Episode Overview

Andy takes on the YouTube critics and industry cynics head-on, delivering a family legacy perspective on why dismissing diamonds as "bad investments" completely misses the fucking point. From his grandfather's 1919 start in the business to today's lab-grown revolution, this episode cuts through the financial advisor bullshit to reveal what diamonds are really worth.

Key Takeaways

The Investment Reality Check:

• Not once has Andy heard someone say "I'd like your finest appreciating asset, please"
• Diamonds end up on fingers of teachers, truck drivers, accountants - people marking moments, not building portfolios
• That "worthless investment" often outlasts first houses, careers, and everything else people own
• Ask anyone celebrating their golden anniversary if their diamond was a good investment

Historical Truth Bomb:

• Diamonds in engagement rings since the 1400s - Archduke Maximilian started the trend in 1477
• That's 400 years before De Beers existed, 500 years before marketing executives were even a thing
• "A Diamond is Forever" amplified the tradition but didn't create it
• Humans have always been drawn to rare, beautiful shit that lasts - it's why the Louvre isn't full of Dollar Store crap

The Hidden Logic:

• Hardest natural substance on the planet (perfect 10 on Mohs scale)
• Transparent - light passes through without distortion
• Forged under intense pressure deep within the earth
• Unlike other gems that fade or cloud, diamonds stay brilliant for generations
• Customer brought in grandmother's 1923 diamond - after cleaning, sparkled like brand new

Natural vs. Lab-Grown Investment Reality:

• Lab-grown are chemically identical but prices are in free fall
• Natural diamonds: billions of years to form, millions to find and extract
• They're finite, ancient, with history predating humanity
• Natural values historically increase; lab-grown prices dropping fast
• Like owning a Monet vs. owning a poster of a Monet

The Artistry Factor:

• Diamond cutting isn't automated factory process - it's generational craft
• Cutters visualize how to release a rough diamond's potential
• Weeks of precise cuts to maximize brilliance
• One wrong move = thousands lost in value
• Gabi Tolkowsky: "I imagine myself inside the crystal and see where I want the light to go"

Value Beyond Balance Sheets:

• Sold diamonds to multimillionaires and kids who saved forever
• Sometimes big-ass diamonds carry expected weight, sometimes tiny stones pack the biggest punch
• Favorite customers return yearly, sharing proposal stories and struggles to afford their ring
• Diamond becomes physical embodiment of shared history

Memorable Quote

"Some things in life aren't meant to be measured on a balance sheet. When you're 90 years old, you won't be calculating compound interest you missed out on - you'll be remembering the moment you proposed and all the years that followed."

The Bottom Line

When you're 90, that diamond will still be sparkling, still carrying the weight of your shared history. Whatever you paid will seem like the bargain of a lifetime because some investments pay dividends that can't be measured in dollars.

What's Next

Lab-grown diamonds: The new kid on the block - time to clear up what they actually are and if they're right for you.

Contact Andy Email: andy@buylikeaguy.com For personal jewelry and diamond consultation

About the Book "The Inappropriate Guide to Buying An Engagement Ring" is available on Amazon. Andy is creating an audio version while keeping the podcast going by reading chapters on the show.

Warning: Contains raw language, unfiltered advice, and the kind of talk you'd get from your most honest friend after a few drinks.

Next Episode Chapter 4 coming soon - Lab-grown diamonds: The new kid on the block.

Connect with Buy Like A Guy:

• Available wherever you get your podcasts.
• Book available on Amazon

Show notes compiled from episode transcript

Andy finishes the Four C's conversation with Clarity and Carat Weight, delivers his legendary Diamond-to-Steak conversion chart, and cuts through the industry's microscopic bullshit to give you what actually matters when you're standing in that jewelry store.

The Clarity Reality Check:

• She doesn't need a flawless diamond unless she specifically asked for one - she just wants it to look that way
• Clarity grades are determined by gemologists with microscopes, not naked eyes in natural lighting
• The difference between technically flawless and "looks flawless" can save you thousands
• 99% of diamond inclusions are invisible without specialized equipment
• Focus on VS2-SI1 for best value - they look identical to higher grades but cost significantly less

Carat Weight - Size vs. Reality:

• One carat = 0.2 grams = about one Skittle (finally, a measurement that makes sense)
• Carat measures weight, not size - two diamonds can weigh the same but look completely different
• Diamond cutters face a constant battle: preserve weight (money) vs. create ideal proportions (beauty)
• The real artists sacrifice weight for performance every time

The Money-Saving Secret:

• Diamonds jump in price at half and whole carat marks
• A 0.9 carat might cost 20% less than a 1.0 carat of identical quality
• Nobody can spot the difference with the naked eye
• Buy just under those magic thresholds: 0.9 instead of 1.0, 1.4 instead of 1.5

The Quick Decision Guide:

• Cut Grade: Excellent/Ideal worth every penny, Very Good is the sweet spot, Good or lower proceed with caution
• Color: G-H is the sweet spot, I-J smart value, D-F if you have the budget and appreciate the difference
• Clarity: VS2-SI1 best value, SI2 can work if inspected, Flawless-VVS for bragging rights

The Diamond-to-Steak Conversion Chart:

• Cut = Chef's Skill: Best beef poorly cooked is a travesty, average beef perfectly cooked is a religious experience
• Color & Clarity = Grade of Beef: Prime costs more than choice, you're paying for rarity within rarity
• Carat Weight = Portion Size: An 8-ounce filet costs more than a 6-ounce of the same quality

"A good diamond will be good forever. A bad diamond will be bad forever." - Andy's reminder that this decision has permanent consequences.

