|
|
Post by CrocRob on Nov 16, 2008 15:14:03 GMT -5
Does anyone else here have a serious dislike for diamonds? From the way they're marketed to the way they're controlled I feel like I'm buying cocaine.
One of those "Every kiss begins with Kay" commercials kind of got me on this, along with the suggestion that I ought to buy my girlfriend diamond earrings for Christmas. I suspect it's something I'll have to swallow with my nose plugged because diamonds appear to be some kind of measuring stick among women as to how much their men love them, but it irks me greatly.
|
|
|
|
Post by franko on Nov 16, 2008 15:46:10 GMT -5
With you, RS, but what can you say? Well marketed by De Beers. Diamonds exclusively a "rich man's" purchase but when the markets opened up in the early 1900s De Beers started to marked them to the "every man" . . . and said it was a the sign of love . . . and we bought it hook line and sinker.
Worse, a diamond really is forever! You don't give a second hand ring, you give a new one [thankfully, when I got married it was, iirc (unless I was just being cheap) two or three weeks wages . . . now it's months!] At best, a used diamond ring is passed on generation to generation; Mom's ring has sentimental value and sits in a jewellery box gathering dust. Try to sell it and you get nowhere near the value [of course, if it is reset it is sold as new].
Playing to emotions successfully.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Nov 16, 2008 16:09:16 GMT -5
I have no problem with a woman expecting a diamond engagement ring...but jewellers will make no money if that's all that's sold in terms of diamonds.
Personally, I think it's quite shallow to think that only expensive "anythings" signify the greatness of one's love.
"Blood Diamond" was an eye-opener for many people....but the beat goes on....
Thankfully, my wife and I aren't into jewellery.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2008 19:29:58 GMT -5
Personally, I think it's quite shallow to think that only expensive "anythings" signify the greatness of one's love. Reminds me of a Simpsons joke I once saw. There was a billboard for diamond rings, with a caption that said: "Because money equals love." |
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Nov 16, 2008 21:37:02 GMT -5
I remember the engagement ring I bought for Mrs Dis. I went to the bank and asked for a loan.
Loans Officer (smiling female): "So, Pte Dis; how much did you want to borrow for your girlfriend's engagement ring?"
Pte Dis: "Oh, I don't know ... how about $200 bucks?" (smiles knowing he's forking out some serious dough)
Loans Officer (not smiling ... looking seriously focused): "That's it?"
Hey, $200 bucks on a private's pay was pretty serious stuff in those days considering all I was making was $800 a month. I didn't expect that kind of look, but I wasn't going to fork out 2 months salary just to keep the loans officer smiling.
No, I don't like how the companies generate their market either. I don't know where this "how else are you going to spend two months salary" standard came from, but I don't buy into it (err ... so to speak).
That's not to say I haven't bought Mrs Dis anything expensive, though. I served in the Middle East twice during my military career and the second time I came home with some jewelry. The only thing is, I sometimes paid a fifth or a fourth of what I would pay back here, so I have some nice-looking investments.
Cheers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Polarice on Nov 17, 2008 9:30:09 GMT -5
Most women look at Diamonds like we do to cars....that's all you need to know!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Nov 17, 2008 17:37:21 GMT -5
I remember the engagement ring I bought for Mrs Dis. I went to the bank and asked for a loan. Loans Officer (smiling female): "So, Pte Dis; how much did you want to borrow for your girlfriend's engagement ring?" Pte Dis: "Oh, I don't know ... how about $200 bucks?" (smiles knowing he's forking out some serious dough) Loans Officer (not smiling ... looking seriously focused): "That's it?" Hey, $200 bucks on a private's pay was pretty serious stuff in those days considering all I was making was $800 a month. I didn't expect that kind of look, but I wasn't going to fork out 2 months salary just to keep the loans officer smiling. No, I don't like how the companies generate their market either. I don't know where this "how else are you going to spend two months salary" standard came from, but I don't buy into it (err ... so to speak). That's not to say I haven't bought Mrs Dis anything expensive, though. I served in the Middle East twice during my military career and the second time I came home with some jewelry. The only thing is, I sometimes paid a fifth or a fourth of what I would pay back here, so I have some nice-looking investments. Cheers. Buy Mrs. Dis a beautiful Zircon in a great setting and don't let her near a jeweller to have it appraised. If she finds out it's a zircon, try the "I wuz robbed" defense. Prepare to do without sex for a couple of months while you search for the guy who sold it to you. Search as hard as OJ on all the golf courses in Kingston. |
|
|
|
Post by franko on Nov 17, 2008 18:18:06 GMT -5
A buddy of mine did that, LA -- bought a big-you-know-what Cubic Zirconium ring and presented it as the real thing. She bought it; all her girl frinds bought it; coupla years later the only ones who know are the guys he told.
He's still a hero [but if she ever finds out . . . ]
Funny thing: she knows he's cheap, so why it doesn't cross her mind I'll never know!
|
|
|
|
Post by cigarviper on Nov 17, 2008 21:38:51 GMT -5
Luckily, my wife's grounded (she's allowed out occasionally) and doesn't think much of jewelery in general.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cranky on Nov 20, 2008 23:38:06 GMT -5
Dimpnds? I got a pile of them. No really, I do. HONEST.  The wife is welcome to wear them any time she wants. |
|
