Why do women like diamonds?

[OuTpaTienT]

I don't get it. I mean, they're just a friggin' rock. Ok, so they're shiny and purdy, big deal. Give me cash anyday! Or electronics. Or power tools. Or car parts. Or getter yet cash (did I mention that?)

[U-96]

you could always superglue one to your hammer drill...

U-96

[seti]

They're a symbol of commitment. The stength and beauty may be seen as a symbol of the relationship....or more importantly how the giver veiws the relationship. This, along with the finacial sarcific envolved all fosters the feeling of being loved and wanted in that girls heart and mind. It can be veiwed superficaly as a physical manifestation of a guys love for his special lady. Diamond rings symbolism is more prolific as in the ring, the circle, means a lot. Continuity...Binding...Exclusivity....yada yada.

As a guy, I'd prefer a nice guitar or something.

[lecoma]

If U ever watched the report on the DeBerr Family and how they control the diamond market, U would understand that diamonds are common as rocks. They are the ones who keep prices high world wide by buying up all the diamonds mined. A U.S. company came up with a way to make perfect gem quality diamonds of any color for a real low price, and after officers of co. met with Deberr Reps. they canceled all plans to make these diamonds.

[orkboss]

Yeah, whats wrong with an attractive piece of basalt on a stainless steel ring.

[cyphen]

Same reason women like flowers - they like to see us waste money on them. Otherwise, they would appreciate flowers you PICKED for them as much or more, because you put your own time into. I'd be willing to bet that most women would be less appreciative of picked flowers as opposed to storebought flowers that are just as nice. Of course I'm not willing to put this theory to the test myself...
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Wiz]

i happen to think platinum is much cooler than diamonds, but then again, i'm a guy

[chipbgt]

think of a diamond as a piece of compressed carbon.

[Todd Beck]

A diamond's significance is not in what it means to the woman who has it, it's in what it means to other women.

Mmmmmm, platinum.....

[OuTpaTienT]

Socalgal, how come you're not responding? 8^)

[seti]

chipbgt...haha, yeeeeah. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[welsh wizard]

You guys are all heathens, casting the fairer sex as gold diggers, by requiring diamonds, in it's basic state all a diamond is, is compressed carbon, but it's what the craftsman does to it that gives it life, go a have a good look at a 3 or 4 carat Rose cut diamond ( say a blue stone) set in 18 c gold with small very high quality sapphire (no carbon specs to make it black or very dark blue) mounted to a plantium base ring, look at it, it's a thing of beauty, and if you still want to be a heathen, if you split up latter an engagment ring always returns to the giver as it considered a token of love thats alive.
( think on this what makes a picture valuable,)GTL&R and they will GYL&R
WW

[Ed_S]

Different perspective here. My brother-in-law is a wholesale jeweler (2nd generation). Not a big store, but high-quality stuff.

Since the women in our family have heard the REAL prices, they no longer get the same thrill out of the shiny rocks.

Put it this way, my wife's last 14K gold ring w. a sapphire & a couple diam. chips was custom-made. Street value: $200 -$300. My cost: a few computer lessons!!
This of course did not impress. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Valued as a thing of beauty? Yeah, right.

[socalgal]

OutPatient, Here I am. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Some of us have to work for a living because I don't have men throwing diamonds at me all day long, though they should be!!! <g> I am open to all reasonable offers of diamonds. hehe JK!!

Seriously though.. I think I couldn't have put it more eloquently or accurately than Seti - at least that's how I feel about it. Kudos, Seti, I have a feeling you do alright http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

When given to a woman by a man, it's a symbol to her of love, of promise, of forever; us against the world, commitment, loyalty, love, trust. It's tangible, beautiful, one way to show her how much he values her... and I'll wager it means more to a woman who's S.O. works hard and sacrifices something for it, than one who can just pop into a jewelry store any day of the week and pick up whatever he wants because money is no object. The sentimental value is also measured by the work put into its acquisition, IMO.

Of course, I am in total agreement with Welsh Wizard. It is a thing of beauty and lasts forever... just like that great commercial. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif (yea, yea, ok...)

Ed S - yes, I have been known to stare at a diamond for many minutes at a time, and throughout the day or night ... turning it in the light and just being mesmerized by the firey beauty of it. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Joel - any woman who got flowers from you would surely know where your heart is. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

cyphen, Ziz... well, what can I say? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

lecoma - I heard something about DeBeers on some cable channel - I don't remember exactly what it was about (half listening) but I know it wasn't good.

U-96, chipbgt, orkboss - oh please http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Todd - it's true that a woman loves to show off her diamond(s)!

Wiz - platinum is very cool. With a nice diamond on it.

Also, I'd like to add that women are very capable of buying their own pretty little baubles too.

Well, that's my glittering opinion. Now, please give me a moment to put on a flame-retardant suit... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Fun topic, BTW. I can't wait for Susan, jeana, montanafan, and Dreamboat Annie (any other women?) to jump in... save me, Girls! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 01-10-2000).]

[Dreamboat Annie]

Okay, I have to admit it. I am a sucker for fine jewelry. Just as guys like cars, guitars, and electronic toys, I love jewelry...especially diamonds! To each his own.

