The diamond wedding ring is special because it is a one off.
The economic value of diamonds.
South africa is the fourth largest diamond producer in the world.
The diamond industry at least as we know it today began 1800 s when an accidental find of diamonds in south africa kicked off a mining exploration and trading boom that led to the existence of one of the most successful and long lasting cartel s in economic history that being the small network of world diamond producers.
However if you bought a second diamond a week after the wedding this would have a significantly lower marginal benefit.
There is a large economic impact of diamond mining in south africa as diamonds provide a lot of money to the economy which provides better living conditions.
There is a high marginal benefit utility of buying your wife a diamond for her wedding.
Diamonds today are mined in about 25 different countries but around 49 of diamonds come from south africa.