81–90 of 239 posts
The only downside is that it's not as tough as diamond, so you have to take some care not to damage it, although this can be mitigated by the way it's mounted in the ring.
Sorry but is this the real reason why somebody buys a diamond? The number one reason why anybody buys anything expensive is because they wish to make a statement for that moment. Now if you go by what this article is trying to convey is the value of diamonds in the investment per se. No body I know buys diamonds as an investment. My father once gave me a gift which his father gave it to him. Which is basically a wris…
So why do I have to buy my future fiance a diamond to experience that moment? Why not give her a piece of coal? It's the same element/material, just in a different, albeit less attractive, form. No one's arguing about the idea of giving a gift or a token or your love. The issue is about why this token needs to be a diamond. I know that in our family, and my girlfriend's, there is a lot of jewellery that is passed dow…
Try gifting her a piece of coal and watch.
Really why should you wear a suit? Or why should you wear a watch? Or why should you dine a good restaurant?
There are a few emotions attached to a few things. Like for example Roses.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I swear, De Beers has probably pulled off the greatest marketing stunt in the history of humanity. De Beers has the advantage of selling a luxury good. The point of buying a diamond is to demonstrate one's financial ability. People don't really want cheap diamonds. I doubt their marketing campaign is a good pattern for normal products.
The trick is to turn a less luxurious good into a luxury good. Which is rather like what they did. Cars are an area where this is really common. BMW doesn't bring their lower end stuff into the US. Toyota created Lexus to be a luxury brand. Or there's the pricier sorts of bottled water...
"It's a limited-time opportunity to create an inconceivably rare sneaker. Each month, Nike is releasing a new, exclusive material option for the Nike Air Force 1 High Premium iD. A limited number of pairs is available to customize each month, so get one while you can."
Wow, absolutely brilliant. I can't believe this article popped up on HN's front page tonight. I just got back from looking at engagement rings with my girlfriend. I've known about this monopoly for a while, and so has she. Heck, one of the first movies we watched together when we first started dating 7 years ago was Blood Diamond. Here's the conversation we had while in the jewellery store tonight. Me: "Sweety, I rea…
I give major props to my now wife being OK with the gold engagement ring I bought out of principle. It had a fanciful cheesy design too. :)
Good luck!
Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I swear, De Beers has probably pulled off the greatest marketing stunt in the history of humanity. De Beers has the advantage of selling a luxury good. The point of buying a diamond is to demonstrate one's financial ability. People don't really want cheap diamonds. I doubt their marketing campaign is a good pattern for normal products.
The trick is to turn a less luxurious good into a luxury good. Which is rather like what they did. Cars are an area where this is really common. BMW doesn't bring their lower end stuff into the US. Toyota created Lexus to be a luxury brand. Or there's the pricier sorts of bottled water...
If you can get yourself into a "value through market position" opportunity early on, it seems like a license to print money.
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Good question. There is a second-hand diamond marketplace. But the discount you get is proportional to the extra effort you must exert to get the diamond you want. Do you want a 2 carat triple-A GIA certified round brilliant with VS1 clarity, >I color, and an HCA score under 2? Good luck. You'll spend months tracking that down. And you better know what you're doing or you could get scammed. Or you could go to a diamo…
So there's an opportunity here, for a market facilitator. Hire a few qualified gemstone appraisers, set up an auction site and take a small rake off the top.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
So why do I have to buy my future fiance a diamond to experience that moment? Why not give her a piece of coal? It's the same element/material, just in a different, albeit less attractive, form. No one's arguing about the idea of giving a gift or a token or your love. The issue is about why this token needs to be a diamond. I know that in our family, and my girlfriend's, there is a lot of jewellery that is passed dow…
>>So why do I have to buy my future fiance a diamond to experience that moment? Why not give her a piece of coal? It's the same element/material, just in a different, albeit less attractive, form. Try gifting her a piece of coal and watch. Really why should you wear a suit? Or why should you wear a watch? Or why should you dine a good restaurant? There are a few emotions attached to a few things. Like for example Ros…
Many people are questioning the first two. :)
"good restaurant" is not quite precise: if you meant "popular", "chic", people are questioning that too. If you meant "has tasty food", then the analogy doesn't hold.
Your roses example is a good one though.
My advice, take her on a trip to Paris and Versailles instead... or climb Mount Everest if you're more adventurous. We have great memories.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Good question. There is a second-hand diamond marketplace. But the discount you get is proportional to the extra effort you must exert to get the diamond you want. Do you want a 2 carat triple-A GIA certified round brilliant with VS1 clarity, >I color, and an HCA score under 2? Good luck. You'll spend months tracking that down. And you better know what you're doing or you could get scammed. Or you could go to a diamo…
So there's an opportunity here, for a market facilitator. Hire a few qualified gemstone appraisers, set up an auction site and take a small rake off the top.
The euphemism "Estate jewelry" instead of "secondhand" or "used" seems to be preferred.