diamonds as status symbol

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 3:35:46 PM
Author: old-fashioned girl

When I look at what people spend on the latest electronics,

okay yes this is us... especially since he got out of the military and we''ve had disposable income.... we both have pda cell phones and 5 computers networked and our replay tv is networked to our computers and has a 400 gig harddrive ROFL My computer has two harddrives - both are 100 gig. we have even more computer parts and other misc stuff and tons of gadgty type things, laser measuring devices etc. If it''s digital we either have it or it''s on the to buy list LOL We even have cordless phones that are networked with a camera in the basement so we can watch the kids from any of the phones from anwhere on the property... we''re looking to add another camera LOL!

 

[Mara]

OFG I had another boss who said the same thing ... when we bought our house he said the same thing about working to pay for it kinda thing.

It's just funny how people have perceptions based on looks or attitude or whatever. A bit of confidence and some fashionable clothes and a big rock and suddenly I don't *need* to work. Oh also it's because she knows where Greg works and what he does...and that we have a nice place...so it's just a bunch of 'perceptions' all together I guess. And the funniest part was ... my car! Obviously if I didn't NEED to work, wouldn't I be driving a paid for BMW or something? Just totally random. But people will see what they want to see.

She also has said to ME the same thing about another gal whose husband makes a fair amount in corporate...she is like 'oh she comes off like she doesn't need anything because he can take care of her' and I really never got that vibe at all from this girl, in fact lately this gal has been going around saying 'hey i need more accounts because we want to buy a house and need to bump up the income'...but I bet that the perception of the employee in the boss's eyes won't change. I'm sure she thought I was crazy when I said was leaving to go get a stable corporate salary. I don't *need* the money right?! I should have said that I just needed it for a bigger diamond.

 

[Odilia]

Date: 10/9/2006 5:53:14 PM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 10/9/2006 3:35:46 PM
Author: old-fashioned girl

When I look at what people spend on the latest electronics,

okay yes this is us... .. we both have pda cell phones and 5 computers networked and our replay tv is networked to our computers and has a 400 gig harddrive ROFL My computer has two harddrives - both are 100 gig. we have even more computer parts and other misc stuff and tons of gadgty type things, laser measuring devices etc. If it's digital we either have it or it's on the to buy list LOL We even have cordless phones that are networked with a camera in the basement so we can watch the kids from any of the phones from anwhere on the property... we're looking to add another camera LOL!

I should have you all write down what you spend on this stuff, and I remember from a makeup thread I looked at once on here, almost falling out of my chair on what people spend on makeup. And so many other things. Our cars were both bought in the 1990's. We don't watch TV (hence no cable or satellite bills); just have a cheap little old TV set we put on a tray table when we want to watch a DVD or VHS tape, which is rare. When we do watch something it is usually either borrowed from a friend or library. The DVD/VHS player is an inexpensive one. No stereo system, just a boom box. We never go to the movie theater. Our cell-phone plan is over 3 years old, and although I think of it as expensive, I don't think we could get a cheaper one today. So anyway, I should find out what all the things cost that "normal" people have/show him the makeup thread and others, and tell DH maybe I do need a bigger diamond or more jewelry after all!

 

[ladykemma]

well, the bills are paid, the house is paid fer, the cars are paid fer, why not?

we don't have kids, no education to pay for. i don't get children- I get myself sparkly rocks instead.

walmart and TJ maxx clothes. I have a super designer purse, bought at TJ maxx. women eye it, when i bought it I didn't even know what it was. I just liked how it smelled. I can see how people get a purse addiction...

My student ask if I am rich. No, solidly middle class, with an ability to spot used jewelry in the oddest places.

edited to add: most of my belongings like china and pretty housewares are secondhand from flea markets, i have a TV from the 80s, and I drive cars till the wheels fall off. my hubby made most of our furniture.

 

[Odilia]

Date: 10/9/2006 6:03:26 PM
Author: Mara
It''s just funny how people have perceptions based on looks or attitude or whatever. A bit of confidence and some fashionable clothes and a big rock and suddenly I don''t *need* to work. Oh also it''s because she knows where Greg works and what he does...and that we have a nice place...so it''s just a bunch of ''perceptions'' all together I guess. ...Just totally random. But people will see what they want to see.

