are diamond engagement rings a scam? 💍💸💔

Summary

This video delves into the history and impact of diamond engagement rings, from their ancient roots to modern societal pressures. It explores the evolution of ring styles, the diamond industry's manipulation of consumer values, and the media's role in promoting materialism as a symbol of love. The script challenges the necessity of expensive rings, advocating for ethical and personal choices in symbolizing love and commitment.

Takeaways

• 💍 The tradition of engagement rings dates back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, symbolizing commitment and unity.
• 🏺 Initially, engagement rings were made from simple materials like iron, leather, and bone, with gold becoming more common in ancient Rome.
• 👰 Roman women received two rings upon betrothal: a simple one for daily chores and a fancier one for public wear, showcasing the early display of wealth.
• 💎 The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy, highlighting the rarity and expense of diamonds at the time.
• 👑 The popularity of diamond engagement rings grew with the influence of royalty and the upper class, who often incorporated diamonds into their rings.
• 💡 The discovery of diamonds in South Africa in the late 1860s and the subsequent diamond rush led to a monopoly by Cecil Rhodes, which artificially inflated diamond prices.
• 💼 Tiffany & Co.'s introduction of the Tiffany setting in the 1880s, featuring a solitary diamond held by six prongs, revolutionized engagement ring design and became highly popular.
• 📈 The 20th century saw a surge in the popularity of diamond engagement rings, influenced by marketing campaigns and the desire for status symbols, especially after the slogan 'A diamond is forever' was introduced by De Beers.
• 💲 The idea that engagement rings should cost two months' salary was promoted by De Beers in the 1980s, setting an expectation that influenced consumer spending on engagement rings.
• 🔄 The 21st century has seen a shift towards more ethical and affordable alternatives to traditional diamond engagement rings, such as lab-grown diamonds or vintage pieces.
• 🌱 The diamond industry has faced criticism for its environmental impact, exploitative labor practices, and links to conflict in Africa, leading some consumers to seek more ethical options.

Q & A

What is the historical origin of engagement rings?

The practice of giving engagement rings is theorized to have begun with the ancient Egyptians, who might have made their rings out of reeds or hemp, symbolizing an endless bond. The tradition was later adopted by the ancient Greeks and Romans, with the Romans being the first to use metal rings that have stood the test of time.

Why did ancient Roman women have two engagement rings?

Ancient Roman women were given two rings when they were betrothed: a simpler one for everyday wear during household duties, and a fancier one to be worn out in public. This was to show off the engagement and the wealth associated with it.

What is the significance of the 'Vena amoris' or 'Vein of Love' in the context of engagement rings?

The 'Vena amoris' refers to the myth that the ancient Romans believed there was a vein in the fourth finger that ran directly to the heart. Although this has been debunked, the tradition of wearing an engagement ring on this finger persists.

How did the diamond engagement ring become popularized?

The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. However, it wasn't until the discovery of diamonds in South Africa in the late 1860s and the subsequent marketing strategies of companies like De Beers that diamonds became the standard for engagement rings.

What role did the Tiffany setting play in the popularity of diamond engagement rings?

The Tiffany setting, trademarked in the 1880s by Tiffany & Co, featured a solitaire diamond held by six prongs on a single band. This design allowed the stone to catch more light and became immensely popular, contributing to the widespread acceptance of diamond engagement rings.

What is the 'four C's' grading system for diamonds, and how did it come about?

The 'four C's' (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat) is a universal grading system for diamonds developed by De Beers in partnership with the Gemological Institute of America in 1939. It helps determine a diamond's quality and value based on these four factors.

How did the Great Depression impact engagement ring styles?

During the Great Depression, there was a shift towards more modest engagement ring styles with smaller stones or no stones at all, reflecting the economic hardships of the time.

What marketing slogan is considered one of the best of the 20th century and how did it influence the diamond industry?

The slogan 'A Diamond is Forever' created by copywriter Frances Gerety in 1947 for De Beers is considered one of the best marketing slogans of the 20th century. It positioned diamonds as a status symbol and an ultimate symbol of love, which successfully pressured the public into purchasing diamonds for engagement rings.

What ethical concerns are associated with the diamond industry, and what alternatives are available?

The diamond industry has been linked to environmental damage, exploitative labor practices, and violent conflicts in Africa, known as 'blood diamonds'. Alternatives include lab-grown diamonds and vintage diamonds, which are more ethical and often more affordable.

