diamonds as status symbol

[phoenixgirl]

OR: From Whence Cometh the Love of Diamonds?

What do you think . . . is our love of diamonds inextricably tied to their being regarded as status symbols? I've never seriously looked into CZ jewelry . . . if I did and paid for the best stuff, I might be able to get pretty smokin' jewelry for less. So it's clearly not just about the look of the jewelry to me.

I know I always check out other people's jewelry. I don't think I'm judging their wealth by it (although a big diamond on a young person would make me think, "Wow, who has THAT much money?"), but their taste and interest in it. But it can't be ignored . . . diamonds are luxury goods.

I am aware that it looks good for DH's job (financial consultant) for me to have a relatively nice wedding set. Of course, all told it cost less than $2k since the diamond was an heirloom. Some day I think I'll get a new set with a bigger (and this time H&A) diamond, but for now my set is a good size for my age and our situation.

Diamonds don't really do anything for my job as a public school teacher, although I must confess that once I wore all my diamonds just to send a message to a pushy parent. This woman's 12-year-old son had yelled at me, "God-damnit, woman! Bleepity-bleep-bleep-bleep!" when I told him he couldn't go to the school store in the middle of the pledge of allegiance. He had so irritated the in-school-suspension lady that she said she would quit if they sent him to her anymore. But the mother became fixated on me as the cause of her son's problems (when clearly he had learned to speak like that at home) and seemed to be indicating she was going to try to make trouble for me. So when we had a meeting with the vice principal, I (who was not yet engaged) wore my grandmother's engagement ring and dinner ring, sort of to say, "Yeah? You want to pretend your son's problems were miraculously caused by me and that he hasn't learned this atrocious behavior at home? Maybe you'll sue me? Go ahead! I'll win!" I swear I saw her looking nervously at my rings, and nothing ever came of it. Of course, this could have backfired and she could have thought, "Oooh, she has money, we should sue her!" But I felt like she was picking on me because I was a hapless 22-year-old brand-new teacher who might be a good scape-goat, so I wanted to send the message that I wouldn't be an easy target and would have resources to fight back at my disposal.

People who know me find my diamond obsession most bizarre because in general I'm not really a flashy person. I'm still wearing clothes that I've had since high school. I never wear makeup, and I dress like, well, a school marm (I teach teenagers, after all). I don't see myself ever dyeing my hair, and although I can develop a nice tan, I do my best to stay out of the sun and wear SPF 45 sunblock when in it. Some days it's hard to remember just to brush my hair! I guess I'm saying that I don't think I am drawn to diamonds because I'm going for a certain look. I've just always loved gems. When I was little my mom took me periodically to the local gem store, and I bought all sorts of rocks and Indian arrow-heads and kits for sifting the gold out of sediment.

I also think that my love of diamonds is tied to my grandmothers who both passed away when I was young. Basically, my only real memory of my fraternal grandmother is of her giving me a plastic ring when I was about 5. I loved it so much that I asked her if she had any more like it. She then gave me a real garnet ring from her collection which I lost as a child (for some reason, I thought it was a good idea to keep it in a tin can in the basement with my collection of rubber balls

). I keep my wedding set in the box it came in to this day.

My maternal grandmother also had a love of diamonds, and somehow (through having a mother and sister even less girly than I) I wound up inheriting all her bling when I was about 13. I have since given the engagement ring back to my mom to wear, and I have Grandma's dinner ring diamond in my engagement ring. So perhaps my love of jewelry is a desire to be connected with my grandmothers whom I didn't get to know well.

OK, so back to the original topic. I won't say that I don't like people thinking that we *could* afford my set, which I estimate would cost about $7-$8k new. And practically, I think it helps DH. Wouldn't a prospective client wonder why his financial advisor can't afford nice things? That's why I convinced DH to get rid of his old car and lease a new one. But at the same time, DH is good at his job because he's a genuine person, and really my job seems to impress people more than my bling. When I tell people where I teach (not the inner city, but a school with gang problems and security concerns), people are always like, "Oh, good for you! That's so wonderful!" I tell DH that I give him "street cred."

