Questions for PSers who've sent stones to Leon

[Dreamer_D]

interesting to hear this. I have thought there was a gender issue as well.

hi bgray-glad to hear I'm not the only one, although tbh I have restrained from posting as much in the past out of concern of being told I was jumping to conclusions. Based off all I have read on PS and my own experiences, I no longer have a doubt this plays at least some part in his unpleasant behaviour-which is very disappointing, more so considering his industry

Ever since he told Boom that he pities her fiance for putting up with her I have thought this.

I had suspected it before that, but it was really reading about Boom's experience that made me positive. I'm old enough to have been around when this kind of attitude and comment (LM's pity-your-husband comment) was not uncommon. It was meant as a put down directed at an uppity woman then (40+ years ago), and there's really no other way to take it now. Each person who is contemplating working with Leon Mege has to decide whether or not the end result is worth dealing with the potential for that kind of treatment. Thinly veiled contempt is not exactly my idea of a good basis for a working relationship. But that's just me.

Yup, good old uppity women. Lots of men still feel that way today about uppity women. I should know, I am pretty uppity myself

 

[Dreamer_D]

You know, this makes for an interesting ethical dilemma. To be honest, had I read this thread before having done my initial project with him, I think there is no way in h-e-double hockey sticks I would dare spend my money with sucha a$$hole. I mean, I'm from the Dr Phil school, where I don't like rewarding bad behavior.

And yet...

I did my project way before, and I had no issues - got the best kind of unique ring I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else (who else might have had perfectly cut little french cut beauties or would have even suggested them to me considering my first ideas for a design?), that's exquisitly made, and continues on a daily basis to floor me. I got a deal on my center stone and paid far less than many a non custom ring.

And yet...

After hearing Boom's story, don't feel - as a past satisfied customer - that I'll necessarily get the same experience this time...

And yet...

Thus far they have already saved me at least 2.5K on my center stone...

I have come to a conclusion.

For me, it's worth it.

And it's a crapshoot.

I think in any commercial venture people make up their minds about where their priorities lie. And I think in truth there are many more happy customers that annoyed ones. So I am not sure it is a complete crap shoot. You just have to decide is the relatively small (yet substantial) risk of a bad experience is worth it to you.

 

[Lula]

I am not a masochist*; that's why I will never patronize LM.

Really, it baffles me why anyone would put up with his nonsense for a piece of jewelry. And if he is indeed a chauvinist and perhaps a bit of a misogynist -- well, just more reason to stay away. Really, these stories just turn my stomach. His customer relations skills with women are borderline abusive.

*mas·och·ism (ms-kzm)
n.
1. The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from being humiliated or mistreated, either by another or by oneself.
2. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.

 

[Love Street]

*mas·och·ism (ms-kzm)
n.
1. The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from being humiliated or mistreated, either by another or by oneself.
2. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.

Portree- That may be part of it too. See previous comment about working in politics, law...

And Dreamer - The business venture is a good analogy. Maybe it is better to look at a Leon experience as more of a potentially tough business venture (which is what it feels like) than a feel-good jewelry buying experience. And you're right that there are probably more happy consumers than unhappy ones.

 

[Lula]

*mas·och·ism (ms-kzm)
n.
1. The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from being humiliated or mistreated, either by another or by oneself.
2. A willingness or tendency to subject oneself to unpleasant or trying experiences.

Portree- That may be part of it too. See previous comment about working in politics, law...

Haha -- good point. Well, maybe potential clients should consider taking a lawyer with them to meet with Leon. Might be worth the price of a retainer.

eta: Seriously, I have been following your thread, and I think the last photo/slide you created is excellent. Keep in mind that sending him a check (and him cashing it) does create a binding, legal, commerical relationship (in most states). So once you mail the check and he cashes it, it takes the transaction to the next level and it makes it harder for you to stop the project with him if the ring isn't turning out the way you want and/or the price goes up and/or there's a problem finding stones...so just be sure you're ready before sending the check. For me, I'd talk with him first and make sure you can come to an agreement about your project. Then send him the check.

 

[Aoife]

@missydebby and Love Street, please don't feel as though what I had to say about Leon Mege was in any way directed at you, or your decisions to work with him. I truly did not intend my thoughts to be personalized that way, and sincerely apologize if you felt they were directed at you. I can only speak for myself, and my viewpoint has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences that I realize many younger women do not share.