How has the perception of the value of diamonds changed over time, and what is the reality of their worth?

While diamonds have been marketed as a valuable investment, the reality is that they often do not retain their value when resold. This is in contrast to other precious materials like gold, which is considered a better investment in terms of retaining value.

What societal pressures and marketing strategies have contributed to the commodification of marriage, including engagement rings?

Societal pressures and marketing strategies have commodified marriage by promoting the idea that the value of a relationship can be measured by the size and cost of an engagement ring. Companies use tactics that play on insecurities and the desire to keep up with societal norms, encouraging overspending on such symbols of commitment.

Outlines

00:00

💍 The Origins and Evolution of Engagement Rings

This paragraph delves into the history of engagement rings, starting from their theorized beginnings with the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, through the more concrete evidence from ancient Rome. It discusses the transition from simple metal bands to rings that symbolized a contract and a woman's loyalty. The influence of Roman culture on the tradition of wearing rings on a specific finger, known as 'Vena amoris' or the vein of love, is also highlighted. The paragraph continues through the Middle Ages, the first recorded diamond engagement ring in 1477, and the changing styles and materials used in rings over the centuries, including the significance of birthstones and the introduction of more elaborate designs for the wealthy.

05:00

🏭 The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of Diamond Engagement Rings

The second paragraph examines the impact of the Industrial Revolution on engagement ring trends, particularly the shift towards more extravagant rings as a display of wealth. It discusses the 'conspicuous consumption' of the era and how it influenced the design of 19th-century engagement rings, with Queen Victoria's preferences setting fashion trends. The discovery of diamond mines in South Africa and the monopolization of the diamond industry by Cecil Rhodes led to artificially inflated diamond prices. The development of the Tiffany setting and the marketing strategies of Tiffany & Co. and De Beers are also covered, highlighting how these companies shaped the perception and desirability of diamond engagement rings.

10:01

💎 The Marketing and Popularization of Diamonds

This section explores the marketing tactics that led to the widespread popularity of diamonds in engagement rings. It discusses the creation of the 'a diamond is forever' slogan by De Beers and how it positioned diamonds as a symbol of eternal love and status. The influence of celebrities on diamond trends is highlighted, with figures like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe exemplifying the allure of large diamonds. The paragraph also covers the introduction of the 'two months' salary' rule by De Beers and its impact on consumer spending, as well as the rise of alternative diamond options and the ethical concerns surrounding the diamond industry.

15:03

📉 Economic Shifts and the Changing Trends in Engagement Rings

The fourth paragraph discusses how economic events, such as the 2008 recession, affected engagement ring trends, leading to a preference for more modest and affordable options. It also touches on the resurgence of vintage-style engagement rings following Prince William's proposal to Kate Middleton with Princess Diana's sapphire ring. The paragraph examines the ethical issues in the diamond industry, including environmental impact, worker exploitation, and the connection to violent conflicts, also known as 'blood diamonds'. It concludes with a call for consumers to consider more ethical alternatives, such as lab-grown diamonds or vintage diamonds.

20:04

🛍 The Commodification of Marriage and the Role of Engagement Rings

The final paragraph reflects on the commodification of marriage, with engagement rings at the forefront. It criticizes the societal and media pressures that equate the size and cost of an engagement ring with the value of love. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of personal happiness over materialistic displays and encourages viewers to challenge the norms set by the diamond industry. It concludes with a reminder that the value of a relationship should not be determined by the material cost of an engagement ring, and that there are alternative, more ethical options available.

Keywords

💡Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is a symbol of commitment between two individuals, often given during a marriage proposal. In the video, it is discussed as a traditional piece of jewelry with ancient roots that has evolved over time. The script mentions the historical progression from simple metal bands to the modern practice of featuring a large diamond, illustrating the ring's transformation into a symbol of wealth and love.

💡Diamond

A diamond is a precious gemstone known for its hardness and brilliance, often used in jewelry. The script explores the historical shift towards diamonds as the centerpiece of engagement rings, starting from the first recorded diamond engagement ring in 1477. Diamonds became a status symbol and a manipulated sign of love, as seen in the 'A Diamond is Forever' campaign, which greatly influenced consumer demand for diamond engagement rings.

💡Ancient Roman Roots

The term refers to the origins of the engagement ring tradition dating back to ancient Roman times. The script explains that early Roman engagement rings were made of metal and signified a contract and loyalty. The concept of wearing a ring on a specific finger due to the 'Vena amoris' or 'vein of love' is also mentioned, showing the cultural significance of the practice.

