Heard On The Street

The gem market resembles a game of Hot Potato in which dealers/specula­tors kept tossing high-priced gems back and forth, hoping not to be the last holder when the reckoning comes.

Andy Grove Viewpoint

Think Disruptive
http://www.portfolio.com/views/columns/2007/11/15/Innovation-At-Big-Companies
http://www.portfolio.com/video/strategy-and-advice/andy-gove-theory

Useful link:
www.andygrove.com

Interesting perspective.

A Shepard Fairey Moment

Hope And Glory
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/artworld/2009/02/23/090223craw_artworld_schjeldahl
http://www.newyorker.com/online/2009/02/23/slideshow_090223_shepardfairey

Fairey reverses a revolution achieved by Warhol, along with Roy Lichtenstein. He embraces a trend in what the critic Dave Hickey has called ‘pop masquerading as art, as opposed to art masquerading as pop.
- Peter Schjeldahl

Useful links:
http://obeygiant.com
www.icaboston.org

Rightfully true. I liked Fairey's work. Thank you Peter.

The Weather Makers

The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change by Timothy Flannery is an insightful book on climate change and its impact on our lives. A must read.

Useful link:

www.theweathermakers.org

Art Update

Dressed to impress
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/feb/14/anthony-van-dyck-portrait-painting

Useful link:
www.tate.org.uk

Definitely a visual pleasure. Thank you Keith.

Consumer Jewelry Site

Go to Jewelry.com's modified consumer-friendly site at www.jewelry.com

Marc Choyt + Tracey Williams Interview

Diamond Mining Impact on People, Wildlife in NWT of Canada
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=25304

Useful links:
www.fairjewelry.org
www.madisondialogue.org
www.cpaws.org

Great interview.

Fast Company 50/2009

Fast Company 50 / 2009
http://www.fastcompany.com/fast50_09/profile/list/team-obama

Brilliant review.

The Next 100 Years

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman is an interesting book about future events and the impact. A must read.

Useful links:

www.stratfor.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=12eNAovkDTM

Kagem Emeralds

Rich Indians go for Kagem Emeralds
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Rich-Indians-go-for-Kagem-Emeralds-15175-3-1.html

Through a tie-up with leading labs, these completely traceable Emeralds will be certified and provided with a complete disclosure as either untreated or treated as per industry acceptable norms. This in turn will boost the confidence of customers.
- Rajiv Gupta, Executive Vice Chairman

Useful link:
www.gemfields.co.uk

I think today any valuable colored stones mined in environmentally friendly, socially responsible and conflict free zones are the most desirable gems. They are easy to describe and sell.

Art Business Update

The Boom Is Over. Long Live the Art!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/arts/design/15cott.html?_r=1&ref=arts
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/holland_cotter/index.html

Useful links:
http://artforum.com
www.newmuseum.org
www.nea.gov

Holland, I completely agree. The present crisis is of a different magnitude. I think it's time for total internal reflection.

Home Movie Making Update

Mike Figgis Makes Some Cheap Home Movies
http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/mike-figgies-camcorders

Useful links:
http://services.manfrotto.com/figrig
www.busbi.biz
http://us.creative.com
www.puredigitalinc.com

Great review. I think within a short time, their quality will get a lot better.

Art Auction Update

Shock and the new
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13130552

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

Interesting perspective. As they say the very top tier will hold its own—period.

Doghouse Prevention Week

'Doghouse Prevention Week' Begins Today
http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/%22;Doghouse+Prevention+Week%22;+Begins+Today/4368898.html

Useful links:
www.bewareofthedoghouse.com
www.jcp.com
www.jcpenney.net

What a brilliant PR! Hats off to JC Penny/Saatchi & Saatchi!

Valentine's Day Impact 2009

Shoppers Showing No Valentine's Love for Retailers
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1878843,00.html?iid=tsmodule

Last year, this was the high-end room. Now, it's the markdown room. Everything's on sale — for example, a $2,500, 18-karat-gold, diamond and amethyst ring now costs $597. We're selling things at or even below cost. We have to adapt.
- Louis Martin Jewelers

Valentine's Day business may be down but I think people will still give their loved ones what they deserve.

Clancy Martin Viewpoint

Valentine’s Day From My Side of the Counter
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/opinion/14martin.html?_r=1

Useful link:
http://cas.umkc.edu/philosophy/Martin.htm

What a pleasure to read your opinion piece! Thank you Clancy.

