Julian Sancton's non-fiction work, Neptune's Fortune: The Billion-Dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire, details the true story of the San José, a famed Spanish galleon carrying a vast fortune in gold and silver that sank near Colombia. The narrative focuses on diver Roger Dooley and his four-decade obsession with locating and excavating the sunken vessel. Through this lens, the book explores a broad history that moves from historic sea battles and deep archival research to contemporary conflicts involving modern-day treasure hunters.
Studiopjj
Discover P.J. Joseph's blog, your guide to colored gemstones, diamonds, watches, jewelry, art, design, luxury hotels, food, travel, and more. Based in South Asia, P.J. is a gemstone analyst, writer, and responsible foodie featured on Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, and CNBC. Disclosure: All images are digitally created for educational and illustrative purposes. Portions of the blog were human-written and refined with AI to support educational goals.
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Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Unearthing The San José: The Quest For The Empire's Lost Billions
Favre Leuba Expands The Deep Raider Line With A Gradient Day Date
Favre Leuba has updated its contemporary dive watch lineup with the Deep Raider Day Date, combining everyday practicality with dynamic aesthetics. The new release features a practical day display alongside the date, paired with a rich ombré dial offered in four colourways. By blending functional everyday features with striking visual depth, the collection reflects the brand's modern design philosophy while honouring its dive watch heritage.
A Legacy Crafted In Gemstones
Elizabeth Gage – A Life in Jewellery chronicles the artist's path through a historically male-dominated industry, drawing on archival records and personal interviews to recount her lasting impact. The narrative details how her daring, distinctive designs helped transform jewellery from mere ornamentation into a symbol of personal identity, self-assurance, and bold self-expression. Ultimately, the work captures both Gage's individual achievements and a broader cultural evolution toward celebrating confidence and individuality in modern adornment.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Blancpain Unveils 70th Anniversary Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Limited Edition
To commemorate seven decades of the model line originally introduced in 1956 as a civilian counterpart to the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has released the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary Limited Edition (Ref. 5903-1110-63A). This special launch offers a faithful vintage recreation of the historic timepiece, strictly limited to 300 pieces globally.
Trends In U.S. Retail Growth: NRF 2026 Hot 25 Rankings
Compiled by Kantar, the National Retail Federation’s 2026 Hot 25 Retailers list identifies America's fastest-growing retail brands based on domestic sales growth from 2024 to 2025. The overall rankings highlight a clear consumer shift toward value-driven pricing models, seamless lifestyle integration, and engaging, discovery-oriented shopping environments.
Strategic Vision For Scaling India’s Gems And Jewellery Industry
During the "Chintan Shivir – 2040 Roadmap for Gems & Jewellery" strategy session, organized by the Department of Commerce and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council under Union Minister Piyush Goyal, India’s Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal outlined an ambitious roadmap to expand the nation's exports. The initiative aims to scale export revenues from USD 28 billion recorded in 2025–26 to USD 100 billion by 2040. Key to this strategy, which aligns with the broader Viksit Bharat vision, is transforming the domestic industry from a low-margin Original Equipment Manufacturer model into a prominent global Original Design Manufacturing and branding hub.
Monday, September 21, 2026
Marriott's 2026 Asia Pacific Culinary Trends Report
Synthesizing data from 270 properties across 20 markets alongside insights from over 30 culinary and media experts, Marriott International’s "Future of Food 2026 – Asia Pacific" report highlights a regional evolution toward comfort-focused luxury, localized dining traditions, and immersive food experiences.
818 Tequila: Kendall Jenner's Handcrafted Brand
Named after the Calabasas, California, area code where she grew up, 818 Tequila is a premium, handcrafted tequila brand launched by model and television personality Kendall Jenner.





