Mens Bling Eyecandy Folder

[sturgeon123456]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Just want to say I absolutely love this sight and have really enjoyed my extended time lurking....so I am taking the plunge and my first post is of

Stone One
GIA Certified 1.65ct G VS2 Cut Cornered Modified Brilliant

Stone Two
GIA Certified 1.70ct Fancy Yellow VVS2

Half of the ring is 18k yellow gold (the side the yellow diamond is set in)

The other half is platinum (colourless diamond on that side)

 

[kevnick80]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Sturgeon, I absolutely LOVE your ring, it looks amazing, and so bold!!! I shall be happy to look after it the next time you are on holiday.......

 

[sturgeon123456]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Sturgeon, I absolutely LOVE your ring, it looks amazing, and so bold!!! I shall be happy to look after it the next time you are on holiday.......

thank you so much for the kind words! I only wish I could take a vacation lol

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Okay, so I got one of the photographers my company works with to take some pics of the jewelry I wore today. If I remember correctly, this ring's center stone is 2.5 carats, 70 additional princess-cut diamonds surrounding it, white gold, size 16.

Hmmm...on preview the photo is so much smaller than the original. I'll attach the original as a test to see if it shows up at full size.

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Okay, maybe somebody can tell me how to put the full-size photos here. I tried a link to it hosted on imgur, but pricescope gave me a message saying I cannot put pictures hosted elsewhere. So I'll just use the smaller pics of the rest of them taken today.





He asked if I wanted prints, and I couldn't think of any possible use for them.

Tomorrow I'll wear all yellow gold and we'll take another set.

We talked about photos of me wearing them, and I suggested just resting my hands on my desk or briefcase. He said he'd rather see something suggesting "action," and he suggested holding a football or baseball bat. I rejected that idea, as I'd rather be wearing a business suit. Any ideas?

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

I should clarify the last pic is of my cufflinks. I wouldn't want anyone to think they were pinkie rings. I HATE pinkie rings!

 

[sturgeon123456]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Okay, maybe somebody can tell me how to put the full-size photos here. I tried a link to it hosted on imgur, but pricescope gave me a message saying I cannot put pictures hosted elsewhere. So I'll just use the smaller pics of the rest of them taken today.





He asked if I wanted prints, and I couldn't think of any possible use for them.

Tomorrow I'll wear all yellow gold and we'll take another set.

We talked about photos of me wearing them, and I suggested just resting my hands on my desk or briefcase. He said he'd rather see something suggesting "action," and he suggested holding a football or baseball bat. I rejected that idea, as I'd rather be wearing a business suit. Any ideas?

Very beautiful pieces and excellent photography skills. Can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow!

 

[bluelotus]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Cufflinks are unreal. . . beautiful!

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Thanks Sturgeon and Blue Lotus!

All yellow gold today as promised.

Wedding ring. The diamonds may be bigger than they look, because I wear size 15.5 ring on my left hand and 16 on my right. I'm not fat, I just have huge hands:



I couldn't decide between the following two rings, so I brought both:




Bracelet:


Cufflinks:


And of course, a watch:


The photographer and I had gone down to a room he uses, and I was taking things off one at a time as he began photographing. I was impressed with his set up. He was using a "light box," which I'd never even heard of, mirrors, colored tiles, lights, diffusers, etc. A call came in that I had to take, and I needed privacy, so I stepped through a side door to another office.

After a few minutes it occurred to me that I'd left someone I barely knew alone with a great deal of my valuables. But I told myself to relax, I mean, we know all about him, where he lives, etc. But my wife and I had just watched the remake of "Psycho" with Anne Heche and what's-his-name, and how she just left town with the money. I wondered if there was enough value there to prompt him to do that -- particularly considering the solitaire. So I opened the door to peek in while I was still on the phone -- and he was gone! My heart stopped for a minute and I rushed over to the exit and looked down the hallway. He was innocently walking back from the men's room! He must have sensed my alarm and he smiled and pointed to all his different pockets, and I could see all the bulges. Took a minute or two for my heartrate to return to normal! Seems kinda funny now.

 

[tnt10]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

How do you get photos like this one? Professional photographer?