Jim McCann/Flower Power

Flower Power in a Recession
http://feedroom.businessweek.com/?fr_story=cfe18d7ccb5c4967720a5effe360ee97d5c21a1f

Useful link:
http://ww11.1800flowers.com

Interesting business model.

World Press Photo Contest

World Press Photo of the Year 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7888061.stm

Useful link:
www.worldpressphoto.org

Stunningly vivid and sharp hues/natural-looking tones/beautiful, really.

Chris Vermeulen Viewpoint

Chris Vermeulen = A veteran trader of gold and oil running a one-man show offering investors well-developed insights into investing in gold, silver and crude oil.

Useful link:
www.thegoldandoilguy.com

Art Market Update

Low estimates and high profiles buoy the contemporary art market
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/13/arts/melik14.php

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.iht.com/indexes/special/melikian/index.php

Interesting perspective.

UN Global Compact + Responsible Jewelry Council

The Responsible Jewellery Council (a trading name of the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices) has joined United Nations Global Compact - Civil Society, in order to implement Global Compact principles/business practices + corporate social responsibility in advancing high ethical standards in the jewelry industry.

Useful links:
www.unglobalcompact.org
www.responsiblejewellery.com

Flowers 2009

Audio slideshow: Behind the scenes at Kew
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7884523.stm

Useful link:
www.kew.org

Stunningly beautiful!

Bulgari + Rewrite The Future Campaign

Bulgari has created a special ring (limited edition 125th anniversary silver ring to support Save the Children's 'Rewrite the Future' campaign) as part of a global campaign to help improve education for millions of children living in conflict-affected areas.

Go to http://shop.bulgari.com for further info.

Useful links:
www.bulgari.com
www.savethechildren.org

Botswana Diamond Market Update

Botswana: Crisis Opens a Window of Opportunities
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.iiconf.com
www.debeersgroup.com
www.debswana.com
www.gemdiamonds.com

I hope the global financial crisis is temporary, not severe. Thanks Chaim for the update.

Random Thoughts

The best investors often employ checklists for each idea, to ensure that no data-gathering shortcuts are made. General impressions also should not be mistaken for facts. As the saying goes, the plural of anecdote is not evidence.

- Michael Mauboussin
www.michaelmauboussin.com
www.valueinvestorinsight.com

Spot on.

Berlin International Film Festival 2009

Berlin International Film Festival 2009
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/12/arts/berfest.php

Useful link:
www.berlinale.de

Cross cultural ideas = Fiction-documentary hybrid = Globalism = Art in motion. Great venue for an immersive experience.

Great Values In Italian Wines

Italy's fruit of the vine is ripe for picking
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/11/travel/trwine.php

The beauty of ancient wine cultures like Italy's is that a wine nobody thought worth noting, simply because it had been satisfying only the locals for, oh, a thousand years, is tasted by an enterprising young importer. It happens, thankfully, again and again.
- Eric Asimov

Useful links:
http://thepour.blogs.nytimes.com
www.caveduvinblanc.com
www.vaona.it
www.riomaggio.it
www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it
www.produttoridelbarbaresco.com

Rightfully true. Thank you Eric.

Buckingham Palace

Queen launches new-look website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7885005.stm

The website celebrates a really important part of the British cultural tradition - the monarchy - and is a great resource for the people within Britain, so it deepens that culture. But at the same time it's there for anybody to see it from other countries, where they really don't understand how the monarchy works - what it does do, what it doesn't do - so now they can go and look.
- Sir Tim Berners-Lee

Useful link:
www.royal.gov.uk

Spot on.

Forevermark Precious Collection

Behind every Forevermark diamond is a precious story
http://www.forevermark.com/en/The-World-of-Forevermark-/Precious-Collection

Useful links:
www.forevermark.com
www.debeersgroup.com

Brilliant PR.

The Moonstone Story

The Moonstone Story
http://addmorecolortoyourlife.com/jewelryfashion/moonstone.asp

Useful link:
www.agta.org

Interesting trend, really.

Art In Two Germanys

Art in Two Germanys Often Spoke the Same Tongue
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/arts/design/12abro.html?_r=1&hp
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/02/11/arts/20090212_LACMAABROAD_SLIDESHOW_index.html

Useful link:
www.lacma.org

Interesting perspective.

