Whats with jewelry these days?

**catnapper** · 12-16-2009, 10:27 PM

Tis the season for overpriced jewelry!

I keep seeing ads for Black diamonds. Aren't they simply cut and polished pieces of coal? I see them everywhere. Are they really different, or have marketing geniuses taken consumers for a ride? I never heard of them until the past few years.

Also, champagne diamonds. When I bought my wedding band 8 years ago, it was deeply discounted because they were champagne colored diamonds.... in other words, they were flawed because they weren't white. Now, that same band is more expensive because the champagne diamonds are "fancy" diamonds. I don't get it!

I was watching a TV special a while back. The segment was talking about tahitian black pearls. The truth is that NOBODY wanted black pearls until someone marketed them in the 60's or 70's as a luxe product. They were seen as useless until somebody stuck a high pricetag on them in an exclusive store. Then they were suddenly valuable.

It makes no sense to me! But then again, I'd be just as happy with a shiny piece of glass or plastic as I would be with a true gem. I like the colors and sparkle. I don't care about the resale or cost of an item.

**Marigold2** · 12-16-2009, 10:58 PM

Oh but they are so lovely. Just wear what you like, if it makes you happy that is what counts. For me it would be a yellow diamond.

**Husky_mom** · 12-16-2009, 11:20 PM

I dont get impressed by diamonds.. it could be a zirconia or even any shiny thing that looks good and I like it.. doesn´t has to be the real thing..

**Suki Wingy** · 12-17-2009, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by catnapper

I'd be just as happy with a shiny piece of glass or plastic as I would be with a true gem. I like the colors and sparkle. I don't care about the resale or cost of an item.

Me too!

**Medusa** · 12-17-2009, 06:17 AM

I lose all sense when it comes to jewelry, real, faux, costume, I don't care. I love, love, love it! I'll admit that I do prefer the real thing, though, but have many lovely pieces of faux gems. It's an illness.

**moosmom** · 12-17-2009, 06:42 AM

Im with Husky's Mom, although I do like real diamond, they are far too expensive for me. Give me a cubic zirconia that's not too flash that looks real, and I'll be happy.

**Pinot's Mom** · 12-17-2009, 08:35 AM

I have to admit - a lot of my jewelry is not "real" stones, and some are "real", but not what you think they are!! Fine by me, as long as it looks good.

**kokopup** · 12-17-2009, 09:09 AM

It is amusing to me to watch commercials and watch how marketeers manipulate consumers with their adds. De beers has been the master of creating demand for certain jewelery. The Pandora bracelet is one that comes to mind right now. This time of year and leading up to valentines they alway create the commercials inferring that if you really love her she should have a _________,

The auto industry does the same, by creating demand for certain models. Because of pollution standards of the mid 70's the think tank in Detroit had to create demand for a truck. The (S)port (U)tility (V)ehicle was created to help Detroit get around pollution standards that truck were exempted from. There was absolutely no demand for a station wagon but by jacking it up and hanging SPORT on it's name it became the vehicle everyone had to have. When fuel became an issue they just lowered the SUV and called it a CROSSOVER to create a new niche. It was still just a station wagon though.

Marketeers can create demand for anything because we are so insecure and need to have the latest WHATEVER. Designer is another way of appealing to our insecurity.