Personaly I'm topaz hater but thats just personal taste...

Now about gradients: You use just one color (or two colors that are so close by hue) so the pice is looking monote, I guess u should leave pice with it's own colors or, if u have to much colors" use selctive color and change some of them.

Lower down contrast, LS is nicely done , txt is OK but not filling placement, those white "dots"(little effects) are kinda messy, try to make version with some more depth...

btw. If stock is B&W try to use less vibrant colors or just leave B&W...

Good work Kip it up