Markboots
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2015
- Messages
- 167
- Reaction score
- 126
Hi,
Wanted to provide the forum my recent eyeglasses purchase review. I have gradually transitioned to rimless eyeglasses (Lindberg are my choice) but decided I needed at least one full rim model and wanted to go bold. Acetate was not getting me excited and I already had titanium in rimless so decided after doing some research Buffalo horn would be perfect!
I went down the street to my local (expensive) eyeglass shop which won't be named and they only had one pair of Buffalo horn priced at $1,575 off the shelf. I have long temples (fancy for big head) and they were not even close to fitting, nor did I like the shape or color.
Starting researching smaller boutique outlets. Found a site that listed around 270 companies that deal with natural products and to make a long story a little shorter, I found Alexander Exotic Materials Eyewear based in Greece.
In 2002 Alexandro started crafting eyeglass frames from 100% natural materials and completely handmade. Has been in business for over 25 years. https://www.facebook.com/AEMEframes/. The team: Alexandro's Manolopoulos - Maker, Designer and Optician. Chrysa Konstantinidou - Customer Service, Assistant
To get things started, they sent me their main catalog, horn color options and care instruction guide. They also have mammoth fossil options for temple arms, more expensive option.
Their process is really cool. You send a front and side pic. Their computer program determines the correct dimension for the glasses to fit your face and allows you to see what different frames would look like on. SUPER helpful to me and the next best thing to trying on in person. The side picture allows them to determine temple length. I first gave them two models so the computer could impose on my face. They actually sent me back 7 pictures with different models but only one of the two models I picked. They said one model that I picked was not good for my face. I appreciate the honesty! The last model was a totally different one not in the catalog but based on my face was designed for me which was pretty cool.
I decided I wanted a thick pair, more horn! They gave me 3 side temple options. They also provided their opinion on what color frame would be best which I was totally in agreement with.
I also sent my prescription and ordered lens through them. I had checked an online store in the US that said they don’t deal with Buffalo horn. So, I only wanted to buy a horn frame if they also installed Rx lens. I did not want the potential headache of finding someone who could in the US and then hope prices were reasonable. From what I have read, Buffalo horn frames can be trickier to insert lens so who better to put them in then the person who made the frames? I ordered Hoya lens - high quality Japanese company. Very affordable lens pricing. Zeiss lens are also available at an upcharge. I did not get pricing on Zeiss. They provided their expert option on lens thickness. I was pushing for the 1.74 ultra thin lens but they told me I did not need to go above 1.67. Really appreciate their expert opinion and the fact they did not try and up sell lens.
I specifically asked them to take a lot of pictures of the process. One because I love learning and seeing the transformation and two so I can show members here pictures to appreciate the work involved.
I could not be happier, handmade, amazing fit pair of glasses from halfway across the world with lens already installed upon shipment! Even though Greece based, Chyrsa is fantastic at emailing you back quickly, any day or time. Very passionate about their products. I only dealt with Chrysa through email and not Alexandro.
Timeline:
1) September 14 - First contacted them. Received catalog, guide and color options
2) September 18 – Confirmed order (had back and forth emails during weekend)
3) September 29 – Glasses (Frame with Rx lens) completed and shipped.
4) October 9- Received product.
I actually started my second order before receiving the first (one for work and home). Took an existing model in their catalog and asked if they could make the frames thicker. Chrysa helped me pick frame design and I decided to go horn with a wood insert. I had Chrysa pick ideal frame and rim thickness, and also rim color. Just trust their experience more than mine. I just gave them the style I was looking for and Chrysa had my photo to guide the choices she made. They just mailed off the second pair today but had the original pair on all day yesterday and love them!
Here are the pictures! Enjoy! Any questions feel free to ask me or send them an email. The only pic I took myself was the one on the table. The others were provided to me.
Regards,
Mark
Wanted to provide the forum my recent eyeglasses purchase review. I have gradually transitioned to rimless eyeglasses (Lindberg are my choice) but decided I needed at least one full rim model and wanted to go bold. Acetate was not getting me excited and I already had titanium in rimless so decided after doing some research Buffalo horn would be perfect!
I went down the street to my local (expensive) eyeglass shop which won't be named and they only had one pair of Buffalo horn priced at $1,575 off the shelf. I have long temples (fancy for big head) and they were not even close to fitting, nor did I like the shape or color.
Starting researching smaller boutique outlets. Found a site that listed around 270 companies that deal with natural products and to make a long story a little shorter, I found Alexander Exotic Materials Eyewear based in Greece.
In 2002 Alexandro started crafting eyeglass frames from 100% natural materials and completely handmade. Has been in business for over 25 years. https://www.facebook.com/AEMEframes/. The team: Alexandro's Manolopoulos - Maker, Designer and Optician. Chrysa Konstantinidou - Customer Service, Assistant
To get things started, they sent me their main catalog, horn color options and care instruction guide. They also have mammoth fossil options for temple arms, more expensive option.
Their process is really cool. You send a front and side pic. Their computer program determines the correct dimension for the glasses to fit your face and allows you to see what different frames would look like on. SUPER helpful to me and the next best thing to trying on in person. The side picture allows them to determine temple length. I first gave them two models so the computer could impose on my face. They actually sent me back 7 pictures with different models but only one of the two models I picked. They said one model that I picked was not good for my face. I appreciate the honesty! The last model was a totally different one not in the catalog but based on my face was designed for me which was pretty cool.
I decided I wanted a thick pair, more horn! They gave me 3 side temple options. They also provided their opinion on what color frame would be best which I was totally in agreement with.
I also sent my prescription and ordered lens through them. I had checked an online store in the US that said they don’t deal with Buffalo horn. So, I only wanted to buy a horn frame if they also installed Rx lens. I did not want the potential headache of finding someone who could in the US and then hope prices were reasonable. From what I have read, Buffalo horn frames can be trickier to insert lens so who better to put them in then the person who made the frames? I ordered Hoya lens - high quality Japanese company. Very affordable lens pricing. Zeiss lens are also available at an upcharge. I did not get pricing on Zeiss. They provided their expert option on lens thickness. I was pushing for the 1.74 ultra thin lens but they told me I did not need to go above 1.67. Really appreciate their expert opinion and the fact they did not try and up sell lens.
I specifically asked them to take a lot of pictures of the process. One because I love learning and seeing the transformation and two so I can show members here pictures to appreciate the work involved.
I could not be happier, handmade, amazing fit pair of glasses from halfway across the world with lens already installed upon shipment! Even though Greece based, Chyrsa is fantastic at emailing you back quickly, any day or time. Very passionate about their products. I only dealt with Chrysa through email and not Alexandro.
Timeline:
1) September 14 - First contacted them. Received catalog, guide and color options
2) September 18 – Confirmed order (had back and forth emails during weekend)
3) September 29 – Glasses (Frame with Rx lens) completed and shipped.
4) October 9- Received product.
I actually started my second order before receiving the first (one for work and home). Took an existing model in their catalog and asked if they could make the frames thicker. Chrysa helped me pick frame design and I decided to go horn with a wood insert. I had Chrysa pick ideal frame and rim thickness, and also rim color. Just trust their experience more than mine. I just gave them the style I was looking for and Chrysa had my photo to guide the choices she made. They just mailed off the second pair today but had the original pair on all day yesterday and love them!
Here are the pictures! Enjoy! Any questions feel free to ask me or send them an email. The only pic I took myself was the one on the table. The others were provided to me.
Regards,
Mark
