Slashdot Mirror
Diamonds - Are They Really Worth the Cost?
hardDiamond asks: "I'm going to get engaged. I know my 4 C's. I know I'm going to get screwed by the jeweller, but that's okay: after all, a diamond engagement ring is a time-honoured tradition... NOT. Having checked out the goods, looked for the flaws, I found the biggest one of all. Diamond engagement rings are the creation of a well orchestrated advertising campaign for most of the last century - according to this article.
Would you buy one for the love of your life? I know my girlfriend would love a diamond, but ethically I have my doubts. Diseased-miners, child slave labour, cartel inflated prices... and as if that wasn't enough, diamonds have no resale value. Naddah. Zilch. They'll sell you the shit, but damn it, they're not taking it back at any price. So what have my fellow slashdotters done with regards to engagement rings? What's a good substitute for diamonds? My girlfriend understands my thoughts regarding diamonds, but deep down, I'm sure she would like a diamond. Even a small one." I've never even thought about questioning such a time honored tradition, but now I'm curious. Have any of you looked at the issues surrounding diamonds and found them wanting? What alternatives have you found and were they acceptable?
After researching this a bit, one of the key facts to surface is that 2-4.5% of diamond sales will go to finance terrorism or forms of violence. Such diamonds, for want of a better term, have been named "conflict diamonds". For those of you interested in following up on this subject, here are a few more links:
Fatal TransactionsFor those of you who have a subscription to Science News, the cover story, this month, deals with this issue as well.
Conflict Diamonds: Sanctions and War
The Campaign to Eliminate Conflict Diamonds
The Kimberly Process, which will attempt to track diamonds to their origin. This is to begin in November.
If the guy who submitted this story bothered to do some research before whining to /., he'd realise that Argyle Diamonds are also pretty clean when it comes to ethical issues. Although, this guy wants it cheap and clean so I don't think he's ever going to find a diamond that he'll "approve of".
I pity the poor girl with this idiot for a boyfriend. Although, I think she knows enough to know that if she questions his ideals, she'll be called a troll and the marriage will be off.
TWW
"Encyclopedia" is to "Wikipedia" what "Library" is to "Some people at a bus stop"
The fact is, the diamond ring has a certain meaning right now, in our lifetimes.
Yes, but this discussion shows that the value is relative. Further, understanding the origin of this act provides context - meaning. I dont know about you, but I make few decisions lightly.
This conversation is timely and relevant for myself. I have been living with my significant other for nearly 3 years. We have been together for nearly 5 (and more-longstory). I dont want to get married. I dont want to buy a ring (for all the reasons mentioned above and more (sheer materialism, priorities, unnecessary consumption, environmental concerns) ect. I like to tread lightly. I do what i can to make wise, well argued decisions. Trying to explain this to friends, family and strangers is no simple task - Ive gotten my share of strange looks, polite nods and arguments from those who blindingly adhere to the status-quo.
The way i see it is like this: Tradition has little value. I am an independent consciousness in this world - Every act I make or do not make must have reason. Every act has consequences, so, there must be motivation.
If I had been left to my own devices, If we had met on another planet of humans, would their traditional Monogamy Ceremony(TM) looked like a wedding? Would they live for 2 months apart, fasting, instead of exchanging rings? What would they do? What would We choose to do . And thats what we are doing. We are not going to fall in the trap of living in the unconscious group-think with the rest of the pack.
Personally, I look at brides-to-be and whenever i see them flaunting their ring i feel sick, here is a person rudderless and out of control in the world.
You can read my response to nick for the rest of the message. But I'll repost the summary here for you as well.
Fuck you.
-Todd
"The details of my life are quite inconsequential..."
IANAMC (I am not a marriage counselor), but am speaking from the perspective of a 22-year marriage that seems to still be working. This is a decision that needs to be made by two people, and your posting sounds a little one-sided.
As many people have pointed out, it is possible to get a diamond that you know did not come from one of the countries/mines that you object to. If you and she agree that the two of you want to buy a ring, explain that you feel strongly about the source of the stone and limit the choices. If she doesn't understand, to the point that you can't work something out, your marriage is apt to have bigger problems than a chunk of crystalized carbon.
If it's a financial thing and you're trying to avoid spending money that you think is a waste (a position taken by many posters), just keep in mind that it's about to become "our" money, not "yours" and "hers". More marriages fail over how to handle the finances than any other cause. My wife-to-be and I spent a lot of time exploring how each other felt about wealth and money and spending on different kinds of things before we got married.