I stated in another post that I apply "soften" to everything except the jewelry in the photos I have, although I've never tried the Photoshop program. In some photos posted by others, the huge magnification of the hair and skin pores is distracting, and kind of ugly, in my opinion. That's not how our eyes see things. I've only been on this site a few times in two or three years, probably because I prefer to appreciate both men's and women's jewelry moving around in real life than looking at a computer screen. My intent is more to learn about societal values and people's views on real-life situations regarding the wearing of jewelry, particularly by men. Perhaps pick up a couple of ways to deal with negative reactions and to share feelings with like-minded individuals.

Thanks for the compliment!
I got this picture with my inexpensive camera set on Macro, lying on the carpet floor of my kitchen, with the sun setting behind the ring.
For every decent picture, I must take about 20 or so bad ones.

Thanks again
tnt

 

[sturgeon123456]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Thanks Sturgeon and Blue Lotus!

All yellow gold today as promised.

Wedding ring. The diamonds may be bigger than they look, because I wear size 15.5 ring on my left hand and 16 on my right. I'm not fat, I just have huge hands:



I couldn't decide between the following two rings, so I brought both:




Bracelet:


Cufflinks:


And of course, a watch:


The photographer and I had gone down to a room he uses, and I was taking things off one at a time as he began photographing. I was impressed with his set up. He was using a "light box," which I'd never even heard of, mirrors, colored tiles, lights, diffusers, etc. A call came in that I had to take, and I needed privacy, so I stepped through a side door to another office.

After a few minutes it occurred to me that I'd left someone I barely knew alone with a great deal of my valuables. But I told myself to relax, I mean, we know all about him, where he lives, etc. But my wife and I had just watched the remake of "Psycho" with Anne Heche and what's-his-name, and how she just left town with the money. I wondered if there was enough value there to prompt him to do that -- particularly considering the solitaire. So I opened the door to peek in while I was still on the phone -- and he was gone! My heart stopped for a minute and I rushed over to the exit and looked down the hallway. He was innocently walking back from the men's room! He must have sensed my alarm and he smiled and pointed to all his different pockets, and I could see all the bulges. Took a minute or two for my heartrate to return to normal! Seems kinda funny now.

Beautiful pieces!

Love the pre ceramic GMT

Now wheres the gold chain

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

[quote="Niel|1408935480|

Do you have more realistic photos? all the ones you post appear photoshopped.[/quote]

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Cufflinks are unreal. . . beautiful!

Thanks, bluelotus. They are my newest acquisition and probably my most valuable. There is a matching tie tack that I forgot to have the photographer include.

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

How do you get photos like this one? Professional photographer?

Thanks for the compliment!
I got this picture with my inexpensive camera set on Macro, lying on the carpet floor of my kitchen, with the sun setting behind the ring.
For every decent picture, I must take about 20 or so bad ones.

Thanks again
tnt

You're welcome. I have to admit, I didn't even know what Macro meant, so I Googled it.

I'm pleased with the new pics my photographer has taken. (It seems, though, some people get pleasure from criticizing everything.)

I'd like to do three more sets with him -- a two-tone collection, a black collection, and a casual, Saturday afternoon collection.

 

[kevnick80]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

DoctorD

Please give us some specifics on the cufflinks! I have DIED!!!! love them.....

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Natural Blue Topaz Nigerian Cushion Men's Ring

Wow DoctorD, Musicloveranthony, tnt10, blue lotus you guys have some amazing pieces! Thanks for taking the time to share some photos.

Here's some photos of a Natural Blue Topaz cut by Doug Menadue at Bespoke Gems that I just had set in silver.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Nigerian Cushion...got a better photo.

One last photo...captures her beauty a bit better.

 

[DoctorD]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

DoctorD

Please give us some specifics on the cufflinks! I have DIED!!!! love them.....

Quick -- who can do some CPR on Kevnick!

Thanks -- I love them too!