The "investment value" of diamonds - and dear Lord, they've got it so wrong.

Email: andy@buylikeaguy.com For personal jewelry and diamond consultation

"The Inappropriate Guide to Buying An Engagement Ring" is available on Amazon. Andy is creating an audio version while keeping the podcast going by reading chapters on the show.

Warning: Contains raw language, unfiltered advice, and the kind of talk you'd get from your most honest friend after a few drinks.

Chapter 3 coming soon - more straight talk and war stories from the jewelry trenches.

• Available wherever you get your podcasts
• Book available on Amazon

Show notes compiled from episode transcript

Andy reads Chapter 1 from his new book, "The Inappropriate Guide to Buying An Engagement Ring" - a no-bullshit diamond and ring buying guide for guys who'd rather be anywhere else than a jewelry store. This episode covers the single most important piece of advice for buying an engagement ring without getting screwed over.

The Golden Rule: Find a jewelry store where you feel comfortable going. That's it. That's the secret.

Why This Matters:

• Walking into most jewelry stores feels unnatural for guys
• Everything's behind glass, salespeople hover like vultures
• You suddenly don't know what to do with your hands
• It's a special kind of hell for men who've fallen in love

Finding Your Unicorn Jewelry Store:

• Ask friends who actually know you and get your style
• Search for independent jewelers online
• Check their reviews, website, and social media
• Look for their vibe - stuffy/formal vs. laid back/approachable

Three Methods:

1. Email the store - Tell them you need help. If the response feels too formal or generic, move on.

2. Call them - A good jeweler on the phone is like a good first date - there's either chemistry or there isn't.

3. Walk in and get down to business - Most terrifying but nothing beats face-to-face. You'll know within 5 minutes if it's your place.

• Ask questions about her taste and what you want to give her
• Address your budget head-on (it's part of the equation)
• Guide you like that bartender who remembers your drink and steers you toward the good stuff
• Make you feel like a human being, not a walking wallet with commitment issues

When it feels right - buy it. Don't do the "I need to look around" dance that fear makes you think you have to do. When it clicks, it clicks. Pull the trigger and be done with it.

Why this works:

• Saves weeks of second-guessing
• Prevents comparing minute details that won't matter in 5 years
• You don't need to become a diamond expert - you need someone you trust who does this for a living

Find a jewelry store where you don't feel like you're standing there with your zipper open (but check that before you go in, just to be safe). Connect with someone who speaks your language, not "diamond-ese." When it feels right, trust your gut and pull the trigger.

"The Inappropriate Guide to Buying An Engagement Ring" is available on Amazon. Andy is creating an audio version while keeping the podcast going by reading chapters on the show.

Warning: Contains raw language, unfiltered advice, and the kind of talk you'd get from your most honest friend after a few drinks.

Chapter 2 coming soon - more straight talk and war stories from the jewelry trenches.

Connect with Buy Like A Guy:

• Available wherever you get your podcasts
• Book available on Amazon

Show notes compiled from episode transcript

This is the first installment of the audiobook version of my book The Inappropriate Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring. I’ll be releasing one chapter a week, right here in the podcast feed. If you'd rather read the whole thing now (because waiting is for people in line at the DMV), you can grab the full book on Kindle or paperback by clicking here.

Full transcript below (Oh and hey! This is all copyrighted so don't steal my shit.)

 This is the "Inappropriate Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring- Irreverent Wisdom From an Industry Insider. Short, Simple, and Straight to the Point."

Introduction: I don't care what's under the hood of my car. I'm pretty sure there's an engine in there, but I'll be damned if I know what it's about.

And frankly, I don't care. I wanna go fast when I need to and slow when I don't. That's it. Good to go.

Some guys get off on knowing every detail about their engine. The compression ratios, the torque curves, the whole mechanical circle jerk. They're the same guys who can tell you the exact temperature their bourbon was aged at or why their guitars, pickups are superior to every other pickup ever manufactured.

But here's what 30 years in the trenches of the diamond business has taught me. Buying an engagement ring isn't about becoming an expert. It's about doing something incredible for someone you love.

Somewhere between the YouTube rabbit holes about ideal cut grades and the forums full of guys comparing certification numbers like fantasy football stats, we've lost the plot. You are not here because you woke up thinking, man, I really need to learn about crystalline structures today.

You're here because you found someone who makes your, he beat faster and you want to do this right? The problem is the diamond industry has turned what should be one of life's most romantic moments into something that. Feels like studying for a final exam you never signed up for. And that's why I wrote this book, not to turn you into some diamond grading savant, but to give you just enough knowledge to work with someone who actually knows their stuff.

