L
eon Megé, a designer and diamond expert specializing in engagement and
bridal jewelry, has come a long way from the 25-year-old Russian refugee
who arrived in New York in 1988 with $150 in his pocket.
Recognized for his unique handcrafted, bench made designs, Megé has built
a thriving business in the heart of Manhattan's historic Diamond District.
But it was no easy journey. "Being a jeweler was a necessity for me," says
Megé, who had enrolled in trade school in St. Petersburg in order to stall his
obligatory service in the Russian military. "I fell into this because I had a
trade in Russia – jewelry."
Megé's parents were scientists who waited over a decade for permission to
emigrate to the U.S., and Megé ended up having to serve two years in the
Army anyway. When emigration approval was finally granted, it sadly came
only months after his mother's death. Megé and his father were told to
prepare for immediate departure, and days later arrived to an uncertain
future in New York.
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