So anyway, if you're actually still reading, what do you think? From whence cometh your love of diamonds?

 

[phoenixgirl]

Here''s a picture of my wedding set with my maternal grandmother''s diamond in my fraternal grandmother''s jewelry box.

 

[phoenixgirl]

And here's a picture of the dinner ring that the diamond came from (now with a garnet). Grandma sort of had the halo-look going on back in the 60's.

 

[widget]

I have NO IDEA where my passion for jewelry came from. It certainly isn''t genetic...no one in my family has ever been as nutsy as I am...

I think of "status symbols" as things meant to impress others, and even though I have a wonderful collection of treasures, I don''t think it''s for others at all. It''s for ME!

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[UCLABelle]

Just my random thoughts:

There is no way to deny that they are status symbols, as well as symbols of love, marriage, ect.

However, I agree with Widget that I really ONLY want nice jewelry for me. In fact, most my friends don''t know anything about my ring...they say remarks like "wow, it is so pretty, it looks almost like a 1/2 carat diamond! I love your princess cut e-ring!"...when it is a 2ct Square Emerald Cut/Asscher. But I really don''t mind, since the jewelry is for me.

That said, when I want to "dress to impress" or demonstrate status at a meeting or something, I cannot lie...I put on my nice stuff Which isn''t much anyway

 

[bookworm21]

Hmm....I agree with Widget, my jewelry is for me to enjoy, and I love staring at the sparkles my RHR and bracelet give off. But then again, when I''m around certain company, I put on ALL my jewelry. And pay special attention to my makeup and clothes. And as a last resort (since I don''t have much jewelry), I wear heels to tower over most of the company. So yeah, height is more of my status symbol than jewelry. People tend to get intimidated by my height, more so than my jewelry. Am I making any sense?

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/8/2006 11:39:37 PM
Author: widget
I have NO IDEA where my passion for jewelry came from. It certainly isn't genetic...no one in my family has ever been as nutsy as I am...

I think of 'status symbols' as things meant to impress others, and even though I have a wonderful collection of treasures, I don't think it's for others at all. It's for ME!

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Ditto here - in fact it is the "status symbol" part of it that turns my stomach and makes me want to *hide* my diamond. I don't wear makeup usually, I love sweats and I love my man's timex watch because it's easy to read underwater when I swim LOL I'm pretty practical and was *mostly* content with just a plain gold band for 15 years. My mom loved jewelry and I inherited a lot but it's mostly low quality crap - however "gen-u-ine" lol I considered low cost alternatives to scratch my desre for an "engagment ring" but ultimately I really did still want a diamond. And then the diamond grew and grew! lol I told my usband the other day that my love for baubles had only been lying dormant but I think as far as big diamonds go, this will satisfy me for life. I would like a pendant and some various other things, but you know, other than my one diamond ring I think I'm okay with doing sims or other for the rest. I think the history of the diamond and the meaning behind the ring and symbol of my marriage kinda makes it more of a translated $ as it relates to value - not status. Value of the mariage, not value of the stone. The value of "I will throw money out the window for you because I love you this much" sort of thing - and then instead of out the window the money i s sparkling on your finger every day The rest I'm sure i'd be content with fakes and gemstones.... i don't need every piece of jewelry I own to display value.

ETA this sounds so bad LOL I don't know how to describe how I feel, I'm sure in all reality it's a complex mixture of various hypocritcal thoughts LOL

 

[diamondfan]

I have always had a thing for bling, ever since I can recall. I do not know when diamonds became so pricey, or associated with status... I guess that the hype came about because a certain quality of diamond was rare like your love...it was a way to link the two. I have friends in the jewelry industry (design, diamond brokerage, retail, wholesale, manufacturing) who all say that the monoply controlling the flow of diamonds is artificially keeping supply low and demand high, and if the market were flooded, then the price per carat would be almost nothing. True? Don''t know, but I know I love em and think jewelry in general is amazing. It lasts forever, meaning it can be passed down and if it is good quality/classically set it stands the test of time. I am just a jewelaholic. Any occasion, I love to get jewelry as a gift, no question. There is always something wonderful to get. My nickname is Liz or Zsa Zsa, because I love it so much. I enjoy my stuff and really like collecting beautiful things, which I hope someday to pass on to any granddaughters I am lucky enough to have.