Afghan Archives

Audio slideshow: From the Afghan archives
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7883784.stm

Useful link:
www.rgs.org

Twestival 2009

Tweet + Meet + Give = Twestival
http://twestival.com

George Soros Viewpoint

George Soros on The New Paradigm for Financial Markets
http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/633

Useful links:
www.georgesoros.com
www.soros.org
http://econ-www.mit.edu/faculty/caball

Great lecture. Thank you MIT.

Gemstones Overiew: Australia

Gemstones overview - Australia
http://www.austrade.gov.au/Gemstones-overview/default.aspx

Useful links:
www.austrade.gov.au
www.australianjewelleryfair.com.au
www.gem.org.au
www.jaa.com.au

Expecting The Unexpected

Expecting the Unexpected: Why You Should Not Let Experience Be Your Guide
http://knowledge.wpcarey.asu.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1747
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/kahneman_taleb_DLD09/kahneman_taleb_DLD09_index.html

Useful link:
www.fooledbyrandomness.com

Nicholas, I completely agree.

Golden Globe/Color Trend

Golden Opportunities for Globe Guests to Shine in Color
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/jan09/golden-globes.cfm

Useful links:
www.goldenglobes.org
www.dior.com
www.vancleef-arpels.com
www.fredleighton.com
www.hstern.net

The colored stone designs/jewelry were one-of-a-kind/elegant.

Green Valentine Jewelry

Green Valentine's Day gifts: jewellery
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/feb/11/green-valentines-gifts-jewellery-cufflinks

Useful links:
www.fifibijoux.com
http://uncommonlybeautifulrecycledaccessories.bigcartel.com
http://made.uk.com
www.urthjewellery.com
www.ethicalsuperstore.com

Jewels are romantic. The top five green and ethical choices were brilliant. Thank you Adam.

Madoff! The Musical

Fragments From 'Madoff! The Musical'
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/goingson/2009/02/fragments-of-ma.html

Thank you Ben. I loved it.

The Improvising Brain

The Improvising Brain
http://www.harvardscience.harvard.edu/foundations/articles/the-improvising-brain

Useful link:
http://mbb.harvard.edu

Great essay.

Survive 2009/Thrive 2010

Survive 2009/Thrive 2010
- by Emmy Kondo (at the JA New York Winter Show in New York City)
http://www.nationaljewelernetwork.com/njn/photos/stylus/68152-DPSPresentation.pdf

Useful link:
www.dps.org

Educational/insightful. Thank you NJN/DPS.

Heard On The Street

Avoid inside information as you would the plague. Seek facts diligently, advice never.

ComicCon 2009

ComicCon: The Hulk & Chewbacca Speak
http://www.time.com/time/video/?bcpid=1485842900&bctid=10626089001

Useful link:
www.comic-con.org

Great show. A must visit.

Diamonds As A Store Of Value

Gold move over... introducing diamonds as a store of value
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page37?oid=78236&sn=Detail

Useful links:
www.debeersgroup.com
www.iiconf.com

According to Stephen Lussier, Executive Director of De Beers, two things in life that last longer than time is love/diamonds. Interesting perspective. Over to you.

Diamond Market Update

Painful road to stabilisation for the diamond market
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page37?oid=78180&sn=Detail

But consumers have not lost confidence in diamonds, if you buy your wife earrings with one diamond in each earring, she will leave you.
- Chaim Even-Zohar

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.iiconf.com

Spot on.

John Quelch Viewpoint

In Praise of Marketing
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6015.html

Because its purpose is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two—and only these two—basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs.
- Peter Drucker

Useful link:
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/quelch

Great essay. Thank you John.

Australian Opal Center

Australian Opal Center is a national facility developed to house a public collection of Australian precious opal/rare opalized fossils. Go to www.australianopalcentre.com for further info.

Powermeter

Powermeter
http://www.google.org/powermeter/index.html

I think the business world/government should educate the public to adopt networked smart meters in homes that lets you see and analyse energy use if we want an energy revolution.

Global Business @ BBC

Peter Day's World of Business reviews China’s spending boom + the coming great Chinese consumer revolution/impact @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/global_business.shtml

Smart History

smARThistory = Credible + concise art reference.
http://www.smarthistory.org

Useful links:
http://smarthistory.org
www.moma.org
www.fitnyc.edu

Great art concept, really. I liked it.