💡Media Manipulation

Media manipulation in the context of the video refers to the influence of advertising and media on consumer perceptions and behaviors, particularly regarding engagement rings. The script discusses how companies like De Beers used slogans like 'A Diamond is Forever' to shape public belief that large, expensive diamond rings are a necessary expression of love.

💡Materialism

Materialism is the importance placed on physical possessions and wealth. The video critiques the idea that an expensive engagement ring is a measure of love, suggesting that this notion has been perpetuated by media and societal pressures. The script points out that the tradition has been manipulated to equate material value with the value of love.

💡Tiffany Setting

The Tiffany setting is a specific design of engagement ring in which a single diamond is held by six prongs on a band. The script notes that Tiffany & Co. trademarked this design in the 1880s, which allowed more light to reach the diamond, enhancing its brilliance and making it a popular choice for engagement rings.

💡Conspicuous Consumption

Conspicuous consumption refers to the act of displaying wealth through the acquisition and use of luxury goods. The video describes how the 19th-century upper class used engagement rings as a means to flaunt their wealth, with the rise of diamond rings being a clear example of this practice.

💡Four C's

The Four C's is a grading system for diamonds developed by the Gemological Institute of America, which includes Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. The script explains that these criteria determine a diamond's quality and value, and how understanding them is crucial for consumers when purchasing engagement rings.

💡Blood Diamonds

Blood diamonds, also known as conflict diamonds, are diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict against governments. The video touches on the negative impact of the diamond industry on Africa, including the exploitation of workers and the funding of violence through blood diamonds.

💡Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations in the context of the video pertain to the social and environmental implications of the diamond industry. The script encourages viewers to consider alternatives to traditional diamond engagement rings, such as lab-grown diamonds or vintage diamonds, which may have a lower environmental and social impact.

💡Commodification

Commodification refers to the process of treating something as a commodity, a purely economic good. The video argues that aspects of marriage, including the engagement ring, have been commodified, turning them into products that are sold and consumed, often at the expense of their original sentimental value.

Highlights

Engagement rings symbolize a couple's commitment, unity, and trust, with a large stone becoming the modern standard.

Ancient Egyptians may have initiated the ring exchange tradition, signifying an endless bond.

Ancient Romans solidified the practice of metal engagement rings, with iron initially being the metal of choice.

Roman women received two rings during betrothal: one for household duties and a fancier one for public wear.

The Vena amoris, or vein of love, theory suggested a direct vein from the ring finger to the heart, though debunked.

The Visigoths and the Roman Catholic Church formalized the ring exchange as a symbol of an unbreakable promise.

The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.

Diamonds remained rare and expensive, with other gemstones being more common in engagement rings until the 19th century.

The discovery of diamonds in South Africa in the late 1860s led to a diamond rush and the eventual monopolization by Cecil Rhodes.

Tiffany & Co.'s Tiffany setting, featuring a solitaire diamond, became a signature design and immensely popular.

The 20th century saw engagement rings become almost a requirement in the United States, with a rise in diamond prices.

Platinum gained popularity in the 1920s for its flexibility, allowing for intricate Art Deco designs in engagement rings.

The Great Depression led to more modest engagement ring styles, with smaller stones or no stones at all.

De Beers partnered with the Gemological Institute of America to develop the four C's grading system for diamonds.

The slogan 'A diamond is forever' by De Beers in 1947 was a highly effective marketing strategy, linking diamonds with eternal love.

Celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe helped to popularize large diamond engagement rings in the mid-20th century.

The 1970s saw coordinated double-stacked sets of engagement and wedding rings, influenced by the individualistic spirit of the era.

De Beers' '2 months salary' rule for engagement rings in the 1980s put a price on love and influenced consumer spending habits.

The 1990s trend towards minimalist engagement rings saw the rise of affordable jewelry retailers like Kay Jewelers.

The 2000s saw celebrities boasting large, million-dollar engagement rings, with colored diamonds becoming a trend.

De Beers' hold on the diamond supply chain lessened, but ethical concerns over diamond mining persisted.

The 2008 recession impacted engagement ring trends, with a move towards smaller, more affordable diamonds.

Prince William's proposal to Kate Middleton with Princess Diana's sapphire ring sparked a resurgence in vintage-style engagement rings.

