For the ladies who have 5+ carat center stones...

[soulsis]

Date: 4/27/2006 6:31:52 PM
Author: Rhapsody

Date: 4/27/2006 6:20:22 PM

Author: soulsis

I am morbidly curious about this question as well. I just popped through another post and it seem like ALOT of woman in their twenties own substantial bling. It must be (no insult intended) an american thing. Geez, kids in their twenties here are lucky if they own a car, let alone a 2 or 3 carat diamond. Maybe it is my obsession with debt? Maybe it is the circle of friends you have. I guess if you are a lawyer, you probably have a lot of lawyer friends I would love a 2 carat diamond even though it was too big for me (5.75 hand).

I agree totally. If you are in your twenties and have a half carat you are way ahead of most here. From what I see here, little, if any people in their twneties have any savings. I have friends in their 40''s that still rent an apartment. I am frugal with my money, don''t have a substantial income, and having to spend $5000 (that''s it) on our wedding made me wince.

Sometimes I wonder too. My boyfriend and I are both 24, and my half carat ring was a MAJOR purchase for us.

 

[dani13]

Date: 4/28/2006 10:17:39 AM
Author: orange_horse_fiance
I will bite (and vent) too. I am not at quite the 5ct size, but my 4.21 isn't shabby. I have noticed lately some PS calling people out on there bling and making certain assumptions. I have not hit my thirties yet, I do wear a large diamond EVERY DAY and lots of other sparkly stuff to go along with it. I live debt free, no mortage, no car payments (I drive a newer car), we donate AT LEAST 10% of our income (in the 6 figure range) to our church and local chariities, we do not live beyond our means, we could have bought a larger diamond had we chosen, we have two childrnen in private school and one on the way....We live well within our means. We pay cash for all purchases and that includes cars, jewlery,homes, etc.

So for those that assume I am wearing a huge rock and living in a shack just to 'show off' or live beyond my means I am not and I am certain there are plenty others around here just like me and doing much better than me. I don't say this to be rude, pretentious, brag, or prove myself, but it just seems like there are a lot of people in the recent past that are commenting and questioning people's style of life and their individual spending on luxuaries such as jewlery.

I make no apologies for how my husband and i choose to live. I work hard and he works really hard and we share and enjoy all our blessings with those around us. How did we get to the point of being where we are at....well it doesn't have to do with family money, or any internet fortune....my husband is bright, driven, and focused. He and his partner started a CPA consulting firm and it took off like wildfire...

I am blessed I can't deny it, but please for those of you with your doubts think that for one moment we take or for granted or do it for any of the wrong reasons. I have just as much respect for the person with a .25 ct. stone working hard too as I do for my own situation.

OHF-

I dont think this has been the general feeling around here- we all respect one another, and I dont recall anyone being "called out on their bling." There is no need to make excuses for the way you live- you need to do what you are comfortable with and that is the bottom line. I also dont think that many of us feel that we need to share personal information regarding our finances, posessions, etc. No one is asking you to justify anthing- it just sounds silly.

 

[soulsis]

Date: 4/28/2006 10:17:39 AM
Author: orange_horse_fiance
I will bite (and vent) too. I am not at quite the 5ct size, but my 4.21 isn''t shabby. I have noticed lately some PS calling people out on there bling and making certain assumptions. I have not hit my thirties yet, I do wear a large diamond EVERY DAY and lots of other sparkly stuff to go along with it. I live debt free, no mortage, no car payments (I drive a newer car), we donate AT LEAST 10% of our income (in the 6 figure range) to our church and local chariities, we do not live beyond our means, we could have bought a larger diamond had we chosen, we have two childrnen in private school and one on the way....We live well within our means. We pay cash for all purchases and that includes cars, jewlery,homes, etc.


So for those that assume I am wearing a huge rock and living in a shack just to ''show off'' or live beyond my means I am not and I am certain there are plenty others around here just like me and doing much better than me. I don''t say this to be rude, pretentious, brag, or prove myself, but it just seems like there are a lot of people in the recent past that are commenting and questioning people''s style of life and their individual spending on luxuaries such as jewlery.


I make no apologies for how my husband and i choose to live. I work hard and he works really hard and we share and enjoy all our blessings with those around us. How did we get to the point of being where we are at....well it doesn''t have to do with family money, or any internet fortune....my husband is bright, driven, and focused. He and his partner started a CPA consulting firm and it took off like wildfire...


