555.55-Carat Black Diamond Lands in Dubai

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Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. unveil / ʌnˈveɪl / (v.) – to show or reveal something to others for the first time
    Example:

    The company will unveil its newest product on Monday.


  2. literally / ˈlɪt ər ə li / (adv.) – in a way that uses the original meaning of a word or phrase
    Example:

    This house is very old. It’s literally a hundred years old.


  3. bear / bɛər / (v.) – to show or have something
    Example:

    The song bears the artist’s love for his parents.


  4. stand for / stænd fɔr / (phrasal v.) – to mean something
    Example:

    The white dove in the logo stands for peace.


  5. meteorite / ˈmi ti əˌraɪt / (n.) – a piece of rock from outer space that has landed on earth
    Example:

    The museum displays a piece of a meteorite believed to have landed on earth 2,000 years ago.


Article

Read the text below.

Auction house Sotheby’s Dubai has unveiled a diamond that’s literally from out of this world.


Sotheby’s calls the 555.55-carat black diamond — believed to have come from outer space — “The Enigma.” The rare gem was shown off on Jan. 17 to journalists as part of a tour in Dubai and Los Angeles before it is due to be auctioned off in February in London.


Sotheby’s expects the diamond to be sold for at least £5 million (¥773 million). The auction house plans to accept cryptocurrency as a possible payment as well.


Sophie Stevens, a jewelry specialist at Sotheby’s Dubai, told The Associated Press that the number 5 bears an important significance to the diamond, which has 55 facets as well.


“The shape of the diamond is based on the Middle Eastern palm symbol of the Khamsa, which stands for strength and it stands for protection,” she said. Khamsa in Arabic means 5.


Stevens also said that the black diamond is likely from outer space. She said it may even be from a meteorite that hit Earth.


Black diamonds, also known as carbonado, are extremely rare, and are found naturally only in Brazil and Central Africa. (AP)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The 555.55-carat black diamond “The Enigma” has an expected selling price of £5 million (¥773 million). Do you think somebody will buy the diamond at that price? Why do you think some people spend millions of dollars on rare gems like the black diamond in auctions (ex. they’re collectors, they consider these as an investment)? Discuss.
  • Sotheby’s auction house plans to accept cryptocurrency as a possible payment. Do you want cryptocurrency to be an acceptable payment for other things in the future? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The diamond is believed to have come from outer space. Do you think more diamonds like this will be discovered? If you found a black diamond, what would you do with it (ex. donate to a museum, give to a loved one)? Why? Discuss.
  • If you had the chance, would you be interested in bidding for rare gems? What things are you willing to bid for (ex. vintage car, item from someone famous)? Why? Discuss.