Well, diamonds aren't more scarce than sapphires or rubies, so why are they more expensive? I mean, you could probably drive a beat-up POS that will get you to work and even possibly be able to rock climb and all, so why buy the VX? Why have toys at all? Why not just buy the cheapest of everything, just to get by, and be happy with it?

I agree, a ring doesn't make the marrige... my wife and I were together 6 years before we got married. We don't really consider ourselves any "more" married than before we signed the paper, and the rings don't make us any "more" married either, but so what? We wear them because we want to. My wife likes her big, fat diamond engagement ring, and so do I. If it makes her happy then I'm happy. If she wants to wear rings, I'm ok with it. Our "bond" isn't going to be affected by it one way or another, but I don't have much of a problem with people wanting to wear them.