Ellen''s Leon story has me thinking.....

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/27/2008 3:33:37 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Wow... I''m so over this. For some reason Harriet you seem to think it is your job to defend Leon when it comes to my case. Please Stop. I have been through quite enough when it comes to this.

Skippy~ Thank you very much for pointing that out.

CR
I thought you had every right to comment as you did. Skippy is right. As always.

 

[Harriet]

CrookedRock,

My posts addressing your experience with Leon have had nothing to do with you or your ring per se, as you yourself have acknowledged. I have merely responded to what you have written. In addition, I am not Leon''s acolyte. I have reported, on this very board, the mistakes he made with my rings. Per your wishes, I will no longer respond to any of your comments about him. No hard feelings, I trust.

NB. Please see my reply to Skippy above.

 

[Harriet]

Kaleigh,
Both you and Skippy are right. I confused two threads (see my reply to Skippy above).

 

[elmo]

CR - not here to defend Harriet as she''s not someone who needs help with that

but I went back yesterday and read through the SMTR thread on your ring (somewhere on like page 6 out of 12+) to see what folks were alluding to. What Harriet described is pretty much what I got out of that - an unusual design element that probably should have been in the work order wasn''t so it didn''t make it into the ring; even so, after it had been discussed enough times maybe it was reasonable for you to expect it to be there. I know I''d want a ring like that to be absolutely as I expected so I''d be upset. But as far as I can tell I think you were saying that workmanship on your ring was pretty much flawless.

On the other hand, Ellen describes something rather different. I honestly don''t know what to think about that because it sounds pretty scary. I know I''ve wanted to ask her if she''s absolutely 100% positive that the previous folks who tried and failed to make the ring didn''t damage the stone as the opportunity was apparently there but this is probably not the right place.

 

[Maisie]

Elmo,

Ellen quite clearly described what condition the stone was in when she wrote her initial post about her experience with LM....

''The ring was sent out 5/8 (early by 2 weeks), a Friday. I opened the box and fell in love. I then did what any PS''r would do, I went to loupe the ring. That''s when my heart sank. There were scratches all over the top of the stone. So many I did not want to try and count. There were also what looked like a couple small chips. I was sick, and mad. I knew what this stone looked like before I sent it. Obviously it came from Richard Homer in pristine condition. I had used the utmost care in handling it. And when it came back from Quest, I had thoroughly louped it, and even had it under a microsope at my jewelers. There was not one scratch, not one chip, not one thing wrong with it. (I realize this part will come as a surprise to some of my confidants, as I did not tell you.''

Hope that clears things up

 

[surfgirl]

I get what elmo and Harriet are saying. I'm not going to bring up specific people's experiences, instead, I'll use two examples of a final product, and I'll use the car analogy because it's easier to illustrate that way:

1. I order a car and it arrives exactly perfect. Everything I want is there and in the color I wanted, except that I ordered a pull out stereo and they gave me a fixed, stationary stereo. Okay, I wanted the pull out stereo for safety/convenience's sake, but the car overall is what I ordered - I got my leather seats, seat heaters, tinted windows, upgrade stereo, on wheel controls, auto memory seats - so this one minor issue I'd get over and enjoy my new car.

2. I order a car and it arrives exactly perfect. Everything I want is there, except that the car is delivered with scratches and some dings already on the car. This I would not accept. I'd be hella pissed and I would refuse to accept that car. Now, if my car was a vintage Citroen (I love those cars!) and I sent it in to get it re-chromed and restored, let's say, and it came back perfect - all the chrome was restored to perfection, seats were re-upholstered, convertible top was like new again, etc. - except that I saw scratches and dings where there weren't any before, then I would also be hella pissed and I would make someone pay to have the scratches and dings removed and the paint restored. Because those things are unacceptable and I would not get over them. My car would have actually been damaged, and that is much different - and unacceptable - situation to me.

So the first example would have no bearing on me using that car dealer again. But the second one involves damaging my property and therefore, I might not use them again. It would all depend on how they dealt with rectifying the situation, you know?