I am blessed I can''t deny it, but please for those of you with your doubts think that for one moment we take or for granted or do it for any of the wrong reasons. I have just as much respect for the person with a .25 ct. stone working hard too as I do for my own situation.

On the contrary. I am not putting you down. If you can afford the bling wear the bling. I am just pointing out that couples like yourself are in fact pretty rare. At least when you are very young. In my circle of friends and family we are all pretty much middle class. Couples making under $60K a year, working two jobs, financed to the hilt...that kind of thing. Most of my friend my age (mid thirties) have student loans of around $70ooo to pay. You are very lucky, and it sounds like you do realize that. Kudos to you!

 

[Dancing Fire]

OHF
good for you

wish i had your problems.

 

[Rhapsody]

Date: 4/28/2006 10:17:39 AM
Author: orange_horse_fiance
I will bite (and vent) too. I am not at quite the 5ct size, but my 4.21 isn't shabby. I have noticed lately some PS calling people out on there bling and making certain assumptions. I have not hit my thirties yet, I do wear a large diamond EVERY DAY and lots of other sparkly stuff to go along with it. I live debt free, no mortage, no car payments (I drive a newer car), we donate AT LEAST 10% of our income (in the 6 figure range) to our church and local chariities, we do not live beyond our means, we could have bought a larger diamond had we chosen, we have two childrnen in private school and one on the way....We live well within our means. We pay cash for all purchases and that includes cars, jewlery,homes, etc.


So for those that assume I am wearing a huge rock and living in a shack just to 'show off' or live beyond my means I am not and I am certain there are plenty others around here just like me and doing much better than me. I don't say this to be rude, pretentious, brag, or prove myself, but it just seems like there are a lot of people in the recent past that are commenting and questioning people's style of life and their individual spending on luxuaries such as jewlery.


I make no apologies for how my husband and i choose to live. I work hard and he works really hard and we share and enjoy all our blessings with those around us. How did we get to the point of being where we are at....well it doesn't have to do with family money, or any internet fortune....my husband is bright, driven, and focused. He and his partner started a CPA consulting firm and it took off like wildfire...


I am blessed I can't deny it, but please for those of you with your doubts think that for one moment we take or for granted or do it for any of the wrong reasons. I have just as much respect for the person with a .25 ct. stone working hard too as I do for my own situation.

I hope my comment didn't make you think I was questioning your lifestyle. Like you said, you work hard for your money and no one has any right to tell you what you should or shouldn't do with it or pass judgement on you.

When I see people with large diamonds all I think of is... wow, they must have a lot of money! And I have to admit when I see people my age or close to it I am envious that they have the financial security to make large luxury purchases or pay for a home with cash, because they're things I want for myself and am struggling to achieve. I don't envy the diamond itself (I dont even like large diamonds, sacrilege, I know) but I do envy the financial freedom they represent (to me, at least).

My boyfriend and I are 2 years out of college, loaded down with student loans trying to work our way up the system. I hope one day we have the type of security you have. But I also know there's a good chance I wont ever have that, and sometimes it does make me a little sad.

 

[leeenie]

Date: 4/27/2006 6:20:22 PM
Author: soulsis
I am morbidly curious about this question as well. I just popped through another post and it seem like ALOT of woman in their twenties own substantial bling. It must be (no insult intended) an american thing. Geez, kids in their twenties here are lucky if they own a car, let alone a 2 or 3 carat diamond. Maybe it is my obsession with debt? Maybe it is the circle of friends you have. I guess if you are a lawyer, you probably have a lot of lawyer friends I would love a 2 carat diamond even though it was too big for me (5.75 hand).

Although it is not the norm, there are jobs that straight-out-of-college kids can get where they make 100K+ within a couple years (different types of finance). Also, people who go to law school straight from college will graduate at 25 and have the ability to earn 140K salary + bonus. If both sides are in this position, they should be able to save up quite a bit, especially if they don''t spend it all on other things.

A lot of colleges including grad schools give scholarships, so debt is not inevitable even for people who don''t have parents supporting them all through school.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 4/28/2006 7:33:25 PM
Author: teagreen

Date: 4/27/2006 6:20:22 PM
Author: soulsis
I am morbidly curious about this question as well. I just popped through another post and it seem like ALOT of woman in their twenties own substantial bling. It must be (no insult intended) an american thing. Geez, kids in their twenties here are lucky if they own a car, let alone a 2 or 3 carat diamond. Maybe it is my obsession with debt? Maybe it is the circle of friends you have. I guess if you are a lawyer, you probably have a lot of lawyer friends I would love a 2 carat diamond even though it was too big for me (5.75 hand).

