Leon Q''s answered!

[CrookedRock]

OK, so now that I have a min, I can finally answer some of those Leon questions. I did my best to remember them all, but feel free to remind me if I forget to mention one here!

Having been so fortunate to spend so much time with him, I have to say he was nothing like I expected. I was sure he was going to be stiff and well let’s just say “cocky”. Although that was not the case at all! I had had a really fun time there, and feel like I saw a whole different side to him than most describe. Being that we were so relaxed during our meeting I was able to feel him out on a few issues and ask some questions.
So here it goes…
Wedding bands to be worn with his rings… NO!

The way he described it is that diamonds are the hardest surface on earth. Put two of the hardest surfaces on earth together and they are bound to damage one another. He flat out told me that he will not make me a band to be worn with my ring, and that it is to be worn separate. OK OK I get it Leon!! LOL
Delster I think you asked about a plain solitaire being worn with a plain wedding band. Yes he will do this; he just doesn’t want diamonds rubbing each other.

The sizing insert. I did one. He is actually a really big fan of it not just for practical reasons but for aesthetic reasons as well. He thinks they look cool! If you look at r782 on his site you will know what I am talking about. Basically the way it works is that the inside of the insert is your actual size. When removed it can provide up ¾ of a size, sometimes even an entire size. As for the one we did, it was kind of different. Because I did a split shank (here I go giving away details again) it will only be in the bottom part of my ring and will allow for the ring to be sized up a half size.

Ok and Phoenix. I showed him the pic of the Cellini rings, and actually laughed!!

He said that the pic was an ad around the city for a while and he never understood why they used is bc the shank was bent. OK… anyway. I directly asked him if he could make it and his basic reply was, better.

You’ll have to wait to 6 weeks for mine to be done, but I think that you’re on the same page as me when it comes to this halo thing. Pull up image r379 on his site. I was actually able to wear and examine this ring. I am actually kind of shocked to read that it is a 1.3ct stone bc it seemed smaller. Point is that the halo on this ring is not done any justice by the pic. It’s teeny!! I told him that I wanted the exact same size halo but on my 4ct. He said not a problem.

I hope I have been able to answer your questions. Feel free to ask me anything else, and if I know the answer, I’ll be happy to share. We really did discuss a lot while I was there!
I may have mentioned other things in this other thread too!

 

[Delster]

CrookedRock you are a dote to do this for us!!! Thank you!

Date: 3/12/2008 9:06:24 AM
Author:CrookedRock

Wedding bands to be worn with his rings… NO!

The way he described it is that diamonds are the hardest surface on earth. Put two of the hardest surfaces on earth together and they are bound to damage one another. He flat out told me that he will not make me a band to be worn with my ring, and that it is to be worn separate. OK OK I get it Leon!! LOL
Delster I think you asked about a plain solitaire being worn with a plain wedding band. Yes he will do this; he just doesn’t want diamonds rubbing each other.

Oh and YIPPEEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

[CrookedRock]

Does that solidify the Leon decision for you? I really just can''t say enough positive things about him!

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 3/12/2008 9:17:39 AM
Author: Melanie611
CrookedRock - Welcome back! I''m so glad you found the diamond you dreamed of. It looks huge but absolutely gorgeous!!! Can I ask if you ended up with an eternity band and the the sizing insert? Also, are you getting a band made? Did Leon mention anything about not wearing the 2 rings together?

Ok Melanie, I hope you find this!

Ok so here''s the deal. I def ended up with the sizing insert. I am pushing for the pave to be eternity style, but he does not reccomend it. He says regardless of sizing concerns, the bottom part of the ring will always see the most wear and tear. He wasn''t able to gie me a quote on my ring bc it hasn''t been done before... But is is going to quote both finishing the pave eternity style and not finishing it, but making sure that it ends as far as it can go. He did warn me though that the cost of continuing the pave was significantly more!! He also explained that the sizing thing makes a lot of sense bc pave rings, whether they are eternity or not are near impossible to size and he doesn''t like doing it.

I did talk to him about a band for me, and as you can see he said no! But once this ring is done and we get closer to actually getting married I am going to get a band from him. What we discussed was one of his three bands put together, like r956 on his site. Bit doing it with black and white diamonds. Strange I know... But I really love the idea!

 

[Delster]

Date: 3/12/2008 9:22:25 AM
Author: CrookedRock
Does that solidify the Leon decision for you? I really just can''t say enough positive things about him!

Sure does! BF might even be ringing him tonight, he has already emailed and heard back!

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 3/12/2008 12:28:37 PM
Author: Delster
Sure does! BF might even be ringing him tonight, he has already emailed and heard back!

