I guess that could be used as a filter - I certainly wouldn't want to date someone so gullible who wants a diamond ring. Is it really so pervasive? I'm not Amer

I guess that could be used as a filter - I certainly wouldn't want to date someone so gullible who wants a diamond ring. Is it really so pervasive? I'm not American but it's hard for me to believe. Here in Northern Europe, I know many couples have abandoned the idea of gold wedding rings because of the huge environmental damage that comes with gold. A titanium ring is kinda cool too. Someone can buy 5 euro hematite rings, and their marriage's been just fine, with children. In the future, the price of diamonds and gold could go down because of such trends spreading further. They will be replaced with some other, possibly just as symbolic things. Wouldn't it be much more awe inspiring to say in a ladies dinner table conversation that your fiancee is going to donate tens of thousands of dollars to a children's education project in Peru that you picked, as a symbol of his love for you? Instead of a useless rock that doesn't hold its value... Maybe such symbols of richness are not so important here as the society is more egalitarian and there are more safety networks and springboards for children's success than just your own / family / spouse's money - couple selection is a lot about what it's actually like to live with someone.