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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 aspe...

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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 o...

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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)...

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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 ...

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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 an...

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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 ...

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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-g...

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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 ...

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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 wor...

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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 buyi...

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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...

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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 ...

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June 1, 2023

Ep. 28 - Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds: Which Should You Buy for an E…

The lab-grown vs. natural diamond debate is everywhere right now. Here's the straight truth about the real differences, the cost gap, and how to make the right choice for your engagement ring. If you're shopping for an engage...

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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 shopp...

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April 6, 2023

Ep. 20 - 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)...

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March 30, 2023

Ep. 19 - 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 ...

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March 23, 2023

Ep. 18 - The 4 Cs of Diamonds: Exploring Clarity, Carat Weight, and t…

In this episode, we delve into the last two of the Four C's of diamond quality, Clarity and Carat weight. While the 4C's may seem boring, they play a significant role in determining the price you'll pay for a diamond, making ...

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March 16, 2023

Ep. 17 - Diamond Color Grades: Which is the Best "Color" for You?

Did you know when we're talking about the 'color grade' of a diamond, we're actually referring to the lack of color? Did you also know that the top grade a diamond can achieve is a 'D'? Did you further know it is really hard ...

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March 1, 2023

Ep. 15 - Unveiling a Diamond's Beauty: The Role of Choices and Talent…

In this episode I'm going to explain why not all diamonds are cut for maximum fire, brilliance, and scintillation. I'll be talking a little about my quest to be a tennis pro, and how it relates to diamond cutting. Spoiler al...

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Feb. 23, 2023

Ep. 14 - Diamond Cutting: Setting the Angel Free

In I discussed how “Cut is King” when it comes to diamonds, and how a better cut can make a diamond look brighter, bolder, bigger, and more beautiful. But what exactly are the visual properties that contribute to a diamond's appearance? There are...

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Feb. 16, 2023

Ep. 13 - Why Cut is King: The Magic Behind a Diamond's Sparkle

The way diamonds come out of the ground, (or growing chambers in the case of lab grown diamonds) is far different than what we see in jewelry stores, engagement rings or other fine diamond jewelry. Before they're cut, natural...

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Feb. 2, 2023

Ep. 12 - 6 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

The lab-grown vs. natural diamond debate is everywhere right now. Here's the straight truth about the real differences, the cost gap, and how to make the right choice for your engagement ring. Part II of Andy's conversation w...

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Jan. 26, 2023

Ep. 11 - How Much Do You Really Need To Know to Buy Diamonds?

When you’re in the market for an engagement ring or other diamond jewelry it’s natural to do some research. The trouble is, there’s so much information, a guy can get stuck. So the big question is: how much do you really nee...

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