A discourse on diamonds

Thesis: I do not want a diamond for my wedding ring because I think it is cliché, unoriginal, and materialistic.

You may think your ring is unique because it is cut this way or your band is encrusted that way, and you attach stale symbolism that diamonds are the hardest mineral and last “forever,” but in the end, they all look the same to me. Yes, I see a need for a ring. It is a symbol in our culture that you have made a marital commitment to someone (which is why I always wonder why boys don’t wear engagement rings as well…). Anyway, diamonds—I don’t want one. Rather I would like a ring that is more casual or vibrant or…me—perhaps a wooden, bohemian look—but I’m not getting particular. I really like the stone turquoise…just throwing that out there.

Some people feel so pretentious because of the slightly larger stone donning their dainty finger.

True Story: I was hanging out with my sister at her house, and she had a group of friends over. One couple was engaged, and another was married. When the engaged girl, let’s call her Kate (oh wait, that was her name…) saw the married girl’s ring, she said: “wow, that’s so big.” Then turning to her meek fiancé she said in the most shrew-like voice, “why didn’t you get me one that big?” You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me. The fiancé looked like he had been cut to the core.

I’m not saying that all girls with diamond rings are tacky or materialistic. I realize that it’s a tradition like Christmas trees that most people don’t think of changing, and that’s fine. But people like the aforementioned Kate...have serious self-acceptance issues. This was one of the most pathetic things I had seen.

Basically, a ring is a symbol of a commitment. The size, carat, cut, clarity, whatever has no bearing on the ring's symbolism.

And I just don't like doing what everyone else does sometimes.