Quote:
Originally posted by mmm3587
That's true; synthetic diamonds bring to the surface what has been the nasty truth of diamonds since DeBeer's marketed them as valuable: they have little inherent value and aren't scarce.
They're desirable because they look nice, but they're expensive only because their supply has been controlled by a cartel engaging in some activity illegal in most countries of the world (price fixing, collusion, etc.) and some activity illegal in almost all countries of the world (murder, rape, terrorism, etc.).
I have always been perturbed by consumer demand for things without prices directly related to what I perceive to be valid utility. Clearly, many people get utility out of diamonds just because they are worth what they are worth. While I agree that diamonds have significant utility based on their appearance, and I have no problem with that, the fact that they have additional utility to many people based solely on marketing and price disgusts me.
I would think it was great if a woman told me that she wanted an engagement ring without diamonds, even if it cost the same as or more than a diamond ring. And if you could get an exquisitly beautiful ring with a nice-sized synthetic diamond for less than what the ring would cost with a price-inflated natural diamond, all the better.
I've always been disturbed by the ways that giving a diamond ring for engagement is tied up in concepts of spending a lot of money, to prove one's love, and doing what everyone else does, to prove one's love. Those two things, to me, seem to be materialism at its most naked.
I'm not trying to impugne diamond lovers, of course. To each his or her own. I'm just annoyed that the industry-created party line is, "You don't love her if you can afford a nice, expensive diamond and don't give her one." and that so many people buy into that.
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Which gemstones are truly rare and/or are priced according to efficient supply/demand market conditions?
My best friend's GF told me (I'm sure as a hint) that she does NOT want a diamond, but would prefer a different stone...
