Introducing myself - My take on the wonderful world of diamonds!

[NEdiamondguy]

Hello to one and all. I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself and just give my thought and impressions of this crazy business we call diamond buying.

I have been in the jewelry business in Nebraska for over 6 years. working for a locally owned mom and pop shop that recently celebrated its 100th year in business. In that time I have had the great pleasure of helping thousands of engagement couples and frazzled husbands find just the right jewelry piece to celebrate their special occasion.

I am glad to see a site that is so interested in promoting consumer awareness and education. Although this site seems a little bit "right-brained" to me, it is packed full of some very good info that if you use it wisely (and some of it with a HUGE grain of salt

), can really help you through the diamond buying process.

What it all boils down to people is: go with who you trust. If buying a diamond at Wal-Mart is your thing, go for it! If you want to buy a diamond that you have never seen and only know the ''''specs''''. Why not? If you want to go through a locally owned independent and pay a little more, okay!

It is almost unfortunate that anyone who wants to can hang out a shingle and sell gemstones but you have to have a degree to write prescriptions for medicine and the like. The expertise and knowledge of a professional jeweler can really be priceless when it comes to spending several thou on a wad of glass-like material

. But now as always, we will be there for you through the good times weddings/anniversaries) and bad (I recently made a set of "remembrance rings" for a husband and wife who''''s son was killed in an auto accident).

So ask away, make you posts, do your research and above all stay happy!

Bill M. - NEdiamond guy!

 

[valeria101]

Date: 10/25/2005 9:55:20 AM
Author:NEdiamondguy


I am glad to see a site that is so interested in promoting consumer awareness and education. Although this site seems a little bit 'right-brained' to me, it is packed full of some very good info that if you use it wisely (and some of it with a HUGE grain of salt), can really help you through the diamond buying process.

Loved reading your 'entry note' !

Century-old stores have something to them... Is there a story to it?
About the salt mentioned above, please feel free to add the required amount if any stuff I post goes awry.

 

[kenny]

Welcome Bill

Nice to see a mom and pop guy at peace with today''s diamond market reality.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Welcome to Pricescope Bill.

Congratulations on the century mark for your store. Hang around and you'll find some 'left-brainers' around here too.

It's a good balance.

 

[JC]

Great post Bill! Excellent perspective! I enjoyed reading what you had to say. Welcome to PS.....

 

[door knob solitaire]

Welcome Bill M.


Hi Bill. I am fairly new too. I LOVE THIS BOARD!! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!!

I find that I learn more than just the technical aspects of buying diamonds or jewelry...there is an emotional element involved...for we of the female persiasion...it is likely the most important part.

I think all jewelers or employees should consider a few minutes reading PS. The insight gained is far greater here, than a dribble of foot traffic you see in a week standing in a brick and mortar (even though your B&M is a 100 years young). I bet some of your foot traffic comes and goes with the caveat "I'm just looking...I'm just looking". And some may even say to you "Young whipper snapper, I have been shopping in this store since 1905..." well, 1905...Ok, maybe not..1905. Anyway the board may have a youthful right brain advantage...suited just for you, "You young Whipper Snapper!"

Here you get to pick right and left brains...and then of course the female brain...which I have one of those kind

. And we'll be able to see what's inside yours!

Viewed your profile, went to your website and found some great designs. Here is one:

Welcome and be kind with the right brainers!

Door Knob Solitaire

PS. Salt is to flavor food...We measure things here not in grains...but in Carats!

 

[strmrdr]

Welcome to PS from one of those right brained :} gota have the numbers type.
Cant be using the wrong brain now can we?
hmmmmmm well it is a diamond site hmmmmmm
flashback to remote control commercial.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-power-of-diamonds.35182/

 

[cymbrie]

Hi Bill and welcome.

I''m very new to PS, but already loving this wonderful community and lovely group of folks. It''s nice to have another expert to ask all my silly newbie questions to. Will look forward to reading your 2 cents on all the sparklies discussed here.

