Diamonds, the least interesting gemstone. They're just clear. Oooh! They're hard. They make good drill bits and saw blades, and ok record needles, but for jewelry there are so many more interesting stones like amethysts or sapphires ( the better record needle) or rubies or emeralds. I have never understood how people got conned into desiring a commonly colorless rock.
I can see how in the oonga boonga times we may have been fascinated by diamonds, just like how we love finding cool stones by a river bed.
However, natural diamonds have become almost synonymous with blood & exploitation, because that's the first thing that comes to mind for most people with moral compass.
Till they're cut and polished they aren't even clear or shiny, at least some of the other stones can grow a pretty crystal like amethyst.
They are clear, but very prismatic and sparkle brightly when lit. It’s the original “bling”.
Lab made diamonds do the same thing. Yay science!
Fuck yeah I'd choose SCIENCE diamonds over blood diamonds any day.
Mined diamonds have always been a con job. DeBeers has captured the entire market and the promoted the idea that for some reason a guy should spend about 3 months income to buy a rock that isnt even rare. Heck, there are hundreds of them on drilling bits. But they had effective advertising and there was no competition so they convinced millions of people to shell out big dollars for a very common polished rock. Its about time there was some rationality and people refuse to spend that kind of money anymore.
ps If you want to know the true "value" of a diamond try taking it to a pawn shop. Sure, your "appraisal" from the jewelry store says its $5,000. The pawn shop says, I'll give ya $45 bucks and a free Pepsi.
Good
Oh, a shiny rock! Diamond mines are not shining anymore. Crazy diamonds, shine on!
I can finally afford to put them on the soles of my shoes.
Neat!
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