Although it is not the norm, there are jobs that straight-out-of-college kids can get where they make 100K+ within a couple years (different types of finance). Also, people who go to law school straight from college will graduate at 25 and have the ability to earn 140K salary + bonus. If both sides are in this position, they should be able to save up quite a bit, especially if they don''t spend it all on other things.

A lot of colleges including grad schools give scholarships, so debt is not inevitable even for people who don''t have parents supporting them all through school.

TG
come on..... how many % of the people (do you think) in the U.S. have a six figure income?

 

[leeenie]

Date: 4/28/2006 8:14:53 PM
Author: Dancing Fire
TG
come on..... how many % of the people (do you think) in the U.S. have a six figure income?

I know it''s a minority, but so is the %age of people who have expensive diamonds.

I was just using it as an example to explain how 20-somethings can afford to have expensive diamonds that weren''t financed with debt. Obviously a six figure income is not a prerequisite to having an expensive diamond, but people who are older have had more time to save. People in their 20''s wouldn''t normally be able to afford it if they had debt or didn''t have as high paying jobs, but if they saved well, it could be possible later on. But it would be possible for high earning 20-somethings to make such a purchase without going into debt.

 

[cinnabar]

Date: 4/28/2006 8:14:53 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

come on..... how many % of the people (do you think) in the U.S. have a six figure income?

I have absolutely no idea where I saw or heard this, but I''ve got it in my head that it''s 2%. I don''t know if that is individuals, or family units (ie couples).

 

[SLK]

Here you go:

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/medincsizeandstate.html

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/medincearnersandstate.html

 

[orange_horse_fiance]

For all of the 98% of the PS population...I have never felt any disrespect, animosity or need to justisfy or even attempt to explain myself to anyone here... Especially the people in this particular thread. My comments and explanations are not really to justify anything, but to make a point to others I have witnessed make comments towards others this past week in various threads. I have always felt very comfortable, at ease and not judged by any memebers on PS. I spend most of my timing enjoying and learning about people''s beautiful jewlery, insight and experience. It usually takes a lot for me to feel compleled to even comment. I can appreciate diamonds all all shapes, and sizes and could care less, what someone (or their husband) does for a living. I could care less what they drive, how they came about money or how they struggled. I appreciate and respect it all, but find that sort of information secondary and would never judge anyone because their diamond was "too big" or "too smalll" in someone else''s eyes. I am aware of what the more "norm" is in engagement rings, I understand me and several others here are NOT considered mainstream with our diamonds. I also love the fact that there are several here that blow my ring away. It is jsut so much fun to see and learn whether or not any of us can or will be ever able to attain our dream diamond...

I guess it was 2 or 3 threads this week I should have specifically responded to to vent on....I sort of hope the indivuals that made those comments see my original "vent"from this one...There were a couple of people that have made judegments and assumptions without really knowing what the background to people''s personal lives. They want to assume poeple are putting themselves into unecessary debt, "living beyond their means'', and should be living "below what they can actually afford". Then of course there has been the question posted about what people paid for their diamond!? That is like asking a lady her age!!!! I just don''t see the relevance. Anyone of us can do a quick search right here to figure what a particular size and grade is going for!!!!

PS is such a wonderful forum BECAUSE of the diversity of people, socioeconomic levels, social status, life experince and knowledge of diamonds and jewelry. I would never set out to offend anyone and have just found myslef offended by others comments that weren''t even directed at me. I want to see any and every diamond, big and small. I want to hear every story of a new engagement extravagant or simple and I want to wish happiness and success to each and every memeber regardless of their occupations, debt/credit ratio, income, spending habits, lifestyle, location, or education level.

NONE of it mattersr at the end of the day and I hope that is the point I can get accross. I hope I have cleared myself and my postion up....

OHF

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 4/29/2006 12:22:53 AM
Author: orange_horse_fiance

I want to see any and every diamond, big and small. I want to hear every story of a new engagement extravagant or simple and I want to wish happiness and success to each and every memeber regardless of their occupations, debt/credit ratio, income, spending habits, lifestyle, location, or education level.

