Lab-grown diamonds are created using high pressure or carbon gas layering—resulting in gems identical to mined diamonds, in clear and rare colors.
Hi, everyone
Valentine’s Day is here!
What’s more exciting than talking about love, diamonds, and English?
Big question: would you consider giving lab-grown diamond jewelry to your partner?
Before you respond, let me explain what a lab-grown diamond is.
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and visually identical to the real ones.
Both need heat and pressure
There are two ways to make them.
One uses high pressure and heat, like deep underground (Similar to mined diamonds)
The other builds the diamond layer by layer from carbon gas.
The result is a diamond, the same as a mined one. They come in clear and rare colors.
The perception of the market: ‘lab-grown diamonds’ have increased in popularity
According to the The Economist (Feb 8th, 2024) issue, Wedding Crasher
In the last few years, the diamond sellers in the US are claiming over 50% of their sales are coming these ‘artificial gemstones.’
These “precious stones” have caused De Beers, one of the most well-known diamond companies, to lose a third of its market share.
But why? Furthermore, how can these artificial diamonds compete with the large established players?
The secret lies in the profit margins.
‘Lab-grown diamonds’ have seen a huge increase in the margins in the last 5 years, from 30% to 90%.
While the naturally occurring ones are still at about a 30% margin.
This should help you decide…
At a top jeweler, $5,000 buys a lab-grown diamond about four times larger than a natural one of the same quality.
So if you’re getting a larger diamond for less money, it seems like a good bargain, right?
What’s your take on lab-grown diamonds? Are they the future or just a trend? Comment below👇
Key vocabulary with meanings and context
Ingeniously
Meaning: In a clever, original, and inventive way.
Excerpt:
“Since De Beers, the world’s leading diamond company, ingeniously announced that ‘diamonds are forever’ in the 1940s, most engagement rings have included a diamond.”
Real-life usage: She ingeniously designed a storage system that maximized space in her small apartment.
Soaring
Meaning: rising or increasing rapidly.
Excerpt:
“The most important development is the soaring popularity of lab-grown diamonds.”
Real-life usage: The company’s profits have been soaring since they launched their new product line.
Yield
Meaning: To produce or provide a result or outcome.
Excerpt:
“At one leading jeweler, $5,000 spent on a lab-grown diamond will yield a rock roughly four times bigger than if the money was spent on a natural diamond of similar quality.”
Real-life usage: Investing in education will yield great benefits in the long run.
Filled to the brim
Meaning: Completely full, with no space left.
Excerpt:
“Some industry analysts extrapolate from this and foresee a future filled to the brim with lab-grown gems.”
Real-life usage: Her glass was filled to the brim with orange juice.
Extrapolate
Meaning: To predict or estimate something based on existing trends or data.
Excerpt:
“Some industry analysts extrapolate from this and foresee a future filled to the brim with lab-grown gems.”
Real-life usage: Based on current sales, we can extrapolate that demand will continue to rise next year.
Try these practice exercises yourself.
The scientist ___ a solution that allowed the machine to run twice as fast with half the energy.
Housing prices have been ___ in major cities due to high demand and limited supply.
A well-planned investment strategy can ___ significant long-term returns.
His cup was __ with coffee, making it difficult to carry without spilling.
Based on past performance, analysts __ that the company’s profits will double within five years.
Reply with your answers in the comments👇 if you’d like feedback
Thanks for reading Confident in English!
Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work
Sri