Here are the specs:

CUFFLINKS
Main stones: 4.04 carat emerald-cut diamonds

Cut Very Good
Clarity VS1
Color H
Symmetry VG
Fluorescence None
Polish Excellent
Table 64%
Depth 64%
Culet Small
Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick
LxW ratio 1.2
Measurements: 10.10mm x 8.40mm x 5.38mm

Surrounded by:
28 baguette stones (2.8 carats)

Sides (back)
round cut stones (1.8 carats)

8.64 carats total each cufflink
17.28 carats both cufflinks

----------------------

WilliamAnderson -- that is a really nice ring! Impressive!

 

[kevnick80]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!

They sounds so impressive. Did you have them made for you? and do you have more photos of the cuffs?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

[quote="DoctorD|1409506345|
I'd like to do three more sets with him -- a two-tone collection, a black collection, and a casual, Saturday afternoon collection.[/quote]



Please post some hand shots of your rings and wrist shots of your watches.

 

[sturgeon123456]

Re: Nigerian Cushion...got a better photo.

One last photo...captures her beauty a bit better.

That is stunning, wow!! Love it. Beautiful stone and setting!

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Re: Mens Ring Eyecandy Folder

Thanks for the compliments DoctorD and Sturgeon!

 

[kenny]

DoctorD, some people here think you don't really own all the jewelry you've posted above.
Someone even started a thread about this on Pricescope's Hangout forum where various posters posted links to vendor pics identical to the pics you have posted of your jewelry.
(The pics of the emerald cut cufflinks match but the description on the vendor site does not match your description.)
Your credibility is understandably being challenged.

You could put their suspicions to rest quickly and easily.
Just pile up all the stuff you've posted and take one quick pic with your cellphone or a point and shoot.

Picture quality won't matter.
It being all in one pic will.
Photoshopping together many pics will be obvious.

Doing this will hush up the Debbie Doubters.
Not putting the jewelry together to take one single pic of it all will just feed the suspicions that you are just lifting these pics from the Internet and don't actually own any of it.
Of course, you are no obligation to do anything.

Sorry, but this is the nature of Internet fora.

 

[sturgeon123456]

I guess I will kick start things again.....

Ring has fancy brownish yellow (over 3ct) diamond set in platinum....the chain is a whopping 408 grams of platinum which I had custom made...I think they make a cute couple

 

[kenny]

Wow! Very Cool!

 

[sturgeon123456]

Wow! Very Cool!

Thanks so much!

Oh and thats not photoshopped but there are filters applied to the picture to cause the blur effect....I have more photo evidence if needed LOL

 

[kenny]

Wow! Very Cool!

Thanks so much!

Oh and thats not photoshopped but there are filters applied to the picture to cause the blur effect....I have more photo evidence if needed LOL

Yeah, with natural optics focus is never sharpest at the center of a pic, decreasing in all directions 360 degrees as you move away from the center.
With natural optics focus is best at one distance or range of distance from the camera and gets softer closer and further from the camera.

All these modern software alterations used to drive me nuts.
I just had to give up getting my panties in a knot over digital alterations.
They are ubiquitous now.

 

[sturgeon123456]

Wow! Very Cool!

Thanks so much!

Oh and thats not photoshopped but there are filters applied to the picture to cause the blur effect....I have more photo evidence if needed LOL

Yeah, with natural optics focus is never sharpest at the center of a pic, decreasing in all directions 360 degrees as you move away from the center.
With natural optics focus is best at one distance or range of distance from the camera and gets softer closer and further from the camera.

All these modern software alterations used to drive me nuts.
I just had to give up getting my panties in a knot over digital alterations.
They are ubiquitous now.

Oh altering photos beyond recognition drives me nuts.....I have a passion for photography, I use primarily telephoto lenses to capture birds in flight, I also love astrophotography. Peoples misuse of HDR and over post processing drives me up the wall. I often see pictures of the milky way with other "features" photoshopped in or just completely crazy northern lights photos with purple and red and blue and yellow.........I say to myself this garbage may as well be CGI as it's no longer real or capturing the essence of what was actually photographed.

My only prolem is I don't own a single macro lens, so all my jewelry photos are cell phone shots lol.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

I love your ring Sturgeon! Beautiful.

 

[DoctorD]

First of all, after looking at the site Saturday morning, I started a reply as a Word document. I've worked at it from time to time over the weekend. As I go to post it now, I see there have been many more posts from sturgeon and others. I am not going to read them. So if this post seems to be ignoring what's been recently said, that's why.

