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Ep. 64 - You CAN Buy The Right Jewelry Without Sticking Your Head Up A Bulls A**

Buy Like a Guy

Release Date: 02/08/2024

Diamonds As Bad Investments show art Diamonds As Bad Investments

Buy Like a Guy

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...

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The Four C's (Part 2)-Clarity and Carat Weight show art The Four C's (Part 2)-Clarity and Carat Weight

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Chapter 2: The Four C's (Part 2)  Episode Overview 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. Key Takeaways 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...

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The Four C's (Part 1) show art The Four C's (Part 1)

Buy Like a Guy

Episode Overview Andy breaks down the diamond industry's "sacred scripture" - the Four C's - but cuts through the BS to give you what you actually need to know. This is part one of a two-part deep dive into diamond grading, focusing on Cut and Color. Key Takeaways The Bottom Line on Diamond Education: You'll spend roughly 2 hours of your entire life discussing the Four C's Don't overthink it - learn enough to have an intelligent conversation with a pro Find someone you trust to guide you through the rest Why the Four C's Exist: Created by GIA in the 1940s to standardize diamond grading...

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Finding Your Guy on the Inside show art Finding Your Guy on the Inside

Buy Like a Guy

  Episode Overview 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. Key Takeaways 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...

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The Inappropriate Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring show art The Inappropriate Guide to Buying an Engagement Ring

Buy Like a Guy

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 .  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."...

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Ep. 88 - Taking A Break show art Ep. 88 - Taking A Break

Buy Like a Guy

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  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...

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Ep. 87 - Ask Andy: A Quick and Easy Way to Ruin The Moment show art Ep. 87 - Ask Andy: A Quick and Easy Way to Ruin The Moment

Buy Like a Guy

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...

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Ep. 86 - Love Unscripted: Bridging the Ep. 86 - Love Unscripted: Bridging the "In-Between" with a Commitment Ring

Buy Like a Guy

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  If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at . Or if you'd like help finding a jewelry store closer to home,...

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Ep. 85 - Ask Andy: Lab-Grown Diamonds or Natural Diamonds? show art Ep. 85 - Ask Andy: Lab-Grown Diamonds or Natural Diamonds?

Buy Like a Guy

In this episode we're going to dip our toes into the realm of lab-grown diamonds.  I'll shed  a little light on the ever-evolving diamond industry, exploring the distinctions between lab-grown and natural diamonds, their formation processes, and the ongoing debate surrounding their place in the fine jewelry world.  Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Historical Perspective It may come as a surprise, but lab-grown diamonds trace their beginnings to the 1950s when General Electric crafted the first industrial-grade diamond crystals. Technological advancements  have propelled the creation...

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Ep. 84 - Ask Andy: How Much Should You Spend On An Engagement Ring? show art Ep. 84 - Ask Andy: How Much Should You Spend On An Engagement Ring?

Buy Like a Guy

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 . 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: Preacher Man by Miles Neilson and The Rusted Hearts, used with permission. A killer band with...

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If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t give a whole lotta’ "you know what’s" about fine jewelry or diamonds, or where the prices come from, I’m here to tell you, that’s okay.  In fact, I think it’s perfectly normal.

If diamonds, gemstones, precious metals and fine jewelry don’t interest you…don’t learn about them.

I believe this is true for pretty much all things.  If something doesn’t interest you, find someone who knows their stuff, and let them do the work for you.

This is a common theme in pretty much every podcast I’ve done so far, mostly because it’s almost always a fail safe way to get things done quickly, and easily. (With one important footnote that I’ll mention at the end.)

I think the idea of finding an expert to make your life easy, particularly in the jewelry department, makes sense and saves time because there is a lot to learn, and quite frankly a lot of people think it's boring. And that's perfectly okay, because there are people like us…professional jewelry experts…all over the world…who DO take an interest in it, and learn about it, and study it and then arrange for these valuable items, and powerful symbols to be at the ready, when YOU'RE ready to take the plunge.

I know people want you to care more, but if you don’t, you don’t.  And there's no shame in that.

What I’ve found over the years is that a lot of guys are cool with whatever they buy when they know just 2 things: How much does it cost? Is she going to love it?

These are highly logical questions, and important ones. They may be the only 2 questions that need answering before you decide what to buy.

This got me thinking. I used to know the late, great Chris Farley back in my college days at Marquette University, and that sometimes leads me to think of the movie Tommy Boy. (If you haven't seen it, you should. It's good old '90's humor, and Farley is a classic!)

There is a scene the movie that illustrates my point about seeking out expert advice to make life easier as you get to your end game. It's near the beginning, and Tommy Boy’s dad, "Big Tom," is talking “sales” at his wedding to a bunch of guys at and around his table, and he says, “Of course I could get a helluva’ good look at a T-bone steak by sticking my head up a bulls ass…but I’d rather take the butcher’s word for it.”

I love that line because it clearly illustrates what I'm talking about when I tell people to seek out experts, and let them do their work on your behalf.

Like when you're hunting for the right piece of jewelry. If you’re not interested in knowing more about what you're buying besides what it costs and if she'll like it or not...no worries. Take the butcher's word for it...and hit the "go" button.

But here's the footnote I promised: this only holds true if you’re dealing with a reputable place.

And how do you find that place?  You ask around, read some reviews…use word-of-mouth…visit a website…or you could listen to Episode 36 called “Diamonds, Heroes, and A Simple Answer: The Best Advice for Making Jewelry Buying Easy” where I spell it out for you.

Physically going to a jewelry store is a thousand times more effective than trying to purchase online, because you can actually talk to the butcher. (Of course I’m referring to a jewelry professional.) It's like having a human search engine standing right in front of you to answer your questions (if you have them) as they guide you to the perfect piece for your particular situation.

To loosely quote Big Tom:  "They’re going to help you get that jewelry…and you won’t need to stick your head up a bulls ass to do it.

If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at  [email protected]. 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: 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