That is so true. People sometimes think my DH is well-to-do because of his work. Certainly we can''t complain of being poor, but he''s far from rich, but secondly, during the past few years when his company was in bankruptcy, they took away his pension. He''s not that far away from retirement, with very little of what he was supposed to get pension-wise (not to mention tons of other cuts in his pay in different areas). This perception thing works in many other areas too - I am a stay-at-home wife, so people say "you''re lucky to be able to", but I always feel like saying, "luck has very little to do with it." (sort of like luck having anything to do with the size of one''s diamond) We both worked very hard for all our single lives, and were both frugal, and we just will make whatever sacrifices it takes to make it possible. But again it''s just about choices and how you spend your money, etc.... But like you said, people will see what they want to see.

 

[Julian]

I've found that women who don't need to work but do so -- are among the hardest & happily working folks around. They're not doing it just for the money. They're not coasting along while picking up a paycheck. Many of them do it because they love it and they love working with the people.

Of course, those who work because they must...also work hard. So that's not to detract from their prowess or skills. I just happen to work with many women who don't need to work at all and they do because it's fun and challenging. I don't need to work but I do because I love it.

Boo to the people who think women who wear nice diamonds don't want to work.

It may be because they don't like their jobs and can't fathom anyone *wanting* to work or they're just resentful because they want to stay at home?

I don't think most people notice the bling that much, anyway. Some do and we notice because they're connoisseurs but the general public doesn't seem to care that much. I think LIWs notice because they're dreaming up styles for their own or newly engaged women. Newly engaged men notice a lot, too! I guess because they compare more than women seem to... Isn't that funny? I would never think guys would care, but they definitely notice bling.

 

[ladykemma]

the bailey banks and biddle salespeople falll all over me. (go figure?) i do not look like the memorial and river oaks wimmen that frequent that place. no facelifts recently. ha ha.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 6:06:37 PM
Author: old-fashioned girl

I should have you all write down what you spend on this stuff, and I remember from a makeup thread I looked at once on here, almost falling out of my chair on what people spend on makeup. And so many other things. Our cars were both bought in the 1990''s. We don''t watch TV (hence no cable or satellite bills); just have a cheap little old TV set we put on a tray table when we want to watch a DVD or VHS tape, which is rare. When we do watch something it is usually either borrowed from a friend or library. The DVD/VHS player is an inexpensive one. No stereo system, just a boom box. We never go to the movie theater. Our cell-phone plan is over 3 years old, and although I think of it as expensive, I don''t think we could get a cheaper one today. So anyway, I should find out what all the things cost that ''normal'' people have/show him the makeup thread and others, and tell DH maybe I do need a bigger diamond or more jewelry after all!

we spend more than a lot of people, but less than we could because m husband is the techno bargain hunter and he builds computers etc. we each have desktops and laptops (if I have a lo of typos its cause I''m on my laptop laying on the couch lazy bones lol) and the kids have a computer.... my latest computer we got from dell for like 800 but he got a killer rebate and a bunch of other stuff, not to mention we already had some things and he builds and networks it all himself (other than the one dell and the two laptops).

I saw the makeup thread and about had a cow myself! I use clinique and do spend more than I think I *should* on skincare but it still is less than $50 a month (once you set yourself up lol). I buy way too many lipsticks but I buy mostly $5 lipsticks. I have two or three gallon sized bags of lipstick. And I don''t even wear itevery day!! But still, like $20 a month on makeup over the year, inclusing nail polish lol

I am not a shoe whore, though I freak out if my shoes and purse don''t match LOL I love love love purses but I buy them at kohls and target mostly because I don''t consder them an investment- I consider them someting fun and throwaway. I have spent more on shoes but I''m not the type to spend $500 on pumps. More like $100 on berks LOL!

both of our cars are 90''s also - 99 and 98. We do have a 36" tv wtih surround sound and several (cough) other TVs scattered around the property (not all in the main house) and both of our desktops act as tvs also... you can pretty much watch tv anywher but now that we have replay we hardly ever just watch live tv - it''s sooooooo annoying!!!!! We''ve had it for lik3 years now and watch less tv than ever because we''re not sucked in to watch "filler" shows.

