Originally posted by: Jzero
Ahh, ok. So it's ok to sacrifice the lives of brown people in north africa/middle east because the result of their death has more meaningful benefit to our society. I think I follow the logic
BTW, according to this, diamond engagement rings have been in use for hundreds of years. DeBeers created the idea that a diamond ring was the ONLY ring, but giving diamonds did not start in the 1930s.
You're getting that information from a DIAMOND site! Aye carumba.
No, it's not okay. Unfortunately, as I stated, it's a necessary evil. America only imports 18% of its oil, and hopefully, if we look into IFR nuclear reactors, fuel cells, thermal depolymerization, and corn-based plastics, we can eliminate that dependency as well.
Unfortunately, no one wants to hear my ideas on how we can eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. Maybe I can start small and begin with dispelling myths about the diamond trade, and work my way up to having a clean America.
Sad...so sad. I weep for the future of humanity, where the strength of your love is only evidenced in a PIECE OF F*CKING STONE.
You act as if this is new information.
Seems as if someone just "opened" your eyes to the reality of DeBeers not more than a few minutes ago.
Seems as if someone just "opened" your eyes to the reality of DeBeers not more than a few minutes ago.
No, I've known about it for years. I was reminded of it by the sunglasses thread, when someone asked if I'd be the guy buying cubic zirconia.
Since most people I run into IRL don't know this, it gave me the idea to start this thread.
They make no bones about DeBeers being founded to artificially manipulate the diamond market, nor do they try to hide the fact that DeBeers manufactured the tradition. They don't seem to be hiding anything, why would they make that up, then?
No, it's not okay. Unfortunately, as I stated, it's a necessary evil. America only imports 18% of its oil, and hopefully, if we look into IFR nuclear reactors, fuel cells, thermal depolymerization, and corn-based plastics, we can eliminate that dependency as well.
Unfortunately, no one wants to hear my ideas on how we can eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. Maybe I can start small and begin with dispelling myths about the diamond trade, and work my way up to having a clean America.
I'm just playing devil's advocate. If you want to change the world, I don't think neffing on ATOT is productive enough. The rise of DeBeers marketing is a shining example of how mass media can influence the public. You'd need to fight fire with fire - advertising campaigns.
Even so, most of us are going to get our girls what they want anyway.
LOL sorry guys and gals I think I might have spurred this thread as I stated in another post that Mach Five seemed like the kind of person who would opt for a Cubic Zirconia instead of a real diamond due to his "frugal" nature.
I think one of the articles that might have "inspired" Mach Five on this would be the following link at the atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/82feb/8202diamond1.htm
Sorry Mach didn't see you beat me too this link and that you *just* noticed it, you would think that someone as enthusiastic about the diamond industry would have read this ages ago as I did since it was written in the early 80s and all...
This is an article that touches on many of the issues that Mach brings up, however it is rather dated seeing that it was written in 82 I believe, and I also find it rather humerous that they predicted the collapse of the diamond cartel/empire however here we are more than 20 years later and I have yet to see anything of the sorts come about.
Also interesting to note is exactly how many industrys back in the day were wrought with shadyness, manipulation, and also underhanded business practices..especially the oil industry as someone so aptly pointed out however I think it is safe to assume that Mach Five isn't driving an electric car especially since he was recently arguing the merits of the performance that front wheel drive cars have to offer, and seeing as how electrics are the antithesis of performance...well you get the picture.
Are diamonds rare? no
Are diamonds worth what they tell you from a practical standpoint..never, they are a luxury item and in high demand thus they are expensive and you don't get alot in return.
Are diamonds better than synthetics? well, depends on what you are looking for and what your sig other is looking for
And For all those out there who suggested getting a fakie and trying to pass it off as real, really not a good way to start a relationship, plus the ring is more than just a monetary symbol, it also shows that you are willing to work for something that your sig other wants and that you feel symbolizes your bond, if neither of you feel that this is important then no one is twisting your arm to buy one.
