Diamond Engagement Rings

[Anonymous]

Why do we seem to insist that a marriage proposal be accompanied by proffering a diamond ring to the woman? It's been well established that the diamond engagement ring "tradition" was concocted by DeBeers to simply sell an item that is instrinsically worthless as a mean to boost their own bottom line. I think any man who would fall for the "three months salary" marketing BS is a financial fool and any woman who would demand a giant rock is a gold-digger any man wouldn't or shouldn't want to marry.

If you don't believe me, check out Freakonomics: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/diamonds-are-a-marriage-counselors-best-friend/

Or if you're short on time or attention span: Adam Ruins Everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5kWu1ifBGU

[Anonymous]

Okay cool

[Anonymous]

Ok. Fact is it's what people like.

[Anonymous]

Agreed, OP. It's a scam at best and at worst diamond engagement rings are just a way of advertising your potential husband's earning potential. It's tacky.

Considering the human and environmental cost of diamond mining, we can only hope they are on their way to becoming passe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do we seem to insist that a marriage proposal be accompanied by proffering a diamond ring to the woman? It's been well established that the diamond engagement ring "tradition" was concocted by DeBeers to simply sell an item that is instrinsically worthless as a mean to boost their own bottom line. I think any man who would fall for the "three months salary" marketing BS is a financial fool and any woman who would demand a giant rock is a gold-digger any man wouldn't or shouldn't want to marry.

If you don't believe me, check out Freakonomics: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/diamonds-are-a-marriage-counselors-best-friend/

Or if you're short on time or attention span: Adam Ruins Everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5kWu1ifBGU

Ok? I think this information is pretty well-known. The thing is, after awhile it becomes less about the origin of the tradition and more about the fact that it IS a (strong, common) tradition, in its own right

[Anonymous]

What bothers you about this? I like the symbolism of a the diamond along with the tradition aspect of it and accept the marketing part as part of the deal. Really not something to get worked up over IMO.

[Anonymous]

It still remains a symbol of a man's true commitment to marry. It's one thing for a man to propose for some future marriage, it's another to put up some real money to do so. Otherwise, a woman can waste her prime marriage years on a man with no intention to marry, only to find he strung her along and then dumped her for a younger woman.

[Anonymous]

My hubby and I don't have rings. Our love is strong and can't be made better by wearing tchotchkes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do we seem to insist that a marriage proposal be accompanied by proffering a diamond ring to the woman? It's been well established that the diamond engagement ring "tradition" was concocted by DeBeers to simply sell an item that is instrinsically worthless as a mean to boost their own bottom line. I think any man who would fall for the "three months salary" marketing BS is a financial fool and any woman who would demand a giant rock is a gold-digger any man wouldn't or shouldn't want to marry.

If you don't believe me, check out Freakonomics: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/diamonds-are-a-marriage-counselors-best-friend/

Or if you're short on time or attention span: Adam Ruins Everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5kWu1ifBGU

So which is it your boyfriend doesn't want to buy you a ring or you're too cheap to buy your girl one?

Yes I know you're so enlightened

[Anonymous]

I'm 31. I have quite a few friends who do not have a traditional diamond ring. I do think other stones are becoming more popular.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want a diamond don't get one. MYOB when it comes to others, Simple concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 31. I have quite a few friends who do not have a traditional diamond ring. I do think other stones are becoming more popular.

I think so, too. I never wanted a diamond anyway, for aesthetic, environmental, and ethical reasons. We found a really pretty (and ethically sourced) sapphire, and I've started noticing more women with non-traditional rings, including sapphires and emeralds. I also have a couple of friends who re-worked a family ring. I think more people are aware of the problems with diamonds, and are more willing to buck an invented tradition for something more personal.

[Anonymous]

You know who poo-poo's nice diamond rings?

Women who don't have one, and men who can't afford one. That's who.

To everyone else, they mean something.

[Anonymous]

I prefer this tradition over the dowry of goats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I prefer this tradition over the dowry of goats.

Although it might be nice to not have to mow my lawn!