Alternative options to natural diamonds, such as lab-grown diamonds or vintage diamonds, offer more ethical and affordable choices.

The commodification of marriage, starting with diamond engagement rings, has led to societal pressure to spend beyond means.

The video encourages viewers to choose engagement rings based on happiness rather than societal expectations or materialism.

Transcripts

are diamond engagement rings a

ripoff engagement rings are considered

the ultimate Declaration of love with

the relatively small piece of jewelry

being representative of a couple's

commitment unity and trust or at least

that's what you'd hope in modern times

it's become standard practice for an

engagement ring to feature a large Stone

usually a diamond but do you know how

this expensive tradition came to be in

today's video we're going to be talking

about all things engagement ring

including its ancient Roman roots the

evolution of different ring Styles the

popularization of diamonds the

industry's negative impact and how the

media has manipulated us all into

believing that materialism is a sign of

true love let's get into it the practice

of couples giving one another rings to

symbolize their Union is theorized to

begun with the ancient Egyptians who

might have made their rings out of reads

or hemp with the circle signifying their

endless Bond the the practice is

believed to have then been adopted by

the ancient Greeks years later around

the time of Alexander the Great where

they were possibly made out of leather

bone or Ivory it's only in the time of

the ancient Romans that the tradition's

existence is less debatable as various

written accounts and archaeological

discoveries mention the practice

directly unlike the Egyptians or Greeks

early Roman engagement rings were made

out of metal allowing them to stand the

test of time with rings even being found

in the ruins of Pompei

initially iron was the medal of choice

as gold was reserved only for certain

public officials but the right to wear

gold was eventually extended to common

citizens as early as 200 BC Roman women

were given two rings when they were

betrothed one that was simpler that

would be worn while attending household

duties and a second fancier ring that

was worn out in public because yes even

back then people wanted to show off how

much they had spent on their engagement

ring initially a part of a woman's dowy

these Rings came to signify that a

contract had been made and were the

physical manifestation of a wife's

loyalty towards her husband as is often

the case the jewelry worn by women of

higher classes were more elaborate with

their betral bands being adorned with

Engravings or small stones the idea of

wearing a ring on a specific finger on a

specific hand is also theorized to have

come about during this time period with

some claiming that the ancient Romans

believed that there was a vein in the

fourth finger that ran directly to the

heart a theory that was referred to as

Vena amoris the vein of love this has

since been proven to be a myth but the

Romantic tradition can still be seen

today even after the fall of the Roman

Empire in 476 ad Rings continued to be

exchanged between couples with the

Visigoths a group of Germanic people

that controlled a good deal of Western

Europe through the 5ifth to 8th

centuries officially stating in their

viag Gothic code that the exchanging and

acceptance of rings during a betral

ceremony was symbolic of a promise that

under no circumstances could be broken

Pope Nicholas I later solidified the

practice within the Roman Catholic

church and the Eastern Orthodox Church

in 860 ad proclaiming that an engagement

ring was the physical representation of

The pact between the betroth as well as

a symbol of their faith in God this

custom was also present in Jewish

ceremonies with a solid metal band being

presented to the bride as part of her

betral as it was an object whose value

was easy to ascertain

while different stones have been

incorporated into engagement rings for

centuries the first diamond engagement

ring on record can be traced back to

1477 when Archduke maximilan of Austria

proposed to Mary of burgundy because

diamonds were incredibly rare at the

time and remarkably expensive they

didn't catch on for engagement rings for

several Centuries with most Royals

opting for other precious gemstones like

amethysts rubies and emeralds while

everyday folk continued to use Simple

metal bands this was the standard for

much of the Middle Ages but around the

14th century we began to see more

elaborate styles of rings grow in

popularity amongst those who could

afford them this included Signet Rings

which had Unique Designs engraved into

them that were used to seal documents

being used in some form as early as

ancient Egypt over the years signate

Rings had become associated with

nobility and power so having one as your

engagement ring was quite the statement

gimmel Rings became popular in the

centuries that follow followed

especially in England and Germany with

Martin Luther marrying his wife in 1525

with said ring style setting a precedent

for other Protestants made up of

multiple bands an Engaged couple would

wear one each before looping them

together to use as a single wedding ring

being symbolic of how they had joined

together as one Hy Rings which featured

short poetic inscriptions were an

alternate ring style that became more