All that said, and despite the fact that I have had both cordial and weird phone conversations with Leon, if I wanted one of his settings, I would still use him, but I would know full well that I might have problems with him because it's not like I dont already know he can be difficult sometimes. But if I really wanted one of his settings, yes, I would still get one. And while there is some merit to "the customer is always right", it does really depend on the type of business one is running. If you are a shop owner, you have more random customers coming in off the street. In a custom jewelry business, I would probably be much more discerning with whom I chose to take on as a client because if I sensed someone was going to be high maintenance or very overly demanding, I might not want to deal with that sort of person, especially if I wasn't hurting for clients. That doesn't excuse anyone being overtly rude to customers, but the being picky, I totally understand that.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 7/26/2008 1:36:00 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 7/26/2008 1:16:40 PM

Author: claudinam

I wouldn''t use Leon. I don''t have the stomach/patience to deal with someone that I can''t feel comfortable saying ''I''d like this a little wider''. Part of it is that I don''t have thick skin - I admire those that do and can deal with pressure and confrontation and whatever else, knowing that in the end they''re going to get something they want. I would just go through so much anxiety, I couldn''t stomach it.

When I was looking to have my own ring designed, I contacted a jeweler often talked about on here - I found him to be too temperamental as well. He spent the whole time on the phone talking about what he wants in a client and how he doesn''t work with this type of person and that type of person. I think he knew instantly we weren''t an ideal match, even though we hardly said two words - by the end of the phone call I knew he was right.

I ended up finding someone local to me (through a recommendation) and we worked as a team to come up with the ring design I want. He''s very well known and is extremely talented, so I respected his opinions, but he respected mine too. I changed quite a few things based on his advice - and he modified a few things based on what I wanted. The ring came out beautiful, and we ended up having him design DH''s wedding band too.

I''d love to hear who that was. And I think others might too, as that shouldn''t be a jewelers main goal.

And I''m glad you ended up with something/someone that made you happy!

My guess would be MWM based on Gypsy''s experience with him...

 

[pixley]

Date: 7/27/2008 4:48:58 PM
Author: surfgirl
I get what elmo and Harriet are saying. I'm not going to bring up specific people's experiences, instead, I'll use two examples of a final product, and I'll use the car analogy because it's easier to illustrate that way:


1. I order a car and it arrives exactly perfect. Everything I want is there and in the color I wanted, except that I ordered a pull out stereo and they gave me a fixed, stationary stereo. Okay, I wanted the pull out stereo for safety/convenience's sake, but the car overall is what I ordered - I got my leather seats, seat heaters, tinted windows, upgrade stereo, on wheel controls, auto memory seats - so this one minor issue I'd get over and enjoy my new car.

Yes, but what if this type of car was such that the engine had to be completely rebuilt if the stationary stereo were to be stolen? Would you still be happy to have a spectacular, but undrivable, car given that you had asked for a removable stereo from the beginning?

 

[surfgirl]

pixley, you cant ruin an engine by stealing a car stereo so it's not really a realistic comparison (I speak from experience as I've had many a car stereo stolen back in the day and the only damage there ever was consisted of a broken window and sometimes some damage to the surround that goes around the stereo compartment). So, let's say the dash might take a bit of a beating - which is more than likely what would/could happen - and I'd have to have it fixed. In which case, I'd fix it and put in my removable car stereo that time round, and go on to continue enjoying my car.

One can play "what if" til the cows come home, but at the end of the day anyone could ding their car, their ring or what-have-you doing the most benign of activities, causing it to be either ruined or re-built or repaired. At some point, once one takes possession of their belongings, they assume a certain level of inherent risk, depending on what that belonging is. Rings get dinged, chipped, bent every day. And they get repaired every day. As do cars.

ETA: Can I ask what's on your dog's head on your avatar? That photo cracks me up.

