GUYS, DIAMOND RINGS ARE SUCH A WASTE OF MONEY!

Most people (especially couples—married or not) do not even know why diamond rings are the ‘weapon of choice’ when it comes to proposal/engagement. They know that a fiancé gives it to his fiancée to mark their formal engagement to get married. But many do not even have the faintest idea how come or why diamond rings have become the ‘real deal’
The idea that a diamond ring is the most suitable object to seal an engagement is the greatest scam in human history, and is built on a terrible lie (okay, maybe that was an overstatement, but the truth is not so far from it).

Let me give you a quick history lesson

Diamonds have existed for a very long time. But their popularity is relatively recent.
In 1870, after massive diamond mines were discovered in South Africa, a large cartel now known as De Beers was formed to regulate and restrict the flow of the precious stone in the international market in order to create the illusion of scarcity and worth. They controlled, and still control a large portion of the world’s natural diamond production.
In 1938, the cartel launched one of the most successful campaign ever using the slogan “A diamond is forever”. (To this slogan, I say ‘bleh’. Yes, a diamond is arguably the hardest substance on earth, but it can in fact be shattered, chipped, discoloured, or incinerated to ash.)

Millions upon millions have been spent to convince the public that an engagement ring is absolutely necessary and that a diamond is the only acceptable stone for an engagement ring. They (De Beers) sponsored and promoted the idea that a man should spend a significant fraction of his annual income for an engagement ring.

Guys, don’t fall for it! It is a scam, a fraud, and a terrible lie!

Unfortunately, what started as a campaign has now become the norm. Many people truly believe that the bigger the ring, the bigger the love! But seriously?
If anything should qualify as a symbol of love, it shouldn’t be diamonds: I mean why can’t a new home be a symbol; why not a long-term investment; why not something that’s actually meaningful in the real sense of the word? Spending your life savings on diamonds at the exact same time you’re planning on settling down is a very poor financial decision.

As Ira Weissman once noted:
“Men, you don’t need to waste a ton of money to prove your manhood. If Mark Zuckerberg can forgo the diamond ring, then you can too. The truth is, (and I know most ladies will not like to hear this) a woman who truly loves you will not want you to go bankrupt just so she could confirm to herself that you truly love her or just so she could flaunt the might of the diamond to her friends.

But hey, I understand if you’re caught in the social pressure. You’re not alone. The temptation is not a simple thing to resist. Plus, you wouldn’t want your fiancée’s father to vex for you for treating her daughter like whore; a person without much value.