I know people see my ring and band and watches or earrings that I wear and really wonder how I have all this stuff so young, but I have loved it since I was 4 or 5 so it feels like the timing is right!!

 

[Kaleigh]

I 've had a passion for diamonds and gems since the age of 5. I was really taken by them. Do I see what I have as a staus symbol, no. I buy what I love, and what I have a true appreciation for. My Nanny shared my passion as well. We had a great time debating what we liked and what we didn't. She was a huge influence on me. Even though she has passed, before I do something, I ask myself what would Nanny say. Sometimes I think she is yelling down at me, saying, " Do you really need another ring?? "

Then I have to think...

 

[FireGoddess]

I like diamonds because I like diamonds, and not because they are status symbols...but have we been trained to think that way? I think so. I do think we have been ''programmed'' from a very young age to regard these items as symbols of wealth, love, etc. So I don''t know...that any of us can say that never played a factor...otherwise we''d all be wearing quartz. LOL.

 

[lumpkin]

I wear my ring for myself. I love to look at it and I like that it is the one thing of value that is truly mine. All the other things, from home furnishings to family car to even my facial clenser and moisturizer are fair game for the rest of the family or my husband.

Diamonds are a luxury, totally useless and a vain expression of conspicuous consumption. Which I dislike, so I''m very conflicted, at times. I don''t wear my ring to show off, although I do enjoy it when I get compliments on it. I don''t enjoy it if I feel my values are being judged, as if I''m being selfish or taking money away from other important areas for the sake of having a nice ring. That also has happened, and it''s uncomfortable, so there are two sides to any status symbol.

 

[ephemery1]

From Wikipedia: "A status symbol is something, usually an expensive or rare object, that indicates a high social status for its owner."

Diamonds definitely fit the first part of the definition, and I guess whether they fulfill the second part is up to the owner. I agree with Phoenix that at times, especially being young, it's nice to use jewelry almost as proof of credibility. It's the same reason my friend carries her Louis Vuitton when she is going shopping for something nice... she gets INSTANTLY better service in a way that's almost laughable. And if I'm going into Tiffany's, I wear my nicer jewelry... again, an effective way of saying, "see? I belong here...

But in everyday situations, I'm not sure why it's important to me to have a few luxurious things. My furniture is Ikea, my clothes are from the Limited or Ann Taylor Loft, even my cat is from the humane society (ok, bad example... that was about saving a life... but you get my point

)! And I'm perfectly content with all that. So maybe for me, it's kind of what Lumpkin is saying... I just treasure having a few nice, lasting things that are mine and mine alone. And since I'm another one that has loved jewelry since I was little, it made sense that jewelry would be the one luxurious item I would choose.

I still remember the day I realized that the hundreds of dollars I'd amassed in babysitting money could be spent on jewelry... of my very own! Different from my mom's! And heading immediately to my favorite drooling-counter at the local department store to purchase a thin yellow gold band with a tiny blue sapphire in it. And that, at the age of 12, was definitely not about status... most of my friends thought I was weird for spending money on something like that when I could buy the fake stuff from Claire's for much cheaper.

 

[Julian]

I love diamonds! I don't think of them as status symbols. I think people can tell your background in far more obvious ways -- the way you speak, dress (even casual) and groom yourself speaks volumes. Consideration and manners (thoughtfulness) really shows a person's way of life and I think that displays true class to me.

Besides, people can sniff money a mile away no matter how casually you are dressed. It's in the pampered skin, the highlighted hair and etc. Don't ask me how, but the trained professionals (realtors, jewelers & etc.) can spot you. Of course there are the eccentric wealthy who may dress in stained sweats but they are the exception and not the rule. So don't think not wearing diamonds means they don't know you have money! LOL.