So exciting! Please keep me posted!

 

[Delster]

Of course!

 

[Melanie611]

Hi CrookedRock!

It took me a while but I found your thread. Is the ring you''re having made 3-sided? Is that why he doesn''t want to have a matching band next to it? I wonder if he feels the same way for a 1-sided eternity band. And I''ll definitely ask for a sizing insert in my ring too. Were you able to try a ring with one on? I wonder how comfortable it is, and if the band would still be able to be engraved.

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 3/12/2008 2:24:39 PM
Author: Melanie611
Hi CrookedRock!

It took me a while but I found your thread. Is the ring you''re having made 3-sided? Is that why he doesn''t want to have a matching band next to it? I wonder if he feels the same way for a 1-sided eternity band. And I''ll definitely ask for a sizing insert in my ring too. Were you able to try a ring with one on? I wonder how comfortable it is, and if the band would still be able to be engraved.

Yes, the band is 3 sided. But he did say that he does not recommend wearing any diamonds against anything eles. If a diamond can ruin another diamond just imagine what it ould do to a metal band whether it be platinum or gold...
He loves the insert, like I mentioned, he thinks it looks cool. I did not get to see one in person, but considering how he showed me it is done, I am sure it would feel the same. He drew me a diagram of how mine will be,and bc I am having a double shank that splits, the insert itself will mimic the double bands... if that makes sense. As far as engraving goes... I forgot to ask. But I don''t see why not, I will have my bf ask when he talks to him tomorrow or the next day, and get back to you.
Hope some of this helps...

 

[Melanie611]

Ok, I''m sure you''re gonna get annoyed with all my questions soon

, but I have 1 last question. Kinda silly actually. But did Leon size you for your ring? I keep hearing that there''s no standard ring size guide and that it can vary from one maker to the next. Anyway, I was wondering if he sized you and if it matched your normal ring size. I just sent my diamond to him and asked for an eternity band, so I''m kinda worried about getting an accurate size.

 

[CrookedRock]

Please ask away! I was astarting to think my Leon knowledge was going to waste!! I would be asking 10x the amount of q''s... trust me!!

He guessed that I was a size 6 to begin with, and I yelled at him! LOL JK!
We sized my ring finger and it was a 5.5, but I felt it was a little loose. So at the end I took the liberty of resizing myself and I showed him I was a 5. So basically bc my ring has the insert part way, the insert will be size 5 and the ring will be size 5.5
Does that make sense?

Very exciting!! Are you doing micropave all the way around? or just pave?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 3/12/2008 2:24:39 PM
Author: Melanie611
Hi CrookedRock!

It took me a while but I found your thread. Is the ring you''re having made 3-sided? Is that why he doesn''t want to have a matching band next to it? I wonder if he feels the same way for a 1-sided eternity band. And I''ll definitely ask for a sizing insert in my ring too. Were you able to try a ring with one on? I wonder how comfortable it is, and if the band would still be able to be engraved.

You can wear a bead set eternity band with the solitaire and probably with the e-ring with pave only on the top as long as it is bead set. The sides of a one-sided band are metal, so metal touches metal. I have pictures of my solitaire with a Tiffany Legacy band on Show Me the Ring. No diamonds touch each other!

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 3/13/2008 5:07:16 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 3/12/2008 2:24:39 PM
Author: Melanie611
Hi CrookedRock!

It took me a while but I found your thread. Is the ring you''re having made 3-sided? Is that why he doesn''t want to have a matching band next to it? I wonder if he feels the same way for a 1-sided eternity band. And I''ll definitely ask for a sizing insert in my ring too. Were you able to try a ring with one on? I wonder how comfortable it is, and if the band would still be able to be engraved.

You can wear a bead set eternity band with the solitaire and probably with the e-ring with pave only on the top as long as it is bead set. The sides of a one-sided band are metal, so metal touches metal. I have pictures of my solitaire with a Tiffany Legacy band on Show Me the Ring. No diamonds touch each other!

Exactly... As long as metal touches metal...

 

[Melanie611]

Thanks for all the info, CrookedRock. I requested a full eternity e-ring and band. I went for the 1-sided bight cut (I think that's what Leon calls it) since I'm hoping to be able to wear the two rings together. So your ring will fit a size 5 and can be resized up to a 5.5? That seems perfect! Especially with that gorgeous rock of yours

(actually from the size of it, it's not a rock, it's real estate...j/k). It looked beautiful on your finger and will look stunning in a LM setting!!! And I like the added insurance that the eternity can still be resized. I requested an insert for both my ering and band. Thank you so much for pointing the style out to me. I've been so worried about whether to get the full eternity. Also, I sent my Mark Morrell ring so hopefully he can use it to get an accurate ring size. Now I have to get FH to be sized. I asked Leon if he could make a wband for him too (plain platinum, no diamonds except for a surprise one hidden inside). I'm worried about how much it'll set us back though

 

[Delster]

Melanie Leon gave my BF a quote for a plain platinum wedding band for me that was cheaper than the equivalent band on Whiteflash. You could be pleasantly surprised!

