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Diamonds Are No Longer A Girl's Best Friend
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 1-7-2006 | Chris Hastings - Stephanie Plentl - Beth Jones

Posted on 01/06/2007 7:44:37 PM PST by blam

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To: nopardons

"Of course, by the time you've paid off all of the loans you keep taking out, your final profit won't be as great as you hope they will be."

No, but it will be one hell of a lot greater than it would be had I squandered the money on a diamond rather than using it for a down payment on a home that tripled in value in ten years.

By the way, many people don't fully comprehend what that means. If a stock triples in value in ten years, that is good performance, but if your home triples in value, that's in a different category because you get the benefit of leverage. With a down payment of 10%, that's like getting a 30x return on your initial investment.

Again, that doesn't make me rich by any stretch. That is not the point. The point is that my wife and I are both *far* better off than if I had squandered a big chunk of money of a diamond to "prove" that I love her.


241 posted on 01/07/2007 7:24:31 PM PST by RussP
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To: GatorGirl
Haven't researched it, though!

Please do to learn how wrong you are.

242 posted on 01/07/2007 7:25:04 PM PST by Bernard Marx
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To: blam
Wearing Conflict Free diamonds is like Hollywood stars wearing a big sign around their necks saying "I'm not a hypocrite."

243 posted on 01/07/2007 7:27:22 PM PST by Wolverine (A Concerned Citizen)
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To: nopardons

"Math and logic are not your forte."

I happen to be an aerospace research engineer, and I scored in the top 1% on the math section of the GRE exam, which is taken by engineering graduates to get into grad school.

You think your bluster can obscure the truth, but if you are fooling anyone it is only the fools, which seems to include yourself.


244 posted on 01/07/2007 7:31:43 PM PST by RussP
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To: nopardons
The setting really wasn't my style and I didn't ( still don't )care for the stone.

I said alex's are expensive, not beautiful, lol. The best ones are, actually, but they're in museums or Sotheby's auctions and sell for tens of thousands of dollars per carat.

My old family jeweler, who did the family's appraisals, was also a certified gemologist.

That's good to know. There's no known treatment to enhance chrysoberyl. You made a lucky buy.

I'm amazed to hear your comment about Tiffany. Switching stones just isn't their style but employees can't always be trusted. All jewelers I know guard their integrity and reputations like their lives.

245 posted on 01/07/2007 7:39:52 PM PST by Bernard Marx
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To: RussP
You still don't understand math, nor finances, but yes, you are still posting smarmy, juvenile impugnations, in order to make yourself feel better. Are you feeling better now, sweetums?

Just because YOU couldn't afford to buy your wife to be an engagement ring, a diamond one or any other stone, doesn't mean that those who can afford to buy one, as well as a home, is stupid to but both. And since diamonds are used in all types of jewelry, you really should stop complaining about engagement rings; it just makes you look silly.

I've always believed that if you can't afford something, then you shouldn't buy it with money from loans that will choke you. But alas, far too many people get sucked into the "instant gratification" thing and buy all kinds of silly things....far sillier and far less of an investment than a good piece of jewelry.

246 posted on 01/07/2007 8:01:05 PM PST by nopardons
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To: RussP

Oh, grown up and give it a rest. I don't geve a damn what you got her.


247 posted on 01/07/2007 8:01:58 PM PST by Kath (Luvya Dubya)
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To: RussP

Sweetums, you protest far too much and neat your chest far too much, and wind up proving what others might just think you to be. Your braggadacchio is falling on deaf ears; anyone can claim ANYTHING, on line. :-)


248 posted on 01/07/2007 8:04:06 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Kath

I just clicked on "forum" and found this thread, still alive. Good Lord, do people really care that much one way or the other about diamonds? This is a thread on the history of material things isn't it? Or, actually, the lack thereof.


249 posted on 01/07/2007 8:05:26 PM PST by groanup (Limited government is the answer. Now, what's the question?)
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To: Xenalyte; angcat
I've only had it a little over a year, and have never polished it . . . I guess I should look into that! I don't recall my mother ever caring for her opals.

Maybe that's 'cause we live in Houston, and it's pretty darn humid here. :)

Pardon me for barging in but precious opals are my specialty. I've been cutting/selling them for 40+ years and have learned a little about them.

Just treat your opals with respect. They're more delicate than other gems and can't take hard knocks. They do have relatively high water content. If you live in a very dry area give them a soak in water occasionally to rehydrate them or, better, store them in a plastic bag with damp cotton inside. Chances are your opal won't crack anyway but it's like eating chicken soup for a cold -- it can't hurt!

Do NOT store opals in safe deposit boxes! Bank vaults are dehumidified to prevent paper from mildewing and opals need a little humidity. Opals need repolishing now and then: they're soft and the polish can wear away. The main reason for repolishing is appearance: you want all the beautiful play of color you can get. Most opals can be repolished without removing them from their settings.