On another note, so many people are wearing big CZs now. And they set them in high end settings so it's difficult to tell. The other day I was in Nordstrom (great lighting) and put my e-ring up next to the CZ and my mother and I could not tell the difference. The cut, the sparkle & color were the same. That made me think,"My goodness! With so many well made fakes nowadays, there is no telling what's real and what's not!"

But I think in other lighting, there is no sparkle like a diamond's sparkle. It's silver and liquid.

Even so, that's not what makes them special.. it's the meaning behind it. Thinking of DH going through a huge stack of GIA reports unbeknownst to me and flying out to different cities to "interview as he calls it" diamonds -- gives me a goofy & cheesy grin every time. I know, I'm a cheeseball!

 

[ljmorgan]

When did I fall in love with the sparklies... from nearly the very beginning! My mother said I used to throw absolute fits if I could not wear shoulder length rhinestone earrings to preschool. Apparently my teachers thought that it was hilarious. What can I say

Even now, my bridal jewelry in three months is huge, and my wedding set is allll diamonds (shared prong eternity.) Some things never change

Also, I have nothing against good CZ. I actually bought a CZ "blue topaz" ring for my "something blue" for the wedding, it is platinum dipped and stunning.

 

[innerkitten]

I was always a bit of a magpie. My mother had a box with some semi precious gemstones and old antique jewelry in it, and I used ask to see it all the time. I just loved taking it out and looking at the stuff.

 

[kcoursolle]

It''s definitely not a status symbol for me...but I have no idea where it came from. I''m not very materialistic, I don''t have a car, tv, or nice anything (except a couple of pairs of nice jeans). But...I love diamonds and gemstones and jewelry in general. I think a lot of people have their thing, the whatever thing they like to spend their fun money on. For me it''s jewelry and for my fi it''s electronics and music. For a lot of people though, I think diamonds can be a status symbol. For example, some women want certain carat weight for peace of mind. Reaching 1 carat or 1.5 carat might be important for status sake, but really not because it looks all that much bigger than a .95/1.45.

 

[Mara]

Hmmm well my diamonds are not considered a status symbol at all for me...because I'd be a bit of an oxymoron showing off my diamond ring and bling while driving my reallyneedstoberetired 1992 toyota...hahaha. I'm finally going to get a car next spring but it just has not been a priority for us at all. I think if we were into status symbols, we'd always have the new cars, the nice place, the expensive clothes and the bling. But instead we just have a few of those things and everything else is pretty simplistic. If we own something it's because we love it. While I admit to sometimes liking the stares that my ring set gets just because it's kind of fun and I feel the same way when I look at my set, on the other hand, people do judge you by what you wear and that includes bling. Recently when I was interviewing for a new job...I didn't wear my e-ring on any of the interviews. Just wore my wedding band. I felt like the last thing I wanted was people who were going to work with me day by day thinking that I didn't need the job, or that I wouldn't take it seriously because *obviously* I was well taken care of.

And I say this because my current boss told a coworker that she felt like I didn't need the money, like why was I even working? And I KNOW it was because of my upgrade this year...even my coworker said 'I think it's because of your diamond'. People just cannot comprehend that someone may want something luxury so badly they are willing to forgo something else practical to get it. Also most people have no concept of what diamonds cost, so they probably think mine cost more than it really did. And I didn't want to give this new company any pre-conceived notions of me or distract them from what the discussion should be about, aka my skill set for their position. So there are two sides to having something that people want to look at because when they look at it, they also judge you. And that's no fun. Of course now I'm in a bit of a pickle thinking well I am going to be wearing my e-ring from now on...so what do I say if anyone asks about where it was then. Guess I could say it was off for cleaning. But even just having to think about it, or worry about it, is a drag. Typically I don't care what others think but for this job...which I really wanted, I thought it was just more appropriate. But typically, I buy for myself, what I love and that's it.

 

[Julian]

Phoenixgirl, your grandmother''s wedding set is so lovely. I don''t know if it''s the story behind the rings, but they just have a very beautiful aura about them. They are so pretty. Lucky you to have had such a wonderful grandmother and to having something special to remember her with.

