RealNose Project

I was intrigued by the discovery of an artificial nose by the biological engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T) with numerous applications in the future. They suggest that their RealNose could replace drug-sniffing/explosive-sniffing dogs that are used by law enforcement officials + help doctors detect diseases that have specific smells within the human body, like diabetes/bladder/lung/skin cancers.

Useful links:
http://web.mit.edu/lms/www
www.pnas.org
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/smell-0929.html

Smell is perhaps one of the oldest and most primitive senses, but nobody really understands how it works. It still remains a tantalizing enigma.
- Shuguang Zhang

Could it be possible for the MIT team create an artificial eye that can identify (treated vs untreated) gemstones + grade diamonds/colored stones? Just curious.

Canton Fair

Canton Fair is the largest trade fair in the world, where thousands of manufacturers and businessmen gather to conduct business. Go to www.cantonfair.org.cn for further info. A must visit.

Useful links:
http://english.mofcom.gov.cn
www.cftc.org.cn

Mahidarpura Diamond Market

Binu Alex's article on Surat’s (India) diamond market + other viewpoints @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Sparkling-diamond-market-down-but-not-out-12411-2-1.html was brilliant.

Right now many diamond dealers worldwide are in a Parvadega nahi saab-like (we sell the polished diamonds at a loss now) situation, really.

Jewelry Update

The World Gold Council has published an interesting report on demand for gold jewelry via Gold Investment Digest (www.research.gold.org). Low demand + High inflation + Constricted disposable incomes + Slow economic growth + Decline in mine production

Useful link:
www.gold.org

Byzantium Exhibit

Visit the Byzantium exhibit in London, a collaboration between the Royal Academy of Arts + the Benaki Museum in Athens, starting on 25 October 2008—22 March 2009.

Useful links:
www.royalacademy.org.uk
www.benaki.gr

CMJ Music Marathon 2008

Go to CMJ Music Marathon 2008, a showcase of mostly new + independent music @ www.cmj.com/marathon

Useful link:
www.cmj.com

I liked it.

Diamond Market Update

According to the Reserve Bank governor, Dr Gideon Gono, Zimbabwe’s economy could be turned around in the next few years if the country does not continue to lose revenue (US$1.2 billion/month) from illegal diamond dealing in the mining industry. Hard to believe!

Useful links:
www.rbz.co.zw
www.talkzimbabwe.com

Gorongosa National Park

Visit Mozambique's famous Gorongosa National Park. A great experience.

Hats off to Gregory C. Carr (entrepreneur + philanthropist)!

Useful links:
www.gorongosa.net
www.carrfoundation.org

Heard On The Street

Entrepreneurs = Tireless optimists, but now life will be hard for many start-ups.

Art Market Update

The Economist opinion piece on art auctions + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12496107 was interesting.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.phillipsdepury.com

What is surprising is the mood in the market + the rare and the beautiful are still selling.

Governor Schwarzenegger + Warren Buffett

Governor Schwarzenegger's discussion on the economy with Warren Buffett at the 2008 Women's Conference + other viewpoints @ http://gov.ca.gov/speech/10871 was insightful.

Useful link:
www.californiawomen.org

Warren was spot on.

Random Thoughts

Man is extremely uncomfortable with uncertainty. To deal with his discomfort, man tends to create a false sense of security by substituting certainty for uncertainty. It becomes the herd instinct.

- Bennett W. Goodspeed
The Tao Jones Averages
http://inferentialfocus.com

He was spot on.

The Ruby Story

The character in the UK TV series, Dad's Army @ http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nTr6oLFHnK0 was interesting. Watch it!

Ernst Haeckel

I found Ernst Haeckel's artworks of animals and sea creatures interesting and insightful. They are beautiful. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haeckel for further info.

Doctor Who

Doctor Who: The Forgotten is back! I love the story-telling style.

Useful links:
www.tonylee.co.uk
www.idwpublishing.com
www.hellkitty.com

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's article on contemporary art sales held in the auction market since the start of the financial crisis/viewpoints @
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/25/arts/melik25.php was rather interesting.

Useful link:
www.sothebys.com

The ups and downs in the art market always amazes me.

DODAQ

DODAQ has launched the first ever online diamond exchange, enabling professional traders to buy, sell and hold certified polished diamonds like stocks. Go to www.dodaq.com for further info.

Diamond Market Update

Eric Onstad's article in the Guardian on diamond markets + other viewpoints @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7902391 was interesting.

Useful links:
www.worldfed.com
www.debeersgroup.com

Diamond dealers/banks/consumers are nervous + I think liquidity crisis will bankrupt many diamond businesses worldwide + to quote Neil Dougall of Dresdner Kleinwort, London, the economic tsunami has only just reached the shores.

