if one were given a custom made platinum setting with a 2 ct diamond that had been made in the likeness of a designer setting would it be the right thing to do to smash it with a hammer? what is the consensus on this?
There are four things in my opinion that add "value" to an item:
Sentiment - I agree with everyone that there is a certain value that's not measurable when you receive a present. However, if the present has no use for you after a period of time, are you obligated to keep it? If it no longer serves is purpose, most people would give it away or throw it away. Presents are given but the sentiment is never lost.....sentiment isn't held by thread or canvas but in the giver and receiver's hearts.
Materials - The actual material that the item is made out of gives value. In your example, the platinum setting has value because it is made something precious -- diamonds and platinum -- the setting is irrelevant. Those materials do not lose their value if they are altered for the most part, so smashing it would be a lose - as for cutting up fake LV, the materials are not value and the product cannot be altered to create something else of value.
Brand - LV is a brand that is respected. To have fakes roaming around is devaluing the fact the every person in this forum spends ALOT of money on LV based partially on its exclusive brand presence in the market.
Craftmanship - Regardless of what people say, LV bags for the most part are made to last. Fakes are not -- so why keep them or give them to someone? That is like saying -- hey I like you but not enough to give you a real LV since you know what you are giving is fake. As for the angle that maybe the homeless will want it or use it....honestly short of the larger bags that can be used to carry stuff, I doubt that most of the homeless will be sporting Noes or Sac Plats in the near future for functionality. If you really want to help the homeless, donate what you think the fake bag is worth to an organization.
So yes --destroying a platinum ring that is set in a rip off of a particular setting STUPID. Cutting up fake LV...GO FOR IT