Mach Five said in another post:
To which I say, good luck....like it or not the masses have embraced the concept of the diamond ring as the standard for engagements and weddings, and many women do like the look of them a great deal, sure marketing and market manipulation may have played a significant part in this, but you can market an ugly thing all day long and it still won't sell, there has to be some draw outside of the marketing for a product to truly become popular.
So sure, you can hold out and try and find the *perfect* significant other that shares in your hatred or distaste for the diamond industry, or even better you can try and train whomever you are with to hate diamonds as much as you do...all I can say is good luck if my fiancee likes the look of diamonds I am certainly not going to spoil the fun for her that is for sure.
Look at the article I posted, this is obviously nothing new yet people still want diamonds, heck they are growing in popularity not only in the US but also world wide, heck they have been the industry standard for Weddings/engagements for almost the past centuary.
Also I agree with many who say you can try and convince your sig-o about how awful you think the industry is but in the end it will still be about what they like/want...
Sorry to keep editing this but there are two ways you can look at people like Mach Five....
1. he really cares about the well being of society and that this is something he is generally enthusiastic about, something that gives meaning to his life, fighting the evil debeers cartel that is...
or more realisticaly
2. he is trying to justify his "cheapness", he has already posted negative comments about more than a few high priced items on the boards (Sunglasses and German autos), heck why not follow it up with a nice slam on Diamonds too since they are highly expsnsive and seen as the benchmark for high end luxury purchases...
I am curious to know Mach exactly what precious metal or stone do you think "serves a purpose"? you state that Diamonds have no use other than "looking good" whereas Oil is used to power, heat and other various uses, however you seem to forget there are many diamond tipped drills...and exactly how do other precious materials fall into place in the grand scheme of yours as being "worth it" what practical purpose do gold, platinum, rubies, emeralds and the rest really have? I am anxiously awaiting your response....
I think one of the articles that might have "inspired" Mach Five on this would be the following link at the atlantic:
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/82feb/8202diamond1.htm
Sorry Mach didn't see you beat me too this link and that you *just* noticed it, you would think that someone as enthusiastic about the diamond industry would have read this ages ago as I did since it was written in the early 80s and all...
This is an article that touches on many of the issues that Mach brings up, however it is rather dated seeing that it was written in 82 I believe, and I also find it rather humerous that they predicted the collapse of the diamond cartel/empire however here we are more than 20 years later and I have yet to see anything of the sorts come about.
Also interesting to note is exactly how many industrys back in the day were wrought with shadyness, manipulation, and also underhanded business practices..especially the oil industry as someone so aptly pointed out however I think it is safe to assume that Mach Five isn't driving an electric car especially since he was recently arguing the merits of the performance that front wheel drive cars have to offer, and seeing as how electrics are the antithesis of performance...well you get the picture.
Are diamonds rare? no
Are diamonds worth what they tell you from a practical standpoint..never, they are a luxury item and in high demand thus they are expensive and you don't get alot in return.
Are diamonds better than synthetics? well, depends on what you are looking for and what your sig other is looking for
And For all those out there who suggested getting a fakie and trying to pass it off as real, really not a good way to start a relationship, plus the ring is more than just a monetary symbol, it also shows that you are willing to work for something that your sig other wants and that you feel symbolizes your bond, if neither of you feel that this is important then no one is twisting your arm to buy one.
Mach Five said in another post:
To which I say, good luck....like it or not the masses have embraced the concept of the diamond ring as the standard for engagements and weddings, and many women do like the look of them a great deal, sure marketing and market manipulation may have played a significant part in this, but you can market an ugly thing all day long and it still won't sell, there has to be some draw outside of the marketing for a product to truly become popular.
