Seeing this thread pop back up, I thought chadwick had made a (much-welcomed) reappearance.
tamisita, good for you! Some of the best investments have nothing to do with money.
I don't dig stones as a form of jewelry to begin with (ok, maybe the darker hued ones) - just generally not my style. But give me distressed metals any day.
Still got a mood ring somewhere around here too
(whispering, I am not touching the horse fiasco = no ma'am!)
Seeing this thread pop back up, I thought chadwick had made a (much-welcomed) reappearance.
tamisita, good for you! Some of the best investments have nothing to do with money.
I don't dig stones as a form of jewelry to begin with (ok, maybe the darker hued ones) - just generally not my style. But give me distressed metals any day.
Still got a mood ring somewhere around here too
(whispering, I am not touching the horse fiasco = no ma'am!)
Lol it took me like six hours to realize what I'd done!! Lmao, when I found him, ( remembered where I'd left him), I felt like such a dumbass!! Lol
Seeing this thread pop back up, I thought chadwick had made a (much-welcomed) reappearance.
tamisita, good for you! Some of the best investments have nothing to do with money.
I don't dig stones as a form of jewelry to begin with (ok, maybe the darker hued ones) - just generally not my style. But give me distressed metals any day.
Still got a mood ring somewhere around here too
(whispering, I am not touching the horse fiasco = no ma'am!)
Lol it took me like six hours to realize what I'd done!! Lmao, when I found him, ( remembered where I'd left him), I felt like such a dumbass!! Lol
Well I suppose I may as well update....because as much as my boyfriend thinks diamonds are intrinsically worthless and I agree with him....I now have one on my left ring finger.....and damn I like it! Its not a new or flashy or even big diamond....its his mother's ring from when she was married to his father (they are still very good friends and I love them both). Perfect gift from him AND his family to welcome me into their tribe ;-)
I hate that diamonds hold any value. It's dumb men are expected to spend so much on a diamond to get married. It's dumb that women expect to get a huge diamond when they are proposed to. It's dumb that men pay ridiculous sums of money for engagements. I told my wife before we were engaged that I would never spend more than $500 for a wedding ring. And I didnt.
I hate that diamonds hold any value. It's dumb men are expected to spend so much on a diamond to get married. It's dumb that women expect to get a huge diamond when they are proposed to. It's dumb that men pay ridiculous sums of money for engagements. I told my wife before we were engaged that I would never spend more than $500 for a wedding ring. And I didnt.
Well, people spend money on "dumb" things all the time. I personally think it's dumb that some people spend huge amounts of money on sports cars or luxury SUVs when a cheaper car would do the job just as well. I also think it's dumb when people spend large sums on big screen tvs, expensive alcohols, and flashy electronics. However, that clearly reflects my priorities, which are not universal (although they should be ).
I think as long as the couple decides and agrees what their spending priorities are, and as long as they aren't overextending themselves, it doesn't really matter if they buy expensive jewellery.
my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
I hate that diamonds hold any value. It's dumb men are expected to spend so much on a diamond to get married. It's dumb that women expect to get a huge diamond when they are proposed to. It's dumb that men pay ridiculous sums of money for engagements. I told my wife before we were engaged that I would never spend more than $500 for a wedding ring. And I didnt.
Well, people spend money on "dumb" things all the time. I personally think it's dumb that some people spend huge amounts of money on sports cars or luxury SUVs when a cheaper car would do the job just as well. I also think it's dumb when people spend large sums on big screen tvs, expensive alcohols, and flashy electronics. However, that clearly reflects my priorities, which are not universal (although they should be ).
I think as long as the couple decides and agrees what their spending priorities are, and as long as they aren't overextending themselves, it doesn't really matter if they buy expensive jewellery.
Yup, Can't believe what people waste money on.
Cars are the worst. They are the worst purchases you make in your life, yet people way over spend.
Spending more on something if the more expensive item is more durable is the only reason I can see for spending more. I'd rather have one pair of $50 shoes that last two years than two pair of $25 dollar shoes that each last 10 months.
As for diamonds, I have to confess I have owned a few (very small ones). They make my records sound good. But that about it.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
That's true Brian, but it's easy now to find diamonds that didn't involve any human misery. Canadian diamonds, for example. They are more expensive of course, but the difference in price is well worth it if you're going to be buying a diamond.
you are right. a good friend of mine is a diamond driller. no human misery at all.
I am constantly dismayed at the total judgement on these boards of people who choose to spend their money how they wish. Do I personally want to look like Mr.T? No, but I also don't go around judging others for what they spend their money on. Did I want to have as frugal a wedding as possible? Yes, but if someone wants to spend $100K on a wedding, i'm certainly not suggesting they be tarred and elbow macaronied. did my wife want an engagement ring? Sure she did. does that make her a shallow gold digger? not in the slightest. it's a very modest ring, and I was happy to buy it for her. just as she's happy to send me on trips to see Pearl Jam.