common place around this time period as

well and were used as a general gift

between lovers

these metal focused Rings remained in

fashion for several centuries but in the

wake of the Industrial Revolution people

began clamoring for more extravagant

engagement rings at the time there was a

war going on between old money families

those who had inherited their wealth for

generations and often had aristocratic

connections versus the novo re who had

risen from a lower social class more

recently this battle resulted in both

sides exorbitantly displaying their

wealth for the entire world a practice

known as conspicuous consumption which

could be seen in everything from their

parties to their houses to their

clothing of course engagement rings were

no exception the styles of 19th century

engagement rings were heavily influenced

by Queen Victoria who popularized

numerous wedding trends that have become

Stables today like white dresses her

snake engagement ring which would be

considered quite quirky today featured

emeralds the Queen's birthstone and it

became popular for Victorian era

engagement rings to contain the bride's

birthstone the queen also had a penchant

for diamonds with the stone appearing on

her crowns necklaces and Rings members

of the upper class emulated this by

incorporating clusters of small diamonds

into other gem dominant engagement rings

but large diamonds were still fairly

rare and it was uncommon for them to be

the main feature of a ring that all

changed in the late 1860s following the

discovery of diamonds in South Africa

which prompted a period of mass

migration to the area known as The

Diamond Rush initially individual

diggers of any background held ownership

but as production grew ownership and

labor practices quickly became divided

racially the industry was eventually

monopolized by English colonialist cesil

rhs in 1889 with his company de's

Consolidated mines becoming the sole

owner of all diamond operations in South

Africa because of this Monopoly Brads

was able to negotiate the sale of a

fixed quantity of diamonds at an agreed

upon cost regula worldwide supply and

demand in order to maintain a set price

this allowed him to artificially inflate

the price of diamonds as he saw fit even

when other factors should have dictated

that they'd be cheaper rhs would become

Prime Minister in 1890 something

attributed to his hold over the diamond

industry and to help with the expansion

of the British Empire he made it

increasingly difficult for Native

Africans to vote by tripling wealth

requirements redrawing voting lines to

disqualify rural areas and instilling

literacy conditions in case it wasn't

already clear he was a terrible person

around this time other companies began

to make a name for themselves in the

engagement ring world this included

Tiffany enco which was founded in 1837

as a stationary and fancy Goods Emporium

in the 1850s the company pivoted their

focus to jewelry and other Metal Goods

and in the 1870s they developed an

association with high quality diamonds

in the 1880s the company trademarked a

design known as the Tiffany setting

which became a signature of their

engagement rings the Tiffany setting

featured a solitire diamond held by six

prongs on a single band allowing the

stone to catch more light and making it

more practical for everyday wear unlike

prior styles that had a diamond sit

lower on the finger the design became

immensely popular and getting your

engagement ring from Tiffany and Co was

something every woman dreamed of a

sentiment that remains today thanks to

the romcom genre by the turn of the 20th

century engagement rings had not only

become a common practice in the United

States over almost a requirement with a

Chicago Tribune reporting in 1904 quote

the engagement ring is getting to be so

indispensable to engagements in this day

and age that the girl who admits her

betral without at the same time shyly

exposing the diamond solitire that

twinkles on her little left hand is

extremely rare and hard to find no

diamond no engagement might be set down

as the modern watchword in matters of

the heart the same article also noted

that the price of diamonds had risen 30

to 40% which was artificially inflated

by the diamond industry as American

women prefer diamonds to color gemstones

around this time Platinum a newly

invented metal gained popularity in

jewelry due to its flexibility which

could be crafted into intricate designs

that were all the rage because of the

art nvo movement in the 1920s Art Deco

inspired designs replaced the elaborate

styles of the Edwardian era featuring

combinations of diamonds and colored

gemstones along with angular lines when

the Great ression hit in 1929 there was

an understandable shift towards more

modest engagement ring styles that

featured smaller Stones if any in 1939

deers partnered with the gemological

Institute of America to develop the

industry's first Universal grading

system for diamonds the four C's the

first C cut plays a crucial role in a

stone Sparkle Brilliance and fire it

refers not only to its shape but also

its proportions angles and symmetry

While most modern day shop Toppers think

of the cut as simply the shape of the

stone it can also have a notable effect

on a Gem's Beauty the second C color

unsurprisingly refers to the color of

the gemstone for colorless diamonds they

should effectively be transparent with

