Buying a cushion from LM

[benchko]

Has anyone on here purchased an old mine brilliant cushion from Leon Mege? What were your experiences like and were you satisfied? Is he able to provide ASET/IS images?

I am considering purchasing from there and wanted to hear from fellow PSers about their experiences. I know he''s got a stellar reputation but wanted to know if he''s also known for selling the best cushions.

Thanks

 

[benchko]

BTW, it's a 2.4 F VS2 OMB cushion, 54% table, 64.6% depth, 1.08 L/W ratio, thin-very thick faceted girdle, large culet, VG polish, Good symmetry, No Fluor.

 

[benchko]

a pic..

 

[benchko]

2..

 

[benchko]

3..

 

[benchko]

4..

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/14/2010 12:07:41 PM
Author:benchko
Has anyone on here purchased an old mine brilliant cushion from Leon Mege? What were your experiences like and were you satisfied? Is he able to provide ASET/IS images?

I am considering purchasing from there and wanted to hear from fellow PSers about their experiences. I know he's got a stellar reputation but wanted to know if he's also known for selling the best cushions.

Thanks

Leon has earned a reputation for being an excellent benchman and designer and I am all for a new player on pricescope offering recently cut cushion in the antique style if he will back up his selection process with visual proof (ASET, Photographs, Video).

However I was much less impressed with his knowledge of diamonds or the cushion selection he made for me in a quote abotu 6 months ago. The diamond was mostly an afterthought to him as long as it allowed him to sell the setting.

"Our on staff diamond specialist will be able to select and present to you, the best options for your diamond purchase. You will always have the option of bringing your own stone. In fact, if you are already working with a broker or a dealer, please complete your stone purchase there. Leon Mege will make the same beautiful piece of jewelry for you at the same price, regardless of where you purchased your diamond. Using our Diamond Concierge® will not get you a price break on a custom mounting, however there are many other reasons to try this fabulous service. I am a perfectionist in my work and it pains me to see my customers being taken advantage of by unscrupulous brokers prowling chat rooms and forums. Now you can deal with a real person working directly for Leon. Just as you come to expect nothing but perfection from my jewelry work, our concierge service will give you satisfaction and security on a level not reached before by anyone. "
http://www.artofplatinum.com/start/diamonds/diamonds.php

Things may have changed now as Leon seems to have employed other third parties to select diamonds for him, I would submit that he has no reputation here until earned by customer testimonials and photographs showing his diamond selections. The dangerous thing about Leon is he is very opinionated and rarely objective, his comments on fluorescence to me were incomplete and misleading as well as being very forceful as many of his opinions often are.

For any potential cushion purchase no matter who the vendor if you are not viewing the stones in person or if you want to know how it compares in light performance to its peers an ASET image is reccomended.
Those photographs show me an antique faceted 8 main cushion cut using modern cutting techniques, I can't say much more than that due to the poorly lit images.

CCL

 

[kikidoe]

I actually went to see the stone last week in person. I'm very color sensitive, so the stone seemed too warm to me. I'm looking for E color. The clarity, cut, size, ratio, price, everything else all seem great. And perry was very nice and patient, too. I did remember to ask for ASET pictures (thanks to CCL), but they don't have it.

 

[kenny]

Have you seen the August Vintage Cusions at Goodoldgold?

Their website appears to be down right now but don't buy anything till you see them.

LM not having ASET scope/images is a bad sign IMHO.

 

[BillBigs]

Kikidoe - I''m interested in hearing more about your thoughts on LMs sourced cushions....even though the color wasnt what you wanted how did you fell about the fire and sparkle coming from the stone? Did it have the large sparkles and blocky light return found in other high quality vintage style cushions?
Without getting into specifics (unless you want to) how was their pricing?

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

Can you send the cushion he suggests to an independent appraiser? That could take the place of ASET and other imaging technology.

 

[kikidoe]

BillBigs - I''m a Newbie in diamonds myself, only started looking very recently to find one for myself and am still learning. I looked at the stone from all possible angles. The fire and sparkles looked great IMO. I couldn''t find any inclusions with naked eyes and could barely see them with the loupe. I compared it with an EX cut, E color RB. I probably would consider buying it if it were a better color. The price was a little over $24k. I thought it was a good price. Is it?

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/14/2010 4:35:33 PM
Author: dreamer_d
Can you send the cushion he suggests to an independent appraiser? That could take the place of ASET and other imaging technology.

DD does it really?
Which appraisors do you know adept at judging the CUT of cushions and where it gathers its light from?

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/14/2010 3:56:36 PM
Author: kikidoe
I actually went to see the stone last week in person. I''m very color sensitive, so the stone seemed too warm to me. I''m looking for E color. The clarity, cut, size, ratio, price, everything else all seem great. And perry was very nice and patient, too. I did remember to ask for ASET pictures (thanks to CCL), but they don''t have it.

Under what lighting did you see the stones? Have you compared them to what you will see at GOG(long island) or ERD(manhatten)?

