Leon quote negotiations? Possible?

[greenmoose]

Hello. So I have an interesting question. I spoke with Leon the other day regarding an engagement ring setting I am absolutely completely set on. I discussed the possibility of setting a cushion center stone on one of his eternity wedding bands. Now here is the question. In our discussion, he quoted me somewhere around 2800 to make the setting and set the stone with the pave set about 1/4 around plus a couple hundred more to set 3/4 pave around the band, guessing somewhere around 3000 give or take. Now....the wedding band I referred him to is quoted on the Micropave.com website as 2200, this being an eternity band.

At the time I didn't mention this differential but as I thought about it more after our conversation, the quote he gave didn't make sense. It seems that the wedding band eternity setting contains many more french cut diamonds than the setting I was proposing (eternity vs. 3/4 with center setting). And working a simple head setting into the band seems to be offset in labor by the fewer diamonds needed for the pave.

I wrote a follow-up email but as expected haven't heard anything back. Like I said, I'm definitively set on making this setting with Leon and admit I'd agree to his original quote. Here is my question, does this seem like a reasonable issue to bring up with Leon and try to negotiate on? Has anyone had success negotiating a quote with him?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Resonance.Of.Life]

I believe it is cheaper because it's an already made item versus making a custom creation (despite how simplistic it might seem).

 

[SB621]

I believe it is cheaper because it's an already made item versus making a custom creation (despite how simplistic it might seem).

Ditto. ALso Leon does everything handmade..nothing is casted so that is why there will also be a mark up. From the impression I"m under there is no negoitation with Leon.

 

[vbnet]

His rings that are available for sale on his site are usually less than a custom design because he makes them with stock he has on hand. The price of those stones may be different compared to now because of the timing of the buy and they could have been part of a larger parcel. I'm also not sure that in his pricing, labor by his craftsmen may or may not = the amount of diamonds you are saving. It can't hurt to ask, just wanted to let you know what I've seen others write regarding price differences.

 

[iota15]

Also keep in mind that Leon's "simple head settings" are really a piece of art in themselves. Melee diamonds are relatively cheap (although French cut are rarer and more expensive). The diamonds don't make up a large portion of the cost. It's the time it takes to set them.

Plus, you don't know how much work goes into making a head specifically for your cushion. I believe Leon's heads are handmade and is well integrated into the shank. He's not just fusing a stock head, which would, as you say, be simple.

 

[greenmoose]

Thank you for all the responses. Truthfully, the quote seemed quite reasonable and as such I did not seem compelled to raise a question at the time. It was only later that I started to be curious if this seemed like a reasonable quote. And therefore thought I'd give a post a try. I'll give your responses some thought. His works are truly beautiful and quite wonderful pieces of art.