As far as an engagement/wedding rings go, if that is where your relationship is headed, then you should do it right! HOwever, some women I know don't care for large stone, or expensive pieces. They prefer smaller, simpler ones. Size and price doesn't make the piece as attractive as much as the thoughtfullness that goes into choosing a tasteful, good quality piece. At least that is my opinion. I can't speak for everybody.

Also, it's kind of cool to think that you can pass it down to your grandchildren or greatgrandchildren. Some of my favorite pieces are inexpensive ones that were my grandmothers. There is a lot of sentiment attached to jewelry.

By the way, I would LOVE it if a guy picked flowers for me! Just as long as they don't come out of MY garden!

[chipbgt]

Socalgal,
My point was that I dont consider diamonds
(or anything else materialistic) as a symbol of love. Love is a verb. Sure, I will buy a ncie ring for my fiancee because its traditional, but the last thing I'm gonna be looking at on my wedding day is the ring...I'm going to be more interested at whats attached to it, and hopefully she will feel the same way http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by chipbgt (edited 01-10-2000).]

[Ed_S]

I'll wager it means more to a woman who's S.O. works hard and sacrifices something for it, than one who can just pop into a jewelry store any day of the week and pick up whatever he wants because money is no object. The sentimental value is also measured by the work put into its acquisition, IMO.

Well said. And helps explain why my wife is less than thrilled by jewelry, since she knows the deal!

Thanks, socalgal!

[Ziz]

I'm with Cyphen...it all boils down to money.

My personal theory: Women judge men with the "Man-o-meter". This is the area of the female brain that compares the size of a man's ***** to the size of his paycheck. Ideally, each should be as large as possible. However, in circumstances where one of them is excessively huge, that's usually regarded as adequate compensation for the smaller of the two.

[Joel Kleppinger]

Very good question. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Although I have no answer (nor am I any sort of expert), I would like to respond to Cyphen's post.

Well, think about this - what if you were to plant, water, and grow the flower, and then one day, you decided to cut it and give it to her. I would venture to bet she'd be way more flattered and impressed than if you had just bought it -- because that REALLY shows the amount of time you put into her.

Simply walking into a field, finding a good-looking flower and picking it can definitely be seen as an easy way out. Even buying flowers (which is also considered a norm), takes more effort and time than that.

[seti]

Think of a diamond as an eternial flower.

[Bleep]

The bigger the stone the quicker the divorce.
Bleep

[cyphen]

I'm finding it difficult to disagree with any of these fine points - even those that seem to collide with each other. Bottom line is this entire debate is based on a generality, hence my general response (I'm a little jaded, gals, so please don't take offense). everybody has their own unique view and response in life. There are some gold diggers out there, there are some true romantics out there. I appreciate that you gals here seem to be the latter. Personally, i have a lot of 'romantic' opinions that i think most women would hate. Probably the biggest one would be my feelings on weddings. They are fine for some people, but when i get married, i don't want a big wedding. I just want it to be me, my fiancee, and the priest (and a couple witnesses, but i would just as soon have them be strangers.) Sounds completely unromantic, right? Most women will hate this, right? Probably. Even after they know the reason i feel this way. It's because i think that getting married is one of the most sacred and personal vows that exists. And because it's so incredibly personal, it should stay that way. Weddings, at least these days seem to be more of a show than a commitment. There's so much ceremony and so many details trying to make it perfect that the point of the whole thing gets lost. Of course i have nothing against receptions - great, have the biggest grandest reception we want - invite the world! Just not for the wedding. Diamonds and flowers can also be like this - thougtless, ceremonial, meaningless. But they can be meaningful too. Guess it all depends on the two people.
that's my 2 cents anyway.. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[cyphen]

Oh yeah, Joel - i have to agree and disagree. Picking a flower takes way more time and effort than buying one. FTD. I could sit here and in less than a minute have flowers on their way to anyone i wanted. Although growing one obviously takes more work.

[Dreamboat Annie]

cyphen,

I almost totally agree with you. If I were to get married, I would prefer a justice of the peace, with my best friend there and that is it! I've been in a few weddings, and it is such emotional turmoil. There is so much pressure to have everything just perfect, and pleasing everyone else (parents, in-laws, etc.). Why would I want to go through that! In fact, why not just live together...forever?! On the other hand, one of the most romantic notions is to have a small intimate garden wedding, with just a few close friends and family. If I had to have a wedding, that would be the way to go!

But I still love fine jewelry!

[This message has been edited by Dreamboat Annie (edited 01-11-2000).]

[jeana]

Here I am, socalgal! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

It be three in the morning where I be and I have been sleepdeprived for days on end (have got to answer that "Time Zone" thread) so my reply will be overpersonal, overlong, and probably nonsensical.

Deal with the sidetrack issue first:
cyphen and Dreamboat Annie, I just went through a big wedding (less than two months ago) and though it wasn't my idea, I don't think I regret it (much). You see a wedding as a personal, intimate thing. It is that for many people, but for us it was a time when we brought our families and friends together and accepted our responsibilities as members of our families and society.