 

[pixley]

I know you can't ruin a car by stealing a stereo

, I guess my point was that the ring would have to be rebuilt if her ring size changed, and this was something that was requested in advance. Of course, accidents happen, but this was a special consideration and the intention was to have a "forever" ring. ETA - It just occurred to me that rebuilding a setting that elaborate would likely cost 5 times what my ancient Volvo is worth...

Re: my avatar. Marina has the dog in a headlock (I mean, "hug") and is forcing the dog to wear her feathered and beadazzled tiara. It cracks me up every time I see it too! That dog is sooooo tolerant.

 

[hairgirl95]

After reading what all of you wrote, I am impressed at the decisive opinions that each of us have. Its been really fun to see what everyones opinions are.

There are many on here who WOULD work with LM no matter what. Many others seem hesitant, and yet others would NOT work with him. The reasons for each side are very strong for each person. What can I say, we are all passionate about our jewelry!!

One trend I did notice though was the impression some posters gave as to "quality". I think *some* think that the only way to have the best quality is to use LM. I have to respectfully disagree with that. There are many jewelers across the world who have the skills, design capabilities, and knowledge that are just as good, if not better, than LM. Now, that is my opinion, mind you, but that is what makes each of us unique. As they say, different strokes for different folks. On a side note, I think it was insinuated that if someone went with a jeweler other than LM, they were compromising quality, and settling for *less than the best*. I apply my original opinion for that as well.

One other point I wanted to address--isn''t the whole point of having a custom piece of jewelry done is to have the luxury of "collaboration" between the customer and the jeweler? The customer has a vision, wants to incorporate different designs into one piece, then works WITH the jeweler to create the piece. Without the collaboration, the customer does not get the piece they envision, and the jeweler is placed behind the 8 ball to make the customer happy. I do not think this makes a *micro-manager*. It makes a collaborator. Yes, it can take a bad turn when it becomes oppressive, overly demanding, and down right ridiculous. But in Ellen''s situation, as she posted, she pretty much gave him carte blanc to do whatever he wanted with the exception of ensuring the shank was thicker, but not too thick. I think this is pretty generous, really, and in no way overly demanding or deserving of negativity from LM. But as I see it, when you commission a jeweler, no matter who it is, how "picky" they are, or how choosy they can be as to which customer they work with, it is essentially an agreement between the customer and jeweler. If the jeweler can afford to "pick his own customers" and wants someone who "keeps their trap shut", then he should decline to do the job. None of these quirks, however, excuse the abuse her aqua went through. Or the lack of apology and responsibility from LM. That is really my main issue--the lack of respect for her stone.

I don''t mean this to be offensive to anyone at all. I used some quotes from other posters to get my opinion across. Once again, just my humble non professional point of view.

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 7/27/2008 10:26:53 PM
Author: pixley
ETA - It just occurred to me that rebuilding a setting that elaborate would likely cost 5 times what my ancient Volvo is worth...

Re: my avatar. Marina has the dog in a headlock (I mean, 'hug') and is forcing the dog to wear her feathered and beadazzled tiara. It cracks me up every time I see it too! That dog is sooooo tolerant.

Ahhh, but re-building any setting would still be a lot less than re-building my beloved vintage Citroen Deux Cheveaux!

Thanks for the avatar 'splanation...I thought that's what I was seeing but I wasn't sure. It makes me smile every time I see it!

hairgirl, I can only speak for myself but by saying I'd work with Leon if I really wanted one of his settings goes beyond quality. It's all about a certain "essence" that his work has that nobody else seems to be able to emulate. Mainly I'm talking about his prong work. Nobody does better prongs than Leon, IMO. Whether they are claw prongs or flat Deco style prongs, his prongs are always meticulous and I like that, as do others. I know other people who make high quality settings too, but their prong work is different, nice and very high quality, but different. To me, it's about one specific aspect that I am drawn to.

