Is your girlfriend’s happiness worth a couple K?

A friend of mine directed me to this thread on Wall Street Oasis, where a bunch of guys from Wall Street are bantering back and forth about the pro’s and con’s of buying a diamond engagement ring. One of my favorite comments reads:

“Get a cube Z. Why people continue to mindlessly do what they are told they have to do is beyond me. Worst case scenario is she breaks with you which isn't an issue since you'll have your 20-30k or whatever and can easily find another woman.”

To which somebody else replied “Must be some girl that is worth less to you than a couple k... I guess another girl like that shouldn't be too difficult to find.”

While there is nothing wrong about setting an engagement ring with a cubic zirconia center stone, be forewarned that they don’t really look like diamonds, and that they scratch easily and begin to show signs of wear quite quickly, thus they need to not be worn very often, or replaced frequently… which leads to other factors like metal stress and might require the setting to be replaced.

And don’t think for a moment, that one of her diamond savvy girlfriends isn’t going to notice that it’s a cubic zirconia instead of a diamond, people who are familiar with diamonds and cubic zirconia, can tell the difference between them from across the dinner table.

Do you have to buy a diamond engagement ring?

I suspect that the undercurrent of this thread is being fed by a group of guys who feel that they shouldn’t have to submit to the social pressure which demands that they buy a diamond engagement ring, and that they are defending their position by finding people of like minds within the confines of this social media medium, but somehow I doubt that this is going to help them win over the minds and hearts of their female counterparts… in fact, I’m not so sure that this is even a valid concern because something tells me that these guys aren’t capable of getting a second date with this type of mindset:

If I’m interpreting this statement correctly, this guy feels that he shouldn’t have to buy a diamond engagement ring because he’s holding out for a girl who will conform to his worldviews, thus when he finally finds her, she won’t want a diamond engagement ring, or she’ll be so happy to be chosen by him to be his wife, that she’ll succumb to his every view, desire, and worldview.

I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry, but dude, the Stepford Wives was a movie… and it didn’t end well. The reality is that if you actually find a woman who is going to conform to your worldviews, you’re probably going to lose interest because the relationship is going to lack the contrast and substance provided by a difference of opinion.

I’m truly thankful that the majority of financier types who I speak with are truly thankful for the opportunity to buy a diamond engagement ring for the woman they love, and who loves them, as a sign of their commitment to each other.

Regardless of whether you feel justified buying a diamond engagement ring or not, reading this thread is probably going to provide you with the best laugh you’ve had all week! Let me know your favorite quote from these guys by leaving a comment below, and feel free to weigh in on whether you’d like to date / marry one of these guys!