Dale,

In a world with such disparities in terms of wealth, I am almost sickened to learn that such expensive jewelry exists. A pox on these shallow people!

On a smaller scale, the whole question of jewelry and the male/female perception of it, recently arose within our extended family. My wife's cousin gave his wife a $20,000 25th anniversary ring. Now, you can buy a ring that looks identical to it for less than 10% the cost and only  a jeweler can tell the difference. So, what's the appeal? I mean, if I could buy a car for $1000 that functions in every way that my $17,000 Honda Accord functions, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I just don't get it.

I'd love to hear from the women on this (Kathryn, Andrea, et al,....).

Peter T.