[thaumasiotes]

> Cubic [zirconia?] is cheap and tacky.

What does this mean to you? Why isn't it true of silicon carbide?

I find it odd to see the simultaneous complaint that one clear cubic crystal is "cheap", but another is "overpriced". What do you want the price to be? Why?

[chc]

"Cheap" as a criticism is not usually about price, but about perceived value.

[thaumasiotes]

The value of a courtship gift is its price.

[vacri]

So a self-written poem is worth less than a purchased fortune cookie?

[sjwright]

I agree with your sentiment, but the retort would be that even a few minutes of your time has more monetary value than that cookie.

[SeanDav]

The diamond cartels love this kind of thinking. It should be about value, not price.

With a diamond, you are not getting value (except in some rare circumstances involving unusual stones).

[thaumasiotes]

It is not a good thing for courtship gifts to have value; if they have too much value they are likely to be dishonestly accepted by someone who isn't interested in the giver but does want the object.

[mavhc]

If you're buying people because you're in a sexist world, agreed. Should probably stop doing that though.