As for your reference to collaboration being the main point of a custom piece, I dont think you can say that as a blanket statement. There are things some people will do and things they wont do. Whether it's because it offends their aesthetic or it's a structurally unsound request, I think all artists, jewelers and otherwise, have limits to what they'll do. And while I think there are many jewelers who will make whatever someone asks them to do, there are also those that will not. I grew up in the art world and have plenty of friends who will allow someone with enough money to "commission" a work from them, but they dont get to tell the artist what exactly they want...just a vague notion and then the artist executes his/her vision. I realize that a piece of jewelry is a bit different but if we're talking artists here, the principal is similar. And if one is going to commission a piece of custom jewelry work, hopefully they would have done enough homework to know whom they are working with and which type of person s/he is, right? I know I would!

 

[hairgirl95]

Oh yeah, I agree Surf. To me, part of working with the jeweler is to work together, not let the jeweler or the customer be bulldozed by each other. As the professional, if the idea that the customer has is not going to be aesthetically pleasing, or the end result will not be "great", then yes, the jeweler needs to convey that to the customer and work together for a different solution. And yes, one would hope that the customer would pick a jeweler that has the usual tendencies to complete the kind of work the customer is looking for. It really is a hand in hand relationship.

 

[purrfectpear]

Hairgirl95 you mentioned that you were sure that "There are many jewelers across the world who have the skills, design capabilities, and knowledge that are just as good, if not better, than LM."

I''m curious who you think those jewelers would be? I''ve yet to see any benchwork or design work that is better than that produced from Leon Mege. I can understand the assumption that someone must be better, but can any of us produce a name

 

[Irishgrrrl]

I''ve heard that Leon has a staff of benchpeople who work for him. Is that true? If so, I wonder how much of the actual work is done by Leon himself. I''m sure (I hope?) that he approves each piece himself before it goes out the door, but you have to wonder if those gorgeous prongs are really Leon''s or if they''re actually done by one of his "minions"? (LOL! I just like that word . . . "minions"!)

This is just a thought I had. Not intending to put down any of Leon''s work . . . all of the Leon rings I''ve seen have been beautiful! I''m just wondering, when someone commissions a ring through Leon and pays for a Leon Mege ring, is the work (or at least some of the work) actually done by Leon himself, or is it all done by his staff?

 

[crown1]

Date: 7/28/2008 8:46:01 AM
Author: purrfectpear
Hairgirl95 you mentioned that you were sure that ''There are many jewelers across the world who have the skills, design capabilities, and knowledge that are just as good, if not better, than LM.''


I''m curious who you think those jewelers would be? I''ve yet to see any benchwork or design work that is better than that produced from Leon Mege. I can understand the assumption that someone must be better, but can any of us produce a name

i have not personally seen a lm piece. i had never heard of him until i began reading ps. i do think many of his creations are lovely and look very well made. i do not question his talent but i don''t think he is without equal. there is always someone who can do a better job no matter what you are talking about. i do not know who that craftsperson is but i have no problem understanding the concept that there are many out there that compare you just need to find them. i am curious how many who have used lm or want to use him had heard of his work before they began internet research or read of him here on ps. one man''s fruit is another man''s candy. there is room for all tastes and opinions as long as they are truthful and stated in a respectful way. i appreciate reading honest reviews and i feel ellen gave a good report of her experience.

 

[crown1]

Date: 7/28/2008 8:58:31 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl
I''ve heard that Leon has a staff of benchpeople who work for him. Is that true? If so, I wonder how much of the actual work is done by Leon himself. I''m sure (I hope?) that he approves each piece himself before it goes out the door, but you have to wonder if those gorgeous prongs are really Leon''s or if they''re actually done by one of his ''minions''? (LOL! I just like that word . . . ''minions''!)

This is just a thought I had. Not intending to put down any of Leon''s work . . . all of the Leon rings I''ve seen have been beautiful! I''m just wondering, when someone commissions a ring through Leon and pays for a Leon Mege ring, is the work (or at least some of the work) actually done by Leon himself, or is it all done by his staff?

i have no beef with leon mege and think his work is lovely. that said your question has been answered in an old thread. alleycat0303 posted back in 2005 (i believe) in a thread titled more ring problems about his bench people and some problems she had with her ring. her ring is lovely by the way. maybe if you read that thread and the one it leads you to you might get the answer. that is an old thread so things may have changed. i believe his site was quoted on how he operates. hth.

