Natural diamonds have been the most shamelessly wealth-signaling purchase a person can make, ever since the artificial process was perfected. As far as I know t

Natural diamonds have been the most shamelessly wealth-signaling purchase a person can make, ever since the artificial process was perfected. As far as I know there is literally no difference between an artificial and a natural diamond except the fact that the latter is more scarce and harder to get, and therefore more expensive. Unlike other traditional wealth-signal purchases, there is no pretense of utility or even pleasure or fashion. It's purely to say, "I can afford this."