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 3/14/2008 10:22:01 AM
Author: Melanie611
Thanks for all the info, CrookedRock. I requested a full eternity e-ring and band. I went for the 1-sided bight cut (I think that''s what Leon calls it) since I''m hoping to be able to wear the two rings together. So your ring will fit a size 5 and can be resized up to a 5.5? That seems perfect! Especially with that gorgeous rock of yours

(actually from the size of it, it''s not a rock, it''s real estate...j/k). It looked beautiful on your finger and will look stunning in a LM setting!!! And I like the added insurance that the eternity can still be resized. I requested an insert for both my ering and band. Thank you so much for pointing the style out to me. I''ve been so worried about whether to get the full eternity. Also, I sent my Mark Morrell ring so hopefully he can use it to get an accurate ring size. Now I have to get FH to be sized. I asked Leon if he could make a wband for him too (plain platinum, no diamonds except for a surprise one hidden inside). I''m worried about how much it''ll set us back though

I can''t wait to see it!
Real estate... hysterical!!! I am really glad about the insert for sizing reasons, but am still debating the full pave bc he does not reccommend it... but I really love it!!!
I showed Leon a pic of a MM band that my BF loves too and he said he didn''t really want to do it. If you want something as simple and plain you may want to just buy it elsewhere... As far as the quotes go... yah, we got ours and its not what I would call cheap... BUt what are ya gonna do? Can''t stop when you get this far...

 

[Melanie611]

CrookedRock...are you still checking this thread?

I have another question for you. I''m trying to duplicate Kate Beckinsale''s ultra thin rings. And was wondering how thin Leon will go for ering settings? I asked for a 1.7mm shank but was wondering if he''ll go down to 1.5mm. I am worried about durability though. And if such small diamonds sparkle enough?

Melanie

 

[CrookedRock]

Hey Melanie!

I know he will do 1.6 for sure, I didn''t ask about any thinnner, but i would imagine he could. I think he would remake those bands beautifully. You are just looking for the bands or is this for your ering?

 

[scarlet16]

Date: 4/9/2008 3:14:07 PM
Author: Melanie611
CrookedRock...are you still checking this thread?

I have another question for you. I''m trying to duplicate Kate Beckinsale''s ultra thin rings. And was wondering how thin Leon will go for ering settings? I asked for a 1.7mm shank but was wondering if he''ll go down to 1.5mm. I am worried about durability though. And if such small diamonds sparkle enough?

Melanie

So, I think I"m being ridiulous but I am also contemplating going thinner...Currently mine is set to be 1.8mm, but should I ask for thinner???? I LOVE Kate Beckinsale''s thread and actually mentioned them to Leon during our meeting.

What do you ladies think?

Melanie, I would NOT worry about sparkle...I saw some of his rings that were thin in person and they were definitley sparkling!

 

[gwendolyn]

*bump*

Hi.

Might be too late to ask a question, but I was wondering something. I thought I''d read that Leon will only work with stones of a certain size and/or quality. Is this true? I love both his work and Mark Morrell''s, but I never really considered him as an option because I know any stone I get will not be any big honker. I know Mark works with smaller stones, but does Leon?

Thanks! And sorry if I asked my question too late (I was busy when you first posted this--it was my birthday!

).

 

[sera]

Date: 4/25/2008 11:17:57 PM
Author: gwendolyn
*bump*

Hi.

Might be too late to ask a question, but I was wondering something. I thought I''d read that Leon will only work with stones of a certain size and/or quality. Is this true? I love both his work and Mark Morrell''s, but I never really considered him as an option because I know any stone I get will not be any big honker. I know Mark works with smaller stones, but does Leon?

Thanks! And sorry if I asked my question too late (I was busy when you first posted this--it was my birthday!

).

I had contacted him about my one carat and he didn''t discourage me at all. He works on those sizes, but the website shows the larger ones.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/25/2008 11:17:57 PM
Author: gwendolyn
*bump*

Hi.

Might be too late to ask a question, but I was wondering something. I thought I''d read that Leon will only work with stones of a certain size and/or quality. Is this true? I love both his work and Mark Morrell''s, but I never really considered him as an option because I know any stone I get will not be any big honker. I know Mark works with smaller stones, but does Leon?