For me, and I speak only for myself, it is very much an ethical issue. Without going off onto a political and sociological tangent, it is not all that long ago since a female professional (lawyer, doctor, teacher, etc.) at a professional meeting would be expected, simply by virtue of having a pair of ovaries, to get up and make the coffee. She would routinely be paid less for doing the same job. She still, in some professions, is held to a higher or different standard of dress than her male counterparts. When I hear about someone like Leon Mege, who not only makes comments that are meant to denigrate a customer, simply because she is a woman, but he gets away with it, has his actions excused or winked at because, by golly, he's just so talented.....I just can't support his business. Reading through the threads by PS'ers who have had negative experiences with him, those individuals' shock, humiliation, embarrassment, and pain is palpable.

Nope, not a person I want to do business with, but I realize that is a very personal decision, and has nothing at all to do with anyone but myself. I sincerely hope that missydebby and Love Street have nothing but good experiences with LM, and that the final product is wonderful.

 

[Love Street]

eta: Seriously, I have been following your thread, and I think the last photo/slide you created is excellent. Keep in mind that sending him a check (and him cashing it) does create a binding, legal, commerical relationship (in most states). So once you mail the check and he cashes it, it takes the transaction to the next level and it makes it harder for you to stop the project with him if the ring isn't turning out the way you want and/or the price goes up and/or there's a problem finding stones...so just be sure you're ready before sending the check. For me, I'd talk with him first and make sure you can come to an agreement about your project. Then send him the check.

Thanks for the input Portree. I agree - and I think I'd probably feel better having a discussion with him first before sending off $ thousands - but I don't have much to talk with him about until he has my stone in hand, so that's how I will do it.

@missydebby and Love Street, please don't feel as though what I had to say about Leon Mege was in any way directed at you, or your decisions to work with him. I truly did not intend my thoughts to be personalized that way, and sincerely apologize if you felt they were directed at you. I can only speak for myself, and my viewpoint has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences that I realize many younger women do not share.

Aoife - no worries at all! Please don't apologize. As far as I'm concerned, everyone should feel free to speak about their own experiences and opinions as it relates to the topic. We all come to the table with unique experiences, background, perspectives etc. that adds value to the discussion and enhances collective wisdom of this forum. To me, your comments didn't come off as anything otherwise.

That said, I think I'm about to go to the post office with a quadruple-boxed package in hand
All I can say is, "we'll see..."

 

[bgray]

there is an underlying pattern as well (separate from the gender issue which I think is very obvious). If you let him supply the stone he becomes very amenable. If you let him dictate the design he is very amenable........I asked for details in writing several times with NO reponse. I did however get two phone calls and an email asking for a check. I also only got him to talk to me when I agreed to have him supply the stones BUT I wanted the color and clarity and carat weight guaranteed in writing ................along with the other details.

 

[missydebby]

@missydebby and Love Street, please don't feel as though what I had to say about Leon Mege was in any way directed at you, or your decisions to work with him. I truly did not intend my thoughts to be personalized that way, and sincerely apologize if you felt they were directed at you. I can only speak for myself, and my viewpoint has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences that I realize many younger women do not share.

For me, and I speak only for myself, it is very much an ethical issue. Without going off onto a political and sociological tangent, it is not all that long ago since a female professional (lawyer, doctor, teacher, etc.) at a professional meeting would be expected, simply by virtue of having a pair of ovaries, to get up and make the coffee. She would routinely be paid less for doing the same job. She still, in some professions, is held to a higher or different standard of dress than her male counterparts. When I hear about someone like Leon Mege, who not only makes comments that are meant to denigrate a customer, simply because she is a woman, but he gets away with it, has his actions excused or winked at because, by golly, he's just so talented.....I just can't support his business. Reading through the threads by PS'ers who have had negative experiences with him, those individuals' shock, humiliation, embarrassment, and pain is palpable.

Nope, not a person I want to do business with, but I realize that is a very personal decision, and has nothing at all to do with anyone but myself. I sincerely hope that missydebby and Love Street have nothing but good experiences with LM, and that the final product is wonderful.

oh *hugs* Aoife! I hear you.

But may I say hold that rope, hangin' judge!!!!

Am I being lawyerly in saying there is not enough evidence to make the conclusion that Leon is a sexist peeg? Really, what we have other than just fine experiences, some also some bad experiences, one experience in which it seems the male significant other had better communications ( but we don't know explicitly that it's cause he's a guy or because Leon had his coffee that morning) and the lame comment at the end of an email - which, I easily admit, seems totally sexist. But may not be. Or may be. Or maybe it's a snarky and entirely undeserved remark, that didn't translate well. Or maybe he translated it just fine and he's brought over his old world mentality. I don't know. I do know, however that in my book, it's not enough to condemn the man into the Male Chauvinist Hall of Fame.

Lest you all think I'm a Stepford wife with Stockholm Syndrome, let me explain why I'm apt to give most people the benefit of the doubt before I have unmistakable evidence. I live in a country where English is like a second language. (I'm an Expat in Holland) Everybody seems basically completely fluent. So you can imagine how jarring it is when someone who is seemingly fluent makes a faux pax with one or another word being mistranslated. And it happens all the time. And 90% or more of the time, the people are not only not jerks, but never even had the remoteness of bad intentions. And I want to give the benefit of the doubt also cause I do it, too. Sometimes I've really stepped in it without realizing, cause of the word choice I use when translating english to dutch in my head. I know he's been in the States for awhile, but these things can still happen and I just think it's perhaps a little gun jumping to use it to deliver sentence.

Is it evidence of him being a blockhead, because the whole tone of his email to Boom is awful and condescending? YES! TOTALLY! And is that one letter evidence enough to not want to step within 10 feet of his business? ABSOLUTELY! But that's all, not necessarily more.

Anywho, I get your point, and I love my foremothers who paved the road for me in a way I could never imagine, having benefited from their efforts.

 

[Aoife]

oh *hugs* Aoife! I hear you.

But may I say hold that rope, hangin' judge!!!!

Am I being lawyerly in saying there is not enough evidence to make the conclusion that Leon is a sexist peeg? Really, what we have other than just fine experiences, some also some bad experiences, one experience in which it seems the male significant other had better communications ( but we don't know explicitly that it's cause he's a guy or because Leon had his coffee that morning) and the lame comment at the end of an email - which, I easily admit, seems totally sexist. But may not be. Or may be. Or maybe it's a snarky and entirely undeserved remark, that didn't translate well. Or maybe he translated it just fine and he's brought over his old world mentality. I don't know. I do know, however that in my book, it's not enough to condemn the man into the Male Chauvinist Hall of Fame.

Lest you all think I'm a Stepford wife with Stockholm Syndrome, let me explain why I'm apt to give most people the benefit of the doubt before I have unmistakable evidence. I live in a country where English is like a second language. (I'm an Expat in Holland) Everybody seems basically completely fluent. So you can imagine how jarring it is when someone who is seemingly fluent makes a faux pax with one or another word being mistranslated. And it happens all the time. And 90% or more of the time, the people are not only not jerks, but never even had the remoteness of bad intentions. And I want to give the benefit of the doubt also cause I do it, too. Sometimes I've really stepped in it without realizing, cause of the word choice I use when translating english to dutch in my head. I know he's been in the States for awhile, but these things can still happen and I just think it's perhaps a little gun jumping to use it to deliver sentence.

Is it evidence of him being a blockhead, because the whole tone of his email to Boom is awful and condescending? YES! TOTALLY! And is that one letter evidence enough to not want to step within 10 feet of his business? ABSOLUTELY! But that's all, not necessarily more.

Anywho, I get your point, and I love my foremothers who paved the road for me in a way I could never imagine, having benefited from their efforts.

Well it's certainly possible I could be wrong, missydebby, it's not like that's never happened before! And I do believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. If the incident we are mutually referencing were the only one, I'd be inclined to agree with you that it wasn't yet time to haul out the tar and feathers. But there is a pervasive and consistent tone to LM's interactions with a significant number of women. I just spent 4 days tracking down every reference I could find to Leon Mege on PS, both good and bad, and you know, it "reads" a little differently when you're reading accounts of all the interactions in a short period of time. Cultural or languages differences can definitely be a factor in some exchanges, and there is no doubt they can lead to confusion, but (paraphrasing) "I feel sorry for your husband" doesn't strike me as particularly ambiguous, especially when it is weighed in conjunction with Boom's other interactions with LM. Completely rhetorical question: If you had been having a conflict with someone, the person knew you were upset, and then that individual made a remark like that, would you take it as a joke? Really truly?