I really agree, especially about this part! I just want to see the bling and enjoy hearing about engagements and weddings and important milestones! I am really glad to see different types of people represented on this forum. As much as I enjoy seeing the really big rocks, I might feel out of my league if people were only talking about super high end huge rings and weddings. I am glad that lots of different people, tastes, ages, etc, are represented on this forum because it keeps it more interesting!

 

[ELL]

Just because someone has a big diamond doesn''t mean they neccesarily broke the bank to buy it. Some us us are just really great bargin hunters!

 

[nicolejrx]

Date: 4/29/2006 12:22:53 AM
Author: orange_horse_fiance
For all of the 98% of the PS population...I have never felt any disrespect, animosity or need to justisfy or even attempt to explain myself to anyone here... Especially the people in this particular thread. My comments and explanations are not really to justify anything, but to make a point to others I have witnessed make comments towards others this past week in various threads. I have always felt very comfortable, at ease and not judged by any memebers on PS. I spend most of my timing enjoying and learning about people''s beautiful jewlery, insight and experience. It usually takes a lot for me to feel compleled to even comment. I can appreciate diamonds all all shapes, and sizes and could care less, what someone (or their husband) does for a living. I could care less what they drive, how they came about money or how they struggled. I appreciate and respect it all, but find that sort of information secondary and would never judge anyone because their diamond was ''too big'' or ''too smalll'' in someone else''s eyes. I am aware of what the more ''norm'' is in engagement rings, I understand me and several others here are NOT considered mainstream with our diamonds. I also love the fact that there are several here that blow my ring away. It is jsut so much fun to see and learn whether or not any of us can or will be ever able to attain our dream diamond...

I guess it was 2 or 3 threads this week I should have specifically responded to to vent on....I sort of hope the indivuals that made those comments see my original ''vent''from this one...There were a couple of people that have made judegments and assumptions without really knowing what the background to people''s personal lives. They want to assume poeple are putting themselves into unecessary debt, ''living beyond their means'', and should be living ''below what they can actually afford''. Then of course there has been the question posted about what people paid for their diamond!? That is like asking a lady her age!!!! I just don''t see the relevance. Anyone of us can do a quick search right here to figure what a particular size and grade is going for!!!!

PS is such a wonderful forum BECAUSE of the diversity of people, socioeconomic levels, social status, life experince and knowledge of diamonds and jewelry. I would never set out to offend anyone and have just found myslef offended by others comments that weren''t even directed at me. I want to see any and every diamond, big and small. I want to hear every story of a new engagement extravagant or simple and I want to wish happiness and success to each and every memeber regardless of their occupations, debt/credit ratio, income, spending habits, lifestyle, location, or education level.

NONE of it mattersr at the end of the day and I hope that is the point I can get accross. I hope I have cleared myself and my postion up....

OHF

OHF, well said!

My fiance is a physician in the Navy, I am a pharmacist. I am 27, he is 30, yes I have a big rock. We didn''t go into debt paying for it. Just because we''re young doesn''t mean we can''t be successful in our own right. My FI is in Iraq for the second time in 18 months, this helped pay for my engagement ring. Do I feel guilty over it, no! Would I rather have had him home and not have him be wounded last time he was over there, yes! But I will take my bling for what it is worth? Yes! And I also love hearing everyone''s story! I love wedding "stories". I wish you the best...
Nicole

 

[allycat0303]

Honestly, I'm curious about this too. But this is what I figure....maybe it sounds silly, but I think more people are buying 1 carat-1.9 carat stones that CAN'T afford it then people buying 2ct +. I don't know if that makes sense, but I figure if you don't have actual cash, it's really hard to get a $20, 000 + stone on a loan, where else for the smaller sizes you can easily get alone. I mean seriously, what bank is going to lend you 30 000 for a diamond?? Well not here in Canada anyways, maybe if the US, it's different.

My boyfriend makes more then 6 figures, and I'm in med school. He could afforded more, but I didn't get more....of course at this point I'm wondering if that just makes me stupid

.

I think I'm lucky, because in Quebec, where e-rings are unexistant, the size of your stone means NOTHING because no one notices. My teacher is a doctor, married to a radiologist (2 highest paid specialist in Canada) and she recently got engaged, she's 30 and her ring is 0.4 carats... (it's considered quite large here) and my other teacher, also a doctor married to another doctor, they also just got engaged and her stone was 0.32 carats. So I live in a place where size of rock means nothing. It's just totally depends on how much you want to spend on it. An e-ring isn't viewed as a "status symbol" the way a car or a house is, so Quebec people don't spend on it.

