Diamonds Episodes

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 engagement ring and creating a memorable proposal. Shane emphasizes the importance of choosing the right diamond shape and metal, considering the style of mounting and color of metal, and creating a unique and unforgettable proposal experience. Ultimately,...

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 men, we want to give her an engagement ring, or other fine jewelry that she will love. However, a lot of guys can feel invisible in the process, because not many people or companies are talking to you. You need some direction outside of what your m...

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 are a bad investment." Are they? Some people think there is no question that diamonds are a "bad" investment. That the entire diamond industry was created by DeBeer's and they're diabolical marketing campaign that causes people to believe there is value ...

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 Diamond Cutting to discuss this in an exclusive two-part interview. Take a listen and let me know your thoughts! 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 fo...

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 the jewelry industry are truly remarkable. Shane's talk centered on the notion that diamonds, specifically 1-carat diamonds, are drastically undervalued. This might sound surprising given the substantial price tags attached to high-quality 1-carat 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 reference point. It's a practical "walking around tool" that can help you navigate the world of diamonds. I highlight the Four C's – Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight – as the key factors that determine a diamond's price. Click here to listen to episod...

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. However, he was unsure about purchasing without physically seeing the diamonds and was concerned about the accuracy of diamond reports. I explained that diamond reports from organizations like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International G...

**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 may come as a surprise to many, given that diamonds are known as the hardest substance on Earth. But there's more to the story. Yes, diamonds are incredibly hard, making them highly resistant to scratches and abrasions. However, they lack toughnes...

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 what his girlfriend might want for the center diamond. He'd done a little research (enough to be dangerous), but not enough to really know what he was talking about. Susan, one of my sales associates, helped clarify what the Four Cs of Diamond Qual...

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...

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 EASIER. I get a tad philosophical as I talk about the immense value of time in the realm of shopping for jewelry. The core purpose of Buy Like a Guy is to equip you with the necessary information to make informed decisions quickly. Beyond monetary worth, time...

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 across (sometimes by yelling, ha!) and it left a lasting impact on me. He often told stories about what it was like owning a jewelry store back in his day...how men would walk into his store with a mission to buy an engagement ring. "They were simpler ...

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. However, I realized that I hadn't fully addressed one of the most common questions I get: "Aren't lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds pretty much the same thing?" I'll share three brief, real-life client stories in this episode that brought me to ...

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 engagement ring in 2025, you've already seen lab-grown diamonds advertised at 60-80% less than natural diamonds. Same sparkle, same hardness, way cheaper price tag. So what's the catch? And how do you decide which one is right for you? In this episode, Andy Koehn — third-generati...

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 engagement ring, a gift, or a piece of jewelry for yourself, knowing the differences between diamond shapes can help you make an informed decision. Also known as, “getting it right.” The shape of a diamond refers to the outline or form of the diamond as seen from ...

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 are a bad investment." Are they? Some people think there is no question that diamonds are a "bad" investment. That the entire diamond industry was created by DeBeer's and they're diabolical marketing campaign that causes people to believe there is value ...

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 Diamond Cutting to discuss this in an exclusive two-part interview. Take a listen and let me know your thoughts! 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 fo...

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 it crucial to understand them. But don't worry, we'll get through it together! I'll discuss the details of the Gemological Institute of America's Clarity System, which looks like this: Once we've covered the basics of Clarity and Carat weight, I'll share a Fifth C with 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 to distinguish colorless diamonds from near colorless diamonds? Do you know how hard it is to say 'colorless'? Haha, I kid but I really said it far more often then I should have this episode. When we're talking about color grade, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) u...

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 alert: I am not a tennis pro, and the real reason diamonds are not cut equally, is becuase it's a choice made by the diamond companies and cutters. Some companies prioritize beauty and performance over cost and other factors and invest in their tools and facilities to consiste...

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...

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 diamonds look like clear crystals or rocks, and lab grown diamonds can be blocky looking dark cubes. (At least the ones I've seen.) In this episode, we're going to talk about how the cutting process is the human element that transforms these "rough" diamonds into sparklin...

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 with Adam Fried, third-generation diamond expert, gets to the heart of what makes buying a diamond easier: asking the right questions and knowing when to stop shopping. If you've been drowning in diamond research — reading about the 4 C's, comparing GIA reports, and still fe...

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 need to know about all this before you make your buying decision? I’ll answer that in this episode with the help of my friend Adam Fried, a diamond industry expert, who’s helped thousands of people get the right diamonds without a ton of stress. This guy knows his stuff, and w...