Geez, chill out! The future of the world does not depend on a few jewelry pictures!

After a difficult event a few years ago, my wife was traumatized and my kids and I tried everything we could think of to help. I consulted with certain people in my life, and, not getting the answers I wanted, I turned to the Internet and found this group. Before I first came on this site I didn't even know forums existed. I have a busy life. I don't use the internet much. My tech abilities are very limited. I know what my strength is -- face to face negotiations, and that's what I've honed for 15 years. I haven't tried to be a Jack-of-all-Trades, in fact, my other skills have atrophied from lack of use. I rely on others -- my staff at work, my wife and kids at home -- to do almost everything else.

I'm familiar with the stereotypes about men who wear jewelry -- we're either gay or effeminate, among other things. I wanted to dispell that in my introduction of myself, so I mentioned my characteristics considered masculine (square jaw, strong chin, big hands) which prompted others to criticize me as vain, narcissistic, and conceited. I wrote a long first post, describing my problem, and asking for advice. I offered to have my jeweler make a little something if someone could provide me with "the answer." But that, too, was misinterpreted -- perceived as some kind of nefarious act with the evil intent of getting people's home addresses. A stranger who may be 3,000 miles away offers me some good advice, and I am going to what -- get on a plane and fly to them, rent a car, hunt down their exact address, and what -- kill them? I'm annoyed by people who always see themselves as victims or potential victims in their lives. Take control! If you don't want someone to have your home address, go to a UPS Store and rent a mailbox for a few dollars. Problem avoided!

To describe my situation clearly, I needed to say that I wear diamond jewelry. I didn't want to be perceived as selfish, so I explained that I took care of everyone in my life and put myself last--my wife has everything she wants, and pretty much so for my five kids, too. That was misinterpreted as bragging about being wealthy. Readers missed my point completely. Some said "super-rich," which is wrong. Super-rich have yachts and jets and I have none of that. Just the opposite, we went through some very lean times; it's only been in the last 10 years that my career has really taken off.

I think the world is sexist in that the general opionion is that it's okay for women to wear jewelry, but it's not for men. Some women who are so vocal about equal rights for women feel this way, which I think is hypocritical. I figure this site is 80-90% women, so I'm probably upsetting a lot of members by saying this. I thought this site would be a safe haven from all the prejudice and stereotypes in the real world, but it's not. It actually seems worse. Every post is scrutinized and analyzed as if it's a grand jury inquisition. For some people, I've learned, this site is their life, their world. Certain types of newcomers can upset the balance of power and set off a wave of antagonism. I think I'm way too controversial for this site. I noticed a few days after my first post that all the threads had like 50 views, and mine had over 1,000. I felt like I'd been tackled and every player on the other side was jumping on the pile on top of me. I thought, "to heck with this; its not for me." But the thing is, a couple of people did have good ideas. Problem is I had to wade through 50 insults to get to them.

I left for probably a couple of years. I did have another goal -- to perhaps befriend some men who enjoy jewelry as much as I do, hopefully similar to me. married and successful. Again, this has been perceived as some kind of sinister intent. Warning, warning, be careful, this guy wants to actually meet people, danger, danger! On one hand, people are saying I'm not married, don't have kids, don't own jewelry, aren't a real person, but when I offer to meet in person -- which would be the best proof that I'm who I say I am, right? -- that's criticized too. It seems you can't win. What about this Las Vegas event? Don't people want to actually meet other members there? Should they all be accused of having evil intentions?

The internet has been a great disseminator of information, but I think it brings out the worst in people. It makes the world seem to be filled with angry, bitter, suspicious people who have no qualms about writing things about people that they wouldn't dare to say to their faces. Although I will defend myself if attacked, I'd never make of out-of-the-blue criticisms of someone I know nothing about.

Most of the criticisms are so unwarranted they seem absurd. I sit around in my underwear at my computer all day? Isn't that more appropriate for someone who's got 20,000 posts than someone who's got 30? I'll probably alienate more people by saying this, but there are only three reasons to have tens of thousands of posts--you work for the site, you work in the jewelry business, or you live in a rural area with few social opportunities. Otherwise, I think it's an indicator there is something really lacking in your life.

