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.