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/14/2010 6:48:53 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 3/14/2010 4:35:33 PM
Author: dreamer_d
Can you send the cushion he suggests to an independent appraiser? That could take the place of ASET and other imaging technology.

DD does it really?
Which appraisors do you know adept at judging the CUT of cushions and where it gathers its light from?

Neal Beaty can. Of course, he has an ASET.

 

[kikidoe]

CCL - I saw the diamond under fluorescent lighting. Of course I didn''t compare the stone with GOG & ERD''s side by side. I wish I could tell the cut difference without having to see the different stones side by side.

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

Date: 3/14/2010 7:02:14 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/14/2010 6:48:53 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 3/14/2010 4:35:33 PM
Author: dreamer_d
Can you send the cushion he suggests to an independent appraiser? That could take the place of ASET and other imaging technology.

DD does it really?
Which appraisors do you know adept at judging the CUT of cushions and where it gathers its light from?

Neal Beaty can. Of course, he has an ASET.

I was thinking of an appraiser who specializes in cushions and can compare this diamond to the many many others he/she has seen and make call on that. If Neal fits this bill, then me personally I would accept their opinion in the place of a ASET. In combination with an ASET, even better!

 

[Collee]

If unable to view IRL, I agree with DD's suggestion of sending the stone to an independent appraiser who is experienced with cushion cut stones. Make sure to get the return policy in writing prior to having the diamond sent to the appraiser.

 

[benchko]

One thing I noticed about the stone at LM that made me uncomfortable was that it appeared kind of dark next to other G colored cushions and an E color round - not sure if that''s the same thing Kiki noticed about it being warm in color. It was sparkly when I moved it around, but I''m not good at judging this sort of stuff.

I''d be very interested in an AVC from GOG b/c I love the fact that they combine the look of OMCs w/ amazing optics. However their inventory is quite limited in terms of what I want. I want something between 2.5-3cts and they don''t have much in that range. And I don''t think they''re planning to get more anytime soon..bummer.

 

[Collee]

Date: 3/14/2010 8:32:29 PM
Author: benchko
One thing I noticed about the stone at LM that made me uncomfortable was that it appeared kind of dark next to other G colored cushions and an E color round - not sure if that's the same thing Kiki noticed about it being warm in color. It was sparkly when I moved it around, but I'm not good at judging this sort of stuff.

I'd be very interested in an AVC from GOG b/c I love the fact that they combine the look of OMCs w/ amazing optics. However their inventory is quite limited in terms of what I want. I want something between 2.5-3cts and they don't have much in that range. And I don't think they're planning to get more anytime soon..bummer.

GOG's site is down so I am unable to take a gander. Although the inventory is low, they are (as I recall) some definte BEAUTS available in your desired size (or close to) range.

I would advise contacting Jon (email or phone) and inquiring about newbie arrivals.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/14/2010 7:40:38 PM
Author: kikidoe
CCL - I saw the diamond under fluorescent lighting. Of course I didn''t compare the stone with GOG & ERD''s side by side. I wish I could tell the cut difference without having to see the different stones side by side.

Fluorescent lighting is not the most critical environment to view diamonds. Blue Fluorescent lighting makes diamonds look a lot whiter than they are because it combines with yellow materials to give white. In addition office or jewelry lighting with reflections helps diamonds that don''t gather light from overhead making them sparkle, whereas in low lighting or outside these diamonds may not perform nearly as well.

I don''t blame you for seeing all diamonds as beautiful under those lights. You need to look at the diamonds by the window, under the table, in low lighting, incandescent lighting etc etc.

 

[bgray]

Date: 3/15/2010 12:36:29 AM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 3/14/2010 7:40:38 PM

Author: kikidoe

CCL - I saw the diamond under fluorescent lighting. Of course I didn''t compare the stone with GOG & ERD''s side by side. I wish I could tell the cut difference without having to see the different stones side by side.

Fluorescent lighting is not the most critical environment to view diamonds. Blue Fluorescent lighting makes diamonds look a lot whiter than they are because it combines with yellow materials to give white. In addition office or jewelry lighting with reflections helps diamonds that don''t gather light from overhead making them sparkle, whereas in low lighting or outside these diamonds may not perform nearly as well.


I don''t blame you for seeing all diamonds as beautiful under those lights. You need to look at the diamonds by the window, under the table, in low lighting, incandescent lighting etc etc.

Leons office space is pretty dark as I recall and mostly overhead lighting. Unless something has changed it may not be the ideal place to assess the stones.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 3/15/2010 1:02:54 AM
Author: bgray

Leons office space is pretty dark as I recall and mostly overhead lighting. Unless something has changed it may not be the ideal place to assess the stones.

Still the same. I love the way his office look but it isn''t a good place to look at diamonds. It is only overhead lighting - the windows have big shelves and other things blocking it. Not a lot of natural light.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/14/2010 8:10:52 PM
Author: dreamer_d

Date: 3/14/2010 7:02:14 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/14/2010 6:48:53 PM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

Date: 3/14/2010 4:35:33 PM
Author: dreamer_d
Can you send the cushion he suggests to an independent appraiser? That could take the place of ASET and other imaging technology.

