Which do you prefer, round or princess cut diamonds? Why? What are the pros/cons to each? [more inside]
posted on Sep 29, 2008 - 30 answers

Buying an engagement ring. Advice wanted on a) Estate Jewelry: recommendations on how to buy & not get ripped off. b) Make-your-own-ring workshops: how to get a good used diamond. c) recommendations for both of the above in the LA / SoCal area. [more inside]
posted on Mar 30, 2008 - 5 answers

Help me find a quality, non-diamond engagement ring that wont plunge me deeper into debt. [more inside]
posted on Jan 5, 2008 - 30 answers

Why do jewelers always insist of giving prices read from a calculator screen and not from the price tag of the piece I'm looking at? Do they give different people different prices? Or is it a way of accounting for fluctuating prices of gold or gems from week to week?
posted on Nov 19, 2007 - 16 answers

What are the best books about the South African diamond industry during the mid-to-late 19th century? [more inside]
posted on Jun 27, 2007 - 4 answers

How do blood diamonds and artificial diamonds not cancel eachother out? [more inside]
posted on Mar 21, 2007 - 21 answers

Please help my sister and me liberate ourselves (in a wise way) from a bitter, albeit shiny, inheritance [more inside]
posted on Aug 16, 2006 - 8 answers

Are there any other companies that have fooled as many people as De Beers? [more inside]
posted on Mar 27, 2006 - 59 answers

I was wondering if anybody has any knowledge of Canadian Diamond Traders Inc. [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2006 - 4 answers

I need a bunch of evidence/information to educate a friend about the diamond industry; why it is a monopoly, how it has fueled civil wars in African nations, the current state of diamond mining, etc. I thought there was also a famous photojournalist (Salgado?) who took photos of a diamond mine in Africa as well. Can anyone help me gather information on why diamonds should not be purchased? Thank you in advance.
posted on Feb 20, 2006 - 15 answers

Jewelry design? Suppose, for the sake of conversation, I'd like to know about key designers and what makes for "good" jewelry. [more inside]
posted on Dec 2, 2005 - 5 answers

If diamonds are the hardest substance known to man, how can you cut them? [more inside]
posted on Jul 26, 2005 - 9 answers

I have a diamond appraised at around $200 from a jeweler - and of course a pawn shop doesn't give a fair deal. How/where do you sell a diamond? I'm in Chicago if that helps.
posted on Jul 11, 2005 - 4 answers

I'm looking for recommendations for a reputable jeweler in the Washington DC area. [more inside]
posted on Mar 8, 2005 - 7 answers

I am fairly well resolved to do what must be done to turn my girlfriend into my fiance. One thing is delaying this: I'd like to get an engagement ring without enriching the diamond monopoly (she and I are both on the same page about this). What's to know about substitute/faux/synthetic gemstones? Are they worth it? What would make a good ring given this unorthodox constraint? Any and all suggestions much appreciated!
posted on Jul 14, 2004 - 32 answers

There's already been a question on AskMe about engagement ring advice, but I'm looking for something a little different. My buddy just spent $10,000 on an engagement ring because his fiance is feeling the pressure of being a brand new attorney in NYC and wanting to look the part. He didn't want to, but he did it anyway, cause her family was giving her the "If he loves you, he'd spend the money" spiel and it was really getting to her.

What could he have done at that point? She's a great girl, just a little prone to doing what her family wants her to do, so "RUN" isn't an appropriate response. Also, what is an appropriate price? $10,000 is about two months salary, but it seems extreme.

Google's not really any help....strangers who I've interacted with (ala MeFites) are significantly better than strangers I have not (ala some random webpage).
posted on May 24, 2004 - 84 answers

Need engagement ring advice. [more inside]
posted on Dec 26, 2003 - 27 answers