Podcast Summary: Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel

Episode: Buying a Diamond? What You Need to Know About Lab-Grown vs. Real Diamonds with Watch King NYC
Release Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Rachel Uchitel
Guest: Moshe (Watch King NYC)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Rachel Uchitel sits down with Moshe—better known as Watch King NYC, a major figure in New York’s Diamond District—to take listeners inside the high-stakes worlds of luxury watches and diamonds. The conversation boldly tackles tough topics like stigma around lab-grown versus natural diamonds, the myths of jewelry as investment, Moshe’s dramatic journey from Hasidic rabbi to luxury dealer, and the realities of self-reinvention.

With Moshe’s raw candor and expertise, Rachel uncovers what most customers (and even industry insiders) get wrong about diamonds, watches, and what value in luxury really means.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Moshe’s Backstory: From Hasidic Roots to the Diamond District

• Raised in a deeply religious Hasidic Jewish community in Queens.
• His father wanted him to be a rabbi ("doctor for the soul"), but Moshe dreamed of being a plastic surgeon.
• Left the religious life at 22, borrowed $50k from his dad, and began working in the watch business.
• Early success, but lost everything—including over $1 million—due to gambling addiction; experienced homelessness and entered rehab.
  • Quote: “I lost my business, lost my house, lost everything. Was homeless, went to rehab, therapy for two years, cleaned my act, and now we're here.” (09:59)

2. Luxury Watches: Market Reality & Misconceptions

• Most buyers misunderstand the true "investment" value of watches.
• Moshe champions the used market; new watches, like cars, lose value immediately unless ultra-rare.
• Watches are more about enjoying luxury and status than guaranteed financial gain.
  • Quote: “I don't call it an investment. It's investable. It's not an investment. You're not guaranteed to make money.” (12:51)
• Rolex dominates resale value and brand recognition.
• Profit margins for watch dealers are slimmer than most expect; jewelry brings in more profit.

Timestamps

• [11:21] Explains watch brands and buyer levels.
• [14:04] “We make more money on jewelry than watches.”

3. Jewelry & Diamonds: The Truth About Lab-Grown vs. Natural

Breaking Down the Stigma

• The biggest current conversation: The value, stigma, and future of lab-grown diamonds versus mined/natural diamonds.
• Many incorrectly believe lab-grown stones are "fakes" or less meaningful.
  • Quote: “The misconception is that a lab grown diamond is not a diamond.” (36:36)
• Both are chemically, physically, and optically the same; only high-tech machines can tell them apart.
  • Quote: “You put in a diamond tester, it's going to pass. It's a diamond. It just [is] made differently.” (36:40)

Economics & Value

• Massive price difference: Lab-grown stones can be 60–80% cheaper.
• Both types lose substantial resale value instantly.
  • Quote: “You’re going to sell me this natural 3 carat you bought for 30k tomorrow. How much am I paying you? 15,000. You lose 50% of your money. You buy this 3 carat for 3 grand—how much am I paying you when you sell it back to me? Nothing.” (41:04)
• Diamonds (even natural) are no longer a reliable investment; if profit’s your goal, "buy a house."
• Most diamond value is status and perception, not intrinsic worth.

Changing Consumer Perceptions

• Moshe himself wears lab-grown, calls it the “smart” option.
• Main difference is only production method, not value in appearance.
  • Quote: “There's two ways to make ice. 20 degrees outside, the water becomes ice—that's the natural way. And there's the machine way through a freezer. They're both ice. Same thing with diamond.” (36:10)
• “Lab-only” advice for best friends seeking engagement rings.

Timestamps

• [36:09] Analogy: Ice and diamonds — natural vs. machine-made
• [38:14] Chemical and physical identity between lab and natural
• [41:14] Diamonds no longer an investment since labs entered the market

Pitfalls for Consumers

• Overpaying for lab-grown stones is widespread due to lack of consumer education.
  • Quote: “That stone should have cost you a penny over $8,000. Straight highway robbery.” (43:14)
• Moshe launches a membership program to sell jewelry at cost, aiming to disrupt predatory pricing.

4. Social Media & Business Transformation

• TikTok and Instagram were game-changers for building Moshe's brand (“Watch King NYC”), enabling transparency and education.
• “Coin flips” for watch deals went viral, further distinguishing his store and persona.
  • Quote: “Now they started [recognizing me] because we started educating and you start acting yourself.” (28:14)

Timestamps

• [27:21] Moshe’s leap into Instagram/TikTok
• [29:23] Origin of viral “coin flip” sales

5. Personal Philosophy, Giving Back, & Trauma

• Moshe is open about addiction, mental health challenges, and the importance of daily resilience.
  • Quote: “The hardest thing was to admit what you're doing. It's the hardest thing in the world.” (18:51)
• Emphasizes humility, kindness, and helping others as ultimate values—driven partly by past hardship.
  • Quote: “Be humble. You never know. Be nice to people. ... One smile, one hug, one good morning, one how you doing? ... might save somebody's life.” (61:15)
• His dream: Use business success to fund medical advances and support children with cancer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lab vs. Natural
  “Put it in a diamond tester, it's going to pass. It's a diamond. It just [is] made differently.” — Moshe (36:40)
• On Value & Investment
  “Nothing in jewelry is investable. Whoever tells you investment is just lying to you.” — Moshe (47:04)
• On Consumer Pitfalls
  “If you're spending more than... the biggest ring, it's not $15k. If anyone is telling you that, oh, it's the best of the best Lab grown, if they're quoting you more than 15,000, you're getting robbed. Straight highway robbery.” — Moshe (43:54)
• On Life After Bankruptcy
  “One hour at a time, one day at a time. ... Every day you're clean, every day you don't gamble, it's a victory for you.” — Moshe (19:34)
• On Kindness
  “You'll never know when you might need somebody. ... One smile, one hug, one good morning, one how you doing—might save somebody's life.” — Moshe (61:15)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment / Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:09 | Lab-grown vs natural diamond analogy & quick intro | | 05:34 | Moshe’s Hasidic childhood, family expectations | | 09:59 | Losing everything to gambling and journey to recovery | | 11:21 | Watch brands, resale markets, and used vs new | | 14:04 | Jewelry vs watches: Margins and misunderstandings | | 27:21 | Beginning on Instagram/TikTok; brand building | | 29:23 | The “coin flip” sales technique | | 36:09 | Lab vs natural diamonds: Industry reality | | 41:04 | Resale woes and myth-busting "diamond investment" | | 43:14 | Customer overpaying—industry warning | | 47:04 | “Nothing is investable”—luxury’s true value revealed | | 51:03 | Story of getting robbed, resilience in business/life | | 61:15 | Daily advice: Humility, kindness, impact on others |

The Takeaway:

This episode unflinchingly reveals the inside truths of the diamond and luxury watch trades, challenging entrenched beliefs around what’s “real,” what’s valuable, and what’s worth your money when it comes to luxury purchases. Moshe’s story is one of second chances, radical honesty, and relentless advocacy for consumer education—making this a must-listen for anyone shopping for engagement rings, watches, or just seeking inspiration for reinvention and resilience.

How to Connect with Moshe (Watch King NYC):

• Instagram: @watchkingnyc
• Jewelry at cost membership: watchkingjewelry.com
• Emphasizes: “Try me. And if I come out as a liar, you get any piece of jewelry you want for free. Try me.” (59:53)

Final Words

“Be nice to people. You'll never know when you might need somebody. ... Might save somebody's life.” — Moshe (61:15)

This summary focuses strictly on episode content, omitting intros, ads, and non-content matter for clarity and utility to new listeners.