Q about working with Leon Mege without visiting in person

[Princess Pink]

After much research, I would like to look seriously into getting my ring made by Leon Mege - but I live extremely far from NY and will probably not be able to actually go and visit the workshop in-person. If I am able to actually go, it will only be once so I'm assuming will make that the initial visit and the ring delivery will be by courier. But the way things are at the moment, it looks like a personal visit will be out of the question.

The ring that I love is one of his 'standard' designs so it's not like I will be designing something completely new between him and myself. Hopefully though, the design I've chosen suits my hand LOL

My question is; has anyone had a ring made by him and have dealt purely over the internet? He states on his website that he has many international clients, so I'm sure it will not really be an issue but am interested to hear feedback. Do you regret not being able to go in person? He has so much amazing feedback but am slightly nervous at the though of just relying on the internet. Thanks.

 

[ame]

I know many who have not met in person with him, most had good experiences. I don't prefer that he makes all the decisions in the process and that if you aren't happy you have VERY little recourse with him. I will say this however: he strongly recommends you not wear his creations next to any other rings. He also does not play nice if you ignore that recommendation and have issues with the ring. So if you wear a band next to a pave'd ring and you lose stones or have issues, he may not repair it OR charge you out the nose to do it himself. There are a lot of complaints about his pieces not holding up long term.

I am hoping some of the women on here that have used him will chime in to their experiences.

 

[whoops]

Before I finally settled on my setting I considered putting the diamond into a Leon Mege solitaire or halo setting. (eventually bf and I went with Tacori because he wasnt a fan of the "claw" look. Too him it was too menacing for an engagement ring). I did email him for a quote and got a reply pretty quickly I think. The thing that bothers me is that you kind of don't have a choice if you are buying not in person because you have to go with his "vision" which gives you little room to contest if it doesn't come out as you like. My sister and I both considered him but both went another direction because we wanted more say in how the outcome would be. You have to pretty much fully trust him and for the price you pay, it was a risk I didn't want to take.

However, if you know the design you want it shouldn't be a problem. As long as you know that the style suits your finger in general. But I also heard on other forums that he has been getting more smug about his projects and insulted his own customer for "having no taste" in thier selection. The original wording was "who am i to question bad taste". I would absolutely not tolerate that and don't feel okay commissioning a ring no matter how gorgeous to him with that attitude.

Here is the item: http://www.artofplatinum.com/vault/...&category_id=5&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

 

[Princess Pink]

^^ wow, I just checked the link; to think that a customer has no taste is one thing but to actually write it on his own website is another!

 

[ame]

Yea his commentary is rude and unprofessional and while he thinks it's funny and people take it too seriously, it's still rude and unprofessional to insult someone spending money with you. He's kind of an ass from what I gathered. He was very abrupt on the phone with me when I mentioned what I wanted. He was not mincing words that it was not someting he agreed with. He would "make it" but that it wouldn't be as nice as his vision. Tough noogies. I am paying for your skill to make me a fantastic piece that will wear well, and not your aesthetic opinion that I have poorer taste than you.

 

[oogiewoogie]

Oh wow.. I had to re-read that commentary description twice.. just to make sure what I was reading was what it really meant... That's very class-less for him to put that on his website. That would def. make me veer far far away from even entertaining the idea of working with him.

 

[Lanier]

Oh wow.. I had to re-read that commentary description twice.. just to make sure what I was reading was what it really meant... That's very class-less for him to put that on his website. That would def. make me veer far far away from even entertaining the idea of working with him.

I agree - COMPLETELY unprofessional.

 

[Princess Pink]

Oh gosh, I've done alot of reading previously on here and pricescope....but after reading this are now really

 

[Contessa]

Look, did he make the rude comment to you?? I'm not excusing his behaviour, I always believe that there are 2 sides to the story.

While I think it's inappropriate, that is HIS website and as such, he's allowed to write what and how he feels. Shocking? Not really. Often I have to agree that people have NO taste- he just vocalizes how he feels. Why? Because HE CAN. For no other reason than that. Take it or leave it. Don't like it? Go elsewhere. Simple. But what I don't understand is why many of his comments are taken so personally.

ALL artists are tempermental to some degree. They have a vision about how something should look & if a request deviates from that, then it can light a fire of sorts. Michaelangelo comes to mind. He painted his "customer" in the Final Judgement, seen in the Sistine Chapel. Why? Because he could! The best artistic revenge, no?

This comment by Leon would NOT prevent me from ordering a ring from him. I think that's taking it a bit too far. What I would suggest however, is looking for a local jeweller who could make you something similart to one of Leon's style that you like so much. I think that would make more sense. Unless the design by Leon is one you love and do not plan on altering in any way.

 

[Swanky]

I worked with him, found him to be lovely!
Will write more when I get home!

 

[skyqueen]

Look, did he make the rude comment to you?? I'm not excusing his behaviour, I always believe that there are 2 sides to the story.

While I think it's inappropriate, that is HIS website and as such, he's allowed to write what and how he feels. Shocking? Not really. Often I have to agree that people have NO taste- he just vocalizes how he feels. Why? Because HE CAN. For no other reason than that. Take it or leave it. Don't like it? Go elsewhere. Simple. But what I don't understand is why many of his comments are taken so personally.

