AT LAST!!! CrookedRock''s Ring!

[CrookedRock]

Med~ Thanks so much... I do catch myself when driving. It gives off so much fire it''s hard not to... My FI was driving in front to me the other day and he said he was actually hit in the eye with a large flash of light! LOL

 

[Melanie611]

CR, you''re just too funny. I wonder how long it would even take to count 400+ tiny stones. As for the sizing insert, I did request one on the bottom half of my ring. It''s on the work order, but after hearing your story, who knows if it was added. I was kinda worried it would protrude and be too noticeable though. That''s why I was anxiously waiting for pics of your ring. Then, to hear your story. But maybe you''re one of those lucky people who''s ring size will never change? You never know.

 

[CrookedRock]

Well, if it''s on the order then you should get it. What happened with us is that is was on the order form we had when we left his office. Then when he sent us the quote it wasn''t on there, so we called to confirm that is was going to be done in size 5 from the insert which would make the ring capable of being a 5 1/2 or even maybe 5 3/4. He confirmend all this, but apparently never took note of it.
Fast forward 7+ and the FI goes to NY to get it. Scarlet actually meets him and picks it up with him. They leave the office and it dawned on her that the insert was missing and they turned right back around and went back to Leon.
In the end he told me on the phone and them in person that he would have never recommended a sizing insert bc it''s not something that should be on fine jewelery. Well, this was not his story when we met. He raved about how it makes sense and how he actually thought it was cool looking.
This whole thing for me was such a nightmare. Between Leon screaming at me on the phone and me in tears I didn''t know what to do. Like I said I am still not satisified with the offer he has made. I think he should have remade the ring, no questions asked! I understand that it was an extremely expensive and labor intensive piece, but I was the customer and I should have gotten what I asked for.

 

[reader]

I am just now seeing this, and I am stunned by how beautiful this is.

 

[CrookedRock]

Thanks reader!

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 6/4/2008 6:52:58 PM
Author: Sarahinwonderland
Soooo how much did this cost you?? I know it is low in color and clarity but it is 4.04 ct!!! that is 800mg!! My gosh

Sarah, really.........again?? Use your filter honey. Not everything you''re thinking has to spill out onto your keyboard!

Ellen, good answer! LOL!

 

[gemgirl]

CrookedRock, I''m trying to play catch-up and I had to visit with your beauty again. Drop dead gorgeous! How''s your finger feel?

I''m sorry you have a situation with Leon...

 

[Delster]

Oh gosh Crooked I'm only just reading the full story now. He failed to complete all the details of the work order and then he yelled at you when you brought it up??? That is entirely unacceptable

I sincerely hope he at least gave you a discount (please don't feel the need to say either way, I'm just saying it because I believe you deserve one, not to enquire

).

You are such a sweet person and I am so ticked off at Leon for yelling at you!!!

In any event don't let it tarnish your enjoyment of your amazing ring that you envisaged, designed, and commissioned all with your own impeccable taste and beautiful style. That is all you and you should relish every sparkle. All 400+ of them!!!

ETA - the sizing insert can't be put in post-factum? He'd have to remake the entire piece?

ETA - again- I'm getting nervous about our ring now too

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/11/2008 6:36:22 AM
Author: CrookedRock
Well, if it''s on the order then you should get it. What happened with us is that is was on the order form we had when we left his office. Then when he sent us the quote it wasn''t on there, so we called to confirm that is was going to be done in size 5 from the insert which would make the ring capable of being a 5 1/2 or even maybe 5 3/4. He confirmend all this, but apparently never took note of it.
Fast forward 7+ and the FI goes to NY to get it. Scarlet actually meets him and picks it up with him. They leave the office and it dawned on her that the insert was missing and they turned right back around and went back to Leon.
In the end he told me on the phone and them in person that he would have never recommended a sizing insert bc it''s not something that should be on fine jewelery. Well, this was not his story when we met. He raved about how it makes sense and how he actually thought it was cool looking.
This whole thing for me was such a nightmare. Between Leon screaming at me on the phone and me in tears I didn''t know what to do. Like I said I am still not satisified with the offer he has made. I think he should have remade the ring, no questions asked! I understand that it was an extremely expensive and labor intensive piece, but I was the customer and I should have gotten what I asked for.

Yes, you should have. I''m really sorry to hear all this crooked, but you''re right, people DO need to know. And when I do my lengthy review on my Aqua journey, it will also include my experience with Leon, which was less then perfect also.

That''s bunk that he would charge you anything for his own mistake.

