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What I am stating is that if two similar items exist, one rare, one common, the rare one has more value.
I'm a littel behind here because I haven't been to the boards in a while, but I can still think of examples where this isn't true. In fact, I'll use 8-tracks again. In my right hand I have an 8-track. In my left hand I have a CD. The CD is far, far more common, yet has more value than the rare item. Your statement can simply be proven false by a million different examples.
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Actually my comment was first directed and Skycrasher and second, not an assumption but a statement. That is, you can't make the argument against diamonds for it being artificial rare (supposedly) and wear namebrand clothes, that would be hypocritical. Thanks for assuming I was assuming though!
This is the last time I'll argue semantics on this little point, but I'll just point out that in your previous post, you assumed that I didn't buy generic clothes. You were wrong, as most of my clothes are indeed generic. Hell, the shoes I'm wearing right now I got for $2 at a second hand store-- but they are name brand! Does that count? :p
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As for an intricate machine versus a rock being a stupid comparison, you clearly missed the point. Ferrari limits the amount of cars they produce to increase value, DeBeers limits the amount of diamonds they sell (again, supposedly) to increase value. Is the practice stupid or just good business? I'm certainly not kept awake at night, fearful that my stone will plummet in 'value' due to some rogue business flooding the market with them.
I didn't say that their practice of limiting supply is stupid. The people that are stupid are the people that fall for that little trick and buy the rocks at an artificially high price. The fact that the resale value of diamonds is so incredibly bad is a huge indicator of the artificially propped up value of diamonds. People buy their diamonds for their ridiculously high prices because DeBeers and other companies have managed to convince the public that 1) omg they are rare!, 2) omg you have to get one for your engagement!, and 3) (and this is the most important)-- omg if you buy one used somewhere it's not the same; you're cheap!.
You fall for it. Fine. Go buy your rock, wear it on your finger, and brag about it. I'll go buy a cubic zirconium, you won't know the difference, and I'll snicker at your stupidity for paying 10 times what I did because you bought the propaganda.
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If you can look at a properly cut stone of good color and clarity and go, 'Meh', than good for you, you're in the minority.
I guess we'll just have to disagree. I maintain (with as much evidence as you have!) that a well cut fake is indistinguishable from the real thing to 95% or more of the population. It makes no difference. I'll also maintain that really don't have a strong reaction to a well cut diamond. I think they look at it, go "ooooooo" because they know they are supposed to, then walk away and never think about it again. Why? Because in the end, it's just a rock.
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The whole, 'it's a rock' argument is also nonsense but I appreciate your contribution.
What part of that argument is nonsense, exactly? Is it your contention that it is NOT a rock?
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What do you hold as valuable? For your sake, I hope nothing, otherwise I'll denigrate your statement with 'it's just plastic', or 'it's just metal', or 'it's just wood'.
The things I hold as valuable? Honestly-- my family and friends, pretty much. I could walk away from the shit in my home without feeling the least bit bad about it. I don't even keep "keepsakes" like pictures or memory items like photo albums. If my home burned down, aside from the inconvenience of having to find a new place to live and spend money to replace some of the comforts of my old home, it wouldn't bother me at all. The other stuff? It's just stuff. As you said-- it's plastic, metal, or wood. Nothing more.