Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street The Birth of Spring
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/03/fashion/20090405-street-feature/index.html#

Brilliant. I loved it. Thank you Bill.

Fareed Zakaria Viewpoint

Free At Last
http://www.newsweek.com/id/192479

Useful links:
www.fareedzakaria.com
www.mcdonough.com

Great essay.

Art Market Update

Pen and ink
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13432496

Useful links:
www.ville-ge.ch/mah
www.frick.org
www.christies.com

Great review.

Plushmusic

Watch live classical, jazz and world performances from some of the world’s most exciting musicians via Plushmusic @ www.plushmusic.tv

Jim Davis Interview

Garfield's Fun Fest: Jim Davis interview
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/5099241/Garfields-Fun-Fest-Jim-Davis-interview.html

Useful link:
www.garfield.com

Jim, keep on drawing.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Rekindle those risk-taking animal spirits
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ef69109e-1e09-11de-830b-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=782015c4-f2e3-11dd-abe6-0000779fd2ac.html

As John Maynard Keynes put it: 'The thought of ultimate loss which overtakes pioneers, as experience undoubtedly tells us and them, is put aside as a healthy man puts aside the expectation of death.' Right now, too many would-be pioneers are worrying about dangers and not rewards. Fear has overwhelmed greed: the adventurous are on the retreat. Until we reverse this psychology, we shall never recover our economic momentum.
- Luke Johnson

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk

Spot on.

Rare Blue Diamond

Rare Blue Diamond
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30029818#30029818

There will be buyers for the rare blue diamond in Hong Kong.

The Survival Game

The Survival Game: How Game Theory Explains the Biology of Cooperation and Competition by David P. Barash Ph.D is an insightful book on biological/behavioral sciences. A must read.

Useful link:

http://faculty.washington.edu/dpbarash/index.html

International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2009

The shortlist for the 2009 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (€100,000), the world’s most valuable literary prize for a single work of fiction published in English has been announced. Check out the link www.impacdublinaward.ie

Paola Antonelli Viewpoint

Design and Being Just
http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/of_design_and_being_just
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/paola_antonelli_treats_design_as_art.html

Useful links:
http://seedmagazine.com
www.tca.uwa.edu.au
www.moma.org
www.symbiotica.uwa.edu.au
www.dunneandraby.co.uk

Great essay.

Madness & Modernity

Madness & Modernity:Mental illness and the visual arts in Vienna 1900
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/exhibitionsandevents/exhibitions/Madness-and-Modernity/index.htm

Useful link:
www.wellcomecollection.org

Don't miss the multidisciplinary exhibition.

Seascape Project

Meet Susan Collins + explore her Seascape project @ www.susan-collins.net

Shop Without Touching

Want to Save Some Money? Shop Without Touching
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1889081,00.html

When you touch something, you instantly feel more of a connection to it. That connection stirs up an emotional reaction — 'Yeah, I like the feel of it. This can be mine.' And that emotion can cause you to buy something you never would have bought if you hadn't touched it.
- Suzanne Shu

Useful link:
www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/jcr/current

How true!

The Art Of Camouflage

Audio slideshow: The art of camouflage
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7978844.stm

Useful link:
www.bio.cam.ac.uk

Phenomenal color change, really.

Jewelry Consumer Viewpoints

Jewelry Consumer Viewpoints. Check out the link http://jcoc.info

Technology Update

Inventive tech in tougher times
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/7980125.stm

Useful links:
www.hhi.fraunhofer.de
www.vpc.com
www.logicwireless.com
www.tfh-wildau.de
www.openmoko.com

Great review.

Royal Academy Of Arts Summer Exhibition 2009

The Summer Exhibition is the largest open contemporary art exhibition in the world, drawing together a wide range of new work by both established and unknown living artists.

Check out the link www.royalacademy.org.uk/summer-exhibition

Butrint

Albania dusts off ancient treasures
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7978443.stm

Useful links:
www.butrint.org
www.butrintfoundation.co.uk

A must visit.

