I bought a QuasarCut last year (the last thing I bought from Gems), when the design first came out, and I was not disappointed with it, BUT I deliberately didn't buy when the design was launched, as I felt all of the pieces were overpriced. I waited until I spotted the range later, when they had reduced the prices for a special event, and got one then. I was a bit worried I'd be getting one that someone had sent back with a fault or something, but it was perfect when it arrived, as was a previous Lehrer purchase (a TorusRing pendant, bought 4 years ago and worn to death since). Trust me, the beauty of the Quasarcut shows best in a lighter coloured stone (my one is in pink amethyst), as from what I've seen on screen, the dark stones just don't do it justice, and the cut is clearly visible in my one.
What I liked about the Lehrer range was that the rings have a decent band of gold - not the sewing thread width bands that Gems usually flog, but a really good weight - my one feels chunky on my finger and has just over 3 grams of gold, which I like. What you are normally paying for with Lehrer isn't the value of the stones, because they are not expensive ones. It's (a) the Lehrer name and (b) the cut itself: the stones are all ones that are commonplace, and sadly, I've noticed that he seems to be moving towards using more and more coated stones - which I don't like and wouldn't buy, so that's a bad move for him and, as has been said, it devalues the brand. For me, I've got a Lehrer ring and a pendant, and that's all I want - I cannot understand why they talk about collectors who have bought 30 of the same range, but in different gemstones. To me, that's just repeato ditto. I bought because I liked the cuts and the gemstones, and I got them in special event hours, so I didn't pay the original prices. Now, I wouldn't buy any more. Enough.
I watched Lehrer's latest range last night - the Man in the Moon cut - and I HATED it - looked really tacky and cheap to me, although of course everyone will have their own opinions. My advice would be if you want one of his designs for your collection, don't buy when a new Lehrer range is launched - they'll get cheaper. I think they trade on the fact that there are fanatical Lehrer collectors out there, and they play up to making you worry that you won't get the piece you want, because everyone will get there before you. They make their money by encouraging people to think this might happen.
Thanks for this Bristol. I forgot about the hour & might have been tempted to buy a Christmas present but I don't feel so bad now.
