Why does it have to be diamonds?

Question

Why do engagement rings have to be diamonds these days? Mine isn't and I ADORE it, but I have even had one person say "Oh you must have been so disappointed when he gave you that!" I wasn't, and my ring is gorgeous, but I wondered why girls these days are so hung up on diamonds and the cost of the ring.

Answer 1

Marketing. Jewelry ads in magazines and on tv tell people that the only way to let anyone know you really care about them is to get a diamond. Most of the diamonds shown are enlarged for detail because the average person would never be able to afford a diamond of that size and various specifications that are used in the ads, much less a wedding afterwards which are not cheap. Also tradition dictates that it be a diamond and society has a huge hangup that if you stray from the traditional, you and your marriage will be doomed or some other silly superstition.

Many women don't have diamonds. They have CZs if it's a clear stone. Or they may have a gemstone in the color of their choice, whether it's a birthstone or just their favorite color.

The only person who needs to know the cost is the one who buying it.

Some people have nothing better to do than one-up each other and talk about how their stuff is "better" simply to stroke their egos.

If you're happy with your non-diamond, then good on you. If someone has the nerve to belittle you or your fiance because of that, then screw them. Also, if they want to support the bloodshed and slavery that is a big part of diamond production, then that's their choice. They obviously have their priorities in the wrong place and aren't worth your time or energy.

Answer 2

It doesn't have to be diamonds. It's just that diamonds are the most common because that's what the jewelry industry *tells* us we should have. It's all about marketing, and in the US, the diamond market is an extremely inflated, extremely controlled industry. Think about it, the DeBeer's commerical says "How else does 2 month's salary last forever" or something like that.

More and more brides are moving away from strictly diamond wedding sets and getting ones with saphires (what I've seen the most), rubies or emeralds as accent or even center stones.

Diamonds are often associated with wealth and that may be why some people ar "hung up" on them. In all actuality, diamonds are a really poor investment (if you are looking to buy them to make money).

Diamonds are also popular due to thier durability. As the hardest substance on earth, they are able to withstand years and years of daily wear, whereas other stones can be soft and others brittle.

Some people may be "hung up" on diamonds because of the popularity of "bling" (I *hate* that word!). It's almost impossible to see rap/hip hop stars who aren't wearing tons of glittering diamonds. Earrings, rings, braclets, watches, necklaces, tie tacks. It's a never ending sea of diamonds. Celebrities at awards shows, parties, and premiers are all wearing expensive jewels.

If you love your ring, that's all that matters. You're the one that's going to wear it everyday.

Answer 3

Hi I must say i agree with you, each to their own. The ring is not about how much it cost or how big it is, its what it means to the person who gave it and recieved it. Its a bond of love between them. Im sure some women get engaged just for a ring now a days. Dont let people upset you or get to you. But you are right.

Answer 4

?"Diamonds are Forever" ; " Diamonds are a girls best friend" does this remind anyone of any adverts that they have seen lately. Basically most people (men and women) believe the adverts message - that if you really care for your loved one you have to show it with a diamond. Personally I don't like Diamond engagement rings - they appear r so cold - my Husband asked me if I would like to design my own ring in whatever stones I liked - so I got a Sapphire (my favourite stone) and diamond ring that I designed and used Gold from 5 generations of our families - I like diamonds on dress rings so yes I have a few of those - but my Sapphire engagement ring of my own design - is the most special of all.

Answer 5

Its the result of a tremendously clever advertising campaign by De Beers who own lots of diamond mines. The whole thing has slowly built from that. Diamonds are not the most rare stone, they are in fact relatively common, but the are the hardest stone and bright and shiny: two good selling points. Unless we are talking about a VERY large diamond, or one in a rare colour (such as pink) there are more rare/valuable gemstones, such as a very clear emerald or a good alexandrite. Once again popular opinion has been dictated by the ones wielding the power!

Answer 6

They forgot to ask the magical word "Are these conflict Diamonds" and then if they knew the truth Diamonds would not be a girls best friend maybe something more prettier like say Garnet which happens to be more of a sign of the greatest love kind of ring to give I think it was something like that aww who knows

Answer 7

Some people are still tied down to the idea that diamonds are the best. If you love your ring and the man who gave it to you, who cares what anyone else thinks?

Answer 8

First of all it has nothing to do with marrying for money for MOST women. I am not materialistic at all, but I LOVE DIAMONDS! I think MOST women do. Diamonds are a lovely way to tell a woman that she is special and loved and WORTH the VALUE of diamonds! USUALLY, a woman has not ever received such a lavish gift from a man as her DIAMOND engagement ring, so it really makes her feel "SPECIAL"-like "A MILLION DOLLARS" to wear that beautiful, sparkling DIAMOND that the man she loves chose ESPECIALLY for her! You don't have to be hung up on "money" to appreciate THAT!

Answer 9

Excellent question, diamonds cost more than money, as anyone who has seen the film "Blood Diamond" will tell you. Next time you get a stupid remark like that, you could tell them you didn't want a stone that might have cost a human life.

Answer 10

Mine doesn't have any stones.... I asked him to marry me and we decided to pick engagement rings out, and we decided to both wear one. We picked out matching Celtic rings, which I absolutely loved. I got the same impression... I even had one girl show my her diamond wedding ring and basically say "Now don't you wish your husband had this kinda taste?" I was ticked, but I got over it because like someone earlier said, "You are marrying the guy, not the ring". And because I like my ring. That definitely helps lol.