no off yellow

cloudiness

this this is

uh a topaz a topaz among my Jewels are

you mad it's a yellow diam to the First

Quality you'll have to go a long way to

see one like

it this grading system also incompasses

fancy colored diamonds such as pink blue

green brown black purple orange and

green the third C Clarity refers to

imperfections that can be found inside

of a diamond whether they occur

naturally or are made during The Cutting

process these imperfections can vary in

size color position quantity and shape

and can obstruct the the passage of

light through the stone carrot the final

C measures the weight of the diamond the

most easily discernable of the four C's

a diamond's carrot value is directly

proportional to its mass however just

because two diamonds have the same

weight that doesn't necessarily mean

that they have the same value as that's

dependent on the value of the remaining

Seas Harry Winston Incorporated named

after its founder who was cloy referred

to as the king of diamonds made history

in 1944 by loaning actress Jennifer

Jones diamond earrings for that Year's

Academy Awards in the years that

followed it became increasingly common

for celebrities to sport jewelry loaned

to them by various companies with both

parties benefiting from the exchange

with diamonds being the most frequently

loaned out it developed a reputation for

being the stone of the Stars which made

their prices soore even higher as the

public attempted to replicate what

they'd seen on the red carpet and on the

big screen while diamonds had become

more common over the course of the 20th

Century they were by no means the norm

as rubies emeralds pearls and sapphires

continued to be featured in engagement

ring designs into the 1940s deers had

been advertising diamonds in an

assortment of ways since they'd been

founded in order to manipulate consumer

demand but one of their most effective

marketing strategies came in 1947

created by copywriter Francis gity the

slogan a diamond is forever became a

staple of the company's advertising and

implied that diamonds were not only an

investment of sorts but were the

ultimate symbol of your partner's

one-of-a-kind Love by positioning

diamonds as a status symbol that proved

your monetary and romantic worth this

campaign successfully pressured the

public into purchasing them for their

engagement rings with the style seeing a

surge of popularity that eventually set

the standard in just a few short years

as a result colored stones were instead

relegated for more casual occasions

despite the fact that in many cases

diamonds were more common before the

release of the campaign less than 10% of

engagement rings given in the US

featured diamonds but by the 1960s it

had grown to over 50% and by the end of

the century to 80% considered one of the

best marketing slogans of the entire

20th century deir strategy would greatly

impact the diamond industry with their

sales in the United States alone

increasing from $23 million to $2.1

billion between 1939 and

1979 notable figures of the 1950s and

60s like Elizabeth Taylor Jackie Kennedy

Marilyn Monroe Audrey heurn Princess

Margaret and Grace Kelly were credited

for making diamond engagement rings even

more of a coveted item amongst young

women not only because they were in

romantic relationships with high-profile

men that were positioned as aspirational

but because they were also massively

influential in the Fashion World

effectively giving diamonds a Chic stamp

of approval Audrey heurn helped

popularize the three metal Trinity ring

by cardier which was vaguely reminiscent

of the gimmel Rings of the 16th century

Princess Margaret and first lady Jackie

Kennedy royalty of their respective

countries helped repop poize colored

stone accents while Elizabeth Taylor and

Marilyn Monroe some of the biggest sex

symbols of the era epitomized a more is

more mindset when it came to their

betral bling in the 1970s Brides began

to match their engagement rings to their

wedding bands creating a coordinated

double stacked set that was inspired by

the sense of individuality that defined

the era instead of Simply adding more

stones to the ring like prior decades

the actual band became more elaborate

sometimes even mixing metals of course

diamonds were the stone of choice often

times even being the main selling point

because of her supposed fairy tale

romance Princess Diana set numerous

wedding trends of the 1980s including

gigantic dresses and colored engagement

rings yellow gold became the medal of

choice during this time period while

large stones and baguette sides mirrored

the Bold Spirit of the decade similar to

the Gody Gilded Age which saw the the

upper class of the Victorian era

flaunting their wealth the 1980s saw the

rich get even richer resulting in it

being dubbed the decade of greed seeing

this increase in conspicuous consumption

deers introduced another engagement

focused ad Campaign which told men they

needed to spend at least 2 months of

their salary on a diamond engagement

ring these ads effectively put a price

on Love by urging Shoppers to remember

that thousands of dollars was nothing

compared to a lifetime of happiness this

sort of pony up sentiment trick down

into other engagement ring

advertisements of the time period

resulting in the widespread acceptance

of the 2month rule in hindsight I'm

surprised that this campaign wound up