I mentioned on another post a few life lessons I learned in elementary school. I think some of the adults on this site have still not learned them. Attention: People don't like people who criticize others! Haven't you heard the sage advice, "Praise in public, criticize in private"? Criticizing someone in public is done with the intent of humiliating the person, which is cruel if not sadistic. If you do it behind their backs, you may get a couple of laughs, but people end up not trusting you and not liking you, because the logical conclusion is that you're probably doing it behind their backs, too. I would bet a 5-carat diamond that the people on here who go out of their way to criticize others are unsuccessful in life.

I can tell people don't even read my posts before attacking me, because they ask questions that I've already answered. They make statements that are flat-out wrong about me. I've never attacked a waiter or beat up someone smaller than myself. I'm not buying or selling watches, I'm not a mobster, I'm not a student working on a creative-writing project. The misinterpretations, twisting of my words, and false accusations are just ridiculous. From reading a few pages of my writing, it's concluded that I need psychiatric help? It's ironic that I'm accused of "breaking the site's rules," when one of the site's rules is not to attack people.

I think all these accusations and challenges here are unwarranted. I already have posted some group shots and hand shots:




I've asked, "How do you post a large pic (prevent the image from being sized down so dramatically when posted)? That way you could zoom in on the individual pieces for detail." But no one has offered any help.

No one has come forward in response to my writing, "The photographer and I are going to do shots of me wearing the jewelry next week. I suggested just resting my hands on my briefcase or desk, but he thinks it would be more dramatic to show 'action,' like holding a baseball bat or a football. I rejected the idea, because I only wear a lot of diamonds with a suit or tux." No one has been helpful and suggested anything, but some are writing that I "REFUSE to post hand shots." No one has been helpful regarding any of the other questions I've asked, such as 'Can you look at all of a person's photos?"

Each of the 4 or 5 times I've participated here, I've gone away thinking "to heck with it, it's not for me," but I get those pesky little emails because I subscribed to the Mens' Ring Eyecandy Folder. Often I don't even read them, but recently one caught my eye, the one that read, "There, I've said it, I'm a man who likes diamonds." I related to that and logged in for the first time in ages. I'd like to share thoughts with other men who like jewelry, discuss the etiquette, politics, and philosophies of men wearing jewelry, and perhaps to pick up a few witty retorts to criticism that are sometimes heard. I wrote something like, "It's weird that it seems to take a lot of courage for a man to say he likes diamonds." I made the mistake of adding a poor-quality snapshot of me with my new cufflinks. I'd used PhotoSuite to try to improve the pic. I mainly brightened up the jewelry and softened everything else. Maybe I didn't do it well. These photo-editing programs are considered "touching up", right? I've seen demonstrations of how dramatically "touched up" photos in magazines are. It's accepted and expected. Criticizing someone for doing it seems odd to me. But I get, "Your photos seem shopped!" I've tried to reverse the changes, and this is the result. Maybe I've messed it up even more, I'm not sure.



As an analogy, I usually write my posts in Word. I re-read and edit my posts two or three times before posting them. Should I be criticized for that, as in, "Your posts seem so EDITED!" The critic of my photo was followed by others posting the yellow laughing heads, which means, I assume, "I'm laughing at you." Very nice. I was asked for more realistic photos. Now I wish I had ignored the request. Showing off my jewelry was never a reason for me to be on the site. I had almost no photos of my jewelry. I don't have a camera phone. We specifically don't allow them at my company for security reasons. I took the time and effort to have the professional photographer my company works with to meet with me to get some quality photos, and that's just led to more criticism.

Now here comes the big confession! I have four sons, and they are constantly borrowing my things. I did not have the Rolexes that best matched the other pieces being photographed. They must have borrowed them. The photographer suggested using stock photos, and I thought, why not, everybody knows what a Rolex looks like. There are probably 1,000 Rolexes within a two-mile perimeter of me, many of them the same models. So I fudged a little on the photos! Put me in jail! Crucify me! I just wanted to create a representation of a group of items I might wear (or have worn) as a collection of matching items. I didn't realize I was delivering testimony in front of a grand jury. Now I wish I hadn't bothered. I should have trusted my earlier thought that there's no worthwile reason to have photos of my jewelry.