Okay, stepping off my soapbox, with apologies all around.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I remember that thread by Boom, it was the thread that changed me from being hard core Leon, must have my e-ring done by him, to having doubts.

In the end, for various reasons, I ended up going with another vendor for my e-ring and Leon for my wedding band. I am happy with my choice. My husband and I both love my wedding band and it was a good, easy project to see if Leon would work for us.

Although my experience was not a negative one, my brief interaction with him gave me enough insight as to why people had problems with him. Leon really treats this as a business transaction, and really likes things to be his way. When you want to do something differently, his way of telling you is sometimes less than tactful.

If I work with him in the future, I am fully prepared to give him a picture of what I like from his catalog, send him my stone, and ask him if my idea will work for the stone. I will want the big picture elements in writing, but I plan to let go of the details. I also know when making a custom ring, a small change in detail may better complement the stone.

After living with my band, I appreciate Leon's work, but honestly, I think some of the other vendors on mentioned earlier on this thread make some very high quality pieces and I would consider them as well....once the budget allows for collecting and setting stones again.

 

[Imdanny]

Goodness.


Here is a thread in which 'veterans at successfully navigating a transaction with' a given vendor have given advice on

-How not to irritate this vendor, and ensure he wants to work with you on this project
-How not to irritate this vendor, and ensure that you don't wind up with an inexplicably exorbitant quote
-How to ensure this vendor actually pays attention to what you, the paying customer, want


I truly fail to understand why on earth would anyone would want to work with someone who makes him/her so nervous that he/she starts a thread on how to 'deal with' the impending project to soothe the nerves

Add to this, he might or might not have had his coffee!

 

[Imdanny]

is that true because if i get him to make my ring I want him to do it himself...

Better not plan on that. I know someone who's had three rings from him and not one made by his hands.

 

[missydebby]

oh *hugs* Aoife! I hear you.

But may I say hold that rope, hangin' judge!!!!

Am I being lawyerly in saying there is not enough evidence to make the conclusion that Leon is a sexist peeg? Really, what we have other than just fine experiences, some also some bad experiences, one experience in which it seems the male significant other had better communications ( but we don't know explicitly that it's cause he's a guy or because Leon had his coffee that morning) and the lame comment at the end of an email - which, I easily admit, seems totally sexist. But may not be. Or may be. Or maybe it's a snarky and entirely undeserved remark, that didn't translate well. Or maybe he translated it just fine and he's brought over his old world mentality. I don't know. I do know, however that in my book, it's not enough to condemn the man into the Male Chauvinist Hall of Fame.

Lest you all think I'm a Stepford wife with Stockholm Syndrome, let me explain why I'm apt to give most people the benefit of the doubt before I have unmistakable evidence. I live in a country where English is like a second language. (I'm an Expat in Holland) Everybody seems basically completely fluent. So you can imagine how jarring it is when someone who is seemingly fluent makes a faux pax with one or another word being mistranslated. And it happens all the time. And 90% or more of the time, the people are not only not jerks, but never even had the remoteness of bad intentions. And I want to give the benefit of the doubt also cause I do it, too. Sometimes I've really stepped in it without realizing, cause of the word choice I use when translating english to dutch in my head. I know he's been in the States for awhile, but these things can still happen and I just think it's perhaps a little gun jumping to use it to deliver sentence.

Is it evidence of him being a blockhead, because the whole tone of his email to Boom is awful and condescending? YES! TOTALLY! And is that one letter evidence enough to not want to step within 10 feet of his business? ABSOLUTELY! But that's all, not necessarily more.

Anywho, I get your point, and I love my foremothers who paved the road for me in a way I could never imagine, having benefited from their efforts.