Thanks! And sorry if I asked my question too late (I was busy when you first posted this--it was my birthday!

).

Happy Belated birthday!!! When was it?? Leon works on smaller stones.

 

[kroshka]

I''m late to this thread too... but CrookedRock - do you know if the insert will be made in platinum or white gold?

kroshka

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 4/25/2008 11:36:31 PM
Author: sera
I had contacted him about my one carat and he didn''t discourage me at all. He works on those sizes, but the website shows the larger ones.

Oh good! I don''t remember where I read it, but I''d thought someone said he had a major attitude about what stones were used in his pieces and looked down on smaller stones. I know people sometimes say he has an artistic temperment which is fine, but I didn''t want him looking down on me or my stone because it wasn''t ginormo. Wonder where I read that if it''s not true....

Anyway, thanks for the info, m''dear!

Author: Skippy123
Happy Belated birthday!!! When was it?? Leon works on smaller stones.

Skippy

Thanks, Skip! My birthday was the day CrookedRock started this thread, March 12th! I turned 30. It was a good birthday.

Thanks for the birthday wishes and the info, sunshine!

 

[Delster]

Happy birthday gwendolyn!!!

Just to add one more reassuring voice to the chorus here... when BF told Leon the size of the stone he was considering apparently the reaction was something like ''whoa that''s big''. Now, you know the size of the stone and I don''t but I do not it''s not one of these 2 or 3 carat honkers that feature on his website!

 

[CrookedRock]

Sorry Ladies, I just saw that this got bumped!

Leon will work with any size stone... Look at some of the ones in his sale section, they are certainly not his largest pieces. I'm not sure what you consider large, but I think we have seen pleanty of stones under 2ct even in the 1ct range that have been set by Leon and they are all gorgeous. As far as quality, mine's a J and he loved it, so I don't think that's an issue either. But I do think you have to go into a working relationship with him with a slightly thick skin, and really not take anything too personally. He will tell you he doesn't like something, but don't be afraid to ask him why.
As far as Mark Morell, I did speak with Leon about Mark, and he thinks his work is nice. So I don't think he would be opposed to doing something like Mark's Torchiere or whatnot, but obviously for copyright reasons he would put his own twist on it, which I for one would love to see!

Kroshka~ I'm still drooling over your ring, I just love it!!
As far as mine goes, I did go for the insert bc I had to be a pain and pave the whole darn thing! Everything will be platinum, white gold was never discussed, but I know he does work with it. I presonally just prefer the look of the platinum, and it's durability factor. Apparently when wearing a ring with the insert you will somewhat be able to see it. He thinks it looks "cool" but I wanted it for practical reasons (sizing).
Are you considering doing something with an insert??

ETA~ PS... Delster, your rock is gonna rock!!! And in a Leon!! Very excited to see yours!
Who else is waiting on a Leon? Myself, Scarlett, Delster... is there more?

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 4/26/2008 8:53:19 AM
Author: CrookedRock
As far as Mark Morell, I did speak with Leon about Mark, and he thinks his work is nice. So I don''t think he would be opposed to doing something like Mark''s Torchiere or whatnot, but obviously for copyright reasons he would put his own twist on it, which I for one would love to see!

A Torchiere-esque ring by Leon?!!!!

Oooooooh.....I might just have to be the guinea pig on that one...(needs a dreamy emoticon)

Heeeheeheee, thank you, Delster!!!! I love it, this is the birthday that never ends!!

 

[CrookedRock]

Gwen... Go for it!!! I think it would be incredible!!! It''s my fav MM piece other than the wb I am going to have him make for my bf. Leon''s take on it would be very interesting!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 4/9/2008 8:34:12 PM
Author: scarlet16
So, I think I'm being ridiulous but I am also contemplating going thinner...Currently mine is set to be 1.8mm, but should I ask for thinner???? I LOVE Kate Beckinsale's thread and actually mentioned them to Leon during our meeting.

What do you ladies think?

Melanie, I would NOT worry about sparkle...I saw some of his rings that were thin in person and they were definitley sparkling!

Scarlet,
Mine is 1.5-6mm and I love it.

 

[Delster]

Date: 4/26/2008 8:53:19 AM
Author: CrookedRock

ETA~ PS... Delster, your rock is gonna rock!!! And in a Leon!! Very excited to see yours!
Who else is waiting on a Leon? Myself, Scarlett, Delster... is there more?

Thank you! Your black + white diamond band sounds amazing - I can''t wait to see pictures!

I think deelight is waiting on a Leon too?

Harriet your ring is our inspiration (in miniature

), love love love it