I don''t spend a lot on clothes or jewelery other than this ring.... but I''m already thinking I need a diamond watch hahaha (telling dh it''s two birds with one stone and I''m saving him the tenis bracelet) but I don''t know if I care if they''re really diamonds.... I don''t think I do but I dunno. I still love my mans timex because it is so easy to read under water lol

I did spend more than I ever thought i would on my couch... I had to have it... I think I spent more on it than I''ve spent on all my other furniture combined LOL!! I have a lot of antiques and family heirloom furniture so we haven''t ever had to buy much furniture other than a table I got for $250 at nordstrom rack earlier this year that I *love* (it''s 72" and extends to 90") which replaced my too small hand me down from my grandma. We''ve always been pretty frugal in some areas and not in others... we had no car payments when my dh decided he HAD to have a red convertable so I call my ring my convertable LOL

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 6:22:15 PM
Author: old-fashioned girl

I am a stay-at-home wife, so people say ''you''re lucky to be able to'', but I always feel like saying, ''luck has very little to do with it.'' (sort of like luck having anything to do with the size of one''s diamond) We both worked very hard for all our single lives, and were both frugal, and we just will make whatever sacrifices it takes to make it possible. But again it''s just about choices and how you spend your money, etc.... But like you said, people will see what they want to see.

Yes! I am a stay at home mom by *design*. I worked before we had kids but haven''t in over 12 years. When he was military and we made next to nothing it was hard... always holding on to bills until he got paid and our checkbook always being red.. but we made it happen anyway. Another thing we''ve sacrificed is vacations... we have traveled to see family and on his sabbatical we hitched the trailer to the minivan and drove in a big circle around the country haha, but no trips to islands or tropics or europe or anything like that - yet. And I know this ring is several vacations... ::sigh:: that we could enoy together but oh well too late to return the ring now!! hahaha

 

[LBug75]

You know, I''d like to think that they''re not status symbols but I think they are to the people who are looking at yours, if you know what I mean. Or maybe it''s envy. I mean, I''m not saying that you all buy your e-rings so people will stare LOl but what I''m saying is that I think that to some extent other people might treat you differently according to the rock on your hand, thinking that "they must have a ton of money to have that rock" Not really realizing that maybe it''s an heirloom, maybe they saved up or just maybe they did their homework and didn''t get ripped off by a B&M store. I know I haven''t posted much here but I get the feeling that to everyone here, their wedding set is very personal and it''s not for the sake of trying to impress.However, having said that, when it comes to celebs I''d bet ya my bag of dark chocolate covered almonds, that those e-rings are ALL about status and who has what or whom. So, I''ll stick with my little diamond beauties cause I''m too paranoid to wear anything big, but of course I gotta wonder, are people judged for having small diamonds too ? Things that make you go hmm...

 

[Ellen]

I posted part of this in my ring thread, but I''ll reiterate for those who didn''t read/see it.

I was a stay at home mom by choice. It meant going without a lot, my hubby does not make big bucks, and we had 3 kids. We didn''t own a new car until 4 years ago. Except for driving to Ohio to see my favorite SIL, who used to live here but got transfered, we didn''t take a vacation for 15 years. We don''t wear fancy designer clothes, nor do we have a lot of fancy furniture, we got some nice hand me downs. I didn''t have any expensive jewelry, save for the 5ct. Aquamarine my grandma left me. and some ok studs I bought about 4 years ago.

So, I get my upgaded Ering about 6 months ago, 1.40, nothing to exclaim I had broken the bank to get. The reaction from the people who knew me was odd, to say the least. Polite, but subdued compliments were it. Heck, I got a way more enthusiastic response from the secretary at my ins. co. and the checkers at the corner grocery store. Then about 4 weeks ago, I ran into a highschool friend I used to hang with. Our hubby''s work together. She also has a great job, they have at least twice the money we do. We were at a party, and I had said nothing about my ring, I never do. She comments on my watch, which was odd, a 14 dollar sterling silver job, and then takes my hand and said, this is new. So I said yes, she asked where I got it, blah blah. What really struck me was her attitude. It was SO blatantly obvious that she was not happy for me. I don''t get it, I would have thought the people who knew me would be happy for me. But the rings reception went so badly by a lot of my friends, that I wouldn''t dream of telling them I got new earrings.

Honestly, you''d think I bought the Hope Diamond or something...

 

[lumpkin]

Ellen, I got the same reaction when I bought my pear. The same people who have boats or pools or vacation in Hawaii and Alaska and probably spent WAY more money on those things gave me a really odd reaction to my pear. It was weird. Not that I expected anyone to gush, nor wanted them to, but there was a definite chill in the air about it. Huh, maybe *I* need a new circle, LOL!

I think I read a quote somewhere, "You find out who your friends are when something good happens to you..." or something to that effect.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/9/2006 7:54:27 PM
Author: lumpkin
Ellen, I got the same reaction when I bought my pear. The same people who have boats or pools or vacation in Hawaii and Alaska and probably spent WAY more money on those things gave me a really odd reaction to my pear. It was weird. Not that I expected anyone to gush, nor wanted them to, but there was a definite chill in the air about it. Huh, maybe *I* need a new circle, LOL!