Well it's certainly possible I could be wrong, missydebby, it's not like that's never happened before! And I do believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. If the incident we are mutually referencing were the only one, I'd be inclined to agree with you that it wasn't yet time to haul out the tar and feathers. But there is a pervasive and consistent tone to LM's interactions with a significant number of women. I just spent 4 days tracking down every reference I could find to Leon Mege on PS, both good and bad, and you know, it "reads" a little differently when you're reading accounts of all the interactions in a short period of time. Cultural or languages differences can definitely be a factor in some exchanges, and there is no doubt they can lead to confusion, but (paraphrasing) "I feel sorry for your husband" doesn't strike me as particularly ambiguous, especially when it is weighed in conjunction with Boom's other interactions with LM. Completely rhetorical question: If you had been having a conflict with someone, the person knew you were upset, and then that individual made a remark like that, would you take it as a joke? Really truly?

Okay, stepping off my soapbox, with apologies all around.

Oh no apologies necessary, my lady!!! No, no, none! It is true about what you wrote... it's the impression any sentient reader might get in reading the threads... just that I was saying how it might not be as bad as it seems, because t's a small sample of many many customers over the years and an even smaller sample of those on PS who were moved enough in one way or another to write up a review.

Now re: the rhetorical question... if I had gotten an email like that, especially as a returning customer, I would have been angry and hurt. The last comment is the stupid jerky icing on the sh-t cake. And Boom's email alone is damning enough for anyone not to want to give their business to him. I was just trying to make the distinction between someone being an obvious jerk with terrible business manners to someone who is a card carrying misogynist. One is not necessarily the other.

Regarding working with Leon. The only review of concern I had read on PS before working with him on my ering was the one by the guy who had sent him an AVC only to have issues in having Leon send it back to GOG once the project fell through. (And IMHO, from that thread, it was honestly up to debate where all the miscommunication came from...) It did, however, alert me to the possibilities that Leon might be a diva. And the experience of working with him was definitely unlike working with a bend-over-backwards-to-serve-you type business like GOG or DBL. If I had read Boom's thread, especially with the email he sent her at the end, I probably would have not worked with him because that's just too much. On principle alone, you know?

And yet, I'm glad I didn't read Boom's thread first, because my experience turned out to be more than fine but awesome. And my ring makes me soooooo happy.

You know what this reminds me of?!? Ok, this is possibly the lamest comparison ever, but you know how bacon tastes so good that you can scarcely believe it's possible? But then, if you think about it, the way the animals are treated on the factory farms is inhumane. But damn... it tastes so good. On principal alone, I should be vegetarian... but...

PS... on the sub issue of Leon actually being on the bench to make the jewelry. You know, of course, that the Old Master painters often painted in schools, with assistants painting in, often times, much of the paintings. I am totally alright with Leon having a hand in all the design work and choice of stones, in selecting the stones for correct leonesque proportions, and steering the customers into designs that utilize all his expertise... all while having a team of bench workers (hand selected and trained by him) working in the atelier to execute the vision.

Aoife, by the way... thank you thank you for your comments. You bring up a really important issue which I am devil's advocating the hell out of. *hug*

 

[Lovinggems]

oh *hugs* Aoife! I hear you.

But may I say hold that rope, hangin' judge!!!!

Am I being lawyerly in saying there is not enough evidence to make the conclusion that Leon is a sexist peeg? Really, what we have other than just fine experiences, some also some bad experiences, one experience in which it seems the male significant other had better communications ( but we don't know explicitly that it's cause he's a guy or because Leon had his coffee that morning) and the lame comment at the end of an email - which, I easily admit, seems totally sexist. But may not be. Or may be. Or maybe it's a snarky and entirely undeserved remark, that didn't translate well. Or maybe he translated it just fine and he's brought over his old world mentality. I don't know. I do know, however that in my book, it's not enough to condemn the man into the Male Chauvinist Hall of Fame.

Lest you all think I'm a Stepford wife with Stockholm Syndrome, let me explain why I'm apt to give most people the benefit of the doubt before I have unmistakable evidence. I live in a country where English is like a second language. (I'm an Expat in Holland) Everybody seems basically completely fluent. So you can imagine how jarring it is when someone who is seemingly fluent makes a faux pax with one or another word being mistranslated. And it happens all the time. And 90% or more of the time, the people are not only not jerks, but never even had the remoteness of bad intentions. And I want to give the benefit of the doubt also cause I do it, too. Sometimes I've really stepped in it without realizing, cause of the word choice I use when translating english to dutch in my head. I know he's been in the States for awhile, but these things can still happen and I just think it's perhaps a little gun jumping to use it to deliver sentence.