ALL artists are tempermental to some degree. They have a vision about how something should look & if a request deviates from that, then it can light a fire of sorts. Michaelangelo comes to mind. He painted his "customer" in the Final Judgement, seen in the Sistine Chapel. Why? Because he could! The best artistic revenge, no?

This comment by Leon would NOT prevent me from ordering a ring from him. I think that's taking it a bit too far. What I would suggest however, is looking for a local jeweller who could make you something similart to one of Leon's style that you like so much. I think that would make more sense. Unless the design by Leon is one you love and do not plan on altering in any way.

Agree...

 

[Swanky]

Ok, I'm home!

I met him in person in his office much to my surprise. I don't live anywhere nearby I'd been dreaming about his pieces but never assumed I'd get to work w/ him!

He had a personal event happen that week, a BIG one and had to cancel my appointment. He was apologizing profusely but due to the nature of his personal issue of course I couldn't blame him.
Good news was he called me after lunch and asked if I could still come and I did.
He was in casual clothes and started apologizing profusely again, for canceling and for his attire.
His demeanor and personality were excellent. He's Russian and has a dry sense of humor but was never even remotely offensive or anything like that.
He listened to me completely, made a TON of notes and then gave me his vision based on what I said I wanted. There's a reason his pieces are amazing . . . it's because of HIS vision. I was drawn to his art and once he knew what I wanted I trusted him to execute it. He did an AMAZING job.
I was in his office on a very hard day for him for about 2 hours. I fondled hundreds of thousands of $$ in jewelry.
My ring was done on time and was sent to me via Brinks.
I'd work w/ him again in a heartbeat.

I went in to his office prepared for the worst due to what I've read on another forum. . .
he was a doll IMO.

If there's a ring he's made before for you - I'd worry about nothing!!


Oh, BTW, my ring has double claw prongs and they're fantastic, he didn't bat an eye at that request.

 

[whoops]

Oh gosh, I've done alot of reading previously on here and pricescope....but after reading this are now really

If you have truly been dreaming and want the setting, then definitely still go through with it! Regardless of what we personally feel, it's your ring and you should be happy with it. None of us would want you to back out because of something we said and then later on regret it. In regards to his work, he is fabulous and the images of what i've seen of his work looks amazing!

It's all just personal preference and comfort.

 

[wintotty]

Ok, I'm home!

I met him in person in his office much to my surprise. I don't live anywhere nearby I'd been dreaming about his pieces but never assumed I'd get to work w/ him!

He had a personal event happen that week, a BIG one and had to cancel my appointment. He was apologizing profusely but due to the nature of his personal issue of course I couldn't blame him.
Good news was he called me after lunch and asked if I could still come and I did.
He was in casual clothes and started apologizing profusely again, for canceling and for his attire.
His demeanor and personality were excellent. He's Russian and has a dry sense of humor but was never even remotely offensive or anything like that.
He listened to me completely, made a TON of notes and then gave me his vision based on what I said I wanted. There's a reason his pieces are amazing . . . it's because of HIS vision. I was drawn to his art and once he knew what I wanted I trusted him to execute it. He did an AMAZING job.
I was in his office on a very hard day for him for about 2 hours. I fondled hundreds of thousands of $$ in jewelry.
My ring was done on time and was sent to me via Brinks.
I'd work w/ him again in a heartbeat.

I went in to his office prepared for the worst due to what I've read on another forum. . .
he was a doll IMO.

If there's a ring he's made before for you - I'd worry about nothing!!


Oh, BTW, my ring has double claw prongs and they're fantastic, he didn't bat an eye at that request.

ummm...did I miss your reveal Swanky?? I've been waiting for your ring re-set for months!

 

[imgg]

Ok, I'm home!

I met him in person in his office much to my surprise. I don't live anywhere nearby I'd been dreaming about his pieces but never assumed I'd get to work w/ him!

He had a personal event happen that week, a BIG one and had to cancel my appointment. He was apologizing profusely but due to the nature of his personal issue of course I couldn't blame him.
Good news was he called me after lunch and asked if I could still come and I did.
He was in casual clothes and started apologizing profusely again, for canceling and for his attire.
His demeanor and personality were excellent. He's Russian and has a dry sense of humor but was never even remotely offensive or anything like that.
He listened to me completely, made a TON of notes and then gave me his vision based on what I said I wanted. There's a reason his pieces are amazing . . . it's because of HIS vision. I was drawn to his art and once he knew what I wanted I trusted him to execute it. He did an AMAZING job.
I was in his office on a very hard day for him for about 2 hours. I fondled hundreds of thousands of $$ in jewelry.
My ring was done on time and was sent to me via Brinks.
I'd work w/ him again in a heartbeat.

I went in to his office prepared for the worst due to what I've read on another forum. . .
he was a doll IMO.

If there's a ring he's made before for you - I'd worry about nothing!!


Oh, BTW, my ring has double claw prongs and they're fantastic, he didn't bat an eye at that request.

I would love to see your ring. I bet its gorgeous!