Buy Like a Guy.

2009-08-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

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The *&%$# Four C's of Diamonds

2009-07-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

You’re a guy...which means you don’t know a lot about diamonds. In fact, you probably don’t really care that much about them. You know important stuff like the NCAA brackets, box scores, draft picks, and the rule your buddy has to abide by should his drive fall short of the ladies tee. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t really care about diamonds if you weren’t expected to get one for the woman of your dreams. But you are...and so you care...and that's why you're reading this.

Those *&%$# Four C's:

So, here we are about to talk about the so-called Four C's. I'm going to keep it simple and give you a little advice:

Learn a bit about the 4C’s so you understand what they are and why it matters to the final price of a diamond...and then stop. (The link above is to my store's website...but this information is all over the Internet.) In a nutshell the 4C’s will help you gauge whether or not the diamond you are interested in warrants the money you have to part with to get it. That's it. Nothing more.

The 4C's are NOT the diamond...

That sort of a metaphysical statement but it’s also true. The 4C’s are NOT the diamond. They describe some of the characteristics of a particular diamond as well as the relative rarity...but that's where it ends. At best...knowing the 4C's of a diamond will help you understand why one diamond costs more than another. It's a simple matter really:

The fewer there is of the something...for example a huge, rare diamond...the more valuable that something is. If you want one of the few...you'll need to pay more for it. That's how you should use the Four C's.

Next..."Hoovering the Diamond Purchase"

A Truck is a Truck

2009-07-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

TIP: As beautiful as your new truck may be to you, it’s best not to discuss its importance when you are at the diamond counter.

I wince every time a young man utters the most unabashed pledge of allegiance to his vehicle in front of his girlfriend.

It’s a common expletive when he comes face-to-face with the ring she really wants, versus the one he's prepared to buy her.

Keep your vehicle envy under your hats, boys. For her, a visit to the jewelry store is just like the day you bought those sport rims for your refurbished muscle car. Anticipation. Visions of admiring glances. Jealousy. That kind of stuff.

Every time a guy says, “Man, that’s almost as much as my truck!” he is knocked clean off his white horse. She walks in feeling every bit the princess she has been brought up to deny. And in a split second, feels lower than a snakes belly because her white knight loves his horse more than the damsel in distress.

There are but a few moments in our lives that we will remember upon passing to the next phase of existence. I believe the happy times spent with the people you love are what we will remember as we drift off into the abyss. All guy talk aside, showing a woman how much you cherish her is worth its weight in gold. You only get one chance to do it right. Don’t blow it.

[Yeah, yeah, I know, “You can’t drive a ring.” You also can’t fool around with your truck. Think about that the next time you nuzzle up to her for a little sumpin' sumpin' ;) ]

A Diamond=Game Over

2009-07-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Real Question Posed to Me: Why do I even have to give her an engagement ring?

My Answer: You’ve just finished a great steak, your 3rd pint of Guinness, and an obligatory round of high fives because the good guys won the game. You're in a crowded sports bar which is clearly one of the best places to indulge in the age-old sport of people watching.

A casual glance over your shoulder pushes your senses up an entire octave. There she is, an exotic beauty with legs “up to here.” She’s the kind of woman that garners admiring stares from men and women alike. Confident. Alluring. Tight body. Probably smells good too.

So what keeps other men at bay? It’s the little sparkler on her left hand, third finger. A geek filter that says, “I have someone that I love, who loves me back. Game over, fella’s.”

Therein lies the power of diamonds set in a ring, given from a man to woman as a symbol of their commitment. THAT'S why you give her an engagement ring.

6 Engagement Ring Trends

2009-07-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

Ring designers clued us in to the hottest new engagement ring styles. A simple solitaire may be a classic (and safe) choice, but you're sure to please with these over-the-top dazzlers.

Trend #1: Neutral-colored Gems

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's relationship might not have lasted, but the lure of colored engagement rings sure did. Her 6.1-carat pink diamond engagement ring set the stage for a bevy of other colorful gemstones like beryl, sapphires, and rubies to take a leading role.

From left to right: Ricardo Basta $7,000; Amgad: $22,500; Peter Norman & Co, $28,850; Adria de Haume, $32,000

Trend #2: Diamonds All Around

A gorgeous diamond gets lots of character from its surroundings. And these current styles drizzled with diamonds are definitely a hit among brides and designers alike. Not only do the extra diamonds add tons of sparkle, but they can enhance the size or at least give the illusion of a larger center stone. What bride-to-be (and groom too) wouldn't love that?

From left to right: Hearts on Fire, $6,500; Precision Set, $8,450, and band, $3,440; Diamond Ideals, $2,250, not including center stone; South African Diamonds Private Collection, starting at $8,500

Trend #3: Intricately Raised Settings

The newest ring settings are really raising the bar -- elaborate and (more important) lofty designs are hot. There's nothing like a delicately draped bow or precision-cut mold to give your center stone the spotlight.

From left to right: Tiffany and Co., $48,200, and band, starting at $2,475; Art Carved, $1,879, and band, $1,535, not including center stone; Diana Classic, $1,899, and band, $345; RhondaFaberGreen, $7,855

Trend #4: Twisted Bands

Designers have opted to put a little more swing in their rings. From swirling diamond bands to more streamlined metal twists, we're enamored with this smooth move.

From left to right: Mercury Ring, $2,495, not including center stone; Mark Schneider Designs, $2,975; Diaco Diamonds, $6,550; Novell, $2,200, not including center stone

Trend #5: Vintage Glamour

Heirloom styles, though rich in history, are definitely not a tired idea. Think intricate settings with metal and diamond detailing.

From left to right: OGI, $1,450, not including center stone; Whiteflash.com, $3,500; Gary Ptak, $13,700; VAN CRAEYNEST for Clay-pot.com, $3,285

Trend #6: Eco-friendly Rings

These dazzling designers prove that it's hip to have more than just a green thumb. Decorate your ring finger with conflict-free diamonds and recycled gold settings.

From left to right: Brilliant Earth, $5,500; greenKarat, $3,275; Bailey, Banks & Biddle, $6,900; Earthwise Jewelry by Leber Jewelry Inc., starts at $6,550

Photos:

Gary Ptak and Whiteflash.com images courtesy of Goldstein Communications

Van Craeynest images courtesy of Clay-pot.com

OGI, Adria De Haume, AMGAD, Mercury Ring, Peter Norman & Co, and Ricardo Basta images courtesy of Platinum Guild International

ArtCarved, Diana Classic, and South African Diamonds Private Collection images courtesy of Goldman Images

All other images courtesy of designer

Source-- The Knot

On Prices

2009-07-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

I found this on the back of a local photographer's brochure. It was written in the late 1800's. It could have been written pretty much anytime.

Prices

By John Ruskin 1819-1900

It is unwise to pay too much. But it is worse to pay too little.

When you pay too much, you lose a little money; that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything because the product you bought is incapable of doing what it was bought to do.

The common law of business prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It can't be done.

If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you would have enough to pay for something better.

There is hardly anything in this world that someone can't make a little worse and sell a little cheaper-and people who consider price alone are this man's lawful prey.

Translation: You get what you pay for. That's just the way it is, boys.