Exactly. I didn''t really want people grabbing my hand and exclaiming for all to hear how beautiful it was, but for petes sake, can''t ya be happy?

We both need new friends, where ya live?

 

[lumpkin]

I work, but my job truly is nothing that could be even remotely considered a career. I work around my kids. I sometimes wonder if that''s why I got that reaction....you know, like they think I didn''t *deserve* it or I didn''t *earn* it. WHATEV!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 7:11:57 PM
Author: Ellen
I posted part of this in my ring thread, but I''ll reiterate for those who didn''t read/see it.

I was a stay at home mom by choice. It meant going without a lot, my hubby does not make big bucks, and we had 3 kids. We didn''t own a new car until 4 years ago. Except for driving to Ohio to see my favorite SIL, who used to live here but got transfered, we didn''t take a vacation for 15 years. We don''t wear fancy designer clothes, nor do we have a lot of fancy furniture, we got some nice hand me downs. I didn''t have any expensive jewelry, save for the 5ct. Aquamarine my grandma left me. and some ok studs I bought about 4 years ago.

So, I get my upgaded Ering about 6 months ago, 1.40, nothing to exclaim I had broken the bank to get. The reaction from the people who knew me was odd, to say the least. Polite, but subdued compliments were it. Heck, I got a way more enthusiastic response from the secretary at my ins. co. and the checkers at the corner grocery store. Then about 4 weeks ago, I ran into a highschool friend I used to hang with. Our hubby''s work together. She also has a great job, they have at least twice the money we do. We were at a party, and I had said nothing about my ring, I never do. She comments on my watch, which was odd, a 14 dollar sterling silver job, and then takes my hand and said, this is new. So I said yes, she asked where I got it, blah blah. What really struck me was her attitude. It was SO blatantly obvious that she was not happy for me. I don''t get it, I would have thought the people who knew me would be happy for me. But the rings reception went so badly by a lot of my friends, that I wouldn''t dream of telling them I got new earrings.

Honestly, you''d think I bought the Hope Diamond or something...

oh ellen, I am so afraid of having to deal with this... thank goodness I have big fingers to camo the diamond! lol! I''m curious to see the reactions bt we''re only planning on living here for another less than 2 years so oh well... anyone who can''t be happy for me reall yisn''t my friend.

 

[ladykemma]

i know people in houston who live in mcmansions and live beyond their means. In debt up to thier eyeballs and they make comments about my stones.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 8:01:06 PM
Author: Ellen
Exactly. I didn''t really want people grabbing my hand and exclaiming for all to hear how beautiful it was, but for petes sake, can''t ya be happy?

We both need new friends, where ya live?

my two best friends are thrilled for me. One lifes in SF and one in GA and the one in GA is pretty strapped and she hasn''t even once made me feel awful about how I could be spending the money to go see her or how it would be helpful to them if they had it "laying around". I love her for that, i feel guilty but I appreciate her joy for me so much! My friend in SF is single and she considers this me researching for her in the future lol I''ve already told her she needs a ring like facet fires! I have a close friend here who knows I''m making a ring but has no clue what the main stone is let alone the size - her ring is like .5ctw and she''s thrilled with it - so I''m pretty sure she''ll be wowed and maybe privately think it was wasteful, but I don''t think she''d ever say anything to me that was negative. She tends to love beautiful things and be happy for people no mater what Another friend started asking me questions even though i swore I wouldn''t discuss it with her and she kept flipnig back and forth between, "oh well that size is no big deal, not unless it''s over 3 so you don''t have to worry - that''s not big" and "Oh I''d never want something bigger than my 1 carat because I''m just not a bling bling sort of person, this is more than enough for me. Of course she''s also the same ''friend'' who either had the BEST or the WORST birth experience *EVER* depending on how the conversation is going LOL I''ve literally heard her use both terms just like tht so having her do the same about diamonds shouldn''t be a shocker lol I think the one thing that will piss me off the most is if I feel like I have to justify my J diamond. I love the color of it and I don''t think I settle or sacrifice anything, I truly believe I''ve *gained* something from the antique white hue.... but I really don''t want to have to justify that or get sneers about how it isn''t "white" or "clear" or how I only got a big stone because it was "yellow". That will piss me off. LOL

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 8:42:30 PM
Author: ladykemma
i know people in houston who live in mcmansions and live beyond their means. In debt up to thier eyeballs and they make comments about my stones.

what sort of comments? Too big or too small? ugh - isn''t it crazy how people are? BTW from my other thread on what do you say - I''ve decided I''m going to say "two seven" LOL

 

[diamondfan]

Date: 10/9/2006 9:38:16 AM
Author: *Lindsey*
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.

