A Large Diamond Ring May Be a Warning Signal for the New Family
For many people, there is only one way to propose and get engaged: with a real diamond ring.
It is cleverly marketed to be a symbol of a man's love and he should spend thousands or tens of thousands on a large, real diamond.
It shows that he can take care of her and has money, right? Not so fast.
Many times a large rock shows foolish money spent, makes both future in-law's nervous and other family members wonder where he got that kind of money and how he is going to provide for her now that he spent it all on her ring - especially if he is in University or in an entry-level job.
Amanda Selwick, Bride To Be's engagement specialist says that "it also tends to raise concern with the guy's family members about how high-maintenance this girl is and will he really be happy with someone who demands a 2 carat platinum ring when the guy is just starting out in life.
" We think she is onto something here.
Of course, traditions are hard to break.
Yet the are quickly created too.
The tradition of giving diamonds as engagement rings isn't that old.
In fact, it only started in about the 1950's.
It was a very clever marketing scheme and brilliant in fact, because no woman would know or admit she has been "had" by the media when it comes to diamonds.
It's essentially a scam, popularized by Hollywood because the diamond cartel, De Beers, paid off filmmakers to develop a "must-have" and rare portrayal of diamonds, using the catch phrase 'a diamond is forever'.
The reality is this: Diamonds are not worth really much at all.
Many people who try to sell their diamonds are shocked to see that they can only get back a tiny proportion of what they originally paid for them.
Even worse, the majority of diamonds come from areas in which the locals have been oppressed and officials bribed simply so the diamond manufacturers could set up a diamond mine, in particular in African nations.
For these reasons quite a few people now would rather to use other gems in rings as a substitute for expensive diamonds.
The huge diamond ring is becoming more attainable when it is synthetic or a simulant (a stone that simulates the look of a diamond but at a fraction of the price).
As well, couples are getting more and more savvy with the way they shop.
Not only are they looking for better deals online, they are finding that faux diamonds with names like 'Eco Diamonds' or 'Swarovski' are fine diamond look-alikes but without the cost.
Regardless of what you think of diamonds, the financial burden may be too great initially and often times a diamond simulant can act as a beautiful placeholder if you must have a diamond in the future.
As long as the setting is 14k, 18k gold, platinum or palladium it can be used for a lifetime.
With all of this information, you can have an excellent and highly rewarding shopping experience while looking for beautiful and affordable alternatives to diamonds.
And the in-law's will be relieved and happy knowing you didn't break the bank or have a girl who demanded a real diamond!
It is cleverly marketed to be a symbol of a man's love and he should spend thousands or tens of thousands on a large, real diamond.
It shows that he can take care of her and has money, right? Not so fast.
Many times a large rock shows foolish money spent, makes both future in-law's nervous and other family members wonder where he got that kind of money and how he is going to provide for her now that he spent it all on her ring - especially if he is in University or in an entry-level job.
Amanda Selwick, Bride To Be's engagement specialist says that "it also tends to raise concern with the guy's family members about how high-maintenance this girl is and will he really be happy with someone who demands a 2 carat platinum ring when the guy is just starting out in life.
" We think she is onto something here.
Of course, traditions are hard to break.
Yet the are quickly created too.
The tradition of giving diamonds as engagement rings isn't that old.
In fact, it only started in about the 1950's.
It was a very clever marketing scheme and brilliant in fact, because no woman would know or admit she has been "had" by the media when it comes to diamonds.
It's essentially a scam, popularized by Hollywood because the diamond cartel, De Beers, paid off filmmakers to develop a "must-have" and rare portrayal of diamonds, using the catch phrase 'a diamond is forever'.
The reality is this: Diamonds are not worth really much at all.
Many people who try to sell their diamonds are shocked to see that they can only get back a tiny proportion of what they originally paid for them.
Even worse, the majority of diamonds come from areas in which the locals have been oppressed and officials bribed simply so the diamond manufacturers could set up a diamond mine, in particular in African nations.
For these reasons quite a few people now would rather to use other gems in rings as a substitute for expensive diamonds.
The huge diamond ring is becoming more attainable when it is synthetic or a simulant (a stone that simulates the look of a diamond but at a fraction of the price).
As well, couples are getting more and more savvy with the way they shop.
Not only are they looking for better deals online, they are finding that faux diamonds with names like 'Eco Diamonds' or 'Swarovski' are fine diamond look-alikes but without the cost.
Regardless of what you think of diamonds, the financial burden may be too great initially and often times a diamond simulant can act as a beautiful placeholder if you must have a diamond in the future.
As long as the setting is 14k, 18k gold, platinum or palladium it can be used for a lifetime.
With all of this information, you can have an excellent and highly rewarding shopping experience while looking for beautiful and affordable alternatives to diamonds.
And the in-law's will be relieved and happy knowing you didn't break the bank or have a girl who demanded a real diamond!
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