If you've got the money to buy a $16K drink, I'm sure you've got an extra $16K to spend on the needy. Most people that are that wealthy donate thousands of dollars to charity every year (some for the tax right-off, others because they general care, and some for all of the above), and they have every right to spend that kind of money on vacation, or any other time for that matter. People with a lot of wealth have usually worked very hard for their money, or their families have work very hard. Anyone can achieve great wealth, however, it generally calls for a lot more motivation, work, and time than the common man cares to dedicate. People usually end up missing out on everything else in life while they are building their wealth, and once that wealth is reached and there are others to run their companies, they try to catch up on all they missed, and buying a loved one a $16K drink in order to treat them to a special ring with a great story, is one of the ways they feel they can regain the time lost.

If there wasn't a market for this type of thing, it wouldn't exist.

I obviously can't speak for everyone of wealth, but in my line of work (accounting), and current position (CFO), I've encountered enough people of this status to have developed a pretty good sense of how a lot of them are.

In response to one comment, it is definitely a special way to propose marriage. I, however, would want to take a look at the diamond ahead of time, or at least receive paperwork with it certifying the quality. And for those that can't afford something as lavish as this, you can always stick the ring you've purchase in her drink at a special dinner, or whatever the occasion calls for.

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