Jewelry Episodes

We live in the age of fast fashion and convenience, where we can pretty much get everything we want with the click of a button. My guest would say that this is exactly the wrong way to buy something as important as an engagement ring or any jewelry for that matter. Italian born, Ilaria Lanzoni, or Ila as she likes to be called, is a world renowned jewelry designer…with over 25 years of high-end jewelry design experience. Her creations have been worn by some pretty impressive celebrities like B...

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...

In this episode I'm going to talk about something that resonates with both men and women: When you glance down at your brand new ring, and see those first few scratches and dings. It can be disheartening, and you may even be surprised you even care. Whether it's a minor scratch, a ding, or a chip, it happens to everyone. It's kind of like those times when you discover a scratch on our car door or a chip in the windshield. (I'll cover a little something about a Rolling Stones song that applies. ...

Customer involvement in designing jewelry is a growing trend in the jewelry business. Independent jewelry stores offer a range of options, from changing metals and gemstones to adding unique touches. However, there's a crucial balance between personalization and potentially compromising the integrity of the original design when people who don't know what they're doing want to get their hands dirty and help create a personal version of something they like. While we'll focus mainly on engagement ...

While some may not immediately associate jewelry shopping with noble acts, we do. Think about it; you're trading your hard-earned dollars for something small and valuable, something you might not fully understand. And why? You're doing it all in the name of love and commitment. Buying jewelry, especially engagement rings, is more than just a transaction; it's a meaningful gesture. As men, we take pride in providing for and cherishing our loved ones, particularly that one special person we want ...

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...

In this episode, we're going to explore the process of customizing an engagement ring, along with other pieces of custom jewelry, from start to finish. Some highlights worthy of note are... Defining Your Vision - Understand the importance of knowing what you want the ring or jewelry to look like. - Exploring various sources of inspiration, including online platforms and jewelry stores. - Emphasizing the role of communication in conveying your ideas to the jeweler. Finding the Right Jeweler - T...

In this episode I'll give you a small piece of advice that pretty much never fails. Pretend we're sitting at a bar and we've just ordered our first pint of Guinness, and you want to know how to find the best "deal," and not get "ripped off." This is what I'd tell you. (As I've told so many before. Find the Perfect Place: I can't emphasize this the importance of choosing a jewelry store where you feel comfortable and at ease. It's not just about the diamonds; it's about finding a place that reso...

Today I'm going to address a classic problem: finding the perfect engagement ring, then finding out it's out of your price range. It's a drag, but it's not "game over." You just need to call a different play, and use one of the following strategies to keep you on track with your favorite store and salesperson, which will lead you to that perfect ring without breaking the bank. Episode Highlights: Picture this: you and your partner are on the hunt for the ultimate ring. As you narrow down your ...

There are some scenarios when you should absolutely not give her an engagement ring, or any other jewelry for that matter. I'm not giving relationship advice in this episode, I'm here to tell you how to buy jewelry like a champ, and nothing more. In this case, how (or when) not to buy jewelry, because sometimes it's flat out the wrong time to do it. Let's Start with an engagement ring. When should you hold off and not get an engagement ring, even though you suddenly feel urgent about getting on...

Some people are caught completely off guard when they go to buy an engagement ring because they didn't get the memo that they're also probably gonna need a wedding ring to go with it. It seems most guys find this out when they're ready to buy an engagement ring, and it can come as a shock to be sure. So I wanted to give you a heads up in this episode so you can be prepared. It's pretty simple and crazy symbolic. The engagement ring says, "I'm getting married," and when you couple it with the w...

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 ...

Not every guy knows what kind of engagement ring his girl wants, and that's totally OK. A lot of couples don't specifically talk about the style of the ring. It's all about keeping that romantic, nostalgic symbolism intact. You're presenting this ring, asking for her hand in marriage, and showing your commitment to each other. The selection process may seem overwhelming with countless ring styles out there. You definitely don't want to disappoint her when you propose. It's like when she asks y...

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...

In this episode, I dive into the fascinating world of platinum, one of the rarest elements on Earth and highly valued in the jewelry industry. Join me as we explore the advantages and disadvantages of choosing platinum for your fine jewelry. Platinum's rarity is unparalleled. With an abundance of only 0.005 parts per million in the Earth's crust, it's truly a super rare metal. To put its density into perspective, a 1-inch cube of platinum weighs approximately a pound, while a 1-inch ball of pla...

In this episode, Pat Finn and I continue our off-the-cuff exploration of the significance of fine jewelry, including a pretty sweet story about Pat's late friend, the legendary Chris Farley, and his love of gift-giving. We get a little sentimental, but it's cool, because that's one of the unexpected powers of jewelry: it can connect us to our past and the people we love the most. Jewelry is more than just shiny trinkets, and we talk about how fine jewelry becomes physical representations of unf...

Pat Finn is a well-known actor, comedian, and writer with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He's appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including The Middle, Seinfeld, “It’s Complicated,” and the “I Am Chris Farley” documentary. He has an almost endless list of professional accomplishments, and I wanted him on the show because he’s also a husband, father, and regular guy who really seems to “get” the whole jewelry thing. Here is Pat's IMDB link: https://www.imdb.com/...

Gold has been treasured for centuries for its rarity and beauty, but did you know that not all gold is the same? In this episode, we'll explore the different types of gold and what makes them unique. Understanding the "K" in Gold Jewelry The "K" in gold jewelry stands for "karat", which refers to the purity of the gold. Pure gold is too soft to be used in jewelry, so it's mixed with other metals to make it stronger and more durable. The karat measurement indicates the percentage of pure gold in...

If you're like most guys, you haven't spent much time thinking about what kind of wedding ring you'd like, and honestly, until you have a need for one, you don't really care. Most guys don't wear a lot of jewelry, if any, so when it's time to shop for your wedding ring, what are you supposed to do? (Besides, start thinking about it.) However, having a wedding ring is important, yes...even for guys. Is it life or death important? No. But neither is that watch you've been eyeing up, or that bike,...

A lot of guys have no idea what a “push present” is. I have to confess that until there was a baby in my future, I never heard of it, nor did I know what it was. (And I'm in "the business!") So what is a push present? Is it something you should consider when there’s a baby on the way? First, a push present is a gift that you present to your wife or girlfriend shortly after the baby is born, to celebrate the occasion. The term "push present" originated from the idea that the mother has "pushed" ...

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...

So, what should you do when you've found the perfect gift for someone and the salesperson is assuring you that it's a no-brainer, or "she's gonna love it!" but you still have a little doubt? Too often, guys ruin the magic moment by talking too much when they give a gift. They apologize as she's opening it or looking at the ring, saying things like "I hope you like it. You can exchange it if you don't." It's not the best way to present something as impactful and important as diamonds and jewelry...

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...

What do you do when you ask her what she wants for her birthday, anniversary, or the Holidays, and she says, "Nothing." We've all been there, and it's a tough spot, but there IS an answer, and it's simple. I'll share the greatest and most obvious secret in the world when it comes to gift giving. (I learned it from an old "Ad Man," and I've never forgotten it, and neither will you. It's a huge help.) If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com. I'm happy to ...