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Diamonds Episodes

Feb. 29, 2024

Ep. 67 - Diamonds are NOT A Lot of Money, and The Top 3 Things to Con…

In Part 2 of my conversation with Shane Decker we discuss the role of jewelry in celebrating life's events and he shares the most important factors to consider when buying diamond jewelry. The conversation covers various aspects of buying an...

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Feb. 22, 2024

Ep. 66 - The Truth Behind Diamond Deals: Deciphering Beauty, Value, a…

It seems like most, if not all, of the information and marketing messages coming out of the jewelry industry these days are geared toward women. It makes sense because oftentimes she is the driver when it comes to what sort of style she likes, and as...

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Jan. 4, 2024

Ep. 59 - Ask Andy: Are Diamonds A Bad Investment? Part 2

This the second half of a discussion I had with my friend and hero, Maarten de Witte, aka "The Diamond Wizard."  He's a living legend in the diamond cutting world, and he decided to tackle the oft repeated (and crazy cynical) idea that "diamonds...

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Dec. 28, 2023

Ep. 58 - Ask Andy: Are Diamonds A Bad Investment? Part 1

So I ran across a video where the guy in the video said that engagement rings were a scam and a rip-off and I just had to address it. But rather then answer it myself I brought in an expert jeweler and former director of the American Institute of...

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Nov. 9, 2023

Ep. 51 - 6 Factors That Explain Why a 1 Carat Diamond is the Best Bar…

In this episode, I'm going to summarize a brilliant talk I heard "way back when," from a legend in our industry, Shane Decker. (I got his permission, and one day I'll have him on as a guest.) His profound love for diamonds and unwavering respect for...

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Nov. 2, 2023

Ep. 50 - "The Diamonds to Steak Conversion Chart." An Easy Guide to D…

Gentleman, in this episode I present the official "Buy Like a Guy Diamond to Steak Conversion Chart." It's a tool designed to help you relate the 4 C's of diamond quality to the final price you'll pay, using the analogy of a great steak as a...

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Sept. 28, 2023

Ep. 45 - Shop For Diamonds With Your Eyes, Not Your Ears: My Answer t…

In this episode I discuss a listener's questions and concerns about buying a lab grown diamond online, among other things.  He had already gone "ring lookin'" with his girlfriend and had a solid budget and preference for lab-grown diamonds....

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Aug. 31, 2023

Ep. 41 - The Diamond Dilemma: Why The World's Hardest Gemstone Can St…

**The Truth About Diamonds** Diamonds, often touted as "forever," have a mystique of invincibility. However, the reality is that they are not indestructible. Much like everything else in our physical world, diamonds can chip or break. This revelation...

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Aug. 24, 2023

Ep. 40 - The Best Way to Choose a Diamond When She Doesn't Tell You W…

Just last week, there was a guy who was agonizing a bit over what quality and size of diamond he should get. He was clear on the ring style, and he had his budget set, so all was moving along smoothly; until he started to worry and wonder a bit about...

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Aug. 17, 2023

Ep. 39 - Guided by Mysticism: An Ancient Sage Unveils the Sensual Bon…

In , I explored the question of why diamonds hold such a special place in the hearts of women. In today's episode I'm venturing into the world of mysticism surrounding diamonds. This exploration is based on a passage from a book written over 140 years...

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Aug. 10, 2023

Ep. 38 - Diamonds and Desires: Accepting the Mystery of Women's Love …

A common question among men (and some women) is "Why do women love diamonds?"   There are countless theories on the internet, but I'm not here to give you more to think about, but give you advice that will make the jewelry buying experience...

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July 20, 2023

Ep. 35 - Ask Dad. He Knows. Why Independent Jewelry Stores Are Better…

My dad was blunt, honest, and as funny as can be. He was a "character." We worked together for years in the jewelry business, and I learned more about people than I did about diamonds and jewelry from him. He had a unique way of getting his point...

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June 22, 2023

Ep. 31 - Unified Brilliance: The Shared Language of Natural and Lab-G…

In a previous episode, I explored lab-grown and natural diamonds, and explained that lab-grown diamonds are indeed diamonds, but with a few differences from their natural counterparts. Ultimately, I believe the choice should be left to the buyer....

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June 1, 2023

Ep. 28 - Diamonds: Lab-Grown vs. Natural - Let The Sparks Fly!

In this episode we're going to dip our toes into the realm of lab-grown diamonds.  I'll shed  a little light on the ever-evolving diamond industry, exploring the distinctions between lab-grown and natural diamonds, their formation processes,...

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April 20, 2023

Ep. 22 - From Classic to Modern: Exploring the World of Diamond Shapes

Today, we're going to talk about the different diamond shapes and a few advantages of each. Diamonds come in various shapes and sizes, but I’m going to talk about the Top 8 based on their popularity.  So, whether you're shopping for an...

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