need all the specifics of what I want in my e-ring from the initial phone call, such as the mm of the e-ring band or exact measurements of the overall ring (size of prongs, thickness of metal around the center stone). Does he specify what he thinks would work best?

Unfortunately I don't live in NY and will be dealing with him via phone. My bf lives in Boston and I am going to visit him next month. I am going to suggest we take a road trip to NYC for the weekend so that we can meet with him in person. Will he have a big inventory of rings in the store to look at so that I can see his work in person?

Those who worked with Leon over the phone/email, was it difficult getting what you wanted across? Also, did you have a hard time contacting/communicating with him?

Another thing I am wondering is if he will do a setting without a center stone, or does he have to have the diamond when making the ring?

 

[sixweekoldson]

WIth Leon you first need to find one of his rings that is close to what you are looking for, the closer the better and copy down its code.
Then find pictures of example rings with the elements you want to change put them in a brief file and send them to him along with his quote form.

Leon doesn't like to be micromanaged if you feel the need to do this go with Steven Kirsch he does similar work to Leon especially on pave rings.

 

[Bling419]

Thanks for the info, I will be sure to do that. Other than the size of the band being what I want, I am not too crazy about giving him exact info on the logistics of the ring, so I guess that's a good thing for me. I would just want him to do prong sizes that will compliment the size of the center stone in his expert opinion, as well as any other aspects of the ring.

 

[swingirl]

You will need to send him your center stone so he can design around it and set it. He will not create a ring without a stone and you would not want anyone else messing with his work. If you like what LM does, you need to leave some decisions to him and his staff. Best thing to do is to look at pieces he's already done and use those as references when you talk to him. I worked with him through emails and phone calls. Then I just trusted his judgement with the details because that was what I was buying, his expertise in creating jewelry. I wanted his style in my ring.

What doesn't seem to work is when a client starts to get too specific in areas that he disagrees with (structure or design). He isn't interested in copying someone else's work for cheaper, either. Good luck with your project. (he might be on vacation at the end of summer so be patient if you can't get a hold of him)

He does not have a store front, just a work studio. It's always nice to meet in person but I doubt that he will have lots of pieces to show you, although maybe some that they are working on.

 

[CharmyPoo]

With Leon or Steven, you need your diamond or buy a diamond from them. They won't start making a setting without the diamond.

Leon has a box full of goodies he is selling if you want to see samples of his work. Leon will not show you other people's pieces that he is working on - I guess it makes sense to respect their privacy. You just need to go with a general idea of what you want (best if you pick from one of his designs or show him a picture) and away he goes.

With Steven, I say a sentence and he instantly gets what I am looking for.

Leon and Steven are in the same building so you can go visit both of them.

 

[swingirl]

I stand corrected. Thanks for the accurate info.