Is it evidence of him being a blockhead, because the whole tone of his email to Boom is awful and condescending? YES! TOTALLY! And is that one letter evidence enough to not want to step within 10 feet of his business? ABSOLUTELY! But that's all, not necessarily more.

Anywho, I get your point, and I love my foremothers who paved the road for me in a way I could never imagine, having benefited from their efforts.

Well it's certainly possible I could be wrong, missydebby, it's not like that's never happened before! And I do believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. If the incident we are mutually referencing were the only one, I'd be inclined to agree with you that it wasn't yet time to haul out the tar and feathers. But there is a pervasive and consistent tone to LM's interactions with a significant number of women. I just spent 4 days tracking down every reference I could find to Leon Mege on PS, both good and bad, and you know, it "reads" a little differently when you're reading accounts of all the interactions in a short period of time. Cultural or languages differences can definitely be a factor in some exchanges, and there is no doubt they can lead to confusion, but (paraphrasing) "I feel sorry for your husband" doesn't strike me as particularly ambiguous, especially when it is weighed in conjunction with Boom's other interactions with LM. Completely rhetorical question: If you had been having a conflict with someone, the person knew you were upset, and then that individual made a remark like that, would you take it as a joke? Really truly?

Okay, stepping off my soapbox, with apologies all around.

Oh no apologies necessary, my lady!!! No, no, none! It is true about what you wrote... it's the impression any sentient reader might get in reading the threads... just that I was saying how it might not be as bad as it seems, because t's a small sample of many many customers over the years and an even smaller sample of those on PS who were moved enough in one way or another to write up a review.

Now re: the rhetorical question... if I had gotten an email like that, especially as a returning customer, I would have been angry and hurt. The last comment is the stupid jerky icing on the sh-t cake. And Boom's email alone is damning enough for anyone not to want to give their business to him. I was just trying to make the distinction between someone being an obvious jerk with terrible business manners to someone who is a card carrying misogynist. One is not necessarily the other.

Regarding working with Leon. The only review of concern I had read on PS before working with him on my ering was the one by the guy who had sent him an AVC only to have issues in having Leon send it back to GOG once the project fell through. (And IMHO, from that thread, it was honestly up to debate where all the miscommunication came from...) It did, however, alert me to the possibilities that Leon might be a diva. And the experience of working with him was definitely unlike working with a bend-over-backwards-to-serve-you type business like GOG or DBL. If I had read Boom's thread, especially with the email he sent her at the end, I probably would have not worked with him because that's just too much. On principle alone, you know?

And yet, I'm glad I didn't read Boom's thread first, because my experience turned out to be more than fine but awesome. And my ring makes me soooooo happy.

You know what this reminds me of?!? Ok, this is possibly the lamest comparison ever, but you know how bacon tastes so good that you can scarcely believe it's possible? But then, if you think about it, the way the animals are treated on the factory farms is inhumane. But damn... it tastes so good. On principal alone, I should be vegetarian... but...

PS... on the sub issue of Leon actually being on the bench to make the jewelry. You know, of course, that the Old Master painters often painted in schools, with assistants painting in, often times, much of the paintings. I am totally alright with Leon having a hand in all the design work and choice of stones, in selecting the stones for correct leonesque proportions, and steering the customers into designs that utilize all his expertise... all while having a team of bench workers (hand selected and trained by him) working in the atelier to execute the vision.

Aoife, by the way... thank you thank you for your comments. You bring up a really important issue which I am devil's advocating the hell out of. *hug*

Missydebby, I'm glad you had a good experience with LM, but some of the things I'm reading here, plus my own recent experience, I'll never send my expensive stones to a US vendor again. I have an update in the coloured stone forum if you care to read it.

 

[missydebby]

I'm tied in knots.

And I am beyond sorry for your troubles.

 

[Aoife]

[

You know what this reminds me of?!? Ok, this is possibly the lamest comparison ever, but you know how bacon tastes so good that you can scarcely believe it's possible? But then, if you think about it, the way the animals are treated on the factory farms is inhumane. But damn... it tastes so good. On principal alone, I should be vegetarian... but...

I laughed and laughed at this analogy, because, sheesh, it is so true. I love bacon, but aside from occasional meat "fixes," my DH and I eat a 90% vegetarian diet (flexitarian!) and one of our DD's is vegetarian. So I totally get what you're saying, and that's why I said, and meant, that regarding working with LM, I make no judgments about what anyone else chooses to do.

