Most people know very little about diamonds before they make their first major purchase for an engagement ring. Many start with online research and quickly get misdirected into learning about the technical specifications useful for buying a specific type of diamond online. **That is not what diamonds are about.**

“My diamond is a 1.04ct G VS2 Triple EX Ideal Cut” said no woman ever.

(“Buying a diamond was so romantic” said no man ever.)

When women first begin to learn about diamonds, it is usually from an older relative’s jewelry. My grandmother used to show off the pieces in her collection because, well... she wanted more granddaughters. As women grow up, they notice the jewelry that women they admire are wearing.

Men don’t. Men rarely look closely at women’s engagement rings until they are shopping for one themselves. If you are a man shopping for a diamond ring, do yourself a favor: start thinking like a woman.

There is nothing romantic about buying a diamond, but it is romantic to receive one. Men get obsessed with diamond specs and value for the money. When men are managing money and investments, they usually turn to spreadsheets. Most online diamond retailers - which are selling to men - make their sites look like spreadsheets, to help men feel productive in their shopping research. Most online retailers are selling to men. Most jewelry stores are selling to women, who care more about the emotion evoked by the store and the merchandise.

Instead of crunching numbers to find a diamond of a high perceived cost per carat ratio, set a budget, then maximize the romance around the entire experience.

I understand that engagement rings are a difficult purchase for many men. That is why I offer a day-long class where you can play with tools and fire to create an engagement ring with your own hands. I can think of no better way of putting romance into an engagement ring than that.