The Truth About Diamonds

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An expensive meal at a fancy restaurant, a declaration of romance, and a big, fat diamond ring- this is a pretty standard formula for an engagement proposal. After all, it has been ingrained in all of us that a diamond ring equals love and the bigger the diamond, the more love there must be. Well, believe it or not, diamonds really aren’t all that rare. In fact, the reason diamonds cost so much is more due to savvy (and sometimes unethical) business practices and incredibly successful advertising campaigns than the actual inherent value of the stone based on supply and demand, something anyone who has actually tried to sell a diamond quickly comes to realize. Here now is the story of how and why we all fell in love with diamonds.

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[TodayIFoundOut]

Now that you know the truth about diamonds check out this video and find out about McRefugees and the Cyber-Homeless:

[michaelparker]

The only time I get excited about diamonds is when they're on power tools.

[albundy]

The reason they say, "Diamonds are forever" is because that's how long it takes you to pay for them.

[thelonecabbage]

Diamonds : Because giving a woman $5, 000 to marry you is illegal.

[allanlank]

Interesting diamond story: Kimberlite, a type of rock usually sitting on top of diamond deposits, was found in northern Canada. De Beers rushed agents to Canada to secure the rights to the land where the Kimberlite was found. However, a Canadian company purchased the rights to land situated to the north of the find. This is because glaciation, something that doesn't happen in South Africa, would have pushed the Kimberlite to the south of its original location. De Beers, digging straight down, found no diamonds but the Canadian company did.

[lorenzogumier]

Hadn´t it been for his unmistakable voice, I wouldn´t have never recognized Simon here :)

[ivanlagrossemoule]

What cracks me up is how all people are acting smart because they now won't pay for "artificially bloated value diamonds", while still constantly falling for the exact same trick. Diamonds aren't the only thing that's sold for much more than it's worth. Most luxury items are sold this way. Many non-luxury items are sold this way too.

[eCitizen]

I am curious how you managed to do that entire video without mentioning the word "scam" even once?

[alisa]

I went with a lab made ruby. My husband and I compromised: I wanted something from Walmart or Amazon for cheap, he wanted something nice for me, and so we compromised by getting a nice lab made ruby ring.

It pains me how expensive diamonds are because there are so many good scientific and industrial uses for them. Stupid greedy cartels.

[somekindofdude]

A two month salary would be better spent in a trip with your fiancé.

[ProcashFloyd]

Diamonds are forever, my ex wife still has hers- Alan Harper.

[bailee]

My mother worked for a jeweler about twenty years ago, and to this day will still try to discredit man-made stones as somehow being fake or deceptive. In trying to convince customers that the more expensive natural diamonds were somehow preferable, she convinced herself too. I'm surprised more commenters aren't mentioning moissanite as an alternative to traditional diamonds. It's a pretty fascinating stone, with a cool history -- not to mention it's superior to a diamond in almost every way, for a fraction of the cost. For anyone looking for an engagement ring or other sparkly gift, look for moissanite jewelry. It's been around for quite a while, but most jewelers like Jared's or Kay don't carry it, because it competes with the much more profitable diamond. Etsy sellers and independent jewelers are a much better bet for quality moissanite jewelry. Plus, it's always nice to buy something from an independent craftsman than a massive corporation.

[shannonolivas]

Lab diamonds folks. Dirt cheap, no natural flaws, no De Beers involvement and totally conflict free.

[investmentdrone]

Thank you for preventing many fools from ruining their lives by buying expensive diamonds on credit; but then again, I doubt fools watch these videos.

[celis]

The algorithm suggested this vid as as I follow all of Simon's channels. When I hit play on this video I was confronted by this bare faced man! What a shock. Oh how time has marched on.

[A-Duck]

The day I willingly give money for a diamond is the day I set fire to my wallet while still in my pocket. Fucking nonsense, if I wanted to be rid of exorbitant amounts of money for something of no value I'd just wipe my ass with it. Actually, I take that back, at least toilet paper has value.

[thundercricket]

As someone who's about to become engaged, I'm REALLY glad I saw this video before I went ring shopping.

[QuiggleSan]

"How else could two months' salary last forever?"

Well, just imagine how many Styrofoam cups you could buy with two months' salary...

[MrBlaktoe]

Ring idea: Small piece of coal on a gold band with an inscription on the inside that reads, "Patience Is A Virtue."

[DanaTheInsane]

I spent three years in jewelry college. I learned all about the diamond scam when they taught me how to lie about them.