Diamonds a girls best friend? I think not!

[Vendetta]

First let me say this thread was kinda influenced by niner's thread on wearing wedding rings. I personally think its terrible that society has influenced us and most particularly women, that material objects are symbols of love. With a 55% divorce rate in the United States I hardly doubt it. Watching endless commercials of men kneeling showing their gift of long lasting bliss to a desired loved one is even more sickening. Of course I am not here to change social norms rather, argue against them. I believe love is intangible, immaterial, and irreplacable (this is arguable since people remarry) and no stone, or material substance can reflect that. In fact wedding rings rarely symbolize love. After all cheaters wear their wedding bands!

I would be lying if I said I wouldn't purchase one. Only reason I would is out of social conformity not because I believe in them.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Rant!

 

[Kathryn]

I love my diamond wedding ring. I also bought my husband a gold and diamond ring when we got married (it's not flashy - the square diamond is set down into a simple band, but he loves it).

I don't have lots of expensive jewelry - in fact, the only two expensive items I have are my diamond wedding set and the diamond stud earrings that my husband bought me last year. I also never take them off.

It's the symbolism - a diamond is ancient, timeless. Of course, if I didn't like diamonds, I wouldn't want a diamond wedding band. But...I like diamonds.

I don't, however, think that people should actually GO INTO DEBT to buy an engagement or wedding ring. I think that's a sure sign that you can't afford that ring.

 

[Bismillah]

Sometimes you just want to treat your spouse to the finer things in life.

 

[linwood]

In fact wedding rings rarely symbolize love.

Can you cite a source to support this statement?



I would state that wedding bands almost (if not..)always symbolize love/commitment.

 

[Vendetta]

Rant!

Not necessarily a rant, its an argument against particulars of our society and the fact we give value to material things that can become lost, stolen, damaged. In my eyes a ring in matters of symbolism is no more valuable than a PS3. Perhaps it is because of those things Americans (U.S.) and much of the western world is viewed as materialist society.

 

[jelly]

I bought her a diamond because if I am gone it (i hope) will be more valuable than a ps3.

 

[Vendetta]

I love my diamond wedding ring. I also bought my husband a gold and diamond ring when we got married (it's not flashy - the square diamond is set down into a simple band, but he loves it).

I don't have lots of expensive jewelry - in fact, the only two expensive items I have are my diamond wedding set and the diamond stud earrings that my husband bought me last year. I also never take them off.

It's the symbolism - a diamond is ancient, timeless. Of course, if I didn't like diamonds, I wouldn't want a diamond wedding band. But...I like diamonds.

I don't, however, think that people should actually GO INTO DEBT to buy an engagement or wedding ring. I think that's a sure sign that you can't afford that ring.

I agree. You should value those things that are important to you. Of course you're going to value your jewelry because after all, it was given to you and vis-a-vis. Diamonds are a great many things to many people. It is not me trying to say to you your items are valueless, it is me arguing against what is considered socially acceptable and exploited in media. Television are always influencing people: "show her you love her, buy this 24k ring for on such and such amount, she'll love it, and love you more..."

Not only does media tell us what items to buy to show how we express our love but it seems media also tell people, the higher the value, the more the love. For instance look at Kobe Bryant. He cheated on his wife and then on national television gives her a ring worth so many millions of dollars. The media focused not only on his extramarital affair, but also the size and value of her ring. What kind of society is that where we mention cheaters and what cheated bought to apologize to their spouse. If indeed Kobe was remorseful a ring shouldn't suffice, perhaps him owning up to his actions (which he did) plus marriage counseling would've helped. It seems society teaches people to cover wounds with gifts.

 

[Alceste]

I mostly wear jewelry that I or local artists I have met made. I also generally give things that I or local artisans I know made as symbols of my affection. I don't believe that expense = value. I also really struggle with the ethical issues surrounding the purchase of precious metals and gemstones. If I give my man a ring it will be "recycled".

 

[Vendetta]

Can you cite a source to support this statement?



I would state that wedding bands almost (if not..)always symbolize love/commitment.

Divorce Rate : Divorce Rate In America

If in fact wedding bands are in fact indications of love U.S. Americans have a terrible way of showing it. There is no social psychological study I am aware of that would support my argument but looking at divorce rates in the U.S. it is safe to say that the idea of.love symbolized in diamond rings is nothing more than a marketing ploy, to convince the masses that love can be crystalized in a stone. Like I said earlier love is intangible, immaterial and biochemically invaluable.

 

[Darkness]

I am a man, but if a girl I wanted to marry gave me like some silly plastic ring from a day at the board-walk, for an engagement, it would mean more to me than some expensive store-bought ring with no sentiment attached. I love historical materialism, but I am not materialistic (political science joke ). I have learned a long-time ago that money and expensive things will not make me happy.

 

[Vendetta]

I mostly wear jewelry that I or local artists I have met made. I also generally give things that I or local artisans I know made as symbols of my affection. I don't believe that expense = value. I also really struggle with the ethical issues surrounding the purchase of precious metals and gemstones. If I give my man a ring it will be "recycled".

Actually, your way is more ethical than many and you alluded to a particular point I almost forgot. Where do diamond rings come from and who mines them? The following article basically supports my view in full:

Blood, conflict, slavery: Why Diamonds Are Bad for People and the Environment | EcoSalon | Conscious Culture and Fashion

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Not necessarily a rant, its an argument against particulars of our society and the fact we give value to material things that can become lost, stolen, damaged. In my eyes a ring in matters of symbolism is no more valuable than a PS3. Perhaps it is because of those things Americans (U.S.) and much of the western world is viewed as materialist society.

It's a rant.

 

[Vendetta]

I am a man, but if a girl I wanted to marry gave me like some silly plastic ring from a day at the board-walk, for an engagement, it would mean more to me than some expensive store-bought ring with no sentiment attached. I love historical materialism, but I am not materialistic (political science joke ). I have learned a long-time ago that money and expensive things will not make me happy.

I am in the same boat. This is good ole' fashion pavolov on classical conditioning. We humans have been socially conditioned to believe diamonds carry emotional value. Bit if we look deeper if rings are anything rings only show us that relationships are conditional. In the court of law if I buy an engagement ring for my potential wife, if she decides.to call off the wedding, I get my ring back. The law states that engagement rings are "conditional gifts" as conditional contracts. Once broken, the ring goes back to the one that purchased it.

 

[Vendetta]

It's a rant.

That is your opinion my friend.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

That is your opinion my friend.

It's not an opinion.

It's an observation on the abundantly obvious.

 

[Vendetta]

It's not an opinion.

It's an observation on the abundantly obvious.

Its not really a rant its a thought that came to mind while observing another thread. So are you saying I cannot be inspired? Besides im not the one spending thousands of dollars on a rock so there is nothing to complain about on my end

 

[Madhuri]

I agree. I couldn't care less about being given jewellery with diamonds. I don't even care about big weddings. Just give me a really awesome honeymoon thanks.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Its not really a rant its a thought that came to mind while observing another thread. So are you saying I cannot be inspired? Besides im not the one spending thousands of dollars on a rock so there is nothing to complain about on my end

I'm not commenting on your preference.

 

[Vendetta]

I'm not commenting on your preference.

Fine with me sir