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by leereeves 742 days ago
> I seriously doubt that diamonds, and especially natural diamonds, would be as popular as they are without the marketing, since the lab-grown ones are indistinguishable in all but price, if one wants one.

Price is often the point. Diamonds are conspicuous wealth, an easy way to demonstrate "I'm better than you because my diamond is bigger/clearer/natural" for people who think like that.
2 comments
chii 742 days ago
> iamonds are conspicuous wealth

[veblen good](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen_good).

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nullc 742 days ago
> Diamonds are conspicuous wealth, an easy way to demonstrate "I'm better than you because my diamond is bigger/clearer/natural" for people who think like that.

But are they an easy way? A fake looks the same except under careful inspection and is totally lawful.

Some fancy car or designer clothes are at least unlawful to fake, even if sometimes faked.

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