{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/39fc4a99-8861-437d-81e2-684d13e48f92/68de78e0cedc54691ec1000a?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Losing its sparkle: can the natural-diamond industry survive? ","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d92155874248/1759410052239-2b38f8a0-dc93-40d5-8cd3-37ea7afd0dd2.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>De Beers built an empire by convincing the world that “a diamond is forever”. But the supply chain it once dominated is under pressure from cheap <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/02/06/dont-propose-with-a-diamond?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=moneytalks&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">lab-grown diamonds</a> that are chemically identical to the mined stones De Beers has been peddling for 140 years. Threats ranging from tariffs to the weakened Chinese economy stalk the diamond industry too, and the iconic De Beers business is now up for sale. So, is there still room for natural diamonds and the companies that sell them, in a world awash with man-made gems?</p><p><br></p><p>Hosts: Mike Bird and Alice Fulwood. Guests: diamond-industry analyst Paul Zimnisky; and Alexander Lacik, CEO of Pandora.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Transcripts of our podcasts are available via</em><a href=\"http://economist.com/podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em> economist.com/podcasts</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our</em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em> FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch</em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em> our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.</em></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}