India Post Gold Coins

India Post has launched sale of gold coins in low-end denominations like 0.5 gm + 1 gm + 5 gm + and 8 gm making them more accessible. Go to www.indiapost.gov.in for further info.

Useful links:
www.gold.org
www.reliancemoney.com

Random Thoughts

What are you doing outside your comfort zone?

- Arianna Huffington
www.huffingtonpost.com

She was spot on.

Pop!Tech

Capture the energy of Pop!Tech 2008 @ www.poptech.org

Memento Mori

I found mystery adventure game Memento Mori featuring 3D environments + hints + puzzles @ www.mementomori-game.com very interesting.

Codiam Fund

Codiam, a new fund focused on the acquisition of rare coloured diamonds for the rich investors in Asia, Europe, Russia and the Middle East is rather interesting. The founders of the fund believe colored diamonds to be both a highly attractive investment and also a hedge against market turbulence and political crises. I wish the founders and investors good luck. I hope they know how to differentiate natural colored diamonds (treated from untreated) from synthetic colored diamonds.

Useful links:
www.codiamfund.com
www.ammainvest.com

Diamond And Human Security

I found Partnership Africa Canada's (PAC) annual review entitled 'Diamonds and Human Security' interesting. According the report, the Kimberley Process is becoming less effective + trade in illicit rough diamonds are growing in different levels in countries like Angola, the DR Congo, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, the Central African Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela.

Useful links:
www.pacweb.org
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.globalwitness.org

Nassim Nicholas Taleb Viewpoints

Tim Morrison's Q&A with Nassim Nicholas Taleb + his viewpoints @ http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1853531,00.html was brilliant. I really do admire Nassim for his books and his insights into business and finance.

Useful link:
www.fooledbyrandomness.com

Random Thoughts

It took 20 years for us to get into this situation — leveraged to the hilt — and it will take more than a couple of years to unwind it. And even when we get back to normal, that normal is not going to be the same. We won't have this sort of freely available credit that we had before for households and businesses. It's going to be a different reality — a more austere one — when we come out on the other end of this.

- Paul Ashworth
www.capitaleconomics.com
(via http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1853129,00.html)

How true!

Security Analysis

Security Analysis: The Classic 1934 Edition by Benjamin Graham + David Dodd is an insightful book on investing ever written + the author points out repeatedly, the difference between investment and speculation. A must read.

The stock market is a voting machine rather than weighing machine.

- Benjamin Graham

How true! It's an important lesson to remember these days.

RecycleBank

I think with better information people will make better decisions + lessons learned will last forever. I was really impressed with a smart green-tech company, RecycleBank, and their innovative recycling rewards. I thought it was a brilliant idea. In fact I liked it. Go to www.recyclebank.com for further info.

Prospect 1

Prospect 1, the largest biennial of international contemporary art ever organized in America, will debut in New Orleans on November 1, 2008. Go to www.prospectneworleans.org for further info.

Anado McLauchlin + Richard Schultz

Joyce Wadlers's article in the New York Times on artworks of Anado McLauchlin/Richard Schultz + other viewpoints @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/garden/23mexico.html?_r=1&oref=slogin was brilliant. Stunningly beautiful rich colors, really.

Useful links:
www.madebyanado.com
www.richardschultz.com

CIBJO + De Beers

Chaim Even Zohar writes about CIBJO's new initiative on synthetics (diamond) nomenclature + CIBJO vs non-CIBJO standard labs + CEN Workshop ideas + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

A must read.

Useful links:
www.cibjo.org
www.ftc.gov
www.iso.org
www.accc.gov.au
www.worlddiamondcouncil.com
www.debeersgroup.com

Mark Lipsky

For must-see independent feature films, go to Mark Lipsky's www.giganticreleasing.com + www.giganticdigital.com

Heard On The Street

The next great industrial revolution = Energy Technology

Wall Street Versus America

Wall Street Versus America: A Muckraking Look at the Thieves, Fakers, and Charlatans Who Are Ripping You Off by Gary Weiss is an insightful book on greed-driven Wall Street. A must read. It's chilling.

Useful link:

http://garyweiss.blogspot.com

The Drops Of The Gods

Norimitsu Onishi's opinion piece in IHT + other viewpoints @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/22/asia/comic.php was interesting. I am a fan of anime + manga.

Useful links:
www.mangafox.com
www.e-1day.jp
www.animenewsnetwork.com

Algal Biofuel Project

Alok Jha's opinion piece in the Guardian on the world's biggest publicly funded algal biofuel project + other viewpoints @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/23/biofuels-energy was educational and insightful.

