Glenn Lehrer Ring with Photos

[Meeshoo]

I promised to post photos and a review of my ring when it arrived so here goes!

Review:-

Pros:

1. The cutting is really gorgeous and the topaz performs well in all lighting conditions (inside with lights and outside in daylight)
2. The colour of the blue topaz is very very very lovely
3. The design is incredibly pretty - simple but makes the gemstone the centre piece.

Negs:

1. The goldwork is very very lightweight.
2. The ring is incredibly high (not sure why because it could be made lower without impacting the perfomance/style. It may put people off I think although this doesn't bother me and I quite like it (it's only in with the negs because others may not like it).
3. The cost -v- goldweight/gemstone
4. The bottom side of the topaz is cut slightly to one side - you can see it in the photos. I don't know if that will bug me.
5. Will have to have it re-sized. It's an N-O but feels huge!

I had initially ordered an Amethyst and also the Blue Topaz version so I could compare but after speaking with Gemcherub and hearing that her Amethyst was very pale, it put me off (plus I have a number of very good Amethyst rings so another "purple" probably wasn't wise).

I really really really really wanted to hate the ring because of the cost. I understand that these have a craftsmen element to them and that's essentially what you're buying but in the back of my head I've got my conscience screaming "it's an irradiated blue topaz - what are you thinking woman"! The problem with me is that as a collector of gemstones I know their value and I understand the cost of making pieces but I still can't get beyond the £299 price tag! If it were a natural blue topaz (which it isn't) I think I could forgive it a bit but it's not.

So, ladies and gents, does it look nice enough on my hand to keep? I'm going to bombard you with photos and would love your HONEST feedback please. Although feedback about my old lady hands or rubbish nail varnish can be highly dishonest! These first lot are all taken inside with the lights on.

 

[Meeshoo]

These ones are taken outside in natural daylight. Ignore the fact that the diamond looks off centre in the first photo, it's just the angle of the photo.

 

[SUPERCOOLWILLOW]

WOW!! that ring looks fab in all lights Meeshoo but i can see what you mean by it sticking up too high and could be lowered

overall i love it on your fingers and it looks very pretty

 

[gemcherub]

I think more or less that same as you (funny that lol) Its lovely and does suit you but I found it to be to high for me personally but at least you didn't get free chips!
At the end of the day will you wear it? will you just forget about it if you return it? would you be happier to hold out until end may to get either a rhodolite garnet, aquamarine or peridot in a lower setting?
Also if the cut is off I think you won't be able to put that out of your mind.

 

[Milly]

The blue topaz is a very bold striking colour but the height of it may be a bit much but having said that I like the overall designe
I went for the Amethyst ring and pendant in yellow gold but the amethyst was quite pale and basically I did'nt fall in love with either piece like I thought I would and for the price I decided to send mine back I'm not sure why the ring was £349 and the pendant £299 when in other stones they were considerably cheaper but as I decided to return them it's not important I suppose .I like you appreciate the workmanship in the cutting etc and perhapes in a different stone/colour I may order one again in the future
If you like yours I'd say keep it as it looks lovely on your hand .

 

[PJ.]

I think it looks stunning on you, but at the end of the day if you are thinking the negatives outweigh the good then maybe send it back.

PJ. xx


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[Sacha]

Thanks for the review and all the piccies Meesh. The blue Topaz pieces we were shown on TV seem to be a bit of a wishy washy blue and I did wonder how they justified the extra cost compared to the Citrine. So it's good to see such a stunning shade of blue in your ring which makes the TorusRing cut so much more visible and defined.

This ring is definitely a statement piece, more likely for occasional wear and more importantly also has the cachet of being 'very different' and unusual. For a collector like yourself, I would think this is where the attraction lies...in the uniqueness of a piece. Plus I also think the blue really suits you and I am glad you have chosen the white gold metal.....but that's another story. :wink: I hope it's a keeper for you.

 

[Meeshoo]

This is where my head's at .............

I was expecting a wishy washy blue and this certainly isn't (which has made my decision very difficult)!

I was expecting a heavier gold weight - which has disappointed me (the shank is almost but not quite, hollow).

I love the overall look and it performs really well.

Hubby has just said it looks like a toy ring (eeeeek!)

This is the sort of ring I would wear every day in the summer when wearing blue (but probably wouldn't be an evening out ring).

I CAN'T GET BEYOND THE £299 FOR A TOPAZ

The last line is my problem. If it were £100 cheaper then it would be a no brainer but £300? Seriously? Ok, I know you'll think "why did you order it then" but I was honestly intrigued to see the cut and that outweighed the cost. Now it's in my hand, the cost has become foremost in my mind i.e. can I justify £300 for a Topaz. I'm thinking "no" and wish I hated it but I don't!!!!!

 

[Beading Belle]

Lovely ring Meeshoo, but the setting is too high for my liking. I can see you love the design and the colour and it definately suits you, but have to agree with you that it is pricy.