 

[phoenixgirl]

Julian, thank you for the compliment.

Actually, it''s just the diamond that was my grandmother''s and the box that was my other grandmother''s. The diamond came from the ring that now has the garnet in it. The e-ring is a Vatche x prong and the band is bar set -- I just got that as an "upgrade" this summer.

But you''re right, I do like being connected to my family with my jewelry since I don''t have much else to remember them by.

Ephemery1, that is just the cutest story about you buying yourself jewelry at age 12! The salesperson must have thought you were so sweet!

Come to think of it, I was always asking my parents for jewelry when I was younger, but all they ever got me were pearls! No offense to any pearl lovers out there, but it wasn''t really what I had in mind. Let''s see, I have:

* a string of pearls necklace
* 2 pearl pendants (sometimes they would forget what they had already gotten me)
* large pearl studs
* medium pearl studs
* pearl earrings with little sapphires on top
* a pearl bracelet
* a string of black pearls necklace

My parents have always been adorably clueless when it comes to buying me gifts. For example, in middle school I loved Star Trek the Next Generation. For a brief period I wanted the gadgets and uniforms so I could force my friends to play along with me, but I quickly outgrew that phase. All throughout high school my parents would always get me Star Trek posters and paraphernalia (when they weren''t buying me pearls, that is!). I guess they were just sticking with what they knew (or thought) I liked. I suppose that''s ok because when they venture out into the unknown, it gets messy. One time my dad bought me a romance novel, you know, the kind where "Sally quivered with excitement as Gerard grabbed her with an intensity that burned like the sun. She felt his manhood against her, and her body responded . . . blah, blah, blah." Again, no offense to anybody who likes romance novels, but from your dad? Ick. Of course, at least they''re trying. For my birthday this year, my crazy MIL gave me:

* a used (by her) Sudoku computer game
* cookies from the Mother''s Day package I sent her
* a free sample of body lotion
* old wine glasses with gunk on them
* DH''s mountain biking trophy
* DH''s high school graduation mug

Clearly she just wandered around the house throwing junk in a bag (the bag and tissue paper were the only things she potentially spent any money on, although they could have been reused as well). DH said he was going to put his trophy and mug away, and I said, "Excuse me! Don''t you mean MY trophy and mug?" I pointed out that they were wrapped up in tissue paper in the bag full of presents, and MIL never said anything like, "Oh, I thought this would be a good time to return those." I really think she thought they counted as presents for me.

P.S. I''m home sick today, which would explain the proliferation and rambling nature of my posts.

 

[KristyDarling]

Hehe, the ONLY time I proudly wear my diamond as a status symbol is when I''m at the makeup counter at Neiman''s and want a sales associate to take me seriously and treat me with some respect! I''ve actually done experiments where I show up ring-less in the morning and wait FOREVER to get help, versus showing up later in the day wearing my Leon and they SNAP to attention!

But really, I wear diamonds for ME. I''m actually embarrassed to wear my Leon around in some situations (i.e. at work where I work with a bunch of hard-nosed, salty journalists), but I do anyways because I LOVE looking at my sparkley. And I''ve even taken crap from friends/relatives who can''t believe the size of my ring (for my age) and I wear it anyway....ok, well, some of the time. (still working on the self-confidence) But man I LOOOOOVE diamonds and I wear them only because there''s nothing else like them.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 1:07:59 AM
Author: Kaleigh
I ''ve had a passion for diamonds and gems since the age of 5. I was really taken by them.

If I''m really honest with myself, I was the same... hence why I told dh when we were young and broke "You can''t afford what I want, so we''ll wait" and over the years I really would have been content with smaller stones for the symbol they were... but I also knew the longer we waited easier we could afford it (or the more I could afford? haha) and I think I repressed a lot of it over the years...

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 9:12:07 AM
Author: ephemery1

From Wikipedia: ''A status symbol is something, usually an expensive or rare object, that indicates a high social status for its owner.''