Useful links:
www.carbontrust.co.uk
www.dft.gov.uk/rfa
www.ukerc.ac.uk
www.energy.gov
www.iea.org

Chanel Mobile Art

Chanel Mobile Art by Coco Chanel opens in Central Park, New York. Go to www.chanel-mobileart.com for further info. A must visit.

International Council of Shopping Centers

Get the latest research findings on holiday season spending + retails news + other viewpoints from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) @ www.icsc.org

I think consumers will be extremely cautious with spending this time of the year due to economic crisis.

Chinese Democracy

Guns N’ Roses's album 'Chinese Democracy,' will go on sale on November 23, 2008.

Go to www.gunsnroses.com + http://mygnrforum.com for further info.

Boucheron

Boucheron (jewelry + timepieces + perfume) = A Great Website Experience. Go to www.boucheron.com for further info.

Random Thoughts

Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequence of action without thought.

- Bernard Baruch

Simply brilliant!

Global Business @ BBC

Peter Day's world of business report on branding (old + new) + the experts who breathe new life into them + other viewpoints @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/global_business.shtml was insightful.

Useful links:
www.interbrand.com
www.arborstrategy.com
www.riverwestbrands.com
www.charteredbrands.com
www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk

Heard On The Street

Recession is coming. Do not panic. Do what is wise. This is not a rumor.

Carbon Sciences

CO2 = Fuel via biocatalysis. Go to www.carbonsciences.com for further info.

Useful link:
www.sandia.gov

Ivory Update

EBay has announced a worldwide ban on the sale of ivory products on its auction websites from 2009.

Useful links:
www.ebay.com
www.ifaw.org
www.hsus.org
www.cites.org

EBay's decision is commendable.

African Economies + Credit Crisis

Martin Plaut's opinion piece in the BBC News + other viewpoints @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7682724.stm was insightful.

Useful links:
www.aureos.com
www.imf.org

Better economic management/regulations? Good luck, Africa!

Random Thoughts

Good judgment is usually the result of experience, and experience frequently the result of bad judgment.

- Robert Lovett

How true!

Latin America's First Diamond Exchange

The Panama Diamond Exchange will mark its official launch on October 24, 2008. Go to www.pde.com.pa for further info.

Europe's Monastery And Convent Guesthouses

Europe's Monastery and Convent Guesthouses by Kevin J. Wright is an interesting guide book geared to the Christian traveler.

Useful links:
www.religioustravelassociation.com
www.go-to-italy.com
www.monasterystays.com
www.guiasmonasterios.com
www.valamo.fi
www.santasusanna.org
www.slowtrav.com
www.orden.de
www.brigidine.org

Nikon Small World 2008

Michael Stringer from the United Kingdom took first place with a photo of Pleurosigma (marine diatoms), in the 2008 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. It was beautiful. Congratulations Michael!

Useful link:
www.nikonsmallworld.com

Designers Accord

Valerie Casey's project Designers Accord, also known as the Kyoto Treaty of Design, is an innovative approach to greening where designers from all disciplines collaborate with one another. Simply brilliant!

Useful links:
www.designersaccord.org
www.valcasey.com

The Museum Of American Finance

So what exactly happened on Wall Street? Even Oliver Stone who first chronicled Wall Street excess to an international audience can hardly believe what has happened. Perhaps a visit to the Museum of American Finance isn't a bad idea. Go to www.moaf.org for further info.

Art Update

Souren Melikian's article on contemporary art sales @ http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/21/arts/melik21.php was interesting. A must read.

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com

Heard On The Street

When you sell on the street, you can feel the economic pulse better than anybody.

The LightCap

(via budgettravel) The LightCap is a one-liter bottle that has a solar panel on the lid. Charge it in the sun all day and you'll have up to six hours of light to guide you at night. I really liked it. Thanks Emily Haile.

Useful link:
www.sollight.com

Business Lessons From The Great Depression

Stacy Perman's article/slide shows of companies that diversified, innovated and survived during the Great Depression @ http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/10/1017_depression_lessons/index.htm was educational and inspiring. Thanks Stacy.

Tie Ring

I found the latest trend in men’s fashion - Tie Ring - interesting. Hard to believe, but true. Go to http://tieaccents.com

Useful link:
www.superfitinc.com

Sonja Picard

Sonja Picard's contemporary + traditional jewelry designs are simply beautiful. Go to www.sonjapicardcollection.com for further info.

Random Thoughts

I love two things: music and people. I don't know which I like better.