An e-ring is basically you wearing the amount you/husband earn on your finger. Which is cool, nothing wrong with that. I kind of realized that after seeing it on Oprah

 

[leeenie]

Date: 4/30/2006 8:54:06 AM
Author: allycat0303
Honestly, I''m curious about this too. But this is what I figure....maybe it sounds silly, but I think more people are buying 1 carat-1.9 carat stones that CAN''T afford it then people buying 2ct +. I don''t know if that makes sense, but I figure if you don''t have actual cash, it''s really hard to get a $20, 000 + stone on a loan, where else for the smaller sizes you can easily get alone. I mean seriously, what bank is going to lend you 30 000 for a diamond?? Well not here in Canada anyways, maybe if the US, it''s different.

good point allycat, I don''t think many people who spend $20,000+ can''t actually afford it, but some people who can''t really afford a diamond but have the pressure to get something are the ones who look for financing options and take on debt. I can''t imagine someone who can''t really afford a diamond thinking they will just put $20,000 on a credit card - there''s a big jump between reasonable/a stretch (if a stretch can be considered reasonable) and out-of-left-field. But then, people spend more than that on leasing cars, so who knows!

 

[Julian]

I suppose we're all from different backgrounds, so it would only make sense that we don't understand one another sometimes. So let me explain how not all young people who drive nice cars, live in nice homes & wear nice jewelry are loaded down in debt.

I'll be the first to admit that we are very, very fortunate. It's true that we are young & live a very comfortable lifestyle -- with zero debt. But my guy and I work very hard. He did very well in the .com boom & is now a finance whiz and I own my own business.

However, we would never be where we are today if not for our families. We are both very, very lucky because our parents paid for our college educations & ensuing degrees in full. Mine bought me a new car upon graduation and both sets of parents paid for our wedding and chipped in for our new home as a gift. Many of my friends' parents did the same. That's how we started off on solid footing.

We are now totally financially independent and remain very close to our families. It is nice to know that there is always a safety net where people close to you will always be there should something catastropic happen. We know that what God gives us, He can take away. So we're always mindful and grateful for what we have.

But both of us were taught the value of money -- we worked jobs through highschool and volunteered at shelters & retirement homes on weekends. No credit cards until we graduated college and those are used only when we have to -- to book online airfares, hotels, sending flowers & etc. We pay our balances off in full and don't buy what we cannot afford.

That being said, I also work very hard to give that to my future children. I want them to have the same freedom and not worry about money when they're in school. Hopefully I will teach them the important lessons in life and show them how fortunate they are. I hope they will be contributors to society as we strive to be. We never forget that we are blessed to have what we have. We are in no way entitled to this life.

Health, family & showing loved ones they matter -- that's what's important to us. We aren't slaves to money and it doesn't rule us. Rather, we use it as a tool to live our lives the way we would like to. It doesn't make us better people -- it just enables us to enjoy certain things and be able to help others when we can.

So diamonds are a hobby of mine (one of many!) but they aren't everything. I love looking at them just as much as I enjoy admiring a beautiful sunset. There is more beauty in a flower. It's just something pretty that I enjoy at the end of the day. Sometimes I get dorky and think, "Hmmmm, shrinkage?" But then I laugh at myself, too. I don't take it too seriously, like many of you here. This is just fun stuff.

 

[Julian]

Oh! Here''s another point I forgot to add...

Aren''t diamonds a style? When I see a very pretty .10 stone, I think that it''s very chic & Audrey Hepburn like.

When I see a big rock, I think that it''s very glamorous or beautifully classic depending on the setting.

What I''m trying to say is, why do most people look at diamonds to make a judgement about $$$? "Wow, she must have a rich husband or etc." Wealthy people love to save, too. Many of them don''t have huge bling at all and many are sentimental & don''t always upgrade.

It''s just a style preference, methinks. You can''t tell how much someone earns based on their diamonds. Most of us wear jeans not Chanel 24/7 in America. Right?

