Synthetic Diamonds
 

J-Ho's going to need a divorce lawyer too anyway. She should just keep one on retainer--might have to sell some more of her jewelry though.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I bet plenty of people would do this.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I think both are likely to happen: half-price manufactureds will happen, and they'll cause DeBeer's prices to drop.

So, let's say you can today buy a 1 carat ring of X quality for Y dollars, and that ring represents the break-even point in utility for you: it's worth the same utility to you to have Y dollars as it would be to have that ring.

If, in one year, you can get

(a) a 1.5 carat ring of X quality for Y dollars with a DB stone;

(b) a 2 carat ring of X quality for Y dollars with a synthetic stone;

(c) a 1 carat ring of X quality for Z (which is <Y) dollars with a DB stone; or

(d) a 1 carat ring of X quality for W (which is <Z<Y) dollars with a synthetic stone;

which would you buy?

This changes the hypo, but I'm just curious what people's motivations are for the purchasing choices they make.

This all goes to my research on how otherwise intelligent, independent, successful women make a lot of life and consumer choices today based on feelings and beliefs which have been programmed into them by a society which has been historically male dominated and dedicated, in some ways, to keeping women "in their roles" and otherwise repressing them. Although, when I put it that way, it makes me sound very paternalistic, which I don't think I am, honey.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

It would be, but there isn't a ring on this earth she could hock that would buy her some man-candy (no matter how hot she thinks her avatar makes her).

Thurgreed(she should probably start loading up on synthetic cats now)Marshall

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I agree, especially here in Big D where the snoots will always find a way to separate themselves. I just liked the ass-biting quote from the general.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I told the SO that if he wanted, he could return the ring and get me an authentic reproduction of J-Ho-s ring for $39.95. Even if it were real, I still wouldn't wear it. Just another example of how expensive doesn't equal tasteful. Heck, for as much as the ring cost, Ben should gave bought the reproduction.

Like Fringey, I would take the 1 carat over 2. I have freakishly small hands, though. But I am not a carnie, nor do I smell of cabbage.

Merging threads... on BB4: WHat did you all think of the Erica/I want to be JHo thing? The pink boots were disturbing, and someone in their 30s trying to be Jlo seems wrong.



Osbournes Season Finale Spoiler






Did anyone else catch it: I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I really believed that Jack killed the dog. That was pretty well acted on everyone's part.

OTOH, it makes me realize the possibility that reality TV might not be totally authentic. How sad.

But I'm Feeling Much Better Now
 

I am sure you are at least curious.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Some of the stuff was somewhat tacky, but I thought she pulled it all off reasonably well. The pink boots and the pink hat seemed strangely appropriate; it's a goofy reality show, after all.

I like the way that she dressed in the house better than anyone else. Everyone else wears, except during the times when they're on camera talking to Julie or in some competitions, swimsuits or athletic clothes all the time. And the guys seem to always be shirtless. Is it that hot in the house? I think it's cool that Erika wears non-athetic clothes and plays around with what she wears. Who is someone like Allison to rip on her? She looks like shit wearing that dress of Erika's that she wore sometime.

And, personally, I find Erika the hottest, most interesting and most intelligent person in the house, so that doesn't hurt either. A little mindless idolization of pop culture stars isn't that bad every once in a while.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Men are so lucky this doesn't happen to them.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Isn't JLo herself in her 30s?

Synthetic Diamonds
 

As the whole diamond-as-engagement-ring thing started in the 1930s by DeBeers, I can't imagine there is a true edict against colored diamonds for engagement rings. Before then, colored stones were far more prevalent in the rings, anyway.

My mom's ring was actually her mom's engagement ring, and is a gorgeous 2 carat canary diamond (real, not manufactured) in platinum. I saw a similar ring in Tiffanys not too long ago, and was salivating over it.

C(but at $35k, it wasn't really a feasible impulse bauble)deuced

Synthetic Diamonds
 

It sounds like you are disgusted by pretty much all consumer goods.

I hear what you are saying - women have been mass brainwashed regarding diamonds in a way that is startling to me, and I cannot help feel a little less respect for even close friends who get hung up on the size of their diamond rings. But I have been known to buy expensive non-functional things because I think they are cool. So who am I to criticize? To answer my own question, I am Pretty Little Flower, a man of exquisite and superior taste and style. The frivolous things I buy are inherently valuable because they have received my imprimatur of cool merely through the fact that I purchased them. And if I choose to look upon you with disdain because you follow sheep-like into the DeBeers marketing trap, then I will do so, you stupid shallow little fuck of a woman. You know what that two carat diamond means to a guy? It means that, with the extra carat, he just purchased a license to get a blow job from your maid of honor at your wedding. By spending the extra $3000 on your gaudy diamond engagement ring, he just obtained implicit permission to fuck some skanky hooker at his bachelor party. But what do you care? You have a rock so big that that even the bitchy trophy wife secretary down the hall is jealous.

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Originally posted by mmm3587
This all goes to my research on how otherwise intelligent, independent, successful women make a lot of life and consumer choices today based on feelings and beliefs which have been programmed into them by society.

We are, aren't we?

Which is why I have all the best electronics!

Synthetic Diamonds
 

I'm sure you can get a fine lawyer for $19.95.

http://czfantasy.com/cgi-bin/czfstor...alogno=jloring

(spree: shows pink)

Synthetic Diamonds
 

Sorry, I don't catch your meaning. No time to think about it, as I'm leaving to go play golf with the partner I feel pressured to play golf with to show that I am a team player and worthy of consideration for partnership. The fact that I rent an apartment in the city instead of own a house in the suburbs makes him wonder about my long-term intentions. I'll drive there in my 540i, which I got because all my colleagues made fun of my minivan. One of the topics of discussion will be the tits on that summer associate with the fat ass and the way that only pussies take paternity leave.