Melissa Joy Manning

Wishbone Earrings by Melissa Joy Manning. The handmade earrings from recyled silver is simple, elegant, brilliant and affordable. Go to www.melissajoymanning.com for further info.

The Power Of Storytelling

Stop Me if You’ve Heard This One
http://www.newsweek.com/id/183675

Useful links:
www.storycorps.net
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/wpaintro/wpahome.html

I do believe in the power of story telling. My grandmother was a good role model. In her own way, she used to tell forgotten stories. Hearing them again and again was inspiring and insightful.

Naples Winter Wine Festival 2009

Naples Wine Festival defies recession
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Naples-Wine-Festival-defies-recession-14991-3-1.html

Useful link:
www.napleswinefestival.com

Since the proceeds from the event goes to improve the lives of underprivileged, in my opinion it's a worthwhile initiative.

Deep Survival

Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales beautifully explains survival philosophy + the impact. A must read.

Useful links:
www.deepsurvival.com
www.laurencegonzales.com

Grammy 2009

Three acts win big at the Grammys
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/09/arts/09grammy.php

Useful link:
www.grammy.com

Unusual spectacles + superb performances. Great night.

Nanocrystalline Diamond-Coated Cubic Zirconia

A new cubic zirconia coated with nano-diamond treatment has been launched by Zirconmania in Los Angeles, U.S.A. The gem material not only improves the optical and physical properties of CZ, but also becomes an ideal alternative to diamond/moissanite. Visual identification may be difficult so do not rapid sight identify without proper testing procedures. If doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Useful links:
www.zirconmania.com
www.diamondveneer.net
www.zirconite.com

Hajji Baba Club

Hajji Baba Textiles: Beauty Made for the Sole
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/08/AR2009020802290.html?hpid=features1&hpv=national

The Hajji Baba Club was founded in New Jersey on July 9, 1932. Of its five founding members, only one, Arthur Urbane Dilley, a rug dealer and scholar, was what you'd call an expert. All of them were gentlemen. (Women, one explained, did not 'have the correct attitude toward Oriental rugs.') In the midst of the Depression, bargains in fine rugs were plentiful -- for collectors in the know who had the terminology, and a bit of cash to spend. The Hajjis took their name from a picaresque novel -- 'The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan' (1824) -- whose 'Asiatic' hero was at ease in East and West. 'He too was a rogue,' explained Dilley, 'never paying for what he coveted more than ten cents on the dollar. In that respect he is our patron saint.'

Useful links:
www.textilemuseum.org
www.hajji75.org

What makes a carpet beautiful? Colors + Patterns. I love them. Thank you, Paul.

Crazy Green Idea

X PRIZE Foundation: 'What’s Your Crazy Green Idea' Contest
http://www.xprize.org/crazy-green-idea

Useful links:
www.xprize.org
www.prizecapital.net

Art/Design

The enduring legacy of Soviet Constructivism
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/06/arts/design9.1-422669.php

Useful links:
www.alicerawsthorn.com
www.saksfifthavenue.com
www.tate.org.uk/modern
http://bluebrain.epfl.ch

The visualization phenomenon was interesting. It's amazing how old concepts morph into new practices/institutions. Yesterday = Today. Thank you Alice for the insight.

British Academy Film Awards 2009

Bafta Film Awards 2009: The winners
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7830076.stm

Useful link:
www.bafta.org

A stunning night, really.

Carl Pisaturo

Carl Pisaturo = His art work is self-explantory. It's an an electro-mechanical wonderland.

Useful link:
http://carlpisaturo.com

Jeff Watson Viewpoint

(via Dailyspeculations) Jeff Watson writes: My grandfather (1885-1989) was the greatest teacher and influence in my life. His love of life and adventure was unparalleled. A true Renaissance man, he was comfortable with everyone from janitors to presidents. Since he always wrote everything down and was making lists, he once gave me a list on how to live my life. A truncated version:

1. Pay your bills on time
2. Pay your gambling debts first.
3. Never do business with a friend, but allow a friendship to develop out of abusiness.
4. Never, ever, cosign on a note.
5. Always buy bonds when they hit 60.
6. Always treat everybody at a business, from the bottom up, like he was the president of the company.
7. Always buy real-estate on the cheap.
8. Never touch the capital, and save part of the interest.
9. Live well below your means.10. Never allow friends to know how much money you have and always 'cry poor.'
11. Spread your money and investments around.
12. Never lend more than pocket change to friends.
13. Family first in everything.
14. Congratulate your opponent when he wins, and be gracious when he loses.
15. Don't be a deal hog, and leave something for the next guy.
16. Speak little and listen a lot.
17. Never be afraid to say no.
18. Learn poetry, history, philosophy, and a second language.
19. Keep current in events, and keep an ear on the street for opportunities.
20. Learn good manners.
21. Treat every woman like she was going to be your future wife.
22. Don't trust the government, and never trust politicians.
23. Circumnavigate the globe at least once in your life.
24. Big game fishing is a manly pursuit.
25. Don't ever get drunk in public.
26. Don't ever embarrass yourself or family.
27. Never complain about your family to outsiders.
28. Teach someone your business and pass your skills along.
29. Never listen to race track touts or tipsters of any kind.
30. If they're selling it, why is it such a great deal or opportunity.
31. Never cheat at anything, nor be dishonest.
32. Never welsh on a deal or wager.
33. Always keep your promises.
34. Pay your people a fair wage.
35. Never pay retail for anything, but don't be a hog.
36. Allow your opponents to save face.
37. Never keep a mistress within 300 miles of your home.
38. Always give a guy on hard times some spare change.
39. Support a charity.
40. Be a stand up guy in all areas of your life.
41. Respect the flag.
42. Respect and listen to old people, as they know more than you do.
43. Work as hard as you can and play as hard as you can.
44. Keep your house and business tidy.
45. Allow your kids to be themselves and have fun.
46. Learn to play at least one musical instrument.
47. Respect other races and nationalities.
48. Never argue religion or politics.
49. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. My grandfather was full of life lessons, and I listened.

I loved Jeff's list. They are true gems, really. Thank you.

P S Collection

P.S. Collection by Arjang & Co = Recreates timeless art from the U.S. Postal Service into fashion watches and jewelry. The designs are stunningly beautiful.

Useful links:
www.pscollectionstore.com
www.usps.com

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street Framed
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/02/08/fashion/20090208-street-feature/index.html#

In my view the picture-frame collars from the 1920s and 30s looked elegant.

Jade Jagger

Make your own Jade Jagger bracelet
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/08/jade-jagger-fashion

Useful link:
www.jadejagger.co.uk

Brilliant. Simple.

Art Market Update

Phew! The art market passes an important test
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13090261

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

Just lucky. Remarkable, really.

Heard On The Street

I think there's nothing like hearing it firsthand. Everything loses a bit in the translation, particularly if it's people you don't know.

Soweto Gospel Choir

Audio slideshow: Soweto gospel choir
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7874644.stm

Useful link:
www.sowetogospelchoir.com

Inspiring. Amazing. Fantastic. Moving, really.

Diamond Nexus Labs

Diamond Nexus Labs Announced as The Official Jewelry of The Miss Universe Organization
http://sev.prnewswire.com/null/20090203/NY6604903022009-1.html

Useful links:
www.diamondnexuslabs.com
www.missuniverse.com

The near flawless diamond look-alikes cost a fraction. True. Great PR, really.

Diamond Fingerprinting Project

Mintek: diamond fingerprinting project launched
http://www.mineweb.co.za/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page674?oid=78026&sn=Detail

Diamonds are a highly pure form of carbon, and their very strong lattice structure makes it difficult for the crystal to incorporate impurity atoms. Our research will be focusing on the trace element analysis of sub-microscopic fluid/solid inclusions that represent diamond-forming fluids, characteristic to the different source regions. We will combine this geochemical information with basic morphological, colour, inclusion and FTIR data and use multivariate statistical methods to try and assign unique characteristics to diamonds from particular deposits.
- Dr Sonal Rege-Delpech

Useful links:
www.mintek.co.za
www.sadb.co.za
www.kimberleyprocess.com

Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) is capable of analyzing more than seventy elements at sub-parts-per-billion and lower levels. It's interesting to see the application of diamond fingerprinting via LA-ICP-MS by the industry in South Africa to link diamonds to their source and unique physical characteristics, particularly in the case of illicitly traded stones. Hats off to Mintek. Wake Up Call for the colored stone industry, really.