- Leonard Bernstein
www.leonardbernstein.com

The Human Side Of Enterprise

The Human Side of Enterprise: 25th Anniversary Printing by Douglas McGregor is an insightful management classic and a true gem. A must read.

Heard On The Street

When is news news? All news is news, really.

Amer Radwan

Amer Radwan of Radwan Diamond and Jewelry Trading in Dubai have acquired Ponahalo Diamonds (70.87 carats = US$2.15 million + 102.11 carats = US$4.11 million), the two largest Forevermark diamonds in the world, at auction by Steinmetz at Christie’s in New York on 15 October, 2008. Right now, I think Ponahalo-like diamonds are perceived as an investor's best friend. Good luck!

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.steinmetz-group.com
www.forevermark.com
www.diamondempowerment.org
www.simmonsjewelryco.com

Consumer Insights

I found Unity Marketing's survey on ultra-affluent consumers and their shopping behavior + other viewpoints interesting and insightful. My view is most ultra-affluents are inert to recession. Go to www.unitymarketingonline.com for further info.

Christian Boros

Christian Boros has turned Berlin into an art laboratory. Go to www.sammlung-boros.de for further info. It's a real showcase for art. A must visit.

Useful link:
www.boros.de

Payback

Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth by Margaret Atwood is an insightful and remarkably timely book on debt management. A must read.

Useful link:

www.owtoad.com

I think debt is as old as human civilization.

Lucio Fontana

The Economist article on Lucio Fontana and his artworks @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12448338 was educational and insightful.

Useful link:
www.fondazioneluciofontana.it

Toshiyuki Takahashi

Chris Kohler's article on Toshiyuki Takahashi + other viewpoints @ http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/10/meet-takahashi.html was interesting.

Useful links:
www.16shot.jp
http://tgs.cesa.or.jp

He is a legend.

Heard On The Street

Whenever the stock market gets rocky, jewelry and diamonds does very well. It's portable and reassuring than assets sitting in stocks.

Hard to believe, but true.

Random Thoughts

The majority of unskilled investors stubbornly hold onto their losses when the losses are small and reasonable. They could get out cheaply, but being emotionally involved and human, they keep waiting and hoping until their loss gets much bigger and costs them dearly.

- William O’Neil
www.williamoneil.com

How true!

Warren Buffet Viewpoints

Warren Buffet's opinion piece in the New York Times @ www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17buffett.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin was brilliant. He was spot on.

Zultanite

Zultanite is an interesting color-change gemstone mined in Turkey's Anatolian Mountains (Milas county of Muğla). Go to www.zultanitegems.com for further info.

World Wealth Report 2008

I found the World Wealth Report 2008 + other viewpoints @ www.us.capgemini.com/worldwealthreport08 interesting. The perception is the luxury sector is there and powerful. With millionaires and billionaires losing millions/billions in current economic meltdown + more than half the world experiencing double-digit inflation, it would be interesting to see how the millionaires/billionaires will be spending their net worth on luxury.

International Diamond Cut Conference 2009

The 2nd International Diamond Cut Conference (IDCC-2) will be held in the Beau-Rivage Palace hotel in Lausanne, Switzerland 22-25 March, 2009. I think it will be an interesting event on innovation, branding and new cutting styles for the new diamond consumers.

Useful link:
www.idcc2.octonus.com

Family Business

BDO Stoy Hayward Guide to the Family Business by Peter Leach is an insightful book on family business issues and solutions.

Useful link:
www.bdo.co.uk

Dia:Beacon

Dia:Beacon is a must-see spot on the contemporary-art circuit. Go to www.diabeacon.org for further info.

The Secret Life Of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees is a bestselling novel (Read it!) by American author Sue Monk Kidd + has been adapted into a film + it's a wonderful movie with excellent cast. A must see!

Useful links:
www.suemonkkidd.com
www.foxsearchlight.com/thesecretlifeofbees
www.imdb.com/title/tt0416212

Emerging Wind Power Technologies

Skysails + Helix Wind + Magenn + Laddermill + Cool Earth Solar = Cutting-edge wind power technologies. Simply brilliant, really.

Useful links:
www.skysails.info
www.helixwind.com
www.magenn.com
www.ockels.nl
www.coolearthsolar.com

Random Thoughts

Confidence in markets and in institutions – it's a lot like oxygen. When you have it, you don't even think about it. I mean it's indispensable, but you can go years not thinking about it. When it's gone for five minutes, it's the only thing you think about.

- Warren E. Buffett
www.berkshirehathaway.com

How true!

Cinemambiente Environmental Film Festival

The Cinemambiente environmental film festival (on topics related to food + water + farming + waste + nuclear power + global warming + energy) runs October 16 -21, 2008, in Turin, Italy. Go to www.cinemambiente.it for further info.

