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Diamonds Suck (2006)

diamondssuck.com

51–60 of 618 posts

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#51
post #6

Similar arguments can be made about almost any fashion item. People don't buy fashion due to it's great quality, and most of the time not even due to good design, but mostly just to show off.

Yeah, the arguments about resale value seem ridiculous. Who's buying a wedding ring as an investment?

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#52
post #15
post #8

After reading about Moissanite I went out and got a nice custom diamond ring. I've seen it in person and sometimes you CAN tell, because of the 'fire' its way more rainbowy than diamond, diamonds are 'whiter' looking. I'm not even opposed to CZ if it looks pretty, but I wanted to give her a diamond and gold, and anything else would have felt like a substitution.

This is what annoys me. The geek and idealist in me doesn't want to give her a diamond because it's not that valuable. Yet, I don't want to be cheap. I don't want her to feel like I don't value her enough.

> I don't want to be cheap

Why not get something expensive, yet valuable then?

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#53

Can anyone give me advice on how to convince my girlfriend of this though without her thinking I love her any less :)?

Apparently couples spend on average $4k on a wedding ring and from moissanite.net I see the most expensive ring costing $2,575. If that's too "low" then keep buying necklaces, ankle bracelets and belly button rings until it adds up to $4k.

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From reading this, just show it to her. It says people can't spot the difference.

Lying is a great way to start a relationship. Then when she goes to get the ring insured or tries to add it to your homeowners or renters insurance and the appraisal comes back you can have the informed, rational discussion of your thought process with no fall out. Just in case someone wants to avoid that approach, it might be helpful to have some specific arguments. I think it is good to point out what you could use…

Spend 10% on the ring and the extra 90% add to the honeymoon budget, or buy her something she actually needs.

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#55

Seems like an american things really. In France, nobody would expect anyone to buy a certain kind of ring. As long as it's pretty, you can go for anything. Or no engagement ring. Some friends of mine don't even get wedding rings. And I just met a not married couple wearing rings just because they liked it. Our wedding ceremonies are also usually way cheaper and less show off that the ones your pop culture is selling…

It's a bit of a stretch to say that only diamond rings are acceptable, but also to say that they're unknown outside the United States.

They are not unknown but diamonds are "just another expensive stone" here. People do think they got a lot of value though, it's just that the symbolism of buying one is not as strong.

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#56
post #10
post #4

Great advice. Possibly coming from someone who doesn't have a girlfriend. :) try to give such a stone to a girl and see how amused she is gonna be. You are just gonna sound "cheap". Diamonds are a status, not a beautiful stone. edit: I see many downvotes. Guys, seriously, was it for me, I would buy nothing. It's just how this world works. You can express your anger by downvoting me, I'll be fine, but please don't fal…

If your girlfriend dumps you because you're not spending $5,000 on a diamond ($5,000 that could be invested for your future house, baby, etc) then you should probably celebrate.

[deleted]

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#57
post #9

A diamond purchase is a type of proof-of-burn. It's a way to display how much you value the person by being willing to sacrifice a large part of your savings for them. It's not really about the stone itself, it's about the cost.

Then give a donation receipt for a charity that you both support for the cost of the diamond instead. At least that way the sacrificed money will support something you both believe in rather than the diamond industry.

It's also to display for others, not just for the receiver of the ring.

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#59

Seems like an american things really. In France, nobody would expect anyone to buy a certain kind of ring. As long as it's pretty, you can go for anything. Or no engagement ring. Some friends of mine don't even get wedding rings. And I just met a not married couple wearing rings just because they liked it. Our wedding ceremonies are also usually way cheaper and less show off that the ones your pop culture is selling…

It's a bit of a stretch to say that only diamond rings are acceptable, but also to say that they're unknown outside the United States.

> It's a bit of a stretch to say that only diamond rings are acceptable

"only" is a pretty exclusive word, but I don't think it's a stretch saying that only diamond rings are acceptable in the general case. Especially amongst the reasonably affluent class that you'll find a lot of on HN, not getting a diamond for a spouse would be unusual enough that friends would whisper behind your backs about it.

(And to be clear, I'm of the opinion that this is crazy.)

Re: Diamonds Suck (2006)

#60
Another alternative is synthetic, lab grown diamonds. They are superior to naturally occuring diamonds, cheaper, aren't tainted by human misery and suffering like conflic/blood diamondst, and arent extracted from ecologically damaging mining techniques like open pit mining.
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