 

[Kaleigh]

Hi Bill and welcome to PS

It will be nice to have you here. I love the mom and pop stores too.

 

[mrssalvo]

Hi Bill and welcome. Thanks for indroducing yourself. i look forward to reading your posts..

 

[NEdiamondguy]

Thanks all for adding to my thread! BTW...I actually look better than the avatar I chose. LOL I look forward to giving you all any answers I have....stupid looks are free as always

.

Even thought the i-net is the "new diamond reality" I believe that for such an emotional purchase, people will still trust the independant jeweler just as they will trust their family physician.

As for my store''s story, (and a little shameless plug), I work for Sartor Hamann Jewelers in Lincoln, NE. It was started by Ernie Sartor in 1905 as one of thefirst jewelry stores in Lincoln. (Actually we think he bought into it, but have a hard time tracking the public records.) The Hamann family came into the stores in the mid 1930''s and purchased the remaining interest in it in the 1950''s and they still own it today. We have outlasted Woolworths, Monkey Wards and a host of other large national chains, so yes 100 years is definitely special. It makes us one of a handful of 4th+ generation jewelers in the world! Our owner, Don is Past-President of Jewelers of America and sits on the advisory board for Jewelers Mutual Insurance - the largest private jewelry insurer in the world!

We have about 14 Graduate Gemologists on staff at any given time and most of us hold the title of Registered Jeweler with the American Gem Society.

Peace out! and keep those inquiries coming!

Bill M.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Welcome Bill!
I also come from a family jewelry store environment. I worked in one of our family retail jewelry stores with BOTH of my parents for TEN long years!! Talk about a prison sentence! It did make me thoroughly understand the consumer, their emotions, likes and dislikes. One cannot fully appreciate the jewelry industry or really even understand it....unless they have "stood behind the counter." Remember....nothing happens UNTIL someone sells something.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[Shay37]

Welcome to Pricescope, Bill. If your first posts are any indication, you''re going to be a hoot to have around. Love the wry sense of humor. Welcome

shay

 

[cutes814]

Welcome to PS Bill!

I adore mom & pop jewelry stores. It has a very warm and welcoming feeling to it. My engagement ring was made by my jeweler who is also the owner of a mom & pop store, so I support you guys very much!

 

[WinkHPD]

Welcome! You will have a LOT of fun here.

Wink

 

[Capitol Bill]

Welcome, Bill!

We could always use another Bill here. Maybe someday we''ll have one as President!

Bill Scherlag

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/25/2005 10:31:20 PM
Author: Capitol Bill

We could always use another Bill here. Maybe someday we''ll have one as President!

I''m just a Bill...

(woops, my generation is showing)

 

[MissAva]

Date: 10/25/2005 1:34:49 PM
Author: NEdiamondguy


Even thought the i-net is the ''new diamond reality'' I believe that for such an emotional purchase, people will still trust the independant jeweler just as they will trust their family physician.

Bill M.

Yes and just like with their MDs no one wants to pay for it anymore.
Welcome to Pricescope Bill, I look forward to reading your posts.

John you are not showing your age! Schoolhouse is still alive! Conjunction Junction is timeless!

 

[bling*diva*]

~~Welcome to PS Bill M.!!!!!

 

[NEdiamondguy]

"Yes and just like with their MDs no one wants to pay for it anymore".


Well...true as that maybe, when ya gots a heart problem, you go see a specialist. In other words, thems that don''t look sometimes gets took!

Peace, love and groovyness!

M.

 

[MiniMouse]

Welcome Bill, it''s always refreshing to hear humor amongst serious talk about diamonds. Your experience, expertise and advice will certainly be appreciated.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome too Bill!

It will be good to hear your professional opinions and expertise and experience here! Hope to be hearing lots from you. This is a fun as well as an educational place and I am sure you will enjoy your visits.