So sure, you can hold out and try and find the *perfect* significant other that shares in your hatred or distaste for the diamond industry, or even better you can try and train whomever you are with to hate diamonds as much as you do...all I can say is good luck
if my fiancee likes the look of diamonds I am certainly not going to spoil the fun for her that is for sure. Look at the article I posted, this is obviously nothing new yet people still want diamonds, heck they are growing in popularity not only in the US but also world wide, heck they have been the industry standard for Weddings/engagements for almost the past centuary.
Also I agree with many who say you can try and convince your sig-o about how awful you think the industry is but in the end it will still be about what they like/want...
Sorry to keep editing this but there are two ways you can look at people like Mach Five....
1. he really cares about the well being of society and that this is something he is generally enthusiastic about, something that gives meaning to his life, fighting the evil debeers cartel that is...
or more realisticaly
2. he is trying to justify his "cheapness", he has already posted negative comments about more than a few high priced items on the boards (Sunglasses and German autos), heck why not follow it up with a nice slam on Diamonds too since they are highly expsnsive and seen as the benchmark for high end luxury purchases...
I am curious to know Mach exactly what precious metal or stone do you think "serves a purpose"? you state that Diamonds have no use other than "looking good" whereas Oil is used to power, heat and other various uses, however you seem to forget there are many diamond tipped drills
...and exactly how do other precious materials fall into place in the grand scheme of yours as being "worth it" what practical purpose do gold, platinum, rubies, emeralds and the rest really have? I am anxiously awaiting your response....I really, really find it hard to believe that these people have the strife that they do in their country simply to mine diamonds. Now, I don't claim to be completely in tune with what's going on over there, but if I'm correct, most of the fighting revolves around religion, does it not? The diamond trade just happens to be a way to fund their religious fundamentalism, correct? Like I said, I'm not 100% up on what's going on over there.
Dude thats just the way girls are. I could tell my girlfriend that diamonds are made by cannibals that eat children and it wouldn't make her want one any less. EVERY married girl has a diamond so every single girl is gonna want one. No girl is gonna be a hippy and protest diamonds by not getting one. Girls like to fit in a lot more than guys do. I say whatever.
Hey losthiway, just curious but have you brought this up to her before and if so how does she feel about it? does either or her or your parents own diamond jewelry, and if so are you going to take it upon yourself to "enlighten" them upon the negative aspects on diamonds??
rh71
No Lifer
- Aug 28, 2001
- 52,844
- 1,049
- 126
Yes yes, DeBeers is evil... they're ammunition for those who don't want to get their spouse a diamond engagement ring (or at least a size they would love)...
With that said...
I'd love it if she bought me an X5 4.6is, it'd make me damn happy. Same difference. It's not about cost, it's about want/have --> happiness. It just so happens that you give it to someone you love the most.
With that said...
I gave my fiance a 1.06 carat diamond and it made her the happiest lady on Earth. That's all I care about.
I'd love it if she bought me an X5 4.6is, it'd make me damn happy. Same difference. It's not about cost, it's about want/have --> happiness. It just so happens that you give it to someone you love the most.
When you find a girl and her family that shares your opinions on a diamond, make sure she has sister with the same views and pass her along to me.
If you don't buy diamonds then my parents will lose the only business they've ever had and I will starve and live on the streets.
What? the internet is loaded with cheap people who justify their desire not to buy something with dated material..where have you been?
Like I said before, good luck...what happens if you find "the one" and they happen to love the look of diamonds?? are you never going to buy them one? are you going to try and educate them on why diamonds are evil and make them as bitter as you? are you going to get them a synthetic and try to explain why it is just as good as the real thing??
right
Well, I didn't really want a diamond. I kind of like the man-made sapphires, I think it's cool that we can do that. But my fiance (now husband) was a poor graduate student and had his grandma's diamond, so that was essentially free. So, what about the second-hand diamonds? Shouldn't there be a fair number of those on the market? I don't think any woman would want to be buried with her rings when her children or grandchildren could get value from them or re-set them.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter