Are “natural” diamonds still worth it if you can get a near-identical alternative for a fraction of the cost? With a boost from celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, lab-grown competitors could be coming for the crown.

On today’s Big Take podcast, guest host Stacey Vanek Smith talks to industry insiders and De Beers Group CEO Al Cook about what $12 half-carat earrings could mean for the luxury business’ future and how the old guard is pushing back.

Read more: The Diamond Industry’s Old Guard Wants You to Buy ‘Natural’

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Host: Stacey Vanek Smith; Guests: Al Cook, Edahn Golan, Adelle Archer; Produced by Julia Press; Edited by Aaron Edwards; Engineering by Sean Carter.

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US economic growth is up but consumer sentiment is down. Another rate hike, expected this year, could help lower inflation, but do little to ease the frustrations of much of the middle class, for whom the American dream sits just out of reach.

On today’s Big Take podcast, editors Matthew Boesler and Cristina Lindblad join Sarah Holder to unpack what the data says is happening in the US economy and why consumer sentiment tells another story.

Read more:

• The Trump Stock Market Is Lousy for Most
• US Consumer Prices Rise by Most Since April in Broad Advance

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Host: Sarah Holder; Guests: Matthew Boesler and Cristina Lindblad; Produced by David Fox; Edited by Paddy Hirsch and Naomi Shavin; Engineering by Emma Munger.

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Energy prices are up — and President Trump is out of time to bring them down before the US midterm elections.

On today’s Big Take podcast, David Gura breaks down the factors keeping prices high and how much it could cost the Republican party with White House reporter Josh Wingrove and Will Kubzansky, who covers gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Host: David Gura; Guests: Josh Wingrove and Will Kubzansky; Produced by Julia Press, David Fox, Julia Weaver; Edited by Naomi Shavin; Engineering by Sean Carter.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.