GREENDAQ

GREENDAQ = World's first truly global equity and commodities exchange exclusively for the green sector.

Useful links:
www.greendaq.com
www.carboncreditedfarming.com

Conflict Minerals

A new campaign has been launched by The ENOUGH Project at the Center for American Progress to end the purchase of so-called conflict minerals, which are being mined by armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
http://www.enoughproject.org/files/publications/congo_activism.pdf

It turns out the purchases of our laptops and cell phones and MP3 players, digital cameras, all these different electronics products, have inside them minerals that are sourced in the Congo that provide the fuel for the deadliest war in the world. We want to do exactly what happened with the blood diamonds campaign.
- John Prendergast

Useful link:
www.enoughproject.org

Reena Ahluwalia

Meet Reena Ahluwalia + explore her stunning jewelry collections at www.reenaahluwalia.com

Diamond Market Update

The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) is asking all 28 member bourses to avoid trade, either directly or indirectly, with diamonds originating from the Marange deposits (Murowa deposits are KP compliant) in Zimbabwe.

Useful links:
www.wfdb.com
www.kimberleyprocess.com

The amazing truth is there are Zimbabwean rough diamonds in Bangkok coming via South Africa for processing/treatments, and eventual sale. I mean a lot.

Global Business BBC

Peter Day interview with Israeli entrepreneur Dov Moran
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2009/03/000000_global_business.shtml

Useful link:
www.modumobile.com

Thank you Peter. I enjoyed it.

Accidental Entrepreneurs

Accidental entrepreneurs
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1ef2096a-1e0a-11de-830b-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

I see many people who have worked for a company – they may have proposed an idea that the boss turns down so decide to do it themselves. Entrepreneurial opportunities (can) coalesce when employees get stuck in their career or (are made) redundant.
- Prof Keith Willey

Useful links:
www.flutterandwow.com
http://shop.diykyoto.com
www.sstl.co.uk

Inspiring stories, really.

World Digital Library

The World Digital Library will be launched on April 21, 2009 by UNESCO and the Library of Congress offering public access to manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, prints, and photographs. Check out the link www.worlddigitallibrary.org

Bernard Magrez Viewpoint

Bernard Magrez, One Vineyard at a time
http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/bernard-magrez-taking-over-world
http://www.urbanjunkies.com/london/wine-chap-archive-08/0617-winechap.html

Useful links:
www.bernard-magrez.com
www.amfwine.com

Great interview.

Recession

Picturing the Recession
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/02/business/economy/economy-user-photos.html
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/30/business/economy/2009-economy-words.html

A brilliant/creative idea. A unique total internal reflection.

Tea Update

Digg This: Tea Is the New Coffee
http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/04/tech-millionair.html

It's the new social lubricant. You're never hung over and you can never drink too much.
- Jesse Jacobs, Samovar Tea Lounge

Useful links:
http://kevinrose.com
www.fourhourworkweek.com
http://samovarlife.com

Interesting viewpoint. I've always been a fan of tea.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

When Minister Ponatshego Kedikilwe Talks – Diamond People Listen
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com

Great review.

Treated Diamonds Update

Growing Incidence of Undisclosed Treated Diamonds in Australia
http://www.dcla.com.au/news.php?show=April-2009#news-30

Useful link:
www.dcla.com.au

If doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Gold Jewelry Market 2009

The U.S. gold Jewelry Market in 2009
http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6647863.html

It's a very difficult business environment now, but the strengths of U.S. jewelry manufacturing are its resilience, resourcefulness, innovation, and ability to reinvent itself. Those willing to change with the times will survive.
- David Cochran

Useful links:
www.gold.org
www.nrf.com
www.unitymarketingonline.com
www.mjsa.org
www.jewelers.org

Spot on.

Herman Miller Materials Program

Herman Miller Materials Program
https://www4.hermanmiller.com/CMF/CDA/index.html
www.hermanmiller.com

Impressive upgrade. I liked it.

