Well, if it's ok to slam environmental activists for living energy-profligate lifestyles, and its allowed to condemn defenders of the poor for living luxuriously, then I suppose its perfectly legitimate to point out the hypocrisy of those who make a career of advocating public frugality while spending extravagantly on pure luxuries. Still, it's his business, and he's entitled to do what he wants with his money.

But what gets me is not so much the propriety of his actions. I just can't imagine why anyone would possibly need or want half a million dollars worth of jewelry. I simply cannot visualize a situation where I (or anyone else) would derive pleasure out of possessing so much in decorative mineralogy. There is a fundamental psychological flaw at work here.

Hey, don't get me wrong. I understand having nice things. I can certainly fantasize about owning expensive toys. But I can drive a Ferrari, look through a big telescope, (and it needs a mountaintop home in the high desert to be properly exploited). And of course, you can sail a boat.

But what earthly good are diamonds?