DD does it really?
Which appraisors do you know adept at judging the CUT of cushions and where it gathers its light from?

Neal Beaty can. Of course, he has an ASET.

I was thinking of an appraiser who specializes in cushions and can compare this diamond to the many many others he/she has seen and make call on that. If Neal fits this bill, then me personally I would accept their opinion in the place of a ASET. In combination with an ASET, even better!

Well if its Neil, David (OldMiner) or Richard Sherwood than I''d say you are right. If its pretty much 99.9% of appraisors out there I''d say no. I had two appraisors who looked at my wife''s stone, the first was a PS listed appraisor who promised me an ASET which turned out to be an idealscope and he couldn''t get a photograph using it.

The second appraisor in Montreal was the the head of a gemology school in Quebec and she had a very good table top ASET which she barely knew how to use or interpret. She too promised me an ASET picture but she didn''t know how to photograph it through the ASET lense.

The first one told me that he preferred true antique cushions and didn''t consider a recently cut stone in a vintage style as worthwhile and he would price it the same as a well cut pear.

The second one had my cushion and another customers crushed ice modified cushion in an E color in a ring which and had a poorly crafted head which covered two large sections of the diamond so it showed as two dark triangles in the faceup position.

She commented to me that she preferred this ring because it was a higher color and she cared more about color and clarity than about anythingelse.
-------------------

All of this to say that the average appraisor knows very little about judging the cut of a cushion cut diamond.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 3/15/2010 1:34:17 AM
Author: ChunkyCushionLover

All of this to say that the average appraisor knows very little about judging the cut of a cushion cut diamond.

I couldn't agree with you more. This is the reason why I paid more to get my diamonds appraised in the US by PS vendors who knew cushions. This was especially important to me as I wanted a proper description of the diamond for insurance purposes. I don't want a replacement with just like specs in terms of color, carat and cut (as per the certificate). I would want an AVC or 8 main modern as a replcement.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 3/15/2010 2:38:45 AM
Author: CharmyPoo

Date: 3/15/2010 1:34:17 AM

Author: ChunkyCushionLover


All of this to say that the average appraisor knows very little about judging the cut of a cushion cut diamond.

I couldn''t agree with you more. This is the reason why I paid more to get my diamonds appraised in the US by PS vendors who knew cushions. This was especially important to me as I wanted a proper description of the diamond for insurance purposes. I don''t want a replacement with just like specs in terms of color, carat and cut (as per the certificate). I would want an AVC or 8 main modern as a replcement.

I''m sure you meant a Pricescope Appraisor not vendor

 

[Gypsy]

Not all apprasiers are the same. I had my asscher appraised by Neil, and I can't recommend him highly enough. He provided me with every scan I wanted and lots of pics. Like anything else jewelry related, those vendors and individuals who post on the boards, are more active and provide information that contributes to the general knowledge base of information here are more likely to get my business. PS has added quite a few newer vendors to the advertising banners here... and yet you don't see many of the 'banner ad' vendors getting recommendations consistently. Instead you see the same 4 or 5 vendors recommended over and over-- and not all advertise with PS. Same thing with appraisers. While there are quite a few PS appraisers, including 3 in my geographical area, I sent my diamonds to Neil in Denver. It's a matter of trust. Not everyone who is smart enough to advertise on PS is the same-- vendor or appraiser.


ETA: Would I buy a cushion from Leon? Sure, but my threshold for information and quality wouldn't change. I am getting better at spotting quality and cutting with just my eyes, and I don't need an ASET to judge a good or bad stone that is in front of me every time. But the ASET adds extra comfort. Leon has a stake in selling the diamond. So he's not impartial by any means. That means that I would still either need to see a couple of pics of the diamond and have an in depth conversation with him at the very least. And having a detailed in depth discusssion, interrogating Leon about a stone... not something I'd relish. That's my issue with Leon. Whereas I'd bjy a stone from ERD without an ASET, I would also be able to grill them on minutia... that's just Mark's personality. Leon... um, I'll pass on trying to interogate that man about anything. Plus, there would need to be a return policy on the stone. And an appraisal by the appraiser of my choice. That's what I'd expect from any vendor (ERD included), and Leon would be subject to the same standard.

 

[Lorelei]

Leon won''t provide ASET to the best of my knowledge, so sending the stone to an appraiser like Neil that can provide and interpret ASET would be useful if you are concerned about the optical performance of this cushion. Or you can go by your eyes and Leon''s opinion if you prefer.

 

[Maisie]

I always thought that the technical information was more for people who were buying sight unseen. Do you still need that sort of information if you are actually viewing the diamonds?

 

[bgray]

Date: 3/15/2010 8:49:49 AM
Author: Maisie
I always thought that the technical information was more for people who were buying sight unseen. Do you still need that sort of information if you are actually viewing the diamonds?

case by case basis. for me no but for someone who fears they dont know enough they may want some technical confirmation of the stones performnace