Is it wrong that I'm craving a blue cheese bacon cheeseburger?

 

[missydebby]

me, too!!!!

Hey Lovestreet, you said in the other thread you sent off your stone. In spite of everything on this thread, i can't help but say "woooo hooo" Let the adventure begin! May you have wonderful experiences and a dream ring!

Let us all pray,
amen

 

[Love Street]

Hey Lovestreet, you said in the other thread you sent off your stone. In spite of everything on this thread, i can't help but say "woooo hooo" Let the adventure begin! May you have wonderful experiences and a dream ring!

Let us all pray,
amen

Yes, stone sent off yesterday. Thanks for your positive thoughts! Maybe I should have retained you to do the transaction for me since you've already established a positive relationship with him - maybe you could start a side business?

I did refrain from sending a check yet - I just wasn't quite comfortable with the prospect of having him cash it before we even talked on the phone. So we'll see. I knew I was going to, but knowing what problems have arisen makes me feel slightly more prepared (I hope) as I enter a potentially risky business transaction.

And gosh, after hearing poor Sammie's story it makes me wonder if, in general, it should be standard protocol to pay the $75 and wait the extra week(s) for a photo from Leon before he ships it... I wish he'd still send a photo off prior to shipping like he used to - but I can understand it since he doesn't have a professional photographer in-house.

Also, I have been wondering about setting height for a while. It might be better to start a separate thread, because it's not exclusive to Leon, but I've known I don't want my stone "as low as possible" - in part because I do have some "puff" to my fingers - especially in the heat - which means that sometimes my rings tend to "sink" into my flesh, making them seem even lower than they are (I know - sounds EWW - but I don't know how else to explain it). My first e-ring, a 3-stone, was set pretty low. I used to pay with it to push it up so that the culet was just visible above my wedding band. BUT, I remember Emeraldfan's thread where she had asked Leon to make her 3-stone high enough to sit flush, but was not happy with the end result (though the height issue was compounded by other issues). I don't plan to wear my ring next to a wband all the time, and I prefer things NOT to be flush, but I still dont want a culet sinking into my puffy oily fingers...

 

[Love Street]

[

You know what this reminds me of?!? Ok, this is possibly the lamest comparison ever, but you know how bacon tastes so good that you can scarcely believe it's possible? But then, if you think about it, the way the animals are treated on the factory farms is inhumane. But damn... it tastes so good. On principal alone, I should be vegetarian... but...

I laughed and laughed at this analogy, because, sheesh, it is so true. I love bacon, but aside from occasional meat "fixes," my DH and I eat a 90% vegetarian diet (flexitarian!) and one of our DD's is vegetarian. So I totally get what you're saying, and that's why I said, and meant, that regarding working with LM, I make no judgments about what anyone else chooses to do.

Is it wrong that I'm craving a blue cheese bacon cheeseburger?

LOL!! I know EXACTLY what you mean - good analogy. I normally don't eat much meat BUT I have a major weakness for veal and foie gras - how awful!!! Usually I'm drinking enough vino to dull the guilt, but the principle....

 

[lydial]

New to forum - hello all Sort of off topic - Since there is a Leon conversation going on here can people PLEASE post images of the UNDERSIDE of their Leon settings? I am in the process of having my engagment ring re-made by LM (accepting all of his workshop's quirks and so far *happy* (?) despite all of my ups/downs of this project so far, long story...) - my ring will be a simple "classic" RB and tapered baguette 3 - stone but I want to know what to request for the gallery since there are not too many of them pictured on his website. My work order is not done yet. Thanks to any and all who post these!! Also for any of you with a 1.5 - 1.6 center stone do you think double prongs are "too much" or would they be appropriate for this application, as they are what I was hoping to do on the center stone. Thanks!!

 

[lydial]

I posted a new thread so if you are able to post pics of the underside of your rings please check that thread out

 

[sparkles]

After all that's been reported about Leon, I still was considering a reset with Leon. Apologies to Boom.

But all that changed when I learnt about one pricescoper who approached Leon with a ring design using French Cut Stones.

The rest as they say is history.

The pricescoper, who was a long term customer of Leon's was so distraught, when she saw the first, (her design idea) "Leon" French cut settings here on pricescope.. I don't know whats worse, the fact he blatantly copied her design idea or the fact he didn't give her credit, or both.