 

[janf]

Hi everyone,

I didn''t post this thread to create any sort of negative feedbacks. I was just wondering about what do people do to be able to afford such large, glamorous diamonds, that''s all. I wasn''t trying to generate any bad vibes on this forum at all. I stopped into Cartier the other day and saw a 9.73 emerald cut ring, F color VVS2 clarity, priced at $480,000. I was just curious as to really what people to do for a living to be able to afford such an extravagant ring. And if they did have the money, how did they eventually have the mindset to buy the ring. For me, I would feel embarassed to ask my fi to buy me such an extravagant stone even though I love diamonds so much. On one hand, I just wouldn''t be able to justify the cost. Also, there are so many important things in life that I think people put materials possessions way ahead of their other important priorities.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I''m not exactly entitled to answer this question since my center stone is only 3.02 but what the hell.

My happy hubby and I are very fortunate. We are both well employed and are able to afford the reasonable extravagances we enjoy in life (i.e., a one week vacation in Italy, perfectly doable; 6 months wandering around Rome with no real purpose--out of the question!). My husband has a full time job at a major corporation that pays him well. I am the chief compliance officer for a financial firm. A few years ago I decided to "work through" my real estate addiction (I made my husband move 5 times in 7 years -- is he a saint or what???) by becoming a real estate agent in my "spare time." The real estate gods have smiled upon me and I''ve become rather successful. But really I have two full times jobs. My happy hubby has always said that the commission I earn as a realtor is my play money and I can do ANYTHING with it. (Last year I was tempted to buy a new Portia 911 but I remodeled the kitchen in our townhouse and upgraded my engagement ring in lieu of a car that would probably kill me, and possibly others...)

Not entirely sure what the point of my post is (maybe some of that old fashioned Catholic guilt kicking in over having such nice bling where there are much worthier causes in the world!) other than to say that no one is suffering in order for me to have big jewelry. No debt is incurred. No one lost an eyeball. And aside from the fact that I work just about 24/7, all is right with the world--LOL!

And for those of you with 5+ center stones (or ANY size stone) out there--god bless ya'' and keep those pictures coming!!!

 

[diamondfan]

Date: 4/30/2006 9:03:47 PM
Author: janf
Hi everyone,

I didn''t post this thread to create any sort of negative feedbacks. I was just wondering about what do people do to be able to afford such large, glamorous diamonds, that''s all. I wasn''t trying to generate any bad vibes on this forum at all. I stopped into Cartier the other day and saw a 9.73 emerald cut ring, F color VVS2 clarity, priced at $480,000. I was just curious as to really what people to do for a living to be able to afford such an extravagant ring. And if they did have the money, how did they eventually have the mindset to buy the ring. For me, I would feel embarassed to ask my fi to buy me such an extravagant stone even though I love diamonds so much. On one hand, I just wouldn''t be able to justify the cost. Also, there are so many important things in life that I think people put materials possessions way ahead of their other important priorities.

I understood your point. My husband is in the finance world. He would rather I DID NOT want these things, but I do. He likes his toys too...things that are pricey and have no value to me, and are of no interest to me. We also help his mom a lot and give a lot to charity. I never question what he decides to spend money on, if he wants a toy or something, or to join another golf club etc...I do not tell him no. We have a very nice lifestyle, luckily we can do all the things we want to. Would he rather not spend the money on an almost 10 carat ring? Absolutely. But he knew I wanted it, and gave in because he knew it was not about whether HE understood, but it was to make me happy...(but I know he wishes I liked collecting matchbooks or something!!!)

 

[ELL]

Any pictures of this almost 10 carat ring? Would love to see the bling!!!

 

[diamondfan]

Go to Pictures of my emerald cut (finally)...it is there...they are not great but they is all I got!

 

[leeenie]

I think it''s a bit hypocritical for anyone on a diamond forum, who owns a diamond, to judge someone with a more expensive diamond as being materialistic and putting material possessions ahead of other priorities. How can anyone who spends money on a useless (for all practical purposes), monopoly-inflated, and marketing-hyped material good not be even just a bit materialistic? Regardless of whether one spent $5000 or $50,000? (For that matter, something like $20 can school a child in a third world country for a year.)

$5000 to one person can be $50,000 to another person, relative to the size of their wealth and income. I don''t see where one can draw a line and say "anything over $XXXX spent on a diamond signifies an extravagance that means the spender is materialistic, but anything under that amount means the spender is still choosing to put other priorities before material goods."

 

[diamondfan]

I agree, well put. It all is relative. Also, some people save and that is what they want, once all the other needs are dealt with...maybe they want diamonds and not cars or art or real estate. I think you made a clear point that it is not for one to judge or have an arbitrary line about when it is too much...again, unless you do not pay your mortage or charge it and never pay your bill...that is not cool.