Titians

Clash of the Titians
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2658

Useful links:
www.nationalgalleries.org
www.khm.at
www.metmuseum.org

Great essay.

Cloud Computing

No Man Is an Island: The Promise of Cloud Computing
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2190

Startups are the killer app for the cloud. As students with a good idea, this is a playground. You can be the driver of all this stuff. Computation now is so accessible, and we have an opportunity to dramatically change how things work.
- Jonathan Appavoo, IBM

Useful links:
www.3tera.com
www.decho.com
www.zoho.com
http://aws.amazon.com/ec2
http://code.google.com/appengine

Interesting article.

New Life Photo Archive

New Life.com Photo Archive Brings History to Your Classroom
http://www.edutopia.org/online-photography-archive-life-magazine

Useful links:
www.life.com
www.gettyimages.com

Brilliant!

Econoland

The Economist Group expands
http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13395767

I loved it.

Heard On The Street

Advertising/marketing = Planting a crop so you can eat tomorrow.

OnLive

OnLive = High performance Games on Demand.

Useful links:
www.onlive.com
www.gdconf.com

PEN World Voices Festival 2009

PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature is scheduled on April 27 - May 3, 2009. Check out the link www.pen.org/index.php

Mark Randall

Design Ignites Change Says What's Good for Your Company Can Be Good for the World
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/alissa-walker/designerati/design-ignites-change-looking-few-good-corporation

Useful links:
www.worldstudioinc.com
www.designigniteschange.org

Great project.

Greenpeace Guide To Greener Electronics

Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/usa/press-center/reports4/guide-to-greener-electronics-11.pdf

Insightful ratings. Impressive.

Eco Art

Turning Over a New Leaf
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2659

Useful links:
www.katiepaterson.org
www.massmoca.org
www.fvu.co.uk
www.vaughnbell.net
www.katieholten.com
www.icaphila.org
www.katrinsigurdardottir.info

Great review.

Gem Lab Update

Gem Lab Update
http://www.gemlab.net/website/gemlab/fileadmin/user_upload/Research/Gemlab-LabNews-03-2009-forPDF2.pdf

Useful link:
www.gemlab.net

Henry VIII Armour

Henry VIII armour to be exhibited
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7971616.stm

Useful links:
www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon
www.royalarmouries.org
www.metmuseum.org

History revisted. Interesting collections, really.

Diamonds

Diamonds miniseries via ABC
http://www.alchemy.tv/main/production_details.php?production_id=11
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118001898.html?categoryId=14&cs=1

Useful links:
www.cbc.ca/diamonds
http://diamondfacts.org

Greed + corruption +++++ and diamonds are forever!

Whitechapel Gallery

Whitechapel Gallery reopens with Picasso and anthrax
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/mar/31/whitechapel-gallery-art-isa-genzken

Useful link:
www.whitechapelgallery.org

It's the place to be.

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men is a 1957 American drama film adapted from the Reginald Rose play, Twelve Angry Men. Directed by first-time director Sidney Lumet, the film tells the story of a jury member who tries to persuade the other eleven members to acquit the suspect on trial on the basis of reasonable doubt. The film is notable for its almost exclusive use of one set: with the exception of three minutes of screen-time split between the beginning and the end on the steps of the court building and two short scenes in an adjoining washroom, the entire movie takes place in the jury room. Apart from two of the jurors swapping names while leaving the courthouse, no names are used in the film: the defendant is referred to as 'the boy' and the witnesses as the 'old man' and 'the lady across the street'. In 2007, 12 Angry Men was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_Angry_Men

Useful link:
www.imdb.com/title/tt0050083

One of my favorite movies. Henry Fonda provides a superb performance in this powerful drama which keeps you on the edge of your seat to the very last image on the screen. Watch it!