I don't wear yellow gold much any more -- I started a thread on that topic if you think I'm lying. I haven't worn my yellow-gold-and-diamond wedding ring in months, if not years. It's not at my home here. It's probably locked up at our place in Palm Springs or Big Bear, along with several other things. I described it to him and he returned later with some prints of rings, and one looked just like mine, so I said to use that.

I don't get the whole, "It looks like someone else's, so it can't be yours." A lot of jewelry looks alike. Companies are always copying other company's styles. Thousands of identical pieces are made all the time. When I was thinking about the cufflinks, I told them I wanted a square center stone surrounded by smaller squares (I hate it that they're called "princess" cut -- I think squares look more masculine than round stones.) As usual, they came back with a few sketches and photos. (I have folders filled with sketches, photos from magazines or the internet, pictures people have given me. Several of them have been used by my jewelers to create similar or identical pieces for my wife, my colleagues, my friends, my kids, and me.) I'd never thought of emerald-cut surrounded by baguettes, but I liked the idea when they showed me. They may have used the ones from the link you inserted, or maybe there are a half-dozen other sites with similar stuff. (BTW, I certainly didn't pay anything even near what they cost on that website.)

A man was getting into his car when he was suddenly accosted by a very angry young man. "I can see about 20 different ways that your car is not a Mercedes!" he shouted. The car's owner responded, "That's very observant of you, Sherlock. That's because it's a Buick."

I draw a parallel to a similar situation here. I wear a lot of what I call "knock-around" jewelry in casual settings, when I don't want to potentially damage, or lose, something valuable. It includes plain wedding rings and inexpensive watches. I have a $20 tungsten wedding ring, because I wanted to see if it's true that they never scratch (does seem to be true). Sturgeon asked if anyone still wears chains. I posted an old pic showing a few of my chains. It had a watch in it, too. I made no claims about what kind of watch it was. I thought about trying to erase it, because it was irrelevant, but I figured I'd be criticized for changing a photo. Sturgeon replied that he loved my Rolex. Then he posts a second time, now angry, saying he counts 20 different ways that my watch is not a Rolex! I never said it was a Rolex! I looked around and found the watch in my photo to verify its brand, and it's a Helbros. It's style may be inspired by a Rolex, who knows. The name is next to the 3:00 position, covered by the red hand. I see a picture of the same model where the name's visible here:

https://www.google.com/search?q=helbros+watch&rlz=1C1SAVU_enUS540US540&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=890&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vdkKVJa8OM6NyATkjYGADw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg#tbm=isch&q=helbros+chronograph+watch&imgdii=_

I think some of you could use anger management. Dancing Fire, you started an entire thread as an insult to me. You also revealed yourself to be the one who attacked me on another site. When I first discovered forums (this one), and had a bad experience, I looked around for another. I've only tried one other, the Rolex Forums. I've said I don't have many pics of my jewelry. I used my wedding ring pic from this site as an avatar temporarily, until I got a Rolex pic. I would've liked a pic showing both. I made one post--I asked guys to show pics of their Rolex and wedding ring. Right away, there was a paragraph-long post ranting and raving about what a pompous showoff I was, and I was banned. I knew it had to be someone from this site. So you are a moderator on rolex forums, Dancing Fire? It was obvious you have two screen names, because the two of you always support each other all over the site, which is against the rules. I looked at a few of your 20,000 threads here. It was easy to get a feel for your life. If you stay in hotels with dirty sheets, it gives an idea of your socio-economic status. You wear pinkie rings and paint your fingernails pink, but I won't comment on that because I don't want to sink to your level. Your many criticisms of me could be summarized as "I'm jealous." You project all of your own problems onto me. I grew beyond my self-esteem issues in high school. Sounds like you still have some.

I looked at the topics started by the first woman to criticize me this time. One of them was about how her private parts hurt when she woke up that morning. I can just imagine what would happen if I did that--a maelstrom of hate messages calling me a pervert and every other name in the book. But the gender-bias on this site was dramatically illustrated by all the sympathetic replies she got.

