It gets even worse when you realize how many blood diamonds are still a huge trade. The diamond business is really, really gross.

They would not use them in industrial applications if they were as rare as they try to market them to be.

Part of the De Beers marketing plan developed in the 1930’s was that an engagement ring should cost 3 months salary and it has stuck to this day.

Funny moment. My now husband was so excited when I told him I didn’t like diamonds because of that marketing. He thought he’d get off cheaply. I chose a Padparadscha sapphire. Small but lovely. As my husband tells everyone, it cost more than the garage he wanted to build.

Basically a “pet rock”

This gentleman gives Spinal Tap 2 vibes.

In general terms, sapphires are far more rare than diamonds and come in multitudes of colors. They were often the stone of choice in engagement/wedding rings prior to diamonds. I chose a very rare Padparadscha Sapphire for my engagement ring as I didn’t care for diamonds & love the orange color

Sapphires are so beautiful. I have a Ceylon blue and I chose it because sapphire is my birthstone. I’ve never seen the type you have irl, only photos. I bet it is spectacular.

Not trying to be a smarty-pants here , but I did know this. The highest quality , flawless diamonds are rare . But there are lots of diamonds out there, beautiful to the naked eye even if flawed .And like he said , marketing is responsible for this whole value/mystique around them.

Interesting. So DeBeers were manipulating or controlling the market?

Not really sure about that , but they had a monopoly . So , it would make sense. But ,as I understand it , diamond engagement rings didn't really become a thing until the early 20th century. And then it was Tiffany's who created the market , making it a must have.

I brought this up to the owner of the Jewellry store I managed in the early 80's. Man, did he get pissed at me. This is not new knowledge.