He puts very little value on long term client relationships or appreciates the amount of $$$$$ people spend with him. At the end of the day he needs to remember what side of the table he sits on!

 

[autumngems]

I have no use for someone who thinks he is all that and a bag of chips. As they say, there are plenty of other fish in the sea, in this case jewelry designers.

Yes, he makes beautiful pieces but so do others. I am all about sugguestions in design but not adhering to what was agreed upon and holding someone's stone and making them pay for stones they won't use. Criminal

I would NEVER use him

 

[luv2sparkle]

I am coming so late to this thread, but I just wanted to add a comment. I sent in my stone after I had read Booms thread, and
it was the reason for my major jitters. I am so sorry that Boom had so much heartache over it, and the pain it caused. I did think
at the time that the problem with the halo did not seem as big to me as it did to her. She was the person wearing it, and hearing
the things Leon said. At the same time, it is very hard to interpret tone in an email. I chose to give Leon the benefit of the
doubt with much trepidation.

In the end, I chose to go with him, because his rings made my heart skip a beat. I loved a few rings made by Tacori, but they are
so popular, and I wanted something that was a little different yet classic. I decided I might later be sorry if I didn't give it a try.

Lovestreet, I am not sure that you had read my thread, because I don't think it has the word 'Leon' in it. Good luck to you. If it is what
makes your heart sing, I am glad you went for it regardless. I can certainly understand why others would not want to, but I hope you
have the best of outcomes.

 

[Love Street]

Sparkles - yikes! I had not heard/found that story in my research (is it on PS? Or someone you've talked to outside of PS?)

Autumngems - I agree that Uppy's story is pretty outrageous (especially when there are return policies for keystones...). However, it's good to see that in recent weeks he has agreed without fuss to remake Sammie83's ring that was not made to work order spec.

Luv2Sparkle - thanks for sharing your experience. I did read your thread, and your rings are GORGEOUS! In fact I had bookmarked your thread to remind me to ask Leon about a spacer - I love yours (but my setting is already stretching my budget so I'm going to wait for now). Your profile is beautiful - did you have him set it "as low as possible"? Also, did you ever post pix of the engraving and the ruby? I am getting engraving on mine as well (not cheap - almost $150 for initials and a date). I had wanted to maybe add an aquamarine inside for hubby's birthstone as well, but not sure if it's realistic or practical since aqua is softer.

I recently signed my work order with him and am now playing the 8 week waiting game. I've found him to be very pleasant in our phone conversations so far. It was most helpful to brainstorm on designs because one of the main reasons I wanted to go to him is that I trust his eye more than other jewelers I was considering (and as I said earlier in this thread, I don't trust my own eye, so the last thing I wanted was a "yes-man" jeweler). We've decided to go in a completely different direction than I had thought originally, and I feel much more comfortable that the design will completely complement my stone, rather than be a bit risky (i.e. my original step cut idea - he would do it, but pointed out scale would be very different on a 3ct square diamond than a 6ct rectangular sapphire, and if bezeling the proportion of metal:diamond would be much more noticeable on the smaller scale, which might not complement my M-color stone as much). But, this is still a nascent plan and we don't have sidestones yet, so I'm going to wait to say anymore... I'm not necessarily relaxed, and I have my fingers crossed that things go smoothly.

Thank you all for your thoughts.

 

[Harriet]

LoveStreet,
The person to whom Sparkles is referring is me. I proposed the design to LM, but can't claim that it's my intellectual property as it's a classic one. Still, I did not care for his trying to sell it to me a while later as "something [he] came up with."

 

[Harriet]

Is there any correlation between LM's manner and the economy?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Is there any correlation between LM's manner and the economy?

Intersting theory. I have noticed that lately there seems to be a marked improvement in his customer service...

 

[Love Street]

Is there any correlation between LM's manner and the economy?

Intersting theory. I have noticed that lately there seems to be a marked improvement in his customer service...

Interesting theory indeed. I hope things don't change as the holiday season ramps up....

Harriet - I'm sorry to hear about your experience, since I understand that you've worked with him on many beautiful and original projects (including your Spess which made an appearance in my original Powerpoint earlier in this thread). Do you still plan to work with Leon in the future?