I'm very old-school when it comes to business and communication. I refuse to use email in business. I don't even like phone calls. I still much prefer the "old-fashioned" way of doing business, which is face-to-face. I will fly to another city rather than have a phone conversation. I consider texting to be absolutely ridiculous. It's estimated that 80% or more of a message is delivered through tone of voice, facial expression, and body language. All of that lost in texting and e-mailing, and most of it on the phone, which so often leads to misunderstandings.

Related to this is the statement I made that probably got the most ridicule. I stated that during business negotiations, I "talk with my hands" a lot. I have truly come to believe that the flashing of the diamonds on my hands creates a compelling force, almost like a hypnotic effect. I can see it slowly happening in the other person's eyes -- first looking only at my eyes, then glancing at my hands now and then, then looking more at my hands than my eyes, then looking only at my hands, then what seems to be a slowing in their breathing and a lack of focus in their eyes. They seem to become more malleable, more easly influenced or convinced. I thought maybe some jewelry enthusiasts would be interested in that, maybe even relate similar thoughts or experiences. But instead I was treated like I belong in a mental institution. What a great loss for all the diamond-wearers who aren't harnessing the powers their diamonds hold.

The last time I was into using cameras and taking pictures was in my 20s for a sport I was involved in. I wanted to document all the changes going on. Photography was very different then -- we used film, for one thing. I never felt a need to have photographs of my jewelry. I mean, what for? To point to a 2-D picture with a hand wearing 3-D versions of the jewelry in the pics? It stays the same; there are no changes to document. The photographer mentioned PhotoShop a few times; I'm not sure how he used it.

When I first joined this site, I thought at some point someone would say they had seen me at the jewelry center downtown, as I go so often, and have for so many years. That's where my jewelers work.

It's a shame that there's so little info about users on this site. It would be nice to know everyone's gender and approximate age, and where they live. And I think it's a huge omission on this site not to allow private messages, so evrything you say is not subject to the intense scrutiny of people who may have paranoid tendencies, poor judgement, or just enjoy making fun of people.

I've had thoughts about jewelry that I'd like to throw out to the group by starting a thread on them in hopes of being interested by the reactions, comments and insight from others. For example, asking about psychological and/or physiological reactions when shopping for, or buying, new jewelry (quickening of heartbeat, dilating of pupils, intensified feelings of love for the person buying it for you or for the person you're buying it for), and whether or not jewelry ever plays a part in the physical relationship between you and your loved one, but I think that would be WAY too controversial for this group and, I think it would just set me up for more abuse.

I also wish someone with website skills would create a website devoted simply to people wanting to meet, in person, other people who like to wear jewelry. Oh, I'm sure that will evoke a lot of "he wants to hit them over the head and steal their jewelry," but like 99% of the criticism on this site, it's way off base.

I've put this message aside several times to think about it. Each time I think of more things to say. I'm sure the critics are saying its too long. I"ve been criticized for that before. Someone wrote, "I should get a medal just for reading the whole thing," which several poeple thought was hilarious. If you feel that way, newsflash: Don't read it!

I've scrolled through some discussions and I can't believe how many people will write "lol" or "I agree" or "+1" as if there's some value to that, or as if anyone cares if some unknown individual in the boondocks agrees or not. In my opinion it's just a waste of space and a waste of people's time to have to scroll through it.

I have only 30 posts, and I wouldn't even have that many if it weren't for the fact that at one point I thought it would be enjoyable to go to the Las Vegas event, and I found out I neede to have 50 posts to qualify. I could have put "lol" on the first 50 posts I saw, but I would be disappointed in myself. The 50-post qualification is to prove that you're a real person, with real thoughts, and something worthwhile to contribute. A monkey or a robot could write "lol" 50 times. But I just couldn't find more than a half-dozen discussions where I thought I could make a valuable contribution. I realize this post is now extremely long, but it contains months of thoughts. I could go a year without another post, until somebody writes something I relate to, and when I come back to say something, the posters with 20,000 posts today will have 30,000 posts then. But will they be worth the time to write them and for everybody to read them? I doubt it.