Starting Rant:
De beers can burn in hell. The company that is responsible for making a worthless hunk of carbon into one of the highest priced gemstones is also responsible for 100 years of murder and blackmail. "A Diamond is Forever" and "Two Month's Salary" are both ad campaigns designed to keep a secondary market down and prices up. At one time, this company was responsible for 80% of diamond mining and 95% of diamond sales. They fixed prices and kept supply low to create more demand. While not as controlling as before, they still control 40% of diamond mining and 50% of sales.
Your great-grandparents considered diamonds less valuable than glass for jewelry, I urge everyone to continue that tradition. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires; anything but diamonds.
End Rant;
I worked for a jewelry wholesaler for a number of years and heard many stories and read some good books. If possible, find an independent jeweler. The price will probably be the same, but the piece will be copied less.
My wife didn't listen to my rant either, insisted on a diamond. But my company sold me the diamond at cost, a three thousand dollar ring for three hundred dollars.
De beers can burn in hell. The company that is responsible for making a worthless hunk of carbon into one of the highest priced gemstones is also responsible for 100 years of murder and blackmail. "A Diamond is Forever" and "Two Month's Salary" are both ad campaigns designed to keep a secondary market down and prices up. At one time, this company was responsible for 80% of diamond mining and 95% of diamond sales. They fixed prices and kept supply low to create more demand. While not as controlling as before, they still control 40% of diamond mining and 50% of sales.
Your great-grandparents considered diamonds less valuable than glass for jewelry, I urge everyone to continue that tradition. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires; anything but diamonds.
End Rant;
I worked for a jewelry wholesaler for a number of years and heard many stories and read some good books. If possible, find an independent jeweler. The price will probably be the same, but the piece will be copied less.
My wife didn't listen to my rant either, insisted on a diamond. But my company sold me the diamond at cost, a three thousand dollar ring for three hundred dollars.