The Elegant E-ring... 3cts. or don''t bother?

[kaylagee]

Date: 12/15/2005 11:22:12 PM
Author: monarch64
I find this whole thread extra hilarious. We live on this earth for a hundred years, if we're lucky, and use up so much of our energy on pursuing happiness through the gain of material wealth. While I love diamonds as much as the next PS'r, I'd gladly pay what I'll make in wages in a lifetime for one more lifetime with my loved ones. That's just me. My mother put it really well last fall when my family and I were deciding whether to take my father off life support or not, since he had left no will and hadn't signed anything regarding his wishes for the hospital. He'd been in cardiac arrest for 30+ minutes and they had managed to revive him but he was being kept alive by machines. My mom looked at me and said, 'cars and diamonds and things don't really matter much at times like these, do they?' I'll never ever forget that. Seriously, what does it matter in the end how many carats your diamond is, and whether you feel insulted by some small-hearted woman who actually got a book based on her petty, snobby opinions published? I am just ever-grateful for the fact that I have a little 1.5 carat piece of carbon on my hand that symbolizes the support and love from my wonderful husband I will have for the rest of my life, and that my dad is still alive, not thanks to money, but thanks to a family who cared enough not to pull the plug.

monarch -
It's wonderful that your dad is still around. I agree, it's all hilarious, ridiculous and absurd ultimately. Your post is eerily timely for me because a few months ago my dad was diagnosed w/terminal cancer(it's everywhere now, lungs, stomach, liver, prostate) and he's decided against any treatment. They said it might only extend his life a bit but he just sees it as additional suffering w/out guarantee. He even jokes that he doesn't want to give up his beard to the hair loss.

Shallow of him, huh? I'd guess most of our lives (save the asetics..don't think there are many of 'em here@Pricescope) are high-low mixes of profundity and trivia. shrug. I sometimes envy those who can breathe the thin air of enlightenment for extended periods of time..but I'm just not there yet. :>

There's also a tantric(?) part of me that is all too aware of the brevity of our 100 give-or-take years... sometimes this give me a hunger and drive..not just for material pleasures but being present and wringing the juice out of everything...having a sense of appreciation. i don't always manage to do it but it's an ideal for me.

So, big blinding diamonds? Yes, more, if possible! More long conversations with my amazing great aunts before they're gone? Yes! Chess games with my verrry patient husband? Yes! Being able to kiss my sons before they become grouchy teenagers? Smooch-city... I'm so relishing being 'Mommy'... next thing I know it'll be 'Mom'. More carrot cake? "Yeah buddy!"

LOL.

Of course, I may be wrong but I think there's room for everything.

 

[kaylagee]

Sorta random thoughts about Dariaux and diamonds:

I'm more amused by her than anything. I hope no one was actually truly insulted by the excerpts...This is a site about diamonds after all. Luxuries are well, luxuries and by def., non-essential. A bit of delightful distraction. If diamonds held marriages together, the divorce rates wouldn't be nearly so atrocious.

They're marketed as symbols and proof of passion ('Oooh your FI/husband must really love you!' or 'Hubba hubba, what exactly do you do for him to get all of those diamonds?!" *wink wink nudge nudge*) So, any woman sporting a sizeable rock is jokingly assumed to be swinging from the chandeliers. OR on the ugly side of speculation - the rocks are tagged as guilt gifts from a cheating husband who is presumably swingin' with someone else.

I have made a few 'diamonds=sex' jokes myself, but I don't take the associations seriously.
***
They're also used by some as social rank signifiers and a portable net worth/assets statement. I think explains some of the "unpardonable offense" (as Dariaux calls it) of the diamond simulant... that a person is somehow attempting to deceive others about his/her wealth & position. shrug.

So, what's new & shocking about that? LOL. j/k

Perhaps the cz/simulant fan is simply frugal or wildly indecisive but wants to satisfy her/his inner magpie? It might not be about "frontin'".

***
We might also ask ourselves, 'Why do we give these sparkling cut rocks this type of significance and power?' Is this only the DeBeers-DTC brainwash or is there something deeper that they were fortunate enough to hook into/exploit?(still working on those Q's myself)
***
It would be wonderful if there was more appreciation of the stones and jewelry as tiny (or not-so-tiny) art pieces rather than(i think Ana/Valeria said this??) 'concentrated money'.

Is that even possible? Strangely, the cost prohibition seems to be an inherent part of their charm for many!

***
I do really admire what gem cutters are able to do..it's truly amazing. Little kids and even some animals are drawn to sparklies based on the beauty alone. They don't know from status, certs/specs, cost, etc. They just lock onto something magical-looking and lovely.