Diamond Answer Man

How to protect yourself from a 10,000 loss in 5 minutes.

Steinmetz Pink – renamed Pink Star in 2007, now sold for 83.2mil and renamed pink dream.

 

 

 

5 Ways To The Perfect Diamond Ring!

* Plan Out Cost In Advance

* Do Not Get Hung Up on the fine details (ie rarity characteristics, keep beauty in mind)

* Be covert and find her ring size

* Research Taste In Advance

* Remember – Spending More than you can afford is not an indication of your depth of feelings.

 

How the California Made In USA law may effect what California Jewelers may claim about their products.

I may soon may be illegal for Jewelers in California to claim their wares as Made In USA!

Why ? It may soon only be lawful in California to claim “Made In USA” if 100% of the product is made and sourced in the USA.

I am not a lawyer however here is a quote “all or virtually all” standard, meaning that a “Made in the USA” claim for a product (with no other qualifications) is appropriate only when all or virtually all of the materials and labor that went in to the manufacture of the product are of U.S. origin.” .

 

 

Hello everyone!

 

This week I answer some questions concerning where diamonds come from and whether or not Canadian diamonds are different and/or better (I added that) than elsewhere in the world!  Along with reviewing last show and talking about the Labs, Rapnet’s article and the differences in the labs. This last few weeks has been a personal whirlwind for me – buring the candle at both ends! I hope this show makes up for the missed weeks and some of the issues in last weeks show!

 

As always contact me through the speakpipe link to the right or call me at 803-792-1326 and leave me a message there!

J. Christopher Guritz!

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for you listening ear!

If you are shopping for a diamond and/or diamond engagement ring – getting lost in all the details – How about just saying “Show Me” when performance is your goal. I talk about why you don’t want to use theoretical grading scales as applicable to diamond performance. Its a lot easier that this – take the guess work out of buying and make sure the jeweler shows you. What if you cant tell the difference? Or better yet – Why? Cant I tell the difference.. What this may mean and how to quickly discern differences. As always please feel free to use my SpeakPipe link to the right to ask me any questions!

Also we talk about what happens when we buy from a jeweler that doesn’t have good return policy and we review a worst case scenario from an email I received.

 

Feel free to contact me at 803-792-1326 or direct through the SpeakPipe link to the right.

 

 

Diamond Answer Man – Episode 23.

Wow! I saved a lot – My Appraisal Says So!

The HUGE problem with certain jewelers and brokers is selling diamonds and jewelry based upon inflated appraisals. Did you know this can cost you money in the long run. How this trick influences our price-blind buyers into feeling they have received a good deal. Listen in – then talk to you jeweler and get the reasons why the numbers don’t match.

Appraised value – is not the same as Cash Value(liquidation value) unless stated.

You ring is unsaleable at the appraised value – why?

What is the appraised value good for?

Any questions call me!

803-792-1326

J. Christopher Guritz

 

Diamond Answer Man – Episode 22.

 

The number 1 Way you don’t get what you want is by loosing focus.

Remember what you want and what you spend are related – but not the same.

 

Many years ago I worked for a diamond polishing company. We had a full division dedicated to selling to wholesalers – who in turn sold to jewelers. We also had a division that worked directly with retail buyers by appointment only.  During my many years there I ran into some very unique situations dealing with grooms to be shopping for engagement rings. I experienced what I call “price blindness”. It is a case where they buyer “the groom to be” has lost all focus on the engagement rings meaning and turned all emotional energy into receiving the lowest price. This emotional break in the process creates some very interesting and weird outcomes.

1. Shock from the buyer – through buyers remorse

2. Shock from the recipient – it isn’t what she thought it was.

3. Or Conversely  and strangely rabid fans.

 

What usually occurs it the buyer shops and shops until he finds someone who will give him the price that he perceives is the lowest quote from anyone he has shopped.

He ends up with something he didn’t want – however he doesn’t know it yet. It will come sooner or late and denial or frustration sets in.. Don’t fall for this make sure you stay focused and buy from someone with Personality, Enthusiasm and Integrity or PEI “PAY” for short. – Yes I made that up! But its fun isn’t it?

 

Here is the scenario..

Bob goes to several stores but stops with Jeweler Joe and really likes what Jeweler Joe has to offer. However, Bob is very concerned he’s not getting a good enough deal – though Bob has been to several stores and he pretty sure Jeweler Mikes price is right and his service sounds good too. Bob decides not to buy today from Jeweler Mike because he knows he can find a better deal. He ends up visiting Jeweler Jane and buys a diamond that appears better than Jeweler Joe for the the same price.

 

Here is an example of two diamonds with reports from GIA and EGL USA.

The EGL report is a color grade higher.

This makes Jeweler Janes offer appear better than Jeweler John.

(THESE ARE ACTUAL STONES I SENT OFF)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the end – the problem lies with our feelings.

Unfortunately what most people want is an appraiser to validate their savvy buying decision.

If an appraiser accurately values an item at what you paid for it – the illusion of the deal isn’t there.

Don’t become price obsessed – if you do – you will start to ignore very important signs of whether or not you should buy from someone.

These are small examples – there are PAPER MILLS out there – that produce laboratory reports that sadly place grades on reports that are falsely inflated – which in turns creates a bigger illusion.

Example Jeweler Jane has a GIA G/SI1 and Jeweler John has a E/VS2 from an unknown lab (or from a known lab name like EGL USA – except is says EGL but this lab is in Turkey, which is not affiliated with EGL USA)

You based upon the extreme value it seems to represent.

Jane’s diamond is 5100

John’s diamond is 5100 (however Jane also had a diamond with GIA report and E/VS2 grade that she offered at 7200)

This appears to you as roughly a 30% savings. And you justify it in your mind by saying – jewel...

What are color treated diamonds? Diamond Answer Man – Episode 21

How Perfect is Perfect? Diamond Answer Man – Episode 2o

When it comes to diamonds and diamond grading you will find terms such as “perfect”, “ideal”, “super ideal” and many more.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that the terms one company may use to describe their diamonds will differ upon application and even vary from laboratory to laboratory.

These terms are subjective descriptors.

What is perfect for one person is not necessarily perfect for another or even standards as defined by one lab over another.

 

* To Cert or Not To Cert

* Cost

* Rarity

* Guarantee

* Affidavit of Diamond Grade

* Blood diamonds – New Alerts and response by the industry.

* 1 is to many

* Illegal in U.S.

* Even Kimberly Approved diamonds can still be illegal in U.S.

* Kimberly is the starting point

* Affidavit of Diamond Grade

 

* Polished in the U.S.

* Started Networking

* I will start calling out people individuals and companies with polishing

facilities operating in the United States.

* Forum is finished and is open to all. Just visit with us at the community.

* Started working on a video for comparing the three optical performance

tools used in the selling and grading process. For the uber geek I have built

models in a ray tracing program to show the difference between the three

and will have this video out in the couple of weeks.

 

Follow up join the forum, if you are buying today.. use the affidavit of diamond

grade if the stone does not have a cert. Help promote polished in the U.S.

ask you jeweler for diamonds polished in America.

Well that’s all for this week.

If you have any questions call me – for free advice- 803-793-1326 and

one more way.. join the forum ask – or send it through twitter at damjcguritz.