We've been together for quite a long time, and actually didn't need a wedding to know we were committed... but as we've grown older we've realized that we owed it to our families (who seemed to want it) to formalize this bond, so that everybody could feel a _bit_ more secure (anybody have the experience of getting close to a girlfriend/boyfriend of a son/daughter/sibling/parent/friend but having to lose this closeness when they broke up?)

So anyway, the feeling was "in for a penny, in for a pound". I do deplore the conspicuous waste, where we blew in five hours what I make in a year. I keep thinking life would have been a lot easier if it had just been a big potluck supper.

I guess that's where diamonds come in. I don't know whether or not I like fine jewelry in general because the only piece I've got is the engagement ring (doubled as wedding ring). It is platinum AND diamonds!! Yes, it was overpriced, but yes, I like it.

My feeling about it: of course I would have gotten more enjoyment out of a new laptop, a new mobo + CPU, or a fishing trip, or a new telescope with bigger aperture (where size DOES matter)or-- jolly candy or-- (ahem, must stop myself)...
but the fact is,

It's a way of showing the other gals that when you say "Jump!" he asks, "How high?"

That was a JOKE, Okay? Isn't it what you wanted to hear?

To be honest, I don't know why on earth diamonds, roses, and chocolate bonbons (besides that they're pretty, smell good, taste good, and are expensive). But, gentlemen, aren't you glad that some storebought formula exists to bring smiles from yer snuggly wuggly? Otherwise, when trying to prove your love you'd be racing around wondering whether you ought to diet or promise to clean the bathroom for a year, or whether you ought to fight a duel with somebody to prove your bravery.

It's nice to have something permanent and portable that shows that at some point in your life someone cared about you enough to do something nice for you. Also, memories are so short: suppose you DID clean the bathroom for a year... it's possible that eventually your woman would forget what a great guy you are fifteen years later.

Heck, why am I apologizing for an industry that has caused hapless workers in S. Africa to undergo body cavity searches?? (mebbe rumor)
Okay, back to work with me or else I shall NEVER get to sleep and then will go crazy and end up being shot by the FBI like KillerBug is afraid he'll be...

ZZZZZ,
jeana

P.S. I think I do look good in diamonds, dahlings (can't BELIEVE y'all forgot the vanity bit.)

[BBA]

Diamonds....

Is there nothing left untouched here? Then youhave teh jewelry store manager saying "A Diamond should cost about 2 to 3 months worth of the man's salary"...
Yea, he gets a commission check too!

What is it? It's just an item that is popularized by the materialism of late societal culture. It is trying to prove the abstract as concrete.

As asinine a concept it is, it will not change in my lifetime, so I guess I have to find comfort in that it's a surefire way to get approval from members of the oppossite sex! Kinda like a formula for success...get used to it!

Other than that, I am not into sentimentality for popularity sake.

Sorry socalgal!

PS: I must be up too late...I think I misspelled a lot of stuff here...oh well, get over it!

[This message has been edited by BBA (edited 01-12-2000).]

[Dreamboat Annie]

One more point...wearing diamonds FEELS REALLY GOOD! I like to feel good. I'm not saying that you can only find hapiness or self esteem with materials objects, because you can't. That comes from within. But lets face it..Jeana was right. When you look good, you feel good. What's wrong with that?!

[This message has been edited by Dreamboat Annie (edited 01-13-2000).]

[OuTpaTienT]

And you look mawvalous.

[U-96]

You can also inadvertently support terrorism, genocide and general lawlessness.
I don't think you get any tax breaks for these donations though.

Call for West Africa diamond boycott http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_600000/600475.stm

[Vincent22]

A stone and some metal fashioned into a circle in exchange for a lifetime of sexual favors, a lifetime of putting up with "a man"???
Wouldn't want to end up on that end of the stick...sounds like a ripoff http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[cyphen]

outpatient:
LOL
and ju know it is my motto - it is always better to look good, than to feel good....
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[montanafan]

I'm here socalgal, better late than never.

I like blue diamond's and here's why:
http://www.bluediamondgrowers.com/healthy/index.htm

[This message has been edited by montanafan (edited 01-14-2000).]

[socalgal]

LOL! Montanafan, I must agree, blue diamonds are very good... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Ok, Susan.... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif You've got to have an opinion on this... don't you? hehe

[topflite51]

Diamonds are a women's best friend, Just ask my wife!

TP 51

[Joel Kleppinger]

BBA: study this equation and learn with me....

soflagal != BBA(socalgal + !(diamond))

Some people have to learn the hard way.

(for those not C-inspired, a "!" = "not")

(I think someone spiked my Dr. Pepper at Hardees... two posts in a row (check the hamster post for the other. :0 One more, and I'm EN FEUGO http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif)

[welsh wizard]

All in one day I have found computer info, english leason and now a way to lower my Cholesterol level, some thing I have been struggling with, thanks for the info Montanafan.
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
WW

[BBA]

Hmmmm.....

Joel, maybe you need a SPIKE

http://route89.com/~wacko99/smile/roll.gif



[This message has been edited by BBA (edited 01-15-2000).]