Art Market Update

The Party is Over
http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/art-fairs-lean

It's a great time to get a good deal. It's a buyers' market.
- Kathy Battista

Useful links:
www.scope-art.com
www.friezeartfair.com
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com
www.nber.org
www.thearmoryshow.com
www.alexandergray.com

Great essay. I completely agree. Art fairs have become like gem fairs. There are just too many shows out there every month but not too many people to pay for the service, really.

Gem Lab Update

- Clarity treated diamonds
- About the extreme hardness of some diamonds
- Two fascinating synthetic rubies
http://www.gemlab.net/website/gemlab/fileadmin/user_upload/Research/Gemlab-Newsletter-03-2009-forPDF.pdf

Useful link:
www.gemlab.net

Interesting ID report.

Burmese Gem Ban Update

Burmese Gemstone Ban: What you need to know.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/cargo_summary/laws/public_law
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/legal/statutes/pl110_286_jade_act.pdf

Useful links:
www.cbp.gov
www.jewelers.org
www.jvclegal.org

Rene Goscinny

The boy who is always in trouble
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7968000/7968094.stm

Useful links:
www.goscinny.net
www.asterix.com
www.phaidon.com/nicholas
www.petitnicolas.com

I loved it.

El Hierro

Island nears energy independence
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7951286.stm

Useful link:
www.canary-tech.org

Inspiring and do-able.

Dalan Hargrave

Dalan Hargrave is an award-winning gemstone artist. I am completely awe struck by the intricacy of detail and innovation in his designs. Check out the link www.gemstarz.com

Heard On The Street

Beware of misinformation regarding gem mine localities. Work closely with your gemstone suppliers to get first-hand information, including fine details on gem treatments and enhancements. Practice full disclosure.

Global Trade

Trade, China and the World Economic Order
http://knowledge.wpcarey.asu.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1761

Interesting perspective. In my view the prospects of economic integration will always be a Catch-22.

Perlas del Mar de Cortez

Fair trade gems are becoming popular with consumers. Learn more about environment-friendly cultured pearls from the Sea of Cortez, in Mexico. Check out the link www.perlas.com.mx

Useful link:
www.fairtradegems.com

Chelsea Visits Havana

Art exhibition fuels US-Cuba thaw
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7970647.stm

Useful links:
www.museonacional.cult.cu
http://pattarrant.com
www.christophdraeger.com

Cultural diplomacy does work.

Precious Religious Metal

Gold glitters in Indian temples
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Gold-glitters-in-Indian-temples-16433-3-1.html

Analysts say the craze for gold in India has spilled over to temple because people believe that gold is the best and most precious commodity that they can donate to a deity as a form of worship.

Useful links:
www.tirumala.org
www.siddhivinayak.org
www.sripuram.org
www.guruvayurdevaswom.org

Old habits die hard, really.

Joseph J. Romm

Joseph J. Romm is an American author, blogger, physicist and climate expert, who concentrates on methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming and increasing energy security through energy efficiency, green energy technologies and green transportation technologies. Check out the link http://climateprogress.org

Useful link:
www.climateworks.org

Bill Cunnigham Viewpoint

The Street Another Facet of Paris
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/28/fashion/20090339-street-feature/index.html?hp#

Mesmerising and terrific colors. Old is gold again, really. Thank you Bill.

Famous Financial Fiascos

Famous Financial Fiascos by John Train is an insightful book offering different lessons. A must read.

It is better to learn from a book than to learn in a bankruptcy court.

- Professor C. Northcote Parkinson

Zimbabwe's Diamond Rush

Zimbabwe's great diamond rush brutally suppressed by Robert Mugabe's regime
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/5055332/Zimbabwes-great-diamond-rush-brutally-suppressed-by-Robert-Mugabes-regime.html

Any reputable diamond dealer will tell you he hasn't got any non-certified stones, but go into a store and ask to see the certificates for every one and it won't be long before you hit one that can't be certified. That said, it's only in the West that the consumer is bothered about the Kimberley Process. Selling illegally mined stones in the Arab world, India or China is a piece of cake.
- Alastair Ford

Useful link:
www.commoditywatchplc.com

Boom to tragedy. Sad, really.

