Background: In this ESL podcast we talk about diamonds and what makes them so expensive. Learn excellent business English Vocabulary and find out about about diamonds. What do you think about them? Are diamonds worth the cost?
Discussion forum
Standard Podcast:
ESL Reading
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Why do so many women love diamonds? Is there something about intrinsic about a diamond’s beauty that particularly affects females? Or is it the scarcity of diamonds, and hence the high price, that makes women like them? An exceptionally beautiful piece of diamond jewelry can sometimes raise a woman’s sense of self worth. After all, what man would spend thousands of dollars on a diamond for a woman he didn’t value? If she receives an extravagant gift such as a diamond necklace, she might feel special because she knows this man must truly care about her. She also might feel special because she knows she’s found a man capable of providing for her since only relatively wealthy men can afford such gifts. Maybe she likes being the topic of conversation at a party and hearing other women’s comments about how lucky she is. If we lived in a world where diamonds grew on trees and cost less than a piece of fruit, would people still wear diamonds as jewelry? I highly doubt it. What do you think?
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Phrases and Vocabulary used:
Intrinsic: If there is something "intrinsic" about thing, it means that there is something special about the very nature of that thing. This sounds confusing. Here is an example I think will help.
I could say, "That table has no intrinsic value, but I would hate to lose it because it was a present my grandmother gave me". That means there is nothing special or valuable about the actually table, it just means that I personally feel it is special because it was a present from my grandma.
Scarcity: If something is scarce it means it insufficient to supply demand. In other words there is more demand than supply. Often, scarce means “rare”.
The scarcity of diamonds is what makes them so valuable.
Providing: In this context, providing means to "financially take care of".
Being the topic of conversation: If something is "the topic of conversation" it means it is the subject of many conversations.
"His new girlfriend was certainly the topic of conversation at last night’s dinner"
I highly doubt it: This is an equivalent statement to, "I really don’t think so", or "I think there is almost no chance of that happening".
August 12th, 2008 at 9:09 am
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August 14th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I personally and totally agree with what this lesson is pointing out. What’s the point to have expensive jewels or brand bags and stuff?
Well, maybe it’s not fair for girls who love those because we, guys, sometimes feel an exrta value for an expensive sport car or something as I certainly do…
October 19th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Another great lesson!
Why do I like diamonds? Just because of their status of something exlusive, special and hence unique. Which means, the same is true for a girl if you present her a diamond ring. In other words, you tell her \"you are something special, unique, one of a kind\"
\"Diamonds are a girl\’s best friend\", no doubts :)))
I read in some paper that it\’s not the scarcity of diamonds that make them so valuable and expensive. It\’s the image of luxury that producers of diamonds press you to accept. Diamonds are actually quite common.
Centuries ago, when people couldn\’t facet (is this the right word?) diamonds properly, diamonds weren\’t so valuable. Other precious stones, like rubies, sapphires, emeralds, pearls were of great value - look at the jewellry of 16th-18th centuries. Tiaras, necklaces, lockets, earrings were not decorated with diamonds. It wasn\’t until the 20th century that we learned how to facet diamonds and could realise their true beauty. As diamond is the hardest material, its shine is eternal. No scratches, no lack of colour, no flaw.
Nowadays, diamonds are kings of the world because we are told so. The same story is with the smell of roses. We are told that roses have the sweetest smell. You know, personally, I think jasmine smells much better
December 10th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Today, the beautiful woman is more and more clever. It is really difficult for a man to marry to woman without a diamond ring.
I agree with the idea that if diamond can be grown on the tree, its value is only as normal thing even though it is really beautiful. Its value is high just because the demand is much least than supply.
January 11th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
thank you
June 16th, 2009 at 7:55 am
NetCarats, online diamond jewelry store offering various diamond jewelries at attractive prices including diamond earrings, wedding rings, tennis bracelets, 3 stone diamond rings etc.