Lindsey, that is so funny. I also did that in preschool...I wore my grandmother''s costume stuff, a feather boa, and those plastic dress up mules that have glitter on them, plus a little plastic purse. I was quite a style queen!

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 10/9/2006 8:46:12 PM
Author: Cehrabehra

Date: 10/9/2006 8:42:30 PM
Author: ladykemma
i know people in houston who live in mcmansions and live beyond their means. In debt up to thier eyeballs and they make comments about my stones.

what sort of comments? Too big or too small? ugh - isn''t it crazy how people are? BTW from my other thread on what do you say - I''ve decided I''m going to say ''two seven'' LOL

too many- I own about 15 secondhand diamond rings.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/9/2006 9:14:44 PM
Author: ladykemma
too many- I own about 15 secondhand diamond rings.

oh that''s not bad!! that''s nuts they think it is! I did kinda think my mom was nuts but she had rings that were almost the same - how many cheapo ruby rings with flanking poo diamonds do you need anyway? I think one should suffice LOL!! I could do a "hand" shot with her stuff but there''s really only one ring I like and I don''t even know what it is LOL Enjoy your rings - my mom did and that''s all that really mattered... she could afford her HSN bill! lol

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I was born loving anything that sparkled. My mother told me that even as a baby I would stare at icicles for hours!

 

[anchor31]

I got my love for sparklies from my maternal grandmother. I''m very close to her and we have a lot of points in common! My grandmother has many tiny diamonds as earrings and pendants and her wedding set is a small .10-.15ct solitaire with a thin half-eternity band. She would rather have a very smal diamond than a bigger fake one, and she was the first person to tell me that cut is the most important thing!

She has a pretty amazing collection of gold jewellery and jemstones... She gave me a garnet pear that belonged to her mother I want to reset someday... The setting it petty much eaten up.

And it''s true that people make a lot of assumptions based on the size of your ring... I''m a 21-year-old college student and my FI is 24 and out of school. He doesn''t have a big income, but everything''s paid off at the end of the month, no debt and that''s that. He worked overtime for 6 months to buy me my .50ct ring. I told him he didn''t need to and I didn''t mind having smaller now and we could upgrade, but he wanted to do this. In my area, .50ct+ diamonds are only seen by weathly 40+ women, so it does get stares. I''ve been asked if my FI was rich and I was so surprised my answer was "Huh?"

. Then I figured that of course they''d assume he had money, not that he''d worked his butt off for it...

 

[LBug75]

I swear, these bad comments people make have got to be stemming from jealousy. It''s too bad that people are that way. I mean, that''s one thing about the ladies here. Whether you have 1/4 carat or 5 carats, you don''t get the snide comments. The size of your e-ring doesn''t change who you are as a person, maybe people think that it will but it doesn''t. I mean Sarah Jessica Parker wears a plain band and she has a ton of money I''m sure. Like, I said before, our sets are personal, it''s what we like. Don''t sweat it ladies, only really shallow people would judge you based on the size of a ring and do you really want to hang around those people anyway ?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/10/2006 10:07:42 AM
Author: LBug75
I swear, these bad comments people make have got to be stemming from jealousy. It''s too bad that people are that way. I mean, that''s one thing about the ladies here. Whether you have 1/4 carat or 5 carats, you don''t get the snide comments. The size of your e-ring doesn''t change who you are as a person, maybe people think that it will but it doesn''t. I mean Sarah Jessica Parker wears a plain band and she has a ton of money I''m sure. Like, I said before, our sets are personal, it''s what we like. Don''t sweat it ladies, only really shallow people would judge you based on the size of a ring and do you really want to hang around those people anyway ?

I think you''re right that it''s jealousy, at least that''s the conclusion I came to. And it''s ugly.

 

[pricescope]

As an outsider to some extend and an observer at large scale i would like to offer my view on what diamonds are for for many people.

I think that you have a relationship with your ring as much as an art collector has with a painting, a man with his car, even a vine connousseur with each sip of vintage vine. And as all relationships it's a processes involving many aspects influencing - other people reactions to your "pet" more or less important.

