Luxury jewelry designer prefers lab-grown gems and recycled metals over natural diamonds

admin 2024年4月3日

Beginner

world news, world news - beginner

©REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Do you like wearing luxury items such as diamonds?
Is sustainability significant in the products you purchase or use daily?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

luxury /LUHK-shuh-ree/

[adjective] – high-quality and expensive items or products, especially in the context of jewelry, which is typically associated with elegance, sophistication, and exclusivity
The luxury car gleamed under the showroom lights, its sleek design promising speed and comfort to a discerning buyer.

natural /NACH-er-uhl/

[adjective] – as found in nature and not involving anything made or done by people
The national park is home to a variety of natural wonders, including waterfalls and dense forests.

recycled /ree-SAI-kld/

[adjective] – having been used before and then put through a process so that it can form a new product
The company manufactures recycled paper from old newspapers and cardboard to reduce waste.

demand /dih-MAND/

[noun] – a strong request
The new smartphone model has been in high demand since its release last month.

increase /in-KREES/

[verb] – to (make something) become larger in amount or size
The number of students in the school increased significantly after the new programs were introduced.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Renowned British designer Anabela Chan has changed how luxury jewelry is made. Instead of using natural diamonds, she prefers lab-made gems and recycled materials. Her reason for this choice is because she worries about the tough conditions in diamond mines.

Chan’s jewelry mostly features lab-made diamonds, recycled aluminum from cans, and pearls collected in a sustainable way. Even though she has not shared exact sales numbers, her jewelry has been in high demand since the COVID-19 pandemic started. She received an award called the “Game Changer” at the British Luxury Awards in November. The market for lab-made jewelry has grown a lot. It has increased by 20% every year, making a huge $15 billion profit around the world, according to Edahn Golan Diamond Research & Data. Many brands are joining the lab-made diamond market, offering cheaper prices and innovative designs. Major retailers like Pandora, known for lab-made diamonds, recognize the gems’ potential for unique jewelry. Chan works with eco-conscious suppliers using technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions in diamond-making, aiming to turn a negative environmental impact into a positive one.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Anabela Chan primarily utilizes natural diamonds in her jewelry designs.
The market for lab-made jewelry has declined by 20% annually, resulting in a significant loss of profit in the industry.
Chan’s jewelry sales witnessed a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting demand and popularity negatively.
Anabela Chan was honored with the “Game Changer” award at the British Luxury Awards in November.
Chan collaborates with suppliers who do not prioritize eco-friendly practices or technology to offset carbon dioxide emissions from diamond-making.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

luxury

natural

recycled

demand

increase

During the holiday season, there is usually a strong ___________ for popular toys and gifts.
She made a beautiful piece of art using __________ materials such as plastic bottles and scrap metal.
She decided to __________ the speed of the treadmill during her workout routine.
The company prides itself on using only __________ ingredients in its skincare products, avoiding synthetic chemicals.
They saved for years to stay at a __________ resort, where the exquisite service and breathtaking views surpassed their wildest dreams.