Diamonds definitely fit the first part of the definition, and I guess whether they fulfill the second part is up to the owner.

Well, does it indicate it for *us* or does it indicate that to those looking at us? That''s a very good question though!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 9:15:34 AM
Author: Julian
I love diamonds! I don't think of them as status symbols. I think people can tell your background in far more obvious ways -- the way you speak, dress (even casual) and groom yourself speaks volumes. Consideration and manners (thoughtfulness) really shows a person's way of life and I think that displays true class to me.

Besides, people can sniff money a mile away no matter how casually you are dressed. It's in the pampered skin, the highlighted hair and etc. Don't ask me how, but the trained professionals (realtors, jewelers & etc.) can spot you. Of course there are the eccentric wealthy who may dress in stained sweats but they are the exception and not the rule. So don't think not wearing diamonds means they don't know you have money! LOL.

I agree with your first paragraph but not your second... not everyone who HAS money does those things. Although people who SPEND money often do. I'll give you that! lol!! But there is a difference between the two. Some people who have money don't even bathe regularly! You can sniff them a mile away and it doesn't tell you squat about what's in the bank. Also - some people who have pampered skin and expensive handbags etc. have $50 in the bank and a huge credit card debt. I don't think appearances can tell you what someone has - just how someone spends it.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 10:59:48 AM
Author: Mara
Hmmm well my diamonds are not considered a status symbol at all for me...because I''d be a bit of an oxymoron showing off my diamond ring and bling while driving my reallyneedstoberetired 1992 toyota...hahaha. I''m finally going to get a car next spring but it just has not been a priority for us at all. I think if we were into status symbols, we''d always have the new cars, the nice place, the expensive clothes and the bling. But instead we just have a few of those things and everything else is pretty simplistic.

We''re much the same way Mara - we had an old toyota for years and have never had a *new* car (newest was 2 years old and I doubt we''ll *ever* get a brand new car - we saved 15k buying our 2 year old car!) toyotas rock! We have a venture right now that is a 99 and needs to be replaced... I know if it was a toyota we''d have longer... anyway... we are HUGE fans of the "no car payment" idea. Who really cares what your car looks like - that''s money you can be saving for something else! Of course diamonds... cars... I guess it''s two sides of the same passion. "look how cool and fast my car is" "look how big and blingy my rock is" LOL! We''ve been saving and living a pretty humble life for 10 years to afford to move back to CA without a hit to lifestyle... so I took some of that money and plopped it on my finger hahaha I might as well enjoy it now!!

 

[codex57]

Date: 10/9/2006 10:59:48 AM
Author: Mara
I think if we were into status symbols, we''d always have the new cars, the nice place, the expensive clothes and the bling. But instead we just have a few of those things and everything else is pretty simplistic. If we own something it''s because we love it.

Yeah, that sucks. We''re just like you. Some people think we''re way more wealthy than we are based on just a few items they see. Sure we have some nice things, but that''s cuz we sacrifice other things that others take for granted in their daily lives. Like, we don''t eat out that often or order drinks when we do. Don''t buy coffee every day and rarely shop for new clothes. Simple stuff that''s kinda small and people take for granted in their daily lives, but it all adds up. We choose not to buy the small stuff and use that money to get the big budget items. A few big things, and everything else pretty simple. We love the few nice things we have.

 

[Christa]

I''ve always been into jewelry--loved to look but never thought about actually owning. Until the last couple of years, anyway.

When my originaly wedding set fell apart and we replaced it, my half suppressed obsession was kind of unleashed.

I''m content with my baby diamond for now, though--it''s twice the size of the one I wore for the first 15 years of my marriage! I also have issues with wearing something too big because of what we do for a living, so I honestly don''t even aspire to something huge. Maybe a little bigger, but not huge.

 

[phoenixgirl]

I''m the same way with cars. I have a ''99 Honda CR-V, and although I''ve dinged it up when in reverse (I think I''m on my third or fourth back bumper . . . can''t remember which now . . . and my rear spare tire is askew), the innards are in great working order. I will definitely drive it for another two years, and then who knows. I''d get another CR-V, but they''ve just announced the new model, and it''s shorter and wider. Hello people, the reason we all loved it was that it was built on the civic model. So now who knows what I will do. The Fit looks cute, but it may be too small.

