The sapphire is beautiful.

I avoid diamonds b/c I don't want to support DeBeers, not to mention the blood diamond trade, but I have no idea if other gem industries are similarly affected. Anyone know? Or even better, have sources?

There are some things you just learn from the culture around you, you know? Like, I know the difference between a morning coat and a tuxedo jacket

Now I would have said that the difference between morning coat and tuxedo jacket is much more esoteric knowledge than the difference between wedding and engagement rings. That said, I am hard put to come up with a male gendered equivalent. Maybe the difference between a washer and a gasket?

Maybe the difference between a washer and a gasket?

Many of the things under the hood of a car or that happen on a football field.

Though I'd think knowing engagement and weddings were different might be a big tipoff...

[link]

This is my second favorite stone and I wear one almost every day.

It's hard to kick someone who already has you in their clutches, though. Unless they're a lot taller than you. A lot. And/or you're flexible.

Which is why I would use the knee. I wasn't very good at giving full context. I can't imagine kicking or punching, when running is an option. So I was imagining that someone already had me by my upper arms (I don't know why), and a knee to the groin felt more forceful to me than a foot to the groin, even if I could pull back, a little. In truth, I've only ever applied a knee to the groin. I wasn't standing though, and neither was he. It did work (and I was grateful).

Boxing's the sport of punching.

But kickboxing is the sport of the future. t /Lloyd Dobler

I avoid diamonds b/c I don't want to support DeBeers, not to mention the blood diamond trade, but I have no idea if other gem industries are similarly affected. Anyone know? Or even better, have sources?

Me too, if you qualify it as being new diamonds, and with the fact that I don't actually have to actively avoid them, as they aren't throwing themselves at me. They sure are pretty, though.

I will admit to liking many of the antique rings over at faycullen.com, but I think that's more for the settings than the diamonds themselves. They could replace the diamonds in most of the rings with colored stones, and I'd be just as pleased with their design.

The boy only found out a few weeks ago that engagement rings and wedding rings are different things. He's twenty six

I know there is a theoretical difference, but I don't know what the actual difference is.

Like, I know the difference between a morning coat and a tuxedo jacket

No idea what a morning coat is.

Yes, I'm woefully uninformed.

They're really sparkly.

Yep. I love the way they catch the light and, as Sparky said, throw rainbows.

Which is why I also love demantoid garnets, which throw rainbows like diamonds AND are a nice emerald green.

Morning coat: [link]