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Have you ever wanted to buy a diamond or another piece of fine jewelry, but felt like you should already know what you’re doing before you walk into the store? This episode is for you.

I sit down with Nicole Nettles, owner of Blue Water Jewelers, and Kashmir Elkin, an engagement ring specialist, to talk through the questions people actually have before making a significant jewelry purchase. We’re keeping it practical: no gemology degree required.

We get into lab-grown vs. natural diamonds, what really affects sparkle, why cut matters, how carat weight can be misleading, what to know about resale and upgrade policies, choosing a setting that fits your lifestyle, and why seeing a diamond in person can matter more than the grading report alone. We also talk about self-purchasing, traveling with valuable jewelry, and a few expensive mistakes buyers make when they don’t know what questions to ask.

This is Part 1 of Buying Fine Jewelry, because as with watches, there was far too much to fit into one conversation.

In Part 2, we’ll get into buying jewelry online, metals, and why having a relationship with a jeweler can matter more than you might think.

What I Expected is about knowing what to expect before you buy it, try it, book it, or live through it. Some conversations are about the things we choose. Others are about the things we never expected to face.

More reviews, guides & recommendations: WhatIExpected.co
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