Such connections are built mostly with luxury items because an investment is a big part of emotional evaluation at the beginning. Status part just comes along.

Boy i wish i can draw something instead...

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/10/2006 11:08:35 AM
Author: Pricescope
As an outsider to some extend and an observer at large scale i would like to offer my view on what diamonds are for for many people.

I think that you have a relationship with your ring as much as an art collector has with a painting, a man with his car, even a vine connousseur with each sip of vintage vine. And as all relationships it's a processes involving many aspects influencing - other people reactions to your 'pet' more or less important.

Such connections are built mostly with luxury items because an investment is a big part of emotional evaluation at the beginning. Status part just comes along.

Boy i wish i can draw something instead...

I think you said that quite astutely! I love art and have several original paintings and sculptures and carvings etc. and yes, what you describe is so... the art I've been given has an heirloom sort of quality to it much like the jewelry I've been given... but the pieces I purchased have a different sort of value, more like an investment, but an investment that has a sensual return rather than a monetary one. My diamond is at the top of that collection both in terms of financial investment and sensual return. Add on to that the symbol of love and incidental fashion accessory and you have one heck of a return on your investment!! Only people invited into my home see my wonderful paintings... the ring goes with me

 

[diamondfan]

It just kills me when folks make erroneous assumptions. I grew up in Beverly Hills and was certainly style conscious and loved bling, but my first e ring was 1.53 and it was perfect to me at 24. I did not know the cost or much about it at all. But, I was in graduate school and often in classes in the evening, and I would no more have worn a 9 plus carat stone than fly to the moon. I moved east about 9 years ago, and here, MUCH more so in my circle here than in Beverly Hills, did I notice bling all around, watches, rings, and what I call the "fun" things...whatever the trend is, having real stuff in that trend, i.e. long chains, chandelier earrings, tons of bangles etc. I always liked nice things, but maybe due to being younger, a student and a new mom, did not pay as much attention. I just cannot deal with the notion that a big ring means more than what it is, which is a big ring...does not mean you have more money always (heirloom? savings? etc) or that you are worth knowing moreso than someone else with a smaller ring...hubby does not love you more just because he could give you a larger ring...the judgements made can really stand in someone''s way, they can just seem to have a tough time getting past the "stuff" and on to the substance!

 

[littlelysser]

I''ve been out of town, or I would have weighed in on this much sooner.

I agree with admin on this one.

My stone is a 1.6 ct asscher, in my avatar. We chose it because it was a beautiful stone and it fit perfectly within our budget (no diamond debt here!)...And I wear it everyday because I love it. It is the last thing I take off before I go to bed and the first thing I put on after I get out of the shower. I wear it when I know I''m going to be spending the entire day at home. I wear it when no one but me is going to see it. I just love it.

That having been said, I do think of my diamond as a status symbol, to a certain extent. I am glad I have a decent sized stone. I am a lawyer and the majority of my friends are lawyers. Most of my friends'' erings are over a carat. I''m not saying that my stone had to be a certain size for me to love it. But I certainly love that it is a good size. And although there are people that go into huge debt for stones - there is something about the knowledge that one has enough disposable income to have $10k+ on one''s finger that is kind of, well, nice. So yeah. Would I feel judged wearing .25 ct ring? I would hope not, but I''m not certain I''d feel the same swell of "hehee I can''t believe that is my ring" if it were. I love that my setting is unique and my stone is amazing. I like it when people admire it. So yeah...perhaps I am more shallow than I thought.

It is interesting though - I think everyone has different ideas of what is a status symbol - or where they''d prefer to spend their money. Car wise, we drive a 2005 Rav-4 -which is really not a showy car at all. Our house is 1/2 a duplex, three bedrooms, two baths...in a good neighborhood, but again, not really a status type house. I simply don''t understand why anyone other than the uber-rich would spend the money on a high end car or a crazy expensive house. But clearly, there are many many people who feel differently. I, however, like to splurge on designer bags and designer shoes. And I''m sure there are people out there who would think I am fool for spending $1000 on a faboooooo prada bag.

Gah. Can you tell I don''t feel like working today?

 

[~*Alexis*~]

I do think that diamonds are a status symbol to an extent, but I think if you really like something that you should wear it. If you have like 10 rings on each finger so what. Wear it. I think that if you have the $$ to spend on something that you want, go for it. You worked hard for that $$. Some people decide to spend their $$ on clothes and shoes and purses. However I think of diamonds as an investment. They might be worth more in the future you just never know.