 

[Melanie611]

CR, I can''t believed he yelled at you for his own mistake. And to claim he didn''t even recommend the insert. That''s just crazy! I admit he does absolutely beautiful work, but they really need to improve their customer service. I was a bit upset too. I asked Inna for pictures of my rings before they shipped and was told it wasn''t "possible." After spending several
thousand $$$ with them, I don''t think it''s unreasonable to see a picture of what we''re getting beforehand. How hard is it to email ONE picture? When I recieved my MWM, he emailed us at least 6 pictures at different angles. And we spent less than half the amount with him.

 

[AggieTexan]

CR, your ring is just beautiful!

I would have posted sooner, but I was temporarily blinded by the sparkle and couldn't see my screen!

Sorry to hear about the issues with Leon. IMO, even the most gifted and talented individuals in any field must pay attention to customer service and communication. If they don't they will soon find that their business and income isn't commensurate with their talent.

This is true in any field, but I think especially so when you're talking about something as costly and special as an engagement ring.

 

[CrookedRock]

GemGirl~ Thanks! Some people have no sensor...

Delster~ I couldn''t agree with you more. Apparently he apologized to the FI the next day, but it was me he yelled at so the apology should have come to me. The best part is he was yelling that I was insulting his work and he couldn''t believe he was wasting his time on the phone with me. I was in shock, bc like I already said here and I had said to him 4 times that call... It wasn''t about the quality of the work, it was about getting what I asked and paid for.
LOL... I am a nice person, but I am also a no BS person. I knew though that dealing with Leon would have to be gentle bc I am sure he can out scream me any day. I killed him with so much kindness it made me ill bc he didn''t deserve it.

IMHO he should have remade the ring and rushed it. I realize he would have lost money due to the amount of labor, but it was not my fault it wasn''t done that way to begin with.
And I wouldn''t worry about your ring, it is something in the realm of what he has done before.

Ellen~ Again... I couldn''t agree more. These things do need to be shared, bc they really are unacceptable. I am still debating about calling him again and trying to reason with him. Even if I could get him to agree to make my wedding band at cost it would show that he somewhat cares about his customers. Although he did tell me it wasn''t his responsibility to make me happy, to which I responded with a chuckle while I told him that for 10k he better want to make me happy or we had a problem... I get so frustrated just thinking about it again....

Melanie~ It was beyond crazy. The man literally talked me into it then denied, just ridicilous! And you''re right, his work is really stunning but his people skills leave much to be desired. He did include a nice note with the promise to resize the ring and I appreciate that, but it doesn''t fix his mistake.
I can''t believe they wouldn''t send you a pic. They take them of all their rings so you know they have it.
And I am so glad to hear about Mark Morell. The wedding band that my FI wants is from him and I was getting nervous about working with him bc of this Leon problem. Now I am excited, I just have to convince him to remake a band on his site that was he said was impossible to make. Ugh!
I can''t wait to see your pics!! IS the ring on it''s way to you?

Aggie~ LOL Thanks so much! Unfortunately the man turns away business, he''s that good. I just wish the experience had been better bc I already had my heart set on earrings and my wedding band from him. Not to mention I''m only 25, so there are plenty more pieces in my future...

 

[CKinNYC]

Wow, four carats and you''re 25...!! *thud*

Imagine how blinged-out you''ll be in 20 years!!!!!!!!

 

[Love Street]

OK, I''m a late comer to this but I have to say your ring is just so gorgeous!!!

I''ve saved all your beautiful pics in my inspiration folder - though my eventual upgrade will be nowhere near as magnificent as yours, I''m sure! That is such an amazing ring - def. celeb caliber!!

I''m sorry to hear about the Leon issue, and I''m stunned that it hasn''t been resolved more fully. His personal interaction with you aside (which is not good either), he has breached your contract of sale and there are probably remedies available to you that are more favorable than his agreement to remake your ring at some point in time "at minimal cost" - whatever that means (or will mean to him in the future). But I can completely understand not wanting to pursue this to save a few thousand dollars in the future (if you ever even need it) in order to avoid drawing out an already unpleasant experience. (I went through the same issue with a wedding planner who bailed 2 mos before my wedding and breached our service contract, unjustly enriching herself by $1500. I was steamed, but the prospect of taking her to small claims court from halfway across the country for that amount of money wasn''t worth it - especially b/c I wanted to distance her association with pleasant memories like my wedding).

OK enough rambling - I''ve said it once and I''ll say it again: that ring is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S and congrats on your engagement!!!

