Diamonds are a girl's best friend - but do they lose their luster if you buy them for yourself? By now we've all seen ad campaigns for the "right-hand ring" trend with such taglines as "Your left hand lives for love / Your right hand lives for the moment," and "Your left hand declares your commitment / Your right hand is a declaration of independence."
In my humble opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a gal who buys herself diamond jewelry - but it's just not for me.
Call me old-fashioned and sound the women's lib alarm, but I can't bring myself to buy diamonds for my own person. (Then again, I don't have the money to do it anyways!) This hopeless romantic would sooner buy diamonds for her mom or a dear friend than for herself.
Perhaps I've just been brainwashed by the diamond industry - after all, they're the ones who led me to believe that a diamond is a symbol of eternal romantic love. Now in their efforts to grow sales, it's ironic that they should be the same people who are trying to convince me to declare my self-love and splurge on diamond jewelry for myself.
But what do you think? Should fine jewelry like a diamond ring only come into your possession as a special gift from a special someone - your husband or your boyfriend? Or is it OK to treat yourself and indulge in the real deal when you're in the mood and have the means?
Featured above: The diamond Ah Ring was originally created for confident and joyful single women to show the world they're available (A) and happy (h). $295 at www.ahring.com
Personally, we're absolutely fascinated by the science of diamonds - how they're formed and their unique molecular structure. Did you know a diamond may be the oldest material you'll ever own? We're talking billions of years old! Forget about De Beers and their marketing - diamonds are cool and they're kinda mind blowing if you stop and think about them. Oh, and colored diamonds and large diamonds are actually quite rare.
Anyways, I wouldn't buy diamonds for myself just as I wouldn't buy myself a dozen red roses (who's to blame for that, Ftd? Hallmark?). For me, they're symbolic of l-u-v.
However, the recent trend towards ever-larger diamonds on engagement rings is distasteful, gratuitous and can actually detract from their meaning. Oftentimes, the bigger the rock the shorter the marriage. Besides, it's foolish to go into debt over a flashy ring - a lot of young couples should put that money into a home or other investment instead. Basically, a diamond does not equal love, in my mind - but a diamond can be a very effective symbol of the established love between two individuals.
also, i've been sporting a ring on my right ring finger for quite a while now. i like the fact that people aren't quite sure what to make of it. is she european & married? does it mean nothing at all?to me it actually means that i have a partner but am not married.
on that note, what does everyone think of women who wear diamonds on their left ring finger in order to detract & attract men? pretty clever excuse, if you ask me.