 

[purrfectpear]

I''m well aware that Leon has other people working for him. Again, I ask which jeweler produces finer work under their marque?

I''ve seen Tiffany''s, Graff, Harry Winston, etc. and I still prefer Mege for their micro pave setting, and fine finish.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 7/28/2008 9:30:53 AM
Author: crown1

Date: 7/28/2008 8:58:31 AM
Author: Irishgrrrl
I''ve heard that Leon has a staff of benchpeople who work for him. Is that true? If so, I wonder how much of the actual work is done by Leon himself. I''m sure (I hope?) that he approves each piece himself before it goes out the door, but you have to wonder if those gorgeous prongs are really Leon''s or if they''re actually done by one of his ''minions''? (LOL! I just like that word . . . ''minions''!)

This is just a thought I had. Not intending to put down any of Leon''s work . . . all of the Leon rings I''ve seen have been beautiful! I''m just wondering, when someone commissions a ring through Leon and pays for a Leon Mege ring, is the work (or at least some of the work) actually done by Leon himself, or is it all done by his staff?

i have no beef with leon mege and think his work is lovely. that said your question has been answered in an old thread. alleycat0303 posted back in 2005 (i believe) in a thread titled more ring problems about his bench people and some problems she had with her ring. her ring is lovely by the way. maybe if you read that thread and the one it leads you to you might get the answer. that is an old thread so things may have changed. i believe his site was quoted on how he operates. hth.

Crown1 ~ Thank you! I''ll go check that out.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 7/27/2008 11:07:24 PM
Author: hairgirl95

On a side note, I think it was insinuated that if someone went with a jeweler other than LM, they were compromising quality, and settling for *less than the best*. I apply my original opinion for that as well.

I had to comment on this, because I think it IS insinuated here. Just because Leon is good with micropave and delicate prongs (which, to be honest, don''t look any more delicate to me than my own ring, which is a mass-produced piece), it doesn''t mean it''s impossible to find someone else that can do the exact same thing. The main point here is that micropave and delicate prongs are LM''s key additions - that is what he does best, hence, it is what he gets asked for the most. That does not make him the best, it just makes him very good at what he is good at. Just like Tiffany is good at the siz-prong settings. And Harry Winston is good with watches and honkin'' EC''s. Catch my drift?

I don''t think LM is better than anyone else. I have no problem with LM personally except that he seems to think anyone without 30k in hand is not worth his time. Not everyone is made of money, so I look elsewhere.

 

[elmo]

Date: 7/27/2008 4:41:41 PM
Author: Maisie
Hope that clears things up

I hear you. The reason I asked this (and maybe one reason LM asked the similar question) is that from personal experience, fillers like oil can be applied to surface reaching features that will make them far less apparent, or not apparent at all. But the kind of aggressive cleaning that a new piece gets e.g. steam, ultrasonic, and solvents will remove the fillers making the features visible. The difference can be like night and day. Someone not specifically looking for this (give the stone an acetone bath for a few days) is very likely to miss seeing this sort of thing.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 7/28/2008 9:50:49 AM
Author: purrfectpear
I''m well aware that Leon has other people working for him. Again, I ask which jeweler produces finer work under their marque?

I''ve seen Tiffany''s, Graff, Harry Winston, etc. and I still prefer Mege for their micro pave setting, and fine finish.

Purrfectpear ~ Sorry for the confusion . . . my post regarding who actually does the work at Art of Platinum was not in response to your post directly above it regarding who does better work than Leon. My post was just a general comment.

Regarding your question, I think there might be various answers depending on who you''re asking. There is no doubt that Leon (usually) produces a very high-quality product, especially those prongs and the micro-pave. I don''t personally know of any other jeweler that does the prongs and micro-pave work as well as Leon, but there may be one (or more). With regard to the other jewelers you mentioned (Tiffany''s, HW, Graff, etc.), I''m sure there are some people who prefer their work to Leon''s for various reasons. For those individuals, maybe HW (just for example) is "better" than Leon in their estimation. I think this is really a question of personal taste.