 

[gemgirl]

Date: 6/12/2008 8:31:57 AM
Author: CrookedRock
GemGirl~ Thanks! Some people have no sensor...

Delster~ I couldn''t agree with you more. Apparently he apologized to the FI the next day, but it was me he yelled at so the apology should have come to me. The best part is he was yelling that I was insulting his work and he couldn''t believe he was wasting his time on the phone with me. I was in shock, bc like I already said here and I had said to him 4 times that call... It wasn''t about the quality of the work, it was about getting what I asked and paid for.
LOL... I am a nice person, but I am also a no BS person. I knew though that dealing with Leon would have to be gentle bc I am sure he can out scream me any day. I killed him with so much kindness it made me ill bc he didn''t deserve it.

IMHO he should have remade the ring and rushed it. I realize he would have lost money due to the amount of labor, but it was not my fault it wasn''t done that way to begin with.
And I wouldn''t worry about your ring, it is something in the realm of what he has done before.

Ellen~ Again... I couldn''t agree more. These things do need to be shared, bc they really are unacceptable. I am still debating about calling him again and trying to reason with him. Even if I could get him to agree to make my wedding band at cost it would show that he somewhat cares about his customers. Although he did tell me it wasn''t his responsibility to make me happy, to which I responded with a chuckle while I told him that for 10k he better want to make me happy or we had a problem... I get so frustrated just thinking about it again....

Melanie~ It was beyond crazy. The man literally talked me into it then denied, just ridicilous! And you''re right, his work is really stunning but his people skills leave much to be desired. He did include a nice note with the promise to resize the ring and I appreciate that, but it doesn''t fix his mistake.
I can''t believe they wouldn''t send you a pic. They take them of all their rings so you know they have it.
And I am so glad to hear about Mark Morell. The wedding band that my FI wants is from him and I was getting nervous about working with him bc of this Leon problem. Now I am excited, I just have to convince him to remake a band on his site that was he said was impossible to make. Ugh!
I can''t wait to see your pics!! IS the ring on it''s way to you?

Aggie~ LOL Thanks so much! Unfortunately the man turns away business, he''s that good. I just wish the experience had been better bc I already had my heart set on earrings and my wedding band from him. Not to mention I''m only 25, so there are plenty more pieces in my future...

CrookedRock, any time sweetie!! Hey, we love them ALL! Big, small and everything in between! We''ve got a great group of people here who feel actual pleasure in sharing another PSer''s joy. I hate to see that knocked off balance.

Personally.......... shhhhhh!! I''ve give a kidney to have your ring. It''s gor-gE-OsO!

Hang in there with Leon and don''t quit until you''re satisfied. He''s got to make things right by you.

 

[ztajanice]

So I was drinking a bottle of water when I opened this thread....and nearly spilled it all over me! Your ring is so beautiful! Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

 

[Shay37]

I don''t know how I missed this ring. STUNNING!!!! My jaw dropped when I got the first pic up. Unbelievable. You are a lucky girl.

shay

 

[IronMikey]

Date: 6/12/2008 1:38:31 PM
Author: Love Street
OK, I''m a late comer to this but I have to say your ring is just so gorgeous!!!

I''ve saved all your beautiful pics in my inspiration folder - though my eventual upgrade will be nowhere near as magnificent as yours, I''m sure! That is such an amazing ring - def. celeb caliber!!


I''m sorry to hear about the Leon issue, and I''m stunned that it hasn''t been resolved more fully. His personal interaction with you aside (which is not good either), he has breached your contract of sale and there are probably remedies available to you that are more favorable than his agreement to remake your ring at some point in time ''at minimal cost'' - whatever that means (or will mean to him in the future). But I can completely understand not wanting to pursue this to save a few thousand dollars in the future (if you ever even need it) in order to avoid drawing out an already unpleasant experience. (I went through the same issue with a wedding planner who bailed 2 mos before my wedding and breached our service contract, unjustly enriching herself by $1500. I was steamed, but the prospect of taking her to small claims court from halfway across the country for that amount of money wasn''t worth it - especially b/c I wanted to distance her association with pleasant memories like my wedding).


OK enough rambling - I''ve said it once and I''ll say it again: that ring is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S and congrats on your engagement!!!

Totally agreed on the Leon situation. This isn''t the first thread about his work not being up to contracted standards. It''s one thing to be "artistic" -- it''s another to breach a contract.

I''m leaning toward going away from Leon with my setting based on this...also the $2k price tag for a solitaire isn''t exactly the greatest either...

 

[Kim N]

CrookedRock, wow, the ring is incredible! Absolutely stunning.