being as influential as it was as I

personally find the message to be kind

of depressing not only are the women

positioned as shallow and demanding but

the men seem desperate and insecure and

overall it just feels like a rather

pessimistic way to view

relationships you love

her you cherish her

but let's face it she's a lot this

negativity seemed to mirror Society at

large with 50% of marriages ending in

divorce in the 1980s a record high which

women were routinely blamed for even

though in reality it was just that we

were finally at a point where we weren't

royally screwed if we got a divorce in

contrast to the prior decade the 1990s

saw a rise in more minimalist engagement

rings resulting in an increase in

affordable jewelry retailers like sales

J and K Jewelers with the latter

introducing the tagline every kiss

begins with k in 1997 which became one

of the most recognized in history these

Brands while lacking The Prestige of

Tiffany and Co cardier Harry Winston or

van CLE were much more accessible to the

average consumer not only in regard to

price point but they could also be found

at any mall in America although there're

sometimes ridiculed for being cheap or

cheesy there actually isn't a huge

difference in quality between the

jewelry from these Brands and those with

higher price points it's mainly

marketing at the end of the day in the

2000s celebrities began to boast bigger

and bigger engagement rings with

numerous Rings reportedly being valued

at over a million dollar Jennifer Lopez

and Paris Hilton popularized colored

diamonds during this time period a trend

which alluded to the colored Gemstones

of earlier decades but with the status

of a diamond what is it you see it's a

diamond thing's Brown champagne

it's the newest thing s in culture it's

a trending diamonds champagne yeah no no

I heard about this it's very big in the

diamond trade they're they're training

to create a new market it was around

this time that deer's hold over the

diamond supply chain lessened decreasing

from 85% to 63% which is still a

ridiculous amount but hey at least it's

an improvement the 2008 recession

greatly impacted engagement ring Trends

with many people opting for smaller more

affordable diamonds flaunting wealth

during this time period was perceived as

tacky and insensitive and as a result on

average men spent 50% Less on engagement

rings than before the economic downturn

history repeated itself in 2010 when

Prince William proposed to Kate

Middleton with his mother Princess

Diana's sapphire ring sparking a

Resurgence in vintage style engagement

rings that lasted throughout the 2010s

and into the

2020s while many couples today are still

on the 2mon salary to beers train we are

seeing an increase in alternative

options the majority of natural diamonds

that are distributed worldwide originate

from Africa and the industry has had an

incredibly detrimental effect on the

region besides the actual diamond mining

process negatively impacting the

environment it's also exploitative with

many companies severely underpaying its

workers the diamond trade has also been

linked to the violent conflicts

throughout Africa for decades children

have been forced to mine diamonds in

active War zones with these blood

diamonds being sold to fund armed groups

continuing the violent cycle although

the diamond industry has a certification

process to ensure diamonds are Conflict

Free they've put even more of a premium

on the product pushing many consumers

towards blood diamonds while still

managing to profit themselves I can

already see the comments going well

there's no ethical consumption under

capitalism but I want to emphasize that

a diamond engagement ring is not a

necessity by any definition of the word

there are other options out there like

moist night lab grown diamonds or

vintage diamonds which are not only more

affordable than mind diamonds but are

more ethical as well sure you could

argue that these Alternatives aren't

worth as much but as we've said over and

over again throughout this video

Diamonds aren't really worth what you're

paying for anyways which the industry is

well aware of just try and resell a

diamond ring and see what you get for it

don't let the ads trick you they are not

a rarity nor are they an investment

you're way better off buying gold if

you're looking for something that will

retain value which is exactly what I did

when I got

engaged over the years almost every

aspect of marriage has been commodified

starting with a diamond engagement ring

and ending with a party that threatens

to put you into dead these companies

will use anything at their disposal to

make you feel like crap about not

spending more money they pick at our

insecurities and prompt us to live

beyond our means buy these creams so you

won't have wrinkles buy this car so your

neighbors will be jealous and sadly

engagement rings have become another

materialistic way to prove yourself to

others when it should just be about the

love between you and your partner now

this video might have made me sound like

a Negative Nancy but I promise I'm not

anti- engagement ring I just want to

shed some light on why a diamond ring

isn't as big of a deal as the media and

society makes it out to be just get what

makes you happy even if it's a Ring Pop

I hope you enjoyed this video don't

forget to like And subscribe and I'll

see you

soon