 

[risingsun]

Leon screamed at CR on the phone and said some very nasty things to her. I consider this behavior to be totally unacceptable. When he did offer an apology, it was to her fiance, not to CR. He damaged Ellen's aqua and made excuses for it. He was annoyed that she asked a simple question about the size of the shank. He may be an artiste', but artists can also be be downright insufferable and/or just plan nuts [JPN*]

*Not yet added to the DSM

 

[azbuyer]

Date: 7/25/2008 9:53:38 AM
Author: purrfectpear
I would use Leon for the same reason that I would eat at a highly tempermental chef's restaurant. I'm not there for the customer service, I'm there for the end result. Many people have fabulous rings from Leon Mege. A few have had less than satisfactory experiences. I don't think there's any question that Leon lacks in the customer service relations department.

I wont use a guy like that at all. I know a lot of people think he's the best out there but high end craftsman jewelers are a dime a dozen here in NYC. NO level of quality is worth being put through any hassle when it comes to buying something like a piece of bling.

The only profession I will put up with poor bedside manner is in the medical profession. I have had experience with this but I know someone who was in need of some open heart surgery and this one surgeon was probably the rudest, unfriendlies person you would ever meet. BUT - he is the #1 heart surgeon in all of NYC. Life or death situation, I can give up some of the pleasantries for quality work but when something is supposed to be fun, i say move on and find someone who will make it an enjoyable process. Because if there ever is a problem, the latter person will be more friendly in helping remedy the issue.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/27/2008 11:07:24 PM
Author: hairgirl95
After reading what all of you wrote, I am impressed at the decisive opinions that each of us have. Its been really fun to see what everyones opinions are.

There are many on here who WOULD work with LM no matter what. Many others seem hesitant, and yet others would NOT work with him. The reasons for each side are very strong for each person. What can I say, we are all passionate about our jewelry!!

One trend I did notice though was the impression some posters gave as to ''quality''. I think *some* think that the only way to have the best quality is to use LM. I have to respectfully disagree with that. There are many jewelers across the world who have the skills, design capabilities, and knowledge that are just as good, if not better, than LM. Now, that is my opinion, mind you, but that is what makes each of us unique. As they say, different strokes for different folks. On a side note, I think it was insinuated that if someone went with a jeweler other than LM, they were compromising quality, and settling for *less than the best*. I apply my original opinion for that as well.

One other point I wanted to address--isn''t the whole point of having a custom piece of jewelry done is to have the luxury of ''collaboration'' between the customer and the jeweler? The customer has a vision, wants to incorporate different designs into one piece, then works WITH the jeweler to create the piece. Without the collaboration, the customer does not get the piece they envision, and the jeweler is placed behind the 8 ball to make the customer happy. I do not think this makes a *micro-manager*. It makes a collaborator. Yes, it can take a bad turn when it becomes oppressive, overly demanding, and down right ridiculous. But in Ellen''s situation, as she posted, she pretty much gave him carte blanc to do whatever he wanted with the exception of ensuring the shank was thicker, but not too thick. I think this is pretty generous, really, and in no way overly demanding or deserving of negativity from LM. But as I see it, when you commission a jeweler, no matter who it is, how ''picky'' they are, or how choosy they can be as to which customer they work with, it is essentially an agreement between the customer and jeweler. If the jeweler can afford to ''pick his own customers'' and wants someone who ''keeps their trap shut'', then he should decline to do the job. None of these quirks, however, excuse the abuse her aqua went through. Or the lack of apology and responsibility from LM. That is really my main issue--the lack of respect for her stone.

I don''t mean this to be offensive to anyone at all. I used some quotes from other posters to get my opinion across. Once again, just my humble non professional point of view.

It should be, imo.

