2007-04-27 18:31:59 · 10 answers · asked by x 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
the truth is... they are anything but rare! not even diamonds are so rare as they are made out to be!
2007-04-27 18:36:10 · update #1
It has absolutely everything to do with marketing and tight control over supply. The precious gems aren't rare. Look around. They're everywhere. Cecil Rhodes is the main man when it comes to diamonds. The country of Rhodesia was named after him (now known as Zambia and Zimbabwe), and Rhodes Scholars = Cecil Rhodes Scholars. He decided it would be a good idea to keep tons of it stored away in vaults in order to control the supply.
Rhodes is one of the founders of De Beers (a subsidiary of which is the Diamond Trading Company[DCT]). Between De Beers and DCT, Cecil Rhodes company owned 80% of the worlds diamond stock. The company is still estimated to own 50%. Most of it is tucked away in order to create an illusion of scarcity. In fact, the ruby is more scarce than the diamond.
I believe it was his idea, also, to use diamonds in engagement rings. That is a tradition based on a marketing ploy.
Read about the Gem Diamond Industry at the link below.
2007-04-27 18:33:53 · answer #1 · answered by Mickey Mouse Spears 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like beauty (which is in the eye of the beholder), "preciousness" is a subjective value. Things are valuable to us- only because of their relative scarcity to everything else. If a giant diamond mine, overflowing with diamonds were discoverd tomorrow- the "value" of diamonds would plunge around the world because they wouldn't be rare anymore. The REAL value of things- depends on what they mean to YOU. :)
2007-04-28 01:42:48 · answer #2 · answered by Joseph, II 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take a diamond, its a worthless rock. Its only value is soley through economic manipulation and marketing. But its value, is what makes it valuable if that makes any sense. Its kinda like a WWJD braclet. You dont wear it for you. You wear it so others can see it.
2007-04-28 01:35:40 · answer #3 · answered by eldeeder 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they charge you an arm and a leg for them. My arms and legs are pretty precious to me so maybe thats why they call them precious stones.
2007-04-28 01:34:05 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
People collect them as collections.Just like if you find something rare.or a fossil.You wouldn't throw it away just like that.
2007-04-28 01:38:41 · answer #5 · answered by koiyty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some people like to wear various types of gravel I guess.
2007-04-28 01:34:51 · answer #6 · answered by Ta Dah! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because some are rarer than others.
2007-04-28 01:34:57 · answer #7 · answered by ஐƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒஐ Vee ஐƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒஐ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some may have healing properties or spiritual value
2007-04-28 01:34:00 · answer #8 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rare = $$$
I don't get it either, but my wife seems to
2007-04-28 01:33:41 · answer #9 · answered by mark 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
raRE
2007-04-28 01:34:31 · answer #10 · answered by The Con 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