Ep. 54 - The Buy Like a Guy Top 10 List of Things You Should Know to Make Buying Jewelry Easy and Less Painful

Someone asked me to put together a Top 10 list of the things a guy (or girl) should know to make buying jewelry less painful, and maybe even fun. 

I personally believe buying jewelry should be fun. When I spend money I want it to feel good, and I'd guess you feel the same way.

There is no pleasure in paying an electric bill or that speeding ticket, but there is certainly a feeling of excitement and anticipation when you find something wonderful that you know she’s gonna love, and you just can’t wait to give it to  her.

As I said, that's my hope for anyone who is jewelry shopping and buying. I think a Top 10 List will help in that endeavor, so without further ado, here is The Buy Like a Guy Top 10 List of Things You Should Know to Make Buying Jewelry Easy and Less Painful.

10. Remember, jewelry is a necessity, not a luxury.  It’s been put in the “luxury” category by just about everyone, but I don’t think it belongs there. Yes it’s a big investment, but it’s an investment of the highest kind.  It’s an investment in the people we love and our relationships…and nothing fills the gap between our hearts and the words we try to say to these people, quite like fine jewelry.  (Listen to Episode 10 for more.)

Jewelry marks moments, and as human beings, we need symbols and expressions of the mile markers and important events in our lives.  It’s deep in our hearts to do so, and nothing does it better than fine jewelry.  And so yes, we need these things.

9. Understand and accept that most women love diamonds, especially as a gift.  Why? It doesn’t matter.  It’s unexplainable.  There is an attraction there, and that’s to your advantage, because it’s a safe bet that if you give her diamonds, she’s gonna love it.  Don’t overthink this one…just know it. (Listen to Episode 38 for more.)

8. Appliances and other related implements of work and toil will get you in trouble, so don’t give them as gifts.  This is true at all times.  Buy that shit on any given Saturday, but don’t present it to her on special holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and so on and so forth. That’s why jewelry was invented, so use it, and feel confident that you’re giving a great gift.  (No episode for this one. It's just something you should know.)

7. The Greatest Gift Giving Secret in the World:  If you have no idea what to get her, or him, simply look at what they have a lot of, and give them more.  She likes diamond jewelry? Give her more.  He likes watches?  Get him another one.  This approach is almost fail safe. Promise. (Listen to Episode 6 for more.)

6. Do not ask her to decide what piece of jewelry you should get for her, especially if it’s a gift.  What I’m referring to is that moment when you see a bunch of things you want to give her, and they’re close to the hints she’s so graciously given you, or maybe she set up a wish list all neat and tidy for you, but you’re not sure if she’s going to like the specific item you settle on. Don’t present her with your options, and ask her to choose. Instead, you pick it, and give it to her like the man that you are.  That simple act, leaving her out of it, is actually part of the gift, and she’ll dig it.  (Listen to Episode 4 for more.)  

5. Don’t tell her how much it cost.  There is no quicker way to turn what should be a special moment into an awkward one.  She doesn’t need to know how much that diamond ring or those earrings or that bracelet set you back.  It’s gonna make her feel stupid, and then you’re going to feel stupid, so don’t do it.  It just wrecks things…trust me on this. I know whereof I speak. (Listen to Episode 47 for more.)

4. When it comes to diamonds, Cut is King.   The better a diamond is cut, the bigger, brighter, and more beautiful it will look. So pay special attention to how well the diamonds you’re looking at are cut.  It’s the human element, and the equivalent of how a steak is prepared, how bourbons are distilled, and cabinets are made.  Just like steaks, bourbons and cabinets, the better diamonds are “made,” or cut, the better they will perform.  (Listen to Episode 13 for more.)

3. If she picked out a bunch of jewelry at a jewelry store, and put it on what we call a "Wish List," do not deviate from it. Just get what’s on the list, and get ready to be the hero.  Don’t blow this one by going rogue also as my wife likes to say.  Stick to the list, and all will be simple, well, and easy. (Listen to Episode 3 for more.)

2. Buy with your eyes, and not your ears. Meaning, pay less attention to how something is described, and pay more attention to how it actually looks. Buying jewelry online, and relying on 3D images and descriptions is nothing like seeing it in the flesh.  In fact, it doesn’t come close.  Especially when it comes to jewelry.  (Didja ever see someone’s profile online and then you meet them in real life and you’re like, “Whoa!  Are you sure that’s you in those pictures?”  It’s like that.) (Listen to Episode 45 for more.)

1. Find your place, a local, independent jewelry store, and then walk in, and find “your guy on the inside,” (and yes, it can most definitely be a woman).  

And who is that “guy on the inside?” It’s a jewelry professional who lives to help you get the right piece of jewelry for your situation.  He or she will tell you as much or as little as you would like to know, and they’ll be your guide and help you navigate the strange but fascinating landscape of the fine jewelry world. There is no better way to get things done, than to have experts do it for you, and with you. 

These jewelry stores, and the people that work there, spend immeasurable amounts of time, money, and dedication and do their best to have what you need, i.e. jewelry that can be proud to give and she can be proud to wear.

Jewelry professionals, the good ones, are not clerks, any more than a CPA is a bookkeeper. (No disrespect intended to clerks or bookkeepers.  We need you too.)

My point is, professionals have a different level of expertise that comes from a different level of training and experience in their chosen profession.  Going to a jewelry store, and consulting with a professional jeweler saves you time, money, frustration, and in the process, your confidence in what you’re doing is going to sore.  (Listen to Episode 36 for more.)

If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com. I'm happy to personally help you find the right jewelry for your situation, or put you in touch with a jewelry pro that's closer to home.

Music credits: Preacher Man by Miles Neilson and The Rusted Hearts, used with permission. A killer band with original songs that get stuck in your head.  They're awesome.

Listen To Preacher Man on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7ImcaJKIk0ZVtPzuUVV4vc?si=80581c74a9be4987