diamonds are so pointless

[combinationpadlock]

why are they valued so highly? Because they look nice? Other things look nice without the price tag, and without the massive industrial scale mining, and human cost of lives spent in mines.

Do you wear them? Why? Do you think this is a sexist issue? men mostly mine them and women mostly wear them. Why do so many millions of man hours go into something to adorn women?

Yes, apart from industrial and manufacturing applications.

Yes and they don’t mine too much of them to keep the price up ! Once I learned that plus ‘blood diamonds’ I think anyone who buys them is a sucker - unless second hand.

I think a lot of people are coming round to a similar point of view, hence the popularity of lab grown diamonds. All of the sparkle without the ethical qualms.

‘Artificial’ diamonds will kill off the industry anyway. Diamonds would be quite cheap if the market wasn’t rigged. And manufactured diamonds will destroy the false market.

The only reason they’re valuable at all is because of an incredibly successful marketing strategy by De Beers many years ago. They created the idea of scarcity and that diamonds were desirable and it was so successful it is embedded in western culture even today.

I agree OP, to me they are such a waste of money - even if I had it, I couldn't imagine spending thousands on something that just sits there on my hand (admittedly looking nice), when I could get a car or a holiday instead. At least they are things you can use or enjoy.

Also, most people couldn't tell the difference between an actual diamond and something you can buy for super cheap.

I think lab grown diamonds are the future. They are lovely and sparkly without the exploitation, and I am all in favour of anything that adds something pretty to our rather grim world.

Do you wear them? Why? Do you think this is a sexist issue? men mostly mine them and women mostly wear them. Why do so many millions of man hours go into something to adorn women?

I don't think it's a sexist issue. Diamonds were a way for men to make money. Women happen to be the ultimate beneficiaries. Some sweeping generalisations there but I think the principal stands.

I wear them because I’ve been given them, they look pretty and they have sentimental value. I wouldn’t spend my own money on them.

There are ethical issues I would consider about the damage to the land they come from and the people doing the mining which has got to be more important than any sexism.

I just think the idea of being presented with a rock by a man… And hanging around waiting for the moment he’s going to do it. No from me! We decided to get married. No diamond.

To me I think they are liked because they are 'marketed' to be liked like caviar, I have never come across anyone who genuinely likes it other than the next poster who says 'wow it is so delicious'

I'm not a fan of diamonds although I do own a black diamond solitaire as I like to be different/contrary. 2ct set in a Tiffany style solitaire in silver and it costs £180 20 years ago . But my most beautiful piece of jewellery is a 1 inch oval opal ring, set in gold. It's just glorious, the colours change and glimmer in the different lights and it can look pink/white/blue and I love it. Cost £400 about 8 years ago. I also love aquamarine and Saphires and emerald. Currently developing a new appreciation for pearls. So many beautiful stones to costs other than diamonds.

I wear ethically sourced diamonds in hand made rings. Made by a renowned jeweller. I adore them. They bring me immense joy every single day. I have no guilt about wanting them, wearing them & enjoying them. My three rings (engagement, wedding & eternity) all have high quality diamonds & have a very high value.

They were bought by my husband without debt. We can afford them. I wear them they don't sit in a jewellery box.

Some people buy high end cars & handbags. I'm less interested in these but I adore good jewellery, in particular diamonds, emeralds & rubies.

Lab grown diamonds aren’t free of environmental impact though - they take huge amounts or water and energy to produce. Wear or don’t wear but don’t kid yourself that one is somehow more ethical unless you measure all the inputs.

I have zero interest in lab grown stones & would never want one.

Why? I perfectly accept the point of view, but if the quality and cut are as good, what is that makes mined diamonds special, in your opinion?

(I’m not angling at an ethical debate; that’s something else entirely.)

well, yes they do have industrial uses. But I think lab grown can be used for these purposes

I love antique jewellery particularly diamonds but have never bought new
I like the sparkle and enjoy wearing them, I imagine who might have owned them in the past too

You can say this about any jewellery. It's all pointless ultimately.

I love wearing my mother's eternity ring, my sister's brandy-coloured diamond solitaire surrounded by 9 diamonds and the more modern diamond hoop I bought with an inheritance. All second-hand, all exquisitely set and very sparkly. Oh and my godmother's diamond studs. They give me great pleasure and, apart from the eternity ring bought by my father, bought by women for themselves.

I have lab diamonds and non conflict diamonds. I love them and don't know why. Always have always will.

Not the person you asked, but I guess it's just the idea that a rare beautiful stone grew in nature under an incredibly long period of time, under special circumstances. However I know that diamonds aren't rare and I do find them a bit boring. That is just my silly romantic opinion.

However I'm more interested in the design of the piece rather than big blingy stones.

why are they valued so highly?

Because humans are easily manipulated.

I don't care about diamonds specifically, but I do think engagement rings need to be substantially expensive.

I have no interest in lab grown stones anymore than I have in lab grown fake meat etc

I suggested alternative stones to my dh as I knew he had a small budget but he was set on diamonds and found an amazing deal on a stunning ring. I'd much rather have my "small" natural stone. Hard to explain why.