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What to do with my 5,3 OEC: choose the Leon Mege design?

Acinom

Super_Ideal_Rock
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May 15, 2013
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Hi Pricescopers! I am new on this forum but I have viewed many times for inspiration. I am on Purseforum and on the ladies there refer to Pricescope quite often. I love your beautiful designs as well as your knowledge.

I would like to show you my 5,3 carat OEC that I bought some years ago. This is the 4th setting...
The stone is now set in quite a 'bold' setting and I am not sure whether I would like to keep it like this. Inspired by the French cut setting from Leon Mege I recently contacted Leon!! I am quite enthusiastic about this design. What do you think. Shall I choose for a LM setting now or wait just a little while as I only had it set in this setting 2 months ago. Yes really... I had it set by a high quality designer, but I am not sure whether it's not too big and bold. It is not an e -ring by the way. I wear my OEC every day, often combined with my wedding ring.

What I like abou the LM ring with French cut sites is the softness of this design and the incredible sparkle!

Your reaction would be highly appreciated!!! :D

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A family grouping

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I would absolutely reset into a delicate Leon Mege tapered french cut - it will run you close to 10K if not more. You can also consider Steven Kirsch who can also make the same setting. He had a beautiful tapered french cut set a few weeks back.

I also believe you are asking for opinions on your current setting. For me, the bezel is too thick and takes away from the softness and beauty of the OEC.
 
Thank you for your reaction CharmyPoo. The bezel on my current setting is indeed quite thick and that's the reason I am having doubts.
The Leon Mege design will indeed be softer. I will google Steven Kirsch designs. I am not familiar with his designs (I am from Europe).
Thanks again!!

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I love a good bezel and while yours is beautiful, it is quite thick. I like it best alone. I think a setting with French cuts would look really amazing with your OEC as well!
 
Thank you yennyfire! I am familiar with Victor Canera but since he is located at the west coast, it's less realistic for me (I live in Europe, but I occasionsly go to NY)

Thnks mrsbettyboop for your reaction!
 
I agree that the bezel is too thick and doesn't do your stone justice. I think Leon's french cut setting would be perfection with your stone :love:
 
I'm not typically a fan of mixing old cuts with modern settings. If your diamond was a MRB I think the thick bezel might work better, though it is still not my personal taste. It detracts from your OEC.

I would personally go with Steven or Victor. I have pieces by LM, SK and VC - all are very well done but I have found that I personally just like SK and VC better. I like their work ethic and how they run their customer service. However it wouldn't hurt to get quotes from all 3 and see who you like best.
 
Your replies are really helping me ladies!
I indeed have the feeling that 'something is weird' about this combination. And indeed it is better with a modern stone because I have seen this setting with modern stones and it looked so much better.

I already have a quote from Leon and I just requested a quote from SK! VC is too far for me as I never travel from Europe to the westcoast, but I do visit the eastcoast occasionaly.

This is a pic of my former setting which in hindsight looked better, but I felt that the prongs were much too large. And this old setting is also missing this 'quiet and classic elegance' that I am looking for.

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Your bezel setting is unique and bold but I like it :) However I'm like others and prefer a more delicate setting. You've had four settings so far, it would be helpful to know what you didn't like about each of them:

1. bezel too heavy and too modern for OEC
2. prongs too prominent
3.
4.

:) Great OEC btw! Welcome to the old cuts club!
 
All bezels are not created equal. It's the oldest style of setting, and there are many bezels that would be perfectly appropriate for the period in which the stone was cut.

That said, yours is a very geometric modern interpretation, and I'm echoing the votes to change it to a Mege french-cut setting. If you do like bezels, though, they can look smashing with this style.

I don't know if LM has done any, but Victor Canera did a great one for a member (Little Grey Kitten - if you search her name, it should pop right up). Leon should be eminently of capable of making that style ....
 
Here it goes maccers :appl: :
setting 1: a very delicate setting
When I bought my ring it was set in a very delicate setting with delicate prongs. I think it was from the twenties. This setting I had for years and it really grew on me. I liked the delicateness and very clasdic style. What I did not like:
- too much going on in the basket
- not a good match with my timeless/modern jewelry
I loved the look though, but I had to let go of this setting as the appraiser had to take the stone out and this weakened the prongs.

setting 2: modern setting with compact basket
This was a huge mistake! I saw a very nice setting for a lovely 0,50 ct stone and my jeweler and myself thought it would be nice for my 5,3 OEC. It wasn't...

setting 3: a seventies style setting with split shank
- ok setting, but the prongs were heavy as my jeweler did not dare to make light prongs as in the original setting.

setting 4a: the halo version of the setting I have now
Too gaudy, too much bling, too big, not nice and subdued, too much metal

setting 4b: the bezeled setting I have now
Too restore the above (the blingy 4a version), the jeweler made the version I have now:
I like bezels, but this one is not really uhm small and sweet..

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Circe: thanks!!! I cannot find the example of Little Grey Kitten though. When I tried to find it, the Search engine came up with your post :o
 
I think the current setting is beautiful and dramatic but it just doesn't quite work with the stone. I like the diamond and I like the setting but I think it is time for them to get a divorce.

The Victor Canera posted earlier is stunning and I've never, ever seen a Leon Menge I didn't like. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

I can't wait to see pics when you have it finished!
 
Acinom|1368631764|3447365 said:
Circe: thanks!!! I cannot find the example of Little Grey Kitten though. When I tried to find it, the Search engine came up with your post :o

Hi Acinom,

Here is Little Grey Kitten's Victor Canera bezel, isn't it lovely?! I think this style setting would look great with your OEC.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/victor-canera-reset-my-3-39-ct-oec-tapered-french-cuts.158320/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/victor-canera-reset-my-3-39-ct-oec-tapered-french-cuts.158320/[/URL]

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Yes I am afraid that is exactly the problem iluvshinythings...
Time for a friendly divorce.

I need to be very clear about what I really like and what would really fit with my stone..
 
It's gorgeous laila! Thank you for finding it for me!! I saw this on Google when I was looking for LM styles and actually thought it was LM. I like the small bezel. This model would be great for my stone as girdle is the only thing I like a bit less about my stone. Love this design!!! :appl:
 
I agree with the other posters regarding the bezel setting. It just doesn't fit the cut of your beautiful OEC. It would be gorgeous with tapered french cuts and either VC or SK would create a masterpiece for you.
 
Yes definitely divorce your jeweler. Typically I love halos but the one you posted does not do any justice at all. I have a 5ct antique cushion in a VC halo which I think really adds to the elegance and classic look. The settings you are posting are all very modern and contemporary which aren't messing at all with your lovely OEC.

I love the bezel french cut setting someone already posted and that is exactly what I would do for your lovely diamond. That will definitely be the forever home for it.
 
The journey has started bright ice! I already knew from the start I guess, but it's good to receive honest opinions.
Can you post your halo ring sarahbear? Would love to see it!!

Do you perhaps also have other suggestions for a gorgeous setting for my OEC besides the tapered french cut setting? I really want to dive into all options this time :twirl: would love to hear your suggestions!!
 
Acinom|1368644530|3447527 said:
The journey has started bright ice! I already knew from the start I guess, but it's good to receive honest opinions.
Can you post your halo ring sarahbear? Would love to see it!!

Do you perhaps also have other suggestions for a gorgeous setting for my OEC besides the tapered french cut setting? I really want to dive into all options this time :twirl: would love to hear your suggestions!!

The antique cushion is my ring. I was going between several settings but it really came down to the VC Emilya (which I already had but with a 2ct) and the SK Rosebud. While I adore the rosebud setting I'm a halo girl at heart so that is what I went with. I also think it is more my style which is fairly classic with some art deco thrown in. I pretty much stay away from modern or contemporary jewelry.

EDIT: I think the 2 SK's setting I posted you might also like because it seems you prefer a more modern setting but want something elegant and classic as well. I think these are good middle ground in addition to the french cut setting.

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I didn't read all the posts, but I agree your bezel is way too think. I have a Leon and I love it. I have contemplated other settings, because that is what being on Pricescope does to you. With a stone as large as yours it probably wouldn't be an issue but Leon sets really low. If I could change one thing, I would request a setting a little bit higher. I love the setting with the french cuts, as you were thinking and I also love Leon's Heidy setting. You could change the basket bubble design to whatever you wanted.
 
Oh Sarahbear!!! Your ring is gorgeous! What I like is that it is a true classic, but it has a fresh and crisp look so you can combine it with just everything!! Love it! :love: thank you for the inspiration pics. It's great to see some gorgeous possibilities from the stylish Pricescope people. This is so supportive!!
 
You ladies have amazing rings and other jewelry. Could you please post your Leon luv2sparkle! :lickout:
 
There is a thread on it called LUV2SPARKLE'S Ashley 313. Don't ask me why I put that in all caps. It has lots of pics. I really don't have any better. My camera skills are sadly lacking unfortunately. I would like to add that I have had my ring for awhile now and so far I haven't had any problems with the pave, and I am not particularly gentle. And oh, excuse the sausage-like fingers.
 
I can't think of a design that would be better than the tapered French cuts, but I would probably choose Steven since you need it to be a NY ring maker. He formerly worked for Leon and eventually started his own company.
 
The French cuts would be gorgeous! The current setting does no justice to the stunning stone.
 
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