Buy Like a Guy

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 g...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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 crea...

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 y...

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 l...

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 ha...

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 d...

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 b...

In Episode 13 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 three: fire, brilliance, and scintillation. The intensity of each of these properties varies based on how well the diamond is cut. Fire refers...

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 abo...

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'...

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 helpe...

Jewelry is most often thought of as a luxury item, but I think people look at it the wrong way.  I'm gonna get pretty deep in this episode, but I need to, because I think it's the best investment you'll ever make, and I also think jewelry is a necessity.  There are moments in our lives that stand out as EPIC.  There are times, places and people that hold strong meaning for us, and it's normal to w...

You probably know a little about diamonds but in this episode I'll explain what "The Four C's" are, and why this scale exists. You might be surprised about what you should actually be looking for in your next diamond purchase. 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 for your special occasion, or put y...

One of the most common questions I get is, how much does an engagement ring cost? Or how much should I spend to get a decent ring? Now there is no single answer to that, but today I'll share some numbers that might help you and then give you the single best answer I know of. 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...

In my quest to learn more about bourbons I recently ran into a scenario that I didn't think would happen to me that I think will be insightful to you. 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 for your special occasion, or put you in touch with a jewelry pro that's closer to home. Music credits: Preache...

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 h...

What are the best jewelry gifts to get the person you love, no matter what the occasion? There are some fail safe jewelry gifts that you can literally know next to nothing about, and they'll be a slam dunk.  I narrowed them down to five categories, with a few short disclaimers to help you get it right. If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com . I'm happy to p...

Picking the "right" engagement ring or other fine jewelry can be unnerving as hell.  Questions start flooding your head..."what if she doesn't like it?"  "Is it the right color?" "Is it big enough?"  Those kinds of things.   A lot of guys fold at this point,  and say something like, "I think I'll bring her in and let her pick it out."  This may seem like a good idea , but there's a reason why it's...

In this episode I'll quickly explain what Wish Lists are, and why they're fool proof.  (Unless you forget one simple rule!) If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com . I'll keep it simple so you can get the "right" ring, in budget, and be the hero she knows you are. Music credits: Preacher Man by Miles Neilson and The Rusted Hearts, used with permission. A kil...

You may be caught off guard when she finds her perfect ring, especially when there are sales associates involved.  It feels like everyone wants you to make the next move, but what does that look like?  In this episode I'll tell you what most guys do in that awkward moment, and what you can do to get out of it with style, and move one step closer to getting her the ring she wants. If you want to ta...

Sometimes it's not what she says, but what she doesn't say that matters.  I'm going to tell you about something to watch for, and it's a dead give away that she found the ring she wants; the one you know she'll love. If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com . I'll keep it simple so you can get the "right" ring, in budget, and be the hero she knows you are.