Enjoy those marvels of nature!

250 posted on 01/07/2007 8:08:19 PM PST by Bernard Marx
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To: Bernard Marx
I guess that I did make a "lucky buy", but since I no longer have that ring, perhaps it would be better said that my very dear friend got a very good present from me. LOL

Yes, I was shocked when my friend told me that someone at Tiffany had switched stones on her. I have NEVER ever heard of anything like that happening before or since. I suppose that they fired the person who made the switch, IF he/she was ever found and as I said, they replaced her stone with one of same quality. And since Tiffany will only repair a piece of their own jewelry, of course they knew what that piece had originally contained.

I might add that it didn't hurt that she was/is a valued customer, who has bought lots of things from Tiffany.

251 posted on 01/07/2007 8:36:26 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Kath; nopardons

"Oh, grown up and give it a rest. I don't geve a damn what you got her."

Then you shouldn't have brought it up in your post #145. Since *you* brought it up, *I'll* decide when to "give it a rest."

I'll bet you and nopardons are the type of women who judge other women and the "quality" of their husbands by the size of the diamond on their fingers. Well, the joke is on you two. You fell for the diamond ruse -- hook, line, and sinker! You fell for the ultimate materialistic deception, and it should have no place at FR.


252 posted on 01/07/2007 8:39:30 PM PST by RussP
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To: nopardons

"Just because YOU couldn't afford to buy your wife to be an engagement ring, a diamond one or any other stone, doesn't mean that those who can afford to buy one, as well as a home, is stupid to but both. And since diamonds are used in all types of jewelry, you really should stop complaining about engagement rings; it just makes you look silly."

Still at it, eh. Please explain to me how you know what I can afford. Are you stalking me? Or did you pull that one straight out of your rear end?

Your type really degrades this site.


253 posted on 01/07/2007 8:47:04 PM PST by RussP
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To: RussP; Kath
Nope, I don't "judge" anyone's "worth" by the size of their engagement ring. As a matter of fact, that is something I would bet that YOU would do, which is why you pushed those flies off on me and Kath.

Actually, what has no place on FR, are your lurid, profanity riddled, personal attack replies.

254 posted on 01/07/2007 8:49:44 PM PST by nopardons
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To: RussP
I don't judge people. I simply pointed out that you insulted a huge group of people. I could care less if you or anyone else ever buys a diamond. I fell for nothing. I like jewelry. As in any other product if the demand is big as it is in diamonds the price is higher. I don't care what the price of something is if it is something I want. You obviously don't know much about diamonds or you would not make the statement you did. The size means nothing if the quality isn't there. Nor do I buy them for materialist reasons. I simply buy them because I consider them an attractive part of my attire.

It is you that is judging. You judge two people you have never met and put decide for us why we like diamonds. You insult those who like diamonds simply because you don't. You're intolerant of someone having something you think they shouldn't have. That should have no place on FR.

I've grown tired of your childish behavior. This conversation is at an end. I have neither the time or the desire to converse with someone who doesn't have a clue how to have a civil conversation. Don't bother to reply because you will be talking to yourself. However, your childish behavior will ensure that you must have the last word. So go ahead and talk to yourself. I however will not bother reading it. Have a nice life Junior.

255 posted on 01/07/2007 8:54:05 PM PST by Kath (Luvya Dubya)
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To: RussP
Rep;eating yourself now? I've clearly explained, earlier how I know what you can and can't afford; you made it all quite clear.

And now that you've hijacked this thread ( another NO NO and absolutely against posting rules )and tried to makes it all about you, you, YOU, I suggest that you go talk with your wife. Perhaps she doesn't give you the attention that you feel that is your due and that is why you are hectoring women here; we are her stand-ins. Well, go take out your misogyny on her.

256 posted on 01/07/2007 8:54:24 PM PST by nopardons
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To: RussP
Repeating yourself now? I've clearly explained, earlier how I know what you can and can't afford; you made it all quite clear.

And now that you've hijacked this thread ( another NO NO and absolutely against posting rules )and tried to makes it all about you, you, YOU, I suggest that you go talk with your wife. Perhaps she doesn't give you the attention that you feel that is your due and that is why you are hectoring women here; we are her stand-ins. Well, go take out your misogyny on her.

257 posted on 01/07/2007 8:54:57 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

"Actually, what has no place on FR, are your lurid, profanity riddled, personal attack replies."

Just who do you think you are fooling? Or are you actually fooling yourself? Just wondering.


258 posted on 01/07/2007 8:55:48 PM PST by RussP
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To: Kath

Exactly so! :-)


259 posted on 01/07/2007 8:56:53 PM PST by nopardons
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To: RussP

Go tell it all to Jim! He makes the rules here; I just pointed them out to you.


260 posted on 01/07/2007 8:57:48 PM PST by nopardons
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