I must confess, though, that when my husband and I traded cars for a few days, I had fun driving around his sporty car. It was so zippy! In my car I have to floor the gas pedal and then after a second or two it picks up.

 

[Odilia]

Date: 10/9/2006 10:59:48 AM
Author: Mara
...because my current boss told a coworker that she felt like I didn''t need the money, like why was I even working? And I KNOW it was because of my upgrade this year...even my coworker said ''I think it''s because of your diamond''. People just cannot comprehend that someone may want something luxury so badly they are willing to forgo something else practical to get it. Also most people have no concept of what diamonds cost, so they probably think mine cost more than it really did.

That kind of stuff bugs me. Luckily I don''t think it happens too often with me, as I have only a 1.1 ct, but even with that, occasionally I get that same feeling. But when I think of all things my DH and I do without, that most people consider necessities etc. When I look at what people spend on the latest electronics, cable TV, cigarettes, new cars, etc. etc. my diamond was a tiny fraction of what they spend on stuff like that. But somehow people don''t look at it like that. I can only imagine what it will be like when I finally wear the fur coat my DH''s elderly aunt gave me. She was never rich either, not by a long shot, but she must have splurged on herself for once years ago. Oh well...
Plus did it ever occur to your boss that maybe you work harder because you want the money to buy nice diamonds!? She should take after my old boss, who, when I bought my first new car which was also relatively inexpensive, but was sporty looking (hence probably looked expensive), said he liked it when his new employees bought things like that. Too him, it meant I would need to keep my job for a while to pay it off.

 

[Odilia]

Date: 10/9/2006 11:56:02 AM
Author: KristyDarling
Hehe, the ONLY time I proudly wear my diamond as a status symbol is when I''m at the makeup counter at Neiman''s and want a sales associate to take me seriously and treat me with some respect! I''ve actually done experiments where I show up ring-less in the morning and wait FOREVER to get help, versus showing up later in the day wearing my Leon and they SNAP to attention!

It''s funny you say this, because over the years when walking through malls, I''d see people getting these free makeup trials, and I sometimes thought, "how do I get them to give me a free trial?" But the only time I got offers, and many of them, was when I was engaged. It was like every makeup counter wanted to do my makeup. My original ering was more blingy than my solitaire. I didn''t know if it was just because I was engaged, or what, but maybe it was the same phenomenon.

 

[Allisonfaye]

I guess my love of diamonds also started with my grandmother too. She had a bunch of rings that I think my grandpa won in poker games or received in some other shady way. lol. None of them was very big but she wore like 5 on each of her ring fingers. For her, that was status. They grew up in the depression and my grandmother was a shy lady so I think that was her way of being someone. She also had some gorgeous rhinestone stuff that I used to play dress up with. Wish I had some of it now.

I also loved rocks and gems as a child. I had a rock collection.

I think part of the appeal for me is that not everyone has it. It is special. I choose my jewelry like everything else I choose. Some people have tons of stuff, although not as nice in quality. I have always preferred to have fewer things of nicer quality. My SIL and BIL were over recently and he was touring our new house for the first time. We were in our master closet and he asked me ''Where are all your shoes and your clothes"? ...making reference to how much is wife had. I know we are in a better financial position than they are.

I do feel embarrassed by my bling in some social settings. I was with my sister recently and she was asking about my upgrade. She had given me a hard time about getting one because I was destroying the sentimental value. Interestingly, she doesn''t even wear any rings because they bug her. She commented ''I am SO not a jewelry person''...in a way that I think was designed to make me feel bad in some way.

Other places, like when we travel, my stuff is probably on the smaller side.

I will probably upgrade my diamond again at some point but I won''t even tell my sister. I didn''t tell her about my ruby ring or diamond bracelet. I feel like if I do, I am rubbing it in her face that she can''t afford that stuff.