Think of it as your cheat sheet for navigating this world while keeping your sanity intact. And yes, I'm mostly addressing the guys buying rings for their girlfriends in this book. But if you're buying for your boyfriend or you're a woman buying for your girlfriend, the advice works just the same. The diamond doesn't give a damn who's wearing it and neither do I.

What matters is what that ring symbolizes between two people who found something that's worth keeping. I've spent years watching guys walk into my store looking like they're about to face a firing squad.

Armed with printouts of diamond specs and enough anxiety to power laws Vegas for a week. There are shell-shocked veterans of a war they never needed to fight. . So here's what I'm going to do.

I'm gonna cut through the bullshit and tell you what actually matters. Not the marketing hype or technical jargon, but the real deal, the stuff that makes a difference when you're standing there ring in hand, heart pounding about to ask the biggest question of your life. We'll cover just enough technical stuff to keep you informed, but more importantly, we'll talk about finding someone you can trust to handle the heavy lifting. Because this isn't about becoming a diamond expert, as I've said, it's about making a moment unforgettable.

There are plenty of great professionals who live. For helping people like you create those perfect moments. Your job isn't to become one of us. It's to find one of us. You click with. So grab a beer, get comfortable, and let's cut through the noise together.

By the time we're done, you'll know exactly how to handle this whole ring thing without losing your mind, your savings or your romantic soul in the process. Now buckle up and let's do this.

If you'd like help finding a jeweler closer to home, email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com and I'll do my best to put you in touch with some of the best jewelers on earth.

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

Andy here with an announcement. I'm taking a break for the next couple of months so I can line up some guests I plan on having on the show. I plan on being back in October, ready with new episodes hot off the press so stay tuned for that.

I want to make sure I'm delivering value in these episodes, so if you've learned something or know of someone who would be a great fit for the show definitely let me know!

If you'd like help finding a jeweler closer to home, email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com and I'll do my best to put you in touch with some of the best jewelers on earth.

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

I'm going to share something I learned first hand about what you should not do when you buy and give something as special as an engagement ring, an anniversary gift...hell...any gift for that matter. I get right to the point when I tell you, "Don't tell her how much it cost. Not even a hint."

Telling her what you paid for something can quickly turn a special moment into an awkward one. She's not going to feel cherished, loved, or appreciated if you disclose the price tag. It'll be more along the lines of uncomfortable embarrassment.

I want to be clear, this isn't one of those "men are stupid" rants that are ubiquitous on the interwebs these days. Nah...this comes from a real-life experience, and while you think I would know better...I'M the guy that did it! (I gave my wife a gift and on more than occasion I hinted at how it cost much more than she would've thought. What a boob I was. So stupid.)

And have to tell you, this advice applies to all gifts. The price tag is none of her business. I understand where this desire to reveal the cost comes from – sometimes, we're just genuinely proud of what we're giving her and we want a significant reaction. That's okay, but remember that it will come over time, in stories, maybe some bragging, or perhaps a sweet moment when she says, "You shouldn't have."

When you give her those earrings, that engagement ring, or whatever it may be, keep the price to yourself. There's never a time when it's chivalrous to tell how much you've spent on her, so don't do it.

On a related note, when you give her the gift or she sees her engagement ring for the first time, give her a little time to absorb it all. Her reaction may not come immediately, and that's perfectly fine. Sometimes she needs a few moments to process all the glitter and glory that's been bestowed on her, so relax, and let the moment unfold naturally.

Now, for the ladies listening, here's something our sales associate, Lindsay, asked me to mention: when your significant other gives you fine jewelry that might not be your style, accept it gracefully, even if it's not your style.

In almost every case it's better to accept the gift, and remember why he gave it (because he loves you) and keep it. That's how I was brought up – a gift is a gift, and it's the thought that counts.

Of course I understand that fine jewelry often involves a significant investment, and if it's not your style, you probably won't wear it much. Nobody wants that, so if it's just too hideous for you to wear, an exchange is probably in order.

If you do decide to exchange the gift, please be gentle when you tell him. You don't have to say it "right out of the box," as they say; give him a moment to feel proud of what he did for you. Then, when the time feels right, you can thank him for the gift, and explain that you'd like to exchange it for something more your style. This way, he won't feel like a failure in your eyes. You can guide him, teach him about your style, and even fill out a Wish List while you're exchanging your gift for the next big occasion. 😉

If you'd like help finding a jeweler closer to home, email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com and I'll do my best to put you in touch with some of the best jewelers on earth.

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

This episode was originally published in October 2023.

In this episode, I'll talk about the concept of the commitment ring, that beautiful bridge between dating and engagement. Whether you’re sipping beers at a cookout or pondering your future, this episode dives into the emotional significance of giving and receiving a ring that says, “We’re in this together.” Join me as I discuss why a commitment ring is more than just jewelry—it’s a powerful declaration of love and dedication.

Here's the link to Episode 35: Why Independent Jewelry Stores are Better Than Chain Stores and Online Joints.

If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com. Or if you'd like help finding a jewelry store closer to home, drop me a line and I'll do my best to put you in touch with some of the best jewelers on earth.

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