 

[Mannequin]

I can''t speak for all of us, but when this thread first went up, I took cues from the previous posters and posted a quick comment that was intended to be light-hearted/funny. I don''t think any of us was passing judgement on anybody, just joking around. I have this problem regularly on IM with my BF. Unless I put the little winking face next to a joke, he may take me seriously and be offended or hurt by what is meant to be funny. Unless we were all standing right there for you to see and hear the tone/facial expressions/etc. then some of the readers may not have recognized the joking going on in those first comments.

Feather ruffling aside, I can appreciate all the discussions that have come after about 4/27. There is a certain stereotype that seems to be attached to a big stone wearer or purchaser, and I don''t feel that it is correct or right in all cases. You should never have to justify to a forum full of "strangers" why you choose to wear or purchase a large diamond. If it gives you pleasure and you can afford it, more power to you.

 

[Mara]

I agree teagreen...diamonds in general are luxury items so if it''s material to spend on a $100k, it''s material on a $10k, or even $500 or whatever. I also think it''s funny that being on a diamond board anyone could even say ''that seems material'' .... without laughing that is...hehee.

 

[orange_horse_fiance]

I agree with all the follow posts I have read, I did not mean to spur anything or come off badly. I think teagreen most recently explains my position best. It is all relative....$5k to one person mightr be a huge sacrifice for one person, but $50k to another might be as easy as writing a check and taking it home. We all can do what we want, enjoy what we have, and admire that of those around us....We need to feel comfortable in our own skin and abilities.

I appreciated the humor of the initial threads and that only knid of fueled me more....sure my DH is a pimp, gigilo, oil sheik...that is just it, what difference does it make. There are a lot of people in the world that really do make significant income and you would never know it. The type of jobs would even blow most peoples minds when you see what doing the "right thing at the right time" can bring about. My husband is a CPA, never in a milliion years would I think 31 y/o CPA could make seven figures?! It just doesn''t seem possible??? He is bright, but not a genius, he is ambitious, but not work obsessed, he can be extravagant, but not to excess, and he can be frugal, without sacrificing or seeming cheap. I really had NO CLUE until after he proposed his income level... Read "The mIllionaire Next Door" and you will see they are all around us whether people know it or not. I am sure a lot of people I work with and know me have NO CLUE the income bracket my husband puts us in, nor do I want them to. I just assume remain unpretentious and living a very nice comfortable life.....

Oh and just another bit, someone mentioned they''d like to have my problems....I agree life is nice now, but I assure you it wasn''t always that way. It took many bad life experinces and a very painful divorce to end up with Mr. Right.

In the mean time all we can do is enjoy and give thanks for what we do have big and small Please understand I REALLY didn''t want to sound snotty because it is the last thing I am and anyone that knows me could say the same for me.

 

[divergrrl]

My boyfriend before I met my current husband was a Sr. VP for a large company (so big..you all know it...its on your pc somewhere..yes he was older....yes his name is google-able...no I won''t share..LOL) We we together for 14 months before I dumped his sorry butt for cheating (he took on a new position in D.C. as CEO of another corp--but while we did the long distance thing--well he made new "friends" in D.C. and I found the emails when I was visiting)...

Long story short...

He had been previously engaged once before, and apparently she returned the ring. When I said I liked big rocks, he Poopoo''d that notion & wanted to show me the "flawless one carat diamond" he had given to her, and told me nothing is more beautiful than a flawless one carat round brilliant. To which I said, no thank you I don''t want to see another woman''s ring, and I wouldn''t mind a few more mm''s in exchange for a flaw or two....

Ah such opposites...LOL!

And this is a guy who was very well off...as in millionaire...but I never saw him waste money. Nice house, nice car, hand made shirts, but was never loud with his money..you know what I mean?

And I''ll take my current 1.13 princess diamond, my warm fuzzy happy husband who doesn''t cheat, and my life in this smaller town anyday....

**Some women marry for money, I married for Funny!**

Divergrrl

 

[susi]

I am wondering why the question is about carat weight of a diamond ( 5ct) rather than dollar amount...or cost of the stone itself? Some 1 carat diamonds would cost as much as or more than 5 ct stones...

And then I thought....a $10K diamond is a lot of money to some and not a lot to others....100K a lot to some and not a lot to others......

Soooo, I''m back at square one......