 

[Pinkpussycat]

Can I be a fly in the ointment Meesh and say I don't like it at all?? :blush: Tbh I don't like any of the Lehrer designs as the Torus cut is far too contrived for my liking. Imho the Topaz is waaaayy too blue which makes it look artificial, and finally the setting is ridiculousy high. Sorry hon but you did ask for honest opinions. *ducks* :whew:

P.S. I have to agree with your OH on this one.

 

[Meeshoo]

Sue I much prefer honest opinions you know that! I understand your views entirely. The height doesn't bother me because I like big huge rings! However I do take your point on the contrived bit. Strangely I find the fact that he could drill a hole in a Paraiba Tourmaline abhorrent! In a Topaz or Amethyst I'm far less bothered! The colour ........... well I like strong colours! It DOES make the ring a bit too costume jewellery ish but I'm sort of okay with that also - I'M JUST NOT OKAY WITH THE PRICE! lol

 

[Frazzled]

Do you not think - too many negatives in your mind for you not to regret it in the future? - the tinny gold weights are a real let down, especially at that price?

I bought a 4.5 carat Swiss Blue topaz in a flower design from TJC recently - it's quite big, not too high though and the colour is very impressive. OK it's platinum coated silver but heavy and it was only £29.95?

 

[SUPERCOOLWILLOW]

Meeshoo maybe if the price is outweighing everything you should send it back and you may see it again at a lower price at some stage once all the fuss has died down or something

 

[Huggles]

An original is always better than a copy, this is a truly original piece of art more than jewellery in my opinion. It is immediately recognisable as a Glenn Lehrer stone. To me that is why this ring commands such a high price, not the gold weight. I'd still want an original painting, if I liked it, regardless of the frame it came in. If your heart says yes then ignore your head and keep it and treasure it. In this case the only opinion that matters is yours. Fat lot of good, aren't I?

 

[Diamond Diva]

Meeshoo it's a most unusual ring and being a collector I can see the attraction of it for you, it's not something I'd buy but then jewellery is such a personal thing we all have different tastes and what suits one person doesn't suit another.

When I buy jewellery i think of it as a bit like house hunting I know in the first few seconds whether it's right for me or not and it's the same with jewellery, my first reaction on opening the box is what I go by and if it's not WOW then it goes straight back and I haven't once regret it.

So what was your reaction? I'm sure you'll make the right decision but if you're having to think about it that speaks volume to me!

 

[Meeshoo]

Frazzled - interestingly, the only thing that is a negative for me is the price! The goldweight I can "sort of" forgive! If the price were right I would forgive it completely! I guess I was surprised that somebody who obviously adores his work and sees it as art, is willing to compromise on a setting but I guess it's done that way to keep the price down/profits up and become more commercialised. I completely agree that swiss blue topaz should be cheap as chips and that's why I'm having such a struggle!

SCW - I doubt whether the prices will come down. It will be dictated by Glenn Lehrer to a certain extent and he has a "brand" to consider so I don't think these will be cheaper later on.

Huggles - I totally agree! I appreciate uniqueness and when things are different. I'm not a label person (at all actually) and I only ever buy if I like something. I have some pieces of art that people would think odd!!!

Diamond Diva - I was really prepared to hate the ring but actually I keep looking at it and admiring the way it caught the light and the colour. I usually instinctively know whether something is a keeper but this one isn't clear cut. I know if I send this back I can buy a pair of earrings I've got my eye on and a couple of other things for the same price ....... so I'm torn! Help!

I have sent a few items back over the years that I've totally regretted. Most things I haven't. Some pieces of jewellery are a slow burn and become a complete love. This one is a "very much like" now and I think I would wear it quite a bit but I'm going to feel REALLY guilty for spending so much on a Topaz - see, I just can't get my head around this one!!!!

 

[Diamond Diva]

What a problem you have, only you can make the decision I think you should listen to your heart and gut instincts!

I've bought several pieces that I've paid more than perhaps they were worth but have kept them because I liked them, it's better to have one thing you really love even if you have paid a little too much for it than two that are just OK, that's assuming that you can afford it of course!

 

[gemcherub]

Gems tv and Glenn are doing new collections every 3 months so its not now or never so as it wasn't an instant "YES" send it back!

 

[sweetpea]

Sooooo............I've been having a think and thought I would chip in with some pearls of wisdom lol

The colour is lush and it is a really unusual cut and design......but it's a topaz!

You say that you could get a couple of other pieces for the same money but would they be as different,unique(I know not quite) and a statement as this piece?I am sure,in fact I know,that you have 100's of pairs of earrings etc etc:wink: would you look at and admire these more than the ring?

Yes it's a lot of money,it's the extra £100 you need to consider imo as you say for £199 it's a no brainer,that extra £100 is a good meal,a months full sky package....you get what I mean?

All this is easy for me to say of course because it isn't my money,but I am also of the opinion(for obvious reasons!) that life is too short to deny yourself summat you want!

 

[sahara]

You have great taste in jewelry and I think maybe the ring has not lived up to your expections. The diamond in the centre kills the aesthetic design for me.