Work Hard + Be Nice

Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America by Jay Mathews is an insightful book on effective classroom attitudes, techniques and strategies + articulates the importance of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) in education. http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gates_unplugged.html



Useful links:
www.kipp.org
www.teachforamerica.org
www.ted.com

Rolf Potts

Rolf Potts has traveled the world on a shoestring. Go to www.rolfpotts.com for further info.

Two Million Minutes

Two Million Minutes, a film by entrepreneur/venture capitalist Bob Compton, takes a deeper look at how the three superpowers of the 21st Century - China, India and the United States prepare their students for the future. A must watch.

Useful links:
www.2mminutes.com
http://robertacompton.com/biography.html

High-End Gemstones

High-End Gemstones Are Diamonds in the Rough
http://www.cnbc.com/id/28977928

Luxury's been decimated..., but I'll tell you one thing that's hot: jewelry, stones for $300,000 to $500,000. Investment grade stones are on fire. It's similar to the gold trade.
- Howard Davidowitz

Useful links:
http://davidowitzassociates.com
www.riverfrontig.com
www.bulgari.com

Interesting comment. My view is yes, yes + no, no.

The Stock Exchange Guide

- An idiot's guide to the LSE
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7867184.stm

- Wall Street trader's NYSE tour
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7688037.stm

- Life on the real Wall Street
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7675969.stm

Useful links:
www.londonstockexchange.com
www.nyse.com
www.7im.co.uk

Great commentary. Computers have replaced the trading floor (theatre), a unique immersive experience I miss a lot.

Peter Schaufuss

Marilyn musical to hit West End
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/7872863.stm

Useful link:
www.schaufuss.com

Don't miss it.

Better Insights + New Tools

Nutritional Insights on Saving Money
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/your-money/07money.html?_r=1&hp

If you eat right, you’ll have more energy. That makes you more likely to succeed at work and earn more money. Then, you’ll be able to afford better food, stay healthy and spend less on medical costs. And the virtuous circle continues.
- Ron Lieber

Useful links:
http://foodpsychology.cornell.edu
http://mindlesseating.org
http://portionteller.com
www.mvelopes.com
www.mint.com
www.geezeo.com
http://quicken.intuit.com
www.weightwatchers.com

Great advice. Thank you Ron.

Eat, Pray, Love

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert is a beautiful book about her journey around the world + the impact. A great read.
http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/02/ted-how-we-kill.html

Useful link:
www.elizabethgilbert.com

Jewel Thief

Europe jewel thief 'linked to UK'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7873147.stm

Useful links:
www.warndienst.com
www.abrahamsjewellery.com

It's moose in the headlight situation. You freeze and become inert. It can happen to anyone. In this case they had fallen victim to a highly professional and well informed gang.

Mark Boston Viewpoint

Lessons from History?
http://hgoldie.blogspot.com/2009/02/lessons-from-history.html

Useful link:
www.hgoldie.com

Mark, I completely agree with you. Great essay.

New Digital Sixth Sense

TED: MIT Students Turn Internet Into a Sixth Human Sense -- Video
http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/02/ted-digital-six.html

Useful links:
http://ambient.media.mit.edu
www.pranavmistry.com
http://web.media.mit.edu/~pattie

Really excited. Simplify. Positive adaptions in design will lead to greater commercial success. Thank you Kim.

Coraline

A 3-D nightmare that appreciates a child's sense of dread
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/05/arts/fmreview6.1-422960.php

Useful link:
www.coraline.com

Magically real.

Dubai Gold Market Update

Dubai gold jewellery sales crash by 60 percent
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Dubai-gold-jewellery-sales-crash-by-60-percent-14905-3-1.html

Useful links:
www.gold.org
www.mydsf.com
www.alukkas.com
www.damasjewel.com
www.pugold.com
www.atlasjewellery.com

My choice would be gold coins.

Oil In Coffee

Oil in your coffee
http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13056077&source=hptextfeature
http://www.unr.edu/nevadanews/templates/details.aspx?articleid=4007&zoneid=44

Useful links:
www.unr.edu/mse/misra
www.biogrounds.com

Interesting study. I am all for it. Let's save energy and leave carbon footprint lower.

The Power Of Color

Need a Creative Boost? Find the Blue Room.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/science/06color.html?_r=1&hp

Useful link:
www.sciencemag.org

Great advice.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat: And Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks is a fascinating collection of stories of individuals with neurological deficits + the impact. A must read.