 

[LollyBear]

Your ring is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!! I love how intricate the halo & band while still super delicate - AMAZING! The sparkle shot (on the book) is breathtaking. You are one lucky, lucky, lady & You wear it well!

Congrats.

 

[Imdanny]

I thought Leon Mege was temperamental to the point that one might not want to do business with him. This confirms it.
Wow.

I can't say anything that hasn't been said about your gorgeous ring. Congratulations!

 

[Futuremrss]

For the record, I need to go to sleep...do you think you could bring your humongo diamond ring over here for me to rest my head on??????????? That is so freakin beautiful!!!!! I cannot stop looking at it. I want one!

 

[ringster]

Date: 6/11/2008 8:48:30 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 6/11/2008 6:36:22 AM

Author: CrookedRock

Well, if it's on the order then you should get it. What happened with us is that is was on the order form we had when we left his office. Then when he sent us the quote it wasn't on there, so we called to confirm that is was going to be done in size 5 from the insert which would make the ring capable of being a 5 1/2 or even maybe 5 3/4. He confirmend all this, but apparently never took note of it.

Fast forward 7+ and the FI goes to NY to get it. Scarlet actually meets him and picks it up with him. They leave the office and it dawned on her that the insert was missing and they turned right back around and went back to Leon.

In the end he told me on the phone and them in person that he would have never recommended a sizing insert bc it's not something that should be on fine jewelery. Well, this was not his story when we met. He raved about how it makes sense and how he actually thought it was cool looking.

This whole thing for me was such a nightmare. Between Leon screaming at me on the phone and me in tears I didn't know what to do. Like I said I am still not satisified with the offer he has made. I think he should have remade the ring, no questions asked! I understand that it was an extremely expensive and labor intensive piece, but I was the customer and I should have gotten what I asked for.

Yes, you should have. I'm really sorry to hear all this crooked, but you're right, people DO need to know. And when I do my lengthy review on my Aqua journey, it will also include my experience with Leon, which was less then perfect also.


That's bunk that he would charge you anything for his own mistake.

well both of your posts make me feel better about NOT going with him for my wband.

i posted my experience in response to spike's question about working with LM in this thread. and i use strong language in the thread which is totally unlike me but it was an extremely horrible experience.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/working-with-leon-mege.82500/

i ended up getting my wband from Quest and got excellent service and was very satisfied with what what they did. i was very happy to spend my hard earned money with a company that had great service AND great quality.

i've mentioned it before but for some reason alot of people on PS will put up with LM's shenanigans when they would be calling the BBB in a heartbeat if ANY and I mean ANY other vendor acted like him.

 

[Ellen]

Ringster, for the record, I tried Quest first, that went very badly also, through no fault of my own. My point is, it can happen anywhere. But it all needs to be posted, the good, the bad, and the ugly. That way, people have a heads up on a vendor, and don''t go in with too high of expectations, and/or think of them unrealistically due to lack of info.

 

[CrookedRock]

Thanks so much gemgirl, ztajanice, and Shay, Kim, StephensBride, IMdany, FutureMrsS!!

The thing about with the Leon is this: On my work order that is done by hand when you meet with him it says in big bold letters and in parentheses at the top... (HALF INSERT) just like that.
When he did the qoute and the final work order it said nothing about it. All it said was size 5 ring. So the FI called him to confirm that the size 5 was the insert and the ring was larger. He said YES. FI signed the paper and sent it back. This is probably where we went wrong bc we did not write it in when we sent it back. We figured it was a note he was going to put down or that he knew in his head. Also he told us that he was personally making this ring, which aparently he doesn''t do much of bc he has people who work on his benches.
The bottom line is that I am not pleased with the end part of his customer service. Many of you read the beginning of my story about him speding over three hours with us. We loved him up until that day when FI picked up the ring and he denied ever having said he would have recommended an insert. I would not have ever paved my whole ring if I would have known there was no way to size it, hence the insert.
Like I said before, and I hate to sound repetitive, but the ring is stunning. We shopped at all the high end stores we have here on Worth Ave, and nothing we saw even came close to comparing to what we have. That''s the honest truth, the man can make a ring!
I really am considering calling and chatting with him about this. I may even just wait til I go to NYC later this summer and meet with him in person. And Ringster, I did consider that, but before I do that I really want to give him one more chance to make it right by me. And you are right, bc it is him and bc his work is amazing he does get more tolerance than he deserves. Sad but true.

