Just because a cartel exists somewhere in the supply chain doesn't mean I have to participate in the transaction or my perceived value of it is artificially inf

Just because a cartel exists somewhere in the supply chain doesn't mean I have to participate in the transaction or my perceived value of it is artificially inflated. The two caret ring was just hypothetical, but there are plenty men who value those rings more than the asking price, and their wives appreciate that. (at least the sensible ones do)