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You should the read the classic investigative piece on diamond trade and how the diamond ring was literally made into a luxury item. I am sure this has been lin
by bostik 12y ago
You should the read the classic investigative piece on diamond trade and how the diamond ring was literally made into a luxury item. I am sure this has been linked from HN before, and believe it has at one point been a pretty active submission too.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/02/have-you-ever-tried-to-sell-a-diamond/304575/ http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/02/have-you...
Quote from the middle of the article: Since "young men buy over 90% of all engagement rings" it would be crucial to inculcate in them the idea that diamonds were a gift of love: the larger and finer the diamond, the greater the expression of love. Similarly, young women had to be encouraged to view diamonds as an integral part of any romantic courtship.
EDIT: and this was already linked downthread: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9223903 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9223903
- depingus 12y agoIn a similar vein, this documentary is fantastic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bzMrxVwl74 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bzMrxVwl74 It's about African conflict diamonds, but also covers the DeBeers monopoly.
- bostik 12y agoThank you. So far haven't had time to see more than the opening minutes, but this looks like something to refer to further down the line.
- SomeCallMeTim 12y agoYeah, I'd read that. So had she. This is why we were somewhat surprised, after the fact, that we went through with it anyway. Cultural expectations can be a strong force, even if they were manufactured.
- bostik 12y agoI think that's fascinating. You both knew you didn't really want the glitterstone, and yet acted against the knowledge. That makes "cultural expectations" just another euphemism for peer pressure.