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 6/13/2008 8:23:12 AM
Author: Ellen
Ringster, for the record, I tried Quest first, that went very badly also, through no fault of my own. My point is, it can happen anywhere. But it all needs to be posted, the good, the bad, and the ugly. That way, people have a heads up on a vendor, and don''t go in with too high of expectations, and/or think of them unrealistically due to lack of info.

Ellen I could not agree more. I even had an awful experience at Graff! Everyone deserves a heads up about what they are getting into.

 

[Delster]

Date: 6/13/2008 8:23:12 AM
Author: Ellen
Ringster, for the record, I tried Quest first, that went very badly also, through no fault of my own. My point is, it can happen anywhere. But it all needs to be posted, the good, the bad, and the ugly. That way, people have a heads up on a vendor, and don''t go in with too high of expectations, and/or think of them unrealistically due to lack of info.

Very well said Ellen.

BF sent our work order back to Leon numerous times to get things written in on it. Thanks to me, the poor boy is paranoid about getting everything in writing. Please God we will never have to rely on that.

Crooked you are handling this so calmly and maturely, I might have flipped out on him by now! I do think he should find a way to insert the sizer. Did he make the actual ring smaller than was originally agreed and now a sizing insert wouldn''t fit?

BTW, the fact that your original work order has the sizing insert written on it means it is a part of your contract. And I don''t know for sure about US contract law, but over here your BF''s conversation with Leon would be admissible as evidence of the contents of the contract. This is because as it merely illustrates the intention behind an already extant contract term rather than inserting a whole new one. I do think you are in the stronger position here and combined with previous rumblings about his cutomer service it is a bit of PR disaster for Leon. He should have handled it better. It reminds me of our recent airline debacle over here - also poorly handled

 

[lesco]

Crooked.... I''m in complete shock reading about your issues with Leon. Your ring is beautiful but I agree, you want to see the in the final product exactly what you paid for. I think the most appalling thing is the treatment. Come on, you are spending a good chunk of money here. I would expect better.

Ellen, I am looking forward to your reviews of both Quest and Leon. I am sorry you also had a bit of a hard time with Leon. After all you went through with Quest, the least you needed was to have additional issues getting this setting done.

At least you both ended up with some GORGEOUS rings.

When I hear things like this, I get so aggravated as I experienced some issues with Mark at ERD that left me with a sour taste in my mouth. The unreturned phone calls, the tone of the conversations... Really, I have a very thick skin but honestly, I don''t need a vendor calling my FI to try to persuade him into "brainwashing me" to keep something I was not 100% happy with.... Are you kidding me? I ended up returning the setting and kept the stone... I had enough. I was lucky to get my funds back. I wanted to share a little bit of my story... One day, I will have the guts to fully go into details.

The funny thing is that I was 99% sure on Leon... I think I''ll have to think about that. Crooked, thank you for sharing your story and I''m sorry for the threadjack.

 

[ringster]

Date: 6/13/2008 8:23:12 AM
Author: Ellen
Ringster, for the record, I tried Quest first, that went very badly also, through no fault of my own. My point is, it can happen anywhere. But it all needs to be posted, the good, the bad, and the ugly. That way, people have a heads up on a vendor, and don't go in with too high of expectations, and/or think of them unrealistically due to lack of info.

oh yes, i heartily agree with you ellen. i'm not sure how Quest handled the issues that came up with you but the issue that i had with LM is his inappropriate way of dealing with issues. i personally hadn't even started any project but was just talking to him and it was completely innapropriate -- i couldn't imagine if i had went ahead with a project and had any problems. hearing CR say that he yelled at her is just wrong.

i had a recent problem with a custom order that i placed with pearlman's and they handled it very well -- they were partly in the wrong (the other part was beyond their control) and readily admitted it and did things to make it right. wow, they didn't yell at me!

 

[didiamond]

CR, I''m so sorry to hear about the problems you are having with Leon but I have to tell you how absolutely detailing STUNNING your ring is!!!!! OMG! I really don''t have the right words to tell you how gorgeous and huge it is. I have been drooling over cushions for a while now (thanks to PSers beautiful cushions) but your ring has me in CUSHION OVERDRIVE! I''m seriously wondering if I should start sweet talking the hubby into finally get me one! There is no doubt that yours is spectacular! I would love to have one made by Leon. I think his detailing is second to none (even on solitaires). I hope that you and Leon can get this squared away with no hard feelings. No matter what....YOUR RING IS SUPERB!!!!!!!! I will definitely be coming back to drool over your ring!

BTW, where in the Sunshine State do you live? I don''t believe I read exactly where you are located.