True...and the judgement is almost always fluid; it changes as the judge's position in life changes. Because we pretty much all want more. A broke person will criticize people for nice cars. Once they can afford a nice car, they buy one and start judging people for their lavish homes...until they can afford one. Not always - some people live simple lives despite their ability to do otherwise....but not many. I was chastised for this by a friend on this board years ago after I called BMW drivers douches, and her criticism of my judgement kinda stuck. Now....hell, I wouldn't mind a BMW if I thought it worked in my budget (it doesn't, I bought a nissan a couple years ago ). It's all relative. Unless you give the majority of your money to charity and live a very simple life, you probably shouldn't judge how others spend their money. Express your opinion of why you don't think it's a prudent purchase, fine...but remember where you're coming from when you express it.
True...and the judgement is almost always fluid; it changes as the judge's position in life changes. Because we pretty much all want more. A broke person will criticize people for nice cars. Once they can afford a nice car, they buy one and start judging people for their lavish homes...until they can afford one. Not always - some people live simple lives despite their ability to do otherwise....but not many. I was chastised for this by a friend on this board years ago after I called BMW drivers douches, and her criticism of my judgement kinda stuck. Now....hell, I wouldn't mind a BMW if I thought it worked in my budget (it doesn't, I bought a nissan a couple years ago ). It's all relative. Unless you give the majority of your money to charity and live a very simple life, you probably shouldn't judge how others spend their money. Express your opinion of why you don't think it's a prudent purchase, fine...but remember where you're coming from when you express it.
excellent post, and exactly how I try to go about it as well.
Giving your partner a lavish present to demonstrate your love and commitment is ingrained human behavior and get why women want it. So cool with diamonds and tradition.
As to pain diamonds may cause in mining another story.
I don't know if my post is being judgmental of how others spend their money. My point was that I think it's ridiculous that diamonds hold value. Who decided that these things should be valuable?
I don't know if my post is being judgmental of how others spend their money. My point was that I think it's ridiculous that diamonds hold value. Who decided that these things should be valuable?
I wasn't referencing your take on it.
and in the OP, it states/claims that DeBeers/the industry itself decided how valuable they are.
I don't know if my post is being judgmental of how others spend their money. My point was that I think it's ridiculous that diamonds hold value. Who decided that these things should be valuable?
The same people who decided that gold has value I guess? It's simply based on desirability combined with rarity. Human beings like shiny sparkly things. Apparently it's rooted in instinct. Something about an evolutionary holdover from the early days when humans connected the glimmer of water with need or some shit like that. Something I read somewhere.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
I don't know if my post is being judgmental of how others spend their money. My point was that I think it's ridiculous that diamonds hold value. Who decided that these things should be valuable?
I wasn't referencing your take on it.
and in the OP, it states/claims that DeBeers/the industry itself decided how valuable they are.
Well not really. It's the consumer who ultimately decides. They are worth the maximum amount that the market will tolerate, no?
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
I don't know if my post is being judgmental of how others spend their money. My point was that I think it's ridiculous that diamonds hold value. Who decided that these things should be valuable?
I wasn't referencing your take on it.
and in the OP, it states/claims that DeBeers/the industry itself decided how valuable they are.
Well not really. It's the consumer who ultimately decides. They are worth the maximum amount that the market will tolerate, no?
yeah, I suppose my statement was incomplete. what I meant was, in the OP it states that the industry manipulates the supply of its own product in order to create the illusion that diamonds are rare, thusly increasing consumer demand, which drives up the price and perceived value.
Comments
tamisita, good for you! Some of the best investments have nothing to do with money.
I don't dig stones as a form of jewelry to begin with (ok, maybe the darker hued ones) - just generally not my style. But give me distressed metals any day.
Still got a mood ring somewhere around here too
(whispering, I am not touching the horse fiasco = no ma'am!)
I think as long as the couple decides and agrees what their spending priorities are, and as long as they aren't overextending themselves, it doesn't really matter if they buy expensive jewellery.
often, your last paragraph - yes ma'am! We live by this philosophy and it's worked well for us.
By the way, we don't even wear our silver bands anymore.
It's just not needed. We keep them in a little dish on the bar and seeing them there is enough.
Also must give congrats to tamisita; can imagine what wearing the history of the ring (plus the goodwill behind it) must feel like - THAT is valuable.
Cars are the worst. They are the worst purchases you make in your life, yet people way over spend.
As for diamonds, I have to confess I have owned a few (very small ones). They make my records sound good. But that about it.
www.headstonesband.com
www.headstonesband.com
I was chastised for this by a friend on this board years ago after I called BMW drivers douches, and her criticism of my judgement kinda stuck. Now....hell, I wouldn't mind a BMW if I thought it worked in my budget (it doesn't, I bought a nissan a couple years ago
www.headstonesband.com
As to pain diamonds may cause in mining another story.
and in the OP, it states/claims that DeBeers/the industry itself decided how valuable they are.
www.headstonesband.com
a used tire
a unopened bag of lay's potato chips
one package of bubble gum
& a scotch tape desk top dispenser
she's very happy & very lucky to say the least
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
www.headstonesband.com