In Gloomy Days: A Silver Cloud In Dubai

Chaim Even Zohar writes about the state of the diamond industry in current economic downturn + the Middle East China Diamond & Jewelry Summit in Dubai + the search for new markets + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

A must read.

Colored Gemstone Market Update

According to analysts at the Dubai Gems Club, the colored gemstone market in the gulf region is expected to grow considerably in the coming years. To learn more, go to www.dgc.ae

Useful links:
www.kennethgassman.com
http://buzconsulting.com
www.dgc.ae
www.dmcc.ae
www.gemstone.org

America: Empire Of Liberty

Watch the BBC history series America: Empire of Liberty on Radio 4 @ www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/america/week1

It's educational.

Richard Saul Wurman

Richard Saul Wurman is perceived as one of the most brilliant minds of our time. To learn more, go to www.wurman.com

Business Innovation Factory Summit

The (Business Innovation Factory) BIF - 4 Collaborative Innovation summit is scheduled for October 15 - 16, 2008. I wish the business leaders in Asia + Africa had a similar story-telling format to engage and inspire the business world.

Useful link:
www.businessinnovationfactory.com

Heard On The Street

Economy: Bubbles burst + cycles turn = It is different this time.

Li Edelkoort

Lidewij Edelkoort is a well-known Dutch trend forecaster. She is inspiring + creative + different. Go to www.edelkoort.com for further info.

The New Biographical Dictionary Of Film

The New Biographical Dictionary of Film by David Thomson is an insightful book on world cinema + a filmgoer’s companion. I liked it.

Diamond Trade Update

Chaim Even Zohar's report on diamond trade's ripple effect + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?SID=&id=31319 was insightful. As Chaim rightly put it, we are in for a long and bumpy ride.

Antique + Period + Vintage Jewelry

I would recommend www.center4jewelrystudies.org as an excellent source of info on antique, period and vintage jewelry.

Songs Of Joy & Peace

I found Songs of Joy & Peace by Yo-Yo Ma/his musical friends @ http://www.time.com/time/video/?bcpid=1485842900&bctid=1856952297 beautiful and inspiring.

Useful link:
www.yo-yoma.com

Heard On The Street

Listen, the crazier the markets become, the saner you must become.

A Man For All Seasons

A Man for All Seasons has long been one of my favorite stage play + motion picture. Go to www.imdb.com/title/tt0060665 for further info.

Justice Litle Viewpoints

Justice Litle's article on market-related insights + other viewpoints @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Market-is-like-a-rickety-old-bus-on-a-mountain-road-12142-3-1.html was brilliant. In fact I liked it.

Useful link:
www.taipanpublishinggroup.com

I think the market takeaways are applicable in the gem business as well.

The Virtual Future Of Gaming

Brett McCallon's report on gaming/marketplace + other viewpoints @ http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/downloadable-gaming was brilliant.

Useful links:
http://brettmccallon.com
www.xbox.com
www.activision.com

Signs of the time: A game for everyone who cares to play.

Global Business @ BBC

Peter Day's short series on Israel's hi-tech industry + military's role in shaping remarkable new firms + people responsible for the creation and growth of start ups + other viewpoints @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/global_business.shtml was interesting and insightful.

Useful links:
www.idf.org.il
www.gemini.co.il

Nephrite Jade From Canada

I found nephrite jade jewelry + carvings @ www.jademine.com very interesting. Stunningly beautiful, really.

Art Market Update

Scott Reyburn's report on the state of the art market + other viewpoints @ http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=af8MxT4n7V_k&refer=home was interesting.

Everything appears to be on hold at the moment. Everyone has a budget, even if they're a billionaire. These people know when to be prudent. At this time, some of my clients are balancing the decision to buy art against other assets.
- Tania Buckrell Pos

Useful links:
www.faggionato.com
www.phillipsdepury.com
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.artsandmanagement.com
www.arttactic.com
www.artnet.com

We are in the midst of the worst financial crisis in many decades with a huge destruction of wealth underway, I just can't see people wanting to spend millions on a work of art at the moment. I may be wrong.

Des Kilalea Viewpoints

The Gold Report interview with London-based Des Kilalea, Global Mining Research Analyst, RBC Capital Markets + other viewpoints @ http://www.theaureport.com/pub/na/1733 was educational and insightful.

Useful links:
www.theaureport.com
www.rbccm.com

David Galenson

David Galenson's theory on artistic creativity is rather interesting. To learn more, go to www.davidgalenson.com

Steven Holl

Steven Holl's designs are organic + experiential. Go to www.stevenholl.com for further info.