12 replies to this topic

[aijalon]

We'd like to know to what primary US state are diamonds imported? Is there one state to where all the diamonds are imported to then distributed to other states or jewelry stores? Diamonds primarily are imported from Africa, right? Who's doing the primary importing? to which US state? We have a running bet going here at work.

[jan]

I don't know if there is any one state in particular. I know that we import goods from Antwerp and Israel here in Florida, and so do many other jewelers as well as wholesalers. I believe that the middle men are getting more cut out now so many jewelers are probably importing their own goods.

[denverappraiser]

Diamonds flow between states pretty easily. An importer can be from one state, clear customs in another state and hold the inventory in a third state while their clients think they are somewhere else entirely. If I were to bet, I'ld pick New York but that's based purely on the large population and a historical diamond industry there. I would prefer to be betting on which state is NOT the biggest importer. I'll pick Wyoming.

The same is true of the exporting countries. Diamonds are often mined in one location, traded in a second, cut in a third, made into jewelry at a fourth, etc. Again, if I had t bet, I would pick India as the biggest exporter but they have no mines at all.

Clear as mud eh?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

[barry]

NY, Chicago, and LA.

[ben]

My vote is for NY.

[brianknox]

Hard to substantiate to the level of proof that most bettors seem to require

However, I think that it would be NY, hands down.

[denverappraiser]

barry, on Thursday, Apr 21 2005, 03:04 PM, said:

NY, Chicago, and LA.

Barry,

When did Chicago get statehood?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

[barry]

denverappraiser, on Thursday, Apr 21 2005, 05:41 PM, said:

barry, on Thursday, Apr 21 2005, 03:04 PM, said:

NY, Chicago, and LA.

Barry,

When did Chicago get statehood?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

What happened? You forget LA?

I just took a page out of Abbott and Costello's playbook:

Remember the show when Costello had to ice his sore ankle, got up on the step-ladder to reach the epsom salts on the very top shelf but instead tipped over and used the cement mix.

After his ankle had become hardened in the cement mix, he started screaming Fire! Fire!!

Abbott came rushing in with a fire extinguisher, found no fire, and really lit into Costello.

Costello's response (paraphrase): Ya think if I shouted Cement! Cement! anybody would come save me?

Same here: You think anybody connects Illinois with diamonds? Now Chicago, we know is a busy diamond center (Wabash Avenue).

[denverappraiser]

Hmmm. I suppose that's as good an excuse as any.

LA is a state of mind.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

[barry]

I guess you're not an A&C fan. Pity.

[denverappraiser]

What can I say? I'm a barbarian.



aijalon,

Who won the bet?


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

[barry]

Self-pity for an Independent Appraiser. Unseemly.

The A&C reference was an attempt to inject some humor. Sheesh.

[denverappraiser]

Humor?

Are we allowed to do that in a public forum? Surely you jest?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA