Does size really matter? Can a diamond get me out of the doghouse? Is Mark Moeller running for public office? Got a question about life, love or fine jewelry? The Hand is here to help.

You Ask: A guy at another store said he’d sell me a diamond at wholesale. Could that be true? How would I know?
The Hand Says: I don’t know about you, but I've never been able to buy a dollar for fifty cents. Other people in the jewelry business can’t either. So if some guy says he’s selling a diamond to you at wholesale, chances are he’s cashing in on your lack of diamond buying experience. Here’s a better idea: Don’t be a chump. Do your homework. Shop around. After all, this is one of the five most important purchases you'll make in your life. You want to know what you're getting and what you should expect to pay for it. That’s the only way to be sure you’re buying the best at the best price.

You Ask: The bigger the diamond, the more it costs. Right?
The Hand Says: Wrong! What might seem to the average guy on the street like subtle differences in quality make a dramatic difference in price. With diamonds it’s all about perfection. And perfection is not a cheap thing. Yes, bigger diamonds are harder to come by than smaller ones, so they are more expensive. But the fact is that very high quality diamonds are much rarer – and more precious – than lower quality large ones.

You Ask: Why should I buy from a jewelry store rather than a diamond broker?
The Hand Says: Diamond brokers typically don’t own their diamond inventories, so they don't carry the costs associated with owning the product. On the other hand, the highest quality and largest diamonds tend to be sold for cash, discounted from what a broker would pay. So the broker does not get the best diamonds – he gets the leftovers. Conclusion: You’re better off sticking with a reputable jeweler.

You ask: What’s the difference between white gold and platinum?
The Hand Says: Like so many of the finer things in life, it comes down to purity.  Platinum is 90 – 95 percent pure, and won’t ever show a yellowish tinge. White gold is a mixture of yellow gold and nickel, which makes it less pure than platinum and less durable. Because of its greater durability, platinum won't wear down like white gold, so it's a good choice for setting precious gemstones. Not that I'm disrespecting gold. It’s beautiful, classic, rich, and I look amazing in it.

You ask: Do you guarantee your stuff?
The Hand Says: Yes we do. Do you guarantee yours??  At R. F. Moeller Jeweler we have a 30-day money-back guarantee on anything you buy, except custom-designed jewelry. If at any time during that 30-day period you change your mind and want to return or exchange your purchase, come on in and the people at Moeller will give you a full refund or store credit.

You ask: What if I want to trade up to a bigger rock later in life?
The Hand Says: Some things grow larger as life goes on. Your love, for instance. Your bank account, if all goes well. And so can your diamond. At R. F. Moeller you get a 100 percent lifetime trade-in guarantee. If at any time you decide you’d like to move up to a larger – or better – Moeller diamond, we'll credit 100% of the value of the one you trade in toward that purchase.