Useful link:

www.oliversacks.com

No Dirty Gold Campaign

The No Dirty Gold campaign celebrates its fifth anniversary on February 14, 2009, inspiring other well-known brands to sign on in support of responsible sourcing of precious metals. Go to
www.nodirtygold.org for further info.

Useful links:
www.responsiblemining.net
www.earthworksaction.org

Diamond Market Update

Can Alrosa 'Survive' its Government’s Bailout?
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful link:
http://eng.alrosa.ru

Interesting perspective.

Online Jeweler

I Like Innovative, Disruptive Businesses
http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/13003936/c_13015052

We have a very-low-inventory model. While traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers were concerned with excess inventory and were scaling back their selection, we could expand our offerings without taking financial risks. We have exclusive relationships with diamond and jewelry suppliers; what you see on our Website can be found only on Blue Nile. We have more than 50,000 diamonds available at any time, but it's [mostly] a virtual inventory, so we don't have the carrying cost of what would be $500 million to $600 million of inventory. That allows us to be nimble, to have a just-in-time purchasing model. We operate in a negative-working-capital [environment] where we buy a diamond to satisfy a customer purchase and two days later the raw diamond is turned into an engagement ring. That's just an amazing process to see.
- Marc Stolzman

Useful link:
www.bluenile.com

Definitely a unique business model. Great interview. Thank you Kate.

Heard On The Street

Travel the world—early, totally internally reflect, reincarnate, and keep learning.

Art Update

Modest works sell surprisingly well
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/04/arts/melik5.1-421830.php

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.metmuseum.org
www.artmuseums.harvard.edu
www.clarkart.edu
www.musee-orsay.fr

Great essay on the state of the art market. Thank you Souren.

Aid To Artisans

Aid to Artisans
www.aidtoartisans.org

Useful link:
www.nyigf.com

I think there is demand for green and sustainable products produced by artisans from around the world because it holds cultural meaning + today's consumers appreciate handmade traditions and skills of small-business owners because it helps support a community, and it's genuine.

Random Thoughts

I believe a man’s greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming.
I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person’s character.
I believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth.
I believe farming nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can’t buy.
I believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no other way.
I believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth, and maturity in such a variety of ways.
I believe many of the best things in life are indeed free: the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide open spaces, and the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring.
I believe that true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feels the pride that springs from their shared experience.
I believe that by my toil I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it; an honor that does not come to all men.
I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done for my fellow man, and by this standard I fear no judgement.
I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he’s lived.
I believe in farming because it makes all this possible.

- Farmer’s Creed

Spot on.

Singularity University

Singularity University
http://singularity-university.org

One of the objectives of the university is to really dive in depth into these exponentially growing technologies, to create connections between them, and to apply these ideas to the great challenges (facing humanity).
- Ray Kurzweil

Useful links:
www.kurzweiltech.com
www.kurzweilai.net

Singularity University = Google + NASA project. Definitely looks futuristic.

Our City Dreams

Our City Dreams
www.ourcitydreams.com

Useful link:
www.filmforum.org

Brilliant stories, really.

French Master Edgar Degas

Dancer fetches £13.3m at auction
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/7869151.stm

Useful link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Degas

The art market operates according to its own logic, which may have nothing to do with the quality of the art. I think the art market paid a sweet price (the same sculpture was sold in 2004 for £5m) for rarity and quality.

Martin Rapaport Viewpoint

Fewer, Better Things
Martin Rapaport Interviews De Beers' Stephen Lussier
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=25173

Useful links:
www.debeersgroup.com
www.diamonds.net

Great interview.

TED 2009

TED 2009 is underway.
http://conferences.ted.com/TED2009/program

Ryan Trecartin

Hysterical art to reflect an absurd reality
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/03/arts/ryan4.1-417500.php

Useful links:
www.youtube.com/user/WianTreetin
www.elizabethdeegallery.com
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/ryan_trecartin.htm
www.newmuseum.org

Ryan is spontaneous, expressive and different. It reminded me of my youth. Thank you Randy.

Eustace 2009

Your Eustace, 2009
http://www.newyorker.com/online/2009/02/09/slideshow_090209_eustacetilley

Useful link:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/02/14/050214fa_fact2

I am a huge Rea Irvin fan.