And I agree that yes, certain customers can tax a jeweler, going byond what should be reasonable requests. And I wouldn''t blame them for choosing not to work with such an individual. But as you pointed out, I was very generous with my setting. And I really couldn''t have been any less demanding (frankly, my behavior with him and demanding shouldn''t be uttered in the same sentence). I had every right to enquire about the shank, and all the talk in the world about him being an "artiste" doesn''t excuse him snapping at me. And if we are to believe Leon was sincere in his apology, even he admitted that was no way to talk to me.

As for his treatment of my stone, I am sorely dissapointed if he could have used something to prevent it and didn''t. But I don''t know whether he did or not for sure (though one would think by seeing my stone he didn''t). And while he didn''t handle it the way I would have, in his defense, he did offer to polish them out if they were indeed scratches. And I have no doubt they are, but as I explained, sending it off again is just not something I want to do.

Which leads me to elmo''s enquiry. I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the stone came from Quest in perfect condition. I was very worried they had perhaps scratched it up. It was clean, and unblemished, you''ll just have to trust me on that (nothing could cover up those chip marks for one, there would be no way to miss them). I would never accuse any jeweler of this if I was not 100% certain.


To sum up the relationship between Leon and his customers, I would have to liken it to Russian roulette, you just don''t know who''s going to get the bullet.


And hairgirl, great thread, as it does indeed to show a variety of opinions!

 

[2Artists]

Oh interesting we are talking about artistic temperament. Well in addition to a bunch of other stuff. My 2 or 10 cents as the case may be.

I have extensively studied countless bios of the artists throughout history and often those who are are able to innovate and break artistic conventions also break social conventions as well. I am not going to pass judgement on that-it just is.

This is not limited to artists think of those who have made science and tech advances also.

I consider Leon Mege to be an amazingly gifted artist. I think he is genius with metal and gems.

I see no hierarchy between the different artistic disciplines-and to me jewelry is art you can wear.

As a side note I hate it when artists fight among themselves trying to decide which artistic medium is the most important instead of being mutually supportive and lifting each other. Being an artist is hard enough without artist on artist hate and elitism.

His best work is stupendous-as good as any I have ever seen. Those claw prongs are gorgeous, elegant, animal.

This is not to say that there are not other gifted genius people who work with jewelry as their medium.

I do not think that it is humanly possible to pick a universal best artist who works with jewelry. Just like it would be impossible to pick a best food in the world that everyone agreed on. People have different tastes and different artists have different specialties.

There is NO such thing as a talent, intelligence, and beauty pie meaning the false thinking that if one person has great talent or intelligence or beauty etc. that they have taken the majority of the "pie" and there is none left to go around.

It just doesn''t work like that.

All an artist or person can do is rise to the top of their own special genre.

I am very pro-consumer empowerment and I really appreciate these threads and reviews both the good and the bad ones are invaluable to consumers who are looking to make an informed decision.

Back to the subject of artistic temperament many artists have it and but some don''t. We are both artists but I tend toward the emotional side of the spectrum while my husband is one of the most balanced, relaxed and calm men on the planet. Go figure.

To some the value of a work (of jewelry in this case)is mainly in the finished product and to others much of the value is also in the quality of the process. As in how was the experience and working relationship start to finish. I myself am very process oriented and unable to detach the working experience from the finished product. I don''t deal well with rudeness perhaps because of my own artistic temperament LOL.

My more chill husband on the other hand can detach an amazing finished product from the process so if you can do that more power to you. But I certainly can''t.

Also I think that it is perfectly OK for an artist to choose clientele based on what works with them just as it is OK for consumers to choose vendors based on who is the best fit to their puzzle. To give an example we turn down commissions to create imagery for things we find morally offensive and abhorrent because those don''t jive with our personal artistic vision. And believe me those offers come. They are better off with a different artist who is a better fit in that case. We are of course polite and professional about it though. We all have limited time to create and naturally are going to do the projects that we find personally desirable to work on.

