Who knows diamonds?

[Scavenger]

Diamond stores aside, I believe congratulations are in order right??
If so, Congratulations and best wishes to you and your fiancee.

[fortheloveofcrabs]

Yes, I wasn't sure if it was for that, but congradulations!

I have a few questions… Andresont, do you drink soda? Or fast food? Or (here’s the kicker) keep fish? Guess what, they are all “Psychologically Conditioned Wants”. Your body doesn’t actually WANT soda – it wants water - YOU want soda.

“Diamonds are Priced Well Above Their Value” Yup, well, sorta. There is a very high markup % percent, if that’s what you are referring too. So do $199.99 MH light bulbs though.

“Diamonds Have No Resale or Investment Value” well, I’m not sure where you got this one, but last I checked, you can buy second hand diamonds many many places, so ‘no resale value’ is silly. As far as investment goes, of course not. Neither do cars, cloths, fish tanks or pretty much anything else you buy. That’s what stocks and property is for.

“4. Diamond Miners are Disproportionately Exposed to HIV/AIDS”
Maybe, but those Nike shoes were also made in a sweat shop. And if that’s a problem buy a Russian diamond, or Canadian.

“Open-Pit Diamond Mines Pose Environmental Threats” Yes, so does pretty much any manufacturing company in a 3rd world country – heck, many in 1st world countries! What about all those beef farmers way down south that chopped down a huge chunk of rain forest?

“Diamond Mine-Owners Violate Indigenous People's Rights” Yeah, for money though. If the indigenous people didn’t want it on their land, they could kick them off. The companies have the legal right to be there. If they didn’t, the diamonds would belong to the land owners, not the mining companies.

“Slave Laborers Cut and Polish Diamonds” – too touchy of a subject, buy again, who made that jacket?

“Conflict Diamonds Fund Civil Wars in Africa” so does art, and drugs, and anything else that is small and of high value.

“9. Diamond Wars are Fought Using Child Warriors
Many diamond producing governments and rebel forces use children as soldiers, laborers in military camps, and sex slaves. Child soldiers are given drugs to overcome their fear and reluctance to participate in atrocities.” WHAT? If the governments are using drugged up 12 year olds as soldiers, well, what does that have to do with diamonds?


This was my favorite “You will never see a queen wearing a diamond, because it is worth nothing”

Last I checked, the Imperial State Crown, which is a center piece of the Royal Crown Jewle Collection has 2,868 diamonds. Not to mention the Imperial Crown of India with 6000+ diamonds – and then theirs the Crown of Queen Elizabeth with a whopping 17 carat diamond in it.

Oh yeah, and Princess Diana’s engadment ring, albeit was a large sapphire (which holds it’s value to about the same degree as a diamond) was surrounded by diamonds.

Don’t believe enything you read on the internet.

Sean, a diamond, or a ring from a vending machine, is worth the world if you and her are right. Congratulations again!

[trilinearmipmap]

Years ago I bought a diamond engagement ring.

I recall it was one instance where the seller had all the power.

For most transactions the buyer has a lot of power. You can research a car or a flat panel TV, you can read reviews and compare prices online. If you don't like the price you go down the street to the next place.

Most of us (me included) have no idea how much any particular diamond is worth. You have to rely on the salesperson who tells you its quality and value. Of course they will tell you it is a $12,500.00 diamond but they will sell it to you for $8,000.00 (that is what I was told). Because most people know nothing about diamonds we are buying on blind faith. And hopefully we only have to buy a diamond once, so we have no experience in shopping for diamonds.

The consumer has no knowledge and therefore no power.

The best advice I read was to get an independent appraisal of a diamond before buying it.

[fishguyxd]

if you want a little diamond lesson first hand stop by spence diamonds you will learn for yourself hands on with no pressure to buy.

[woodcarver]

This is an interesting thread . First I think we all wish Sean well and I suppose the cardinal rule is 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder '.
I think we should be able to have an exchange of information and opinion without getting personal.
Sean did ask for help in determining ' quality and price' which ,of course opened up the debate.
I have never been one who attached any priority to the purchase of "serious " jewellery . As an earlier post suggested other demands seemed to me to be more pressing in raising a family buying a house etc.
Before reading the articles about the diamond trade I had independantly come to the opinion that diamonds are a "one way trade '. The assesments are not really of any value ( other than maybe for insurance ).
To give an example ,my partner had a diamond studded watch left to her in her mothers estate . A reputable jeweller assessed its value as $17,000.00.

Another jeweller ,again very reputable has the watch for sale at their suggested resale price of $8000.00 of which my partner will receive $4500.00 if sold . So far no takers . Ignoring the actual watch it says lot about
' quality and price' of diamonds. !

So ,for my penn'orth if you girl friend wants it and you wish to show her your feelings for her, have a great time picking the nicest one you can find and dont worry about value or quality as these are ethereal ,not quantifiable and will in all probability never be put to the test.

Wow ,that feels better

Best wishes .................Dave

[Tarolisol]

Thanks for all the advice and well wishes.
I have become quite knowledgable in diamonds in the last couple day and now know what to look for.

So ,for my penn'orth if you girl friend wants it and you wish to show her your feelings for her, have a great time picking the nicest one you can find and dont worry about value or quality as these are ethereal ,not quantifiable and will in all probability never be put to the test.

Although resale value is of no importance to me quality of a diamond is. A good quality diamond looks alot different then a poor one. As well as colour and cut can have a huge impact of the diamonds apperance.

[andresont]

Well.. looks like what I could do for sure is stirrup a lot of sand.(emotions).
I think the best is to be informed and make your own decision based on that.
My wife has a diamonds too, just because that what she wanted.
I see no value in diamonds,only have tiny one (gift from wife) my live rock have way better resale rate as well as other SW equipment compare to our furniture and TV. LOL !

The good thing is that we are having civilized discussion right ?