Offering diamond advice: how often and to whom?

[teobdl]

I get the sense that this board connects the few people who are really knowledgeable about diamonds with random strangers who really want to know more about diamonds, and so much knowledge rarely gets shared beyond this forum in real life.

I'm wondering: in real life, how often do you offer your knowledge and expertise about diamonds, and to whom (family members, friends, co-workers)? Do people in your social circle or co-workers know about your hobby or even indulge with you?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I definitely do not talk about my hobby unless the topic comes up, and it really never does. My sisters know I like jewelry,and they do, too, but they wear a lot of fashion jewelry than I do. They have asked me questions at times, and I did help one order a diamonds by the yard 36" necklace. I also helped my son-in-law choose a diamond for our daughter. But I haven't really had much opportunity beyond that in real life. I come into contact with far more people here than I do in real life!

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

People who know me well enough know that jewelry is my hobby and have asked me for help or direction from time to time. I don't really bring it up unless people ask or I know they are someone who would be interested. It's a surprisingly polarizing topic for many people. It's amazing how some people think it's OK for them to dictate what is appropriate for you to spend your money on.

 

[distracts]

I get the sense that this board connects the few people who are really knowledgeable about diamonds with random strangers who really want to know more about diamonds, and so much knowledge rarely gets shared beyond this forum in real life.

I'm wondering: in real life, how often do you offer your knowledge and expertise about diamonds, and to whom (family members, friends, co-workers)? Do people in your social circle or co-workers know about your hobby or even indulge with you?

Most people I know socially know about all my hobbies. Coworkers... some do and some don't. When I know someone is shopping for a piece of fine jewelry, I usually throw out that Pricescope.com is a great resource. I don't offer more info than that unless asked, which some people do. I have helped I guess three couples at this point pick out engagement rings - my brother, one of my best friends, and a totally random girl who I met at a party who is acquaintances with another best friend and got my email from said friend to pick my brain about rings. A few coworkers know, but only the ones I also see socially. Of the two who I talk most about jewelry with, one also loves antique and unique jewelry, and one is a physics nerd who likes to hear about the optics of gemstones.

Most of my friends ask me about this as you would ask any friend about a hobby they are interested in. I am interested in hearing about their marathon training (even though I hate running), rare book collecting (kinda cool, but I have no independent interest in this), clubbing (so much no interest), etc, you know? I don't really bring it up with coworkers because it's not related at all. But at least some notice that I have a different jewelry wardrobe for every occasion - I certainly don't hide that, and if they ask I am open about my interest in it as a hobby.

The only people I know irl who even remotely share my obsession are my buddies from silversmithing class.

 

[Gypsy]

My family members are regrettably stubborn. And the large majority of their jewelry purchases have been made against or without my advice.

My husband's co-workers know about my hobby. And I've helped them with their purchases. It's lovely.

My own coworkers do not know about my hobby. I prefer to keep it that way.

Many of my close friends are pricescopers, or people I met through pricescope. And we share bling adventures and advise one another. Which is also lovely.

 

[Karl_K]

I have helped a few localy, the last one I was helping him just before he pulled the trigger they were in at walmart and looked at rings and she said I want that one and he put it on his CC right there.
He could have done so much better but it was what she wanted so she was happy and that is whats important.

 

[ihy138]

I try to be covert about my addiction unless people ask why I have so much jewelry (relatively speaking) and I share with them that I like to collect and that it is a hobby. I find that folks don't like unsolicited advice, and I've learned that the hard way with some friends who are looking to get engaged. I more like to share my cool antique or estate finds with friends who I know will appreciate it simply from a historical perspective, and I've never offended anybody by doing that.

 

[Tourmaline]

I don't know as much as the experts on here obviously, but I know more than a lot of people, and I have nobody to talk to about it IRL, except my husband, who humors me.

I used to be an expert on something unrelated (also something that could be bought and sold), and I was very active in a similar forum for a number of years, until I got to the point where newbie questions made me roll my eyes, and my involvement with that community (and my interest in the subject) fizzled out.

 

[WinkHPD]

I have helped a few localy, the last one I was helping him just before he pulled the trigger they were in at walmart and looked at rings and she said I want that one and he put it on his CC right there.
He could have done so much better but it was what she wanted so she was happy and that is whats important.

LOL! Karl, that reminds me of a trip I took when the kids were young and I took scuba classes with them and then because mom was not interested in scuba we took a cruise before heading to Grand Cayman for four days of Scuba. While on the cruise we were at a table with two or three other couples and one of them wanted my advice on buying an emerald ring at one of the Cruise ship stops. I told her I would be honored to go with her once she had picked out a ring and tell her if I thought it was a good price or not.

That night she showed up with a hideous ring and proudly showed it to me and kept bugging me for an estimate of value until I foolishly broke down and told her piece by piece what I thought it would take to replicate the ring, ending with a total cost of about $750. She told me it was a $3,000 ring that she had been able to get discounted to $1,500 and that I was an idiot. I resisted the urge to tell her that I only said $750 to be kind, knowing in my heart that I could have made that ring with an equally excremental emerald for no more than $500 but did not want to hurt her feelings. I said instead that I would stand by my quote should she ever want another such ring to give as a gift.

They went to the purser and demanded to be seated elsewhere and I never again gave in to the urge to give off the cuff quotes...

Moral of the story:

Some people do not want your help, they just want you to validate what they have already decided to do (or done).

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

I don't know as much as the experts on here obviously, but I know more than a lot of people, and I have nobody to talk to about it IRL, except my husband, who humors me.

I used to be an expert on something unrelated (also something that could be bought and sold), and I was very active in a similar forum for a number of years, until I got to the point where newbie questions made me roll my eyes, and my involvement with that community (and my interest in the subject) fizzled out.

Tourmaline,

I think that may be one reason why so many of the former posting vendors rarely come by any more. What I don't think that they realize is that Andrey has over 400,000 unique visitors to the site each and every month and that the vast majority of them come, read, hopefully learn, and then depart, never to come again. Of those few who do decide to register and ask a question, MOST of them ask questions that have been answered many times, and may never realize that they have been asked 1000s of times. That is okay, they are new to them, and they deserve an answer.

I find that answering questions that I have answered before also helps me to hone my understanding of the underlying issue.

I just love this place and the discourse that takes place here. Some times it gets a bit acrimonious, but most times it is friendly AND informative, both of which are conducive to massive transference of information and knowledge.

Wink

 

[Karl_K]

Some people do not want your help, they just want you to validate what they have already decided to do (or done).

Wink

That is very true and makes it very tricky for one who has no tact when it comes to technical questions like me!

 

[madelise]

People who know me know my hobby. I never ever ever push any advice on anyone other than, "If you ever need help, I know my way around better than the average Joe to prevent you from getting swindled. Most jewelers can be like car salesmen!" or something along the lines of that.


I've stopped "liking" jewelry related pages on FB because I think my hobby is getting leaked out, and it's quite embarrassing.

 

[baby monster]

My family, friends and most co-workers know I'm into jewelry. No one, except my sister, has ever asked for advice while shopping for diamonds or any other jewelry. It seems most people have a "friend of a friend who's a jeweler/wholesaler and will give them a good price." I keep my mouth shut because no one likes unsolicited advice.

 

[ame]

I get the sense that this board connects the few people who are really knowledgeable about diamonds with random strangers who really want to know more about diamonds, and so much knowledge rarely gets shared beyond this forum in real life.

I'm wondering: in real life, how often do you offer your knowledge and expertise about diamonds, and to whom (family members, friends, co-workers)? Do people in your social circle or co-workers know about your hobby or even indulge with you?

Well, I get asked frequently in real life, esp with friends and family. I am presently assisting at least one family member on a top secret (ok not entirely) project right now, and I think it's possibly making the rest of my family significantly more aware of what I REALLY DO KNOW than they really gave me credit for til now. My family jokingly (mockingly?) refers to my 30x as my "atomic monocle" because I am overly concerned about the tiniest details, precision and minutia in ridiculous detail. I can explain everything, at least I think so, to them, and make it make sense in layman's terms, but I know of many people both within the industry and within this circle of posters who are simultaneously nodding their heads and rolling their eyes at me right now. Deservedly so.

 

[AprilBaby]

I have helped two co workers get gorgeous erings.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I don't say anything anymore. The majority of people I interact with spend their disposable income on vehicles and vacations rather than diamonds and most everyone I know who wears some diamond jewelry likes to flash it around, but they don't seem to consider it a hobby or something to have a conversation about. Every once in a while, I'll comment on someone's ring or whatever and they'll respond with a story about it and be super happy to talk about their upgrade or whatever (which is really fun!), but I never offer advice on where to buy. In fact, I've had people ask the specs on earrings, etc., but never has anyone asked where I purchased any of my diamonds from (except MANY sales associates ask where!), so there has never been a time to suggest a vendor, except I say where if a sales associate asks.