As an artist its good to keep in mind that it is an honor to have ones work sought over and remember that people dream and save their pennies to purchase a work and deserve to be treated with dignity kindness and respect. As should the artist as well.

It''s true people and businesses will make mistakes sometimes but they need to do everything in their power and even move heaven and earth to rectify them.


Mrs.2Artists

 

[clop]

Date: 7/28/2008 10:30:06 AM
Author: MonkeyPie

Date: 7/27/2008 11:07:24 PM

Author: hairgirl95


On a side note, I think it was insinuated that if someone went with a jeweler other than LM, they were compromising quality, and settling for *less than the best*. I apply my original opinion for that as well.

I had to comment on this, because I think it IS insinuated here. Just because Leon is good with micropave and delicate prongs (which, to be honest, don''t look any more delicate to me than my own ring, which is a mass-produced piece), it doesn''t mean it''s impossible to find someone else that can do the exact same thing. The main point here is that micropave and delicate prongs are LM''s key additions - that is what he does best, hence, it is what he gets asked for the most. That does not make him the best, it just makes him very good at what he is good at. Just like Tiffany is good at the siz-prong settings. And Harry Winston is good with watches and honkin'' EC''s. Catch my drift?


I don''t think LM is better than anyone else. I have no problem with LM personally except that he seems to think anyone without 30k in hand is not worth his time. Not everyone is made of money, so I look elsewhere.

Hi Ellen, So sorry to read about your ordeal. Your ring is gorgeous. It''s epitomizes everything I think a piece of jewelry should be - stunning, simple, sleek, classic, timeless. Your account was very well written, factual and straight forward. I am puzzled why this has happened to you, and others.

I went with Leon for my wedding band, and will go to him for my engagement ring as well when I get my stone. For my engagement ring, I''m looking for a platinum setting, with delicate prongs, low basket, and thin shank. IMHO, as much as I like other styles/designers, I haven''t found any other jewelers able to replicate the look. I''ve been told 1.8 mm is too thin, small prongs will not secure the stone etc. I know not everyone cares for this particular style, but I do think he is the best fit (in terms of aesthetic) for me. IMHO, for this style, I believe he is the best/great at what he does.

Hi Monkeypie, I would have disagreed with you regarding your 30k comment, but having read other people''s bizarre accounts with him, I''m not sure if you experienced that with him, if so, I am sorry. I''d like to share my experience with Leon. I contacted him several times, first for my engagement setting, for a 1.5 c Asscher, the second for my wedding band, and the third for an earring inquiry. All three times, he was very gracious, polite, and friendly. My then stone was 1.5 - no means small, but definitely smaller than maybe what he usually works with. Not a problem, he was very cordial, and suggested a halo, but thought a plain setting would be nice as well, no snarkyness or rudeness. When I contacted him about custom earrings (budget of 1k), he was also very polite. I had an inkling this was below his usual rates, and he politely explained that covered his labor. Now, $1k for earrings or anything for the matter to me is a lot of money. However I know in the arena of custom jewelry, it''s a pittance. He was very nice, and not condescending or rude.

Each time I spoke/emailed Leon, he could not have been nicer, so I am a bit baffled by others'' negative experiences.
I also believe, like others, that the end result is worth it, rudeness and all, though it doesn''t make the bad behavior right. I am just willing to put up with it if the end result is worth it. I''m glad Ellen wrote such a detailed account of her dealings with Leon, and future potential clients of his know what types of behavior can be expected. I hope that no one else experiences the negative, and theirs can be a positive one like I and others have had.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/28/2008 4:10:51 PM
Author: 2Artists
As an artist its good to keep in mind that it is an honor to have ones work sought over and remember that people dream and save their pennies to purchase a work and deserve to be treated with dignity kindness and respect. As should the artist as well.

It''s true people and businesses will make mistakes sometimes but they need to do everything in their power and even move heaven and earth to rectify them.


Mrs.2Artists

I couldn''t agree more.

Thank you so much for your post, nice to hear from one of "them".

clop, thank you, and what a wonderful compliment on my ring!!