[ethbr1]

I'd counterpoint that if one can't make oneself feel good through something other than lighting cash on fire... one isn't thinking hard enough.

In the parent's example, I'd be surprised if anyone can't find another good or activity to also purchase for $25,000 that isn't meaningful.

And you still have a physically identical diamond.

[etrautmann]

Yes I agree. My point was more generally that the discussion around whether other people can tell ignores how one feels themself. I don’t often hear that point made, that you can’t lie to yourself IF it’s important to you that it’s natural or whatever. It’s way easier to actually not care or prefer lab grown and then move forward feeling great.