What They Think

James Howard Kunstler, Gerald Celente, Carolyn Baker, John Xenakis, Eric Janszen, and Nouriel Roubini are experts in their own fields, and it's interesting to read what they think is coming next.

- James Howard Kunstler
www.kunstler.com

- Gerald Celente
www.trendsresearch.com

- Carolyn Baker
http://carolynbaker.net

- John J. Xenakis
www.generationaldynamics.com

- Eric Janszen
www.itulip.com

- Nouriel Roubini
www.rgemonitor.com

Gold Rush

Gold Rush: People Rush to Sell Gold Instead of Finding It
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7125707&page=1

Useful links:
www.gemfacts.com
www.getgoldcash.com
www.dollars4gold.ca
www.cash4gold.com
www.jvclegal.org

Interesting story.

Tracking The Credit Crisis: A Timeline

Tracking the Credit Crisis: A Timeline traces the development of the current financial crisis, which is the most severe and complex economic and financial challenge in modern experience. Check out the link www.moaf.org

Genesis Project

Artist R. Crumb has finished his Genesis project, a graphic novel version of Genesis, and is scheduled for release this fall. Check out the link www.crumbproducts.com

Art Market Update

A light-adapted eye
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13395501

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.davidhockney.com

Great review.

Alain de Botton

In pictures: pleasures and sorrows of work
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7965258.stm

Useful link:
www.alaindebotton.com
www.theschooloflife.com

Interesting/Insightful.

Earth Hour

A global initiative organized by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is asking people and institutions around the world to turn off their lights for one hour Saturday night — 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. in whatever time zone you’re in — to conserve energy and make a statement of concern about climate change. Just do it.

Useful links:
www.earthhour.org
www.worldwildlife.org

Dan Formosa

Smart Design's Dan Formosa on the Power of People, Simplicity and Gossip
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/alissa-walker/designerati/smart-designs-dan-formosa-power-people-simplicity-and-gossip

Useful links:
www.danformosa.com
www.smartdesignworldwide.com
www.baseballfieldguide.com

Insightful/educational. Great post.

Interactive Fiction

Are computer games a literary genre?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/mortarboard/2009/mar/27/gaming-writing-course

Useful links:
www.douglasadams.com
www.mmorpg.com

Interesting viewpoints. I like interactive fiction (literature + games) if its immersive.

Maira Kalman Viewpoint

Maira Kalman: Moved by Democracy
http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/so-moved

Useful link:
www.mairakalman.com

Beautifully written.

Laurence Graff Luxury

It’s Always Time for Diamonds in This Family of Watches
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/fashion/26iht-ACAWGRAFF.html?_r=1

A ladies watch with the name Graff could really take off if there’s money out there.
- Matthew Morse

Useful links:
www.graffdiamonds.com
www.luxuryinstitute.com

There will always be a market for luxury jewels, really.

Diamond Market Update

Hidden Gem of an Economic Indicator? Diamond Sales
http://www.businessweek.com/investing/insights/blog/archives/2009/03/earlier_today_i.html

Useful link:
www.fabon5th.com

Yes, yes/No, no.

Yogendra Sethi

Meet Yogendra Sethi + his one-of-a-kind artworks
http://yogendrasethi.com

Useful link:
www.nationalartsclub.org

Turner + Italy

In pictures: Turner and Italy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7960074.stm

Useful link:
www.nationalgalleries.org

A must visit.

The Art Of The Tutorial

The Art of the Tutorial
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/03/the-art-of-the-tutorial.html
http://blogs.openforum.com/2009/03/19/the-art-of-the-tutorial

Useful links:
http://ateliertransfert.ca
http://startcooking.com

I enjoyed the presentation. It's effective + simple + immersive.

Design Art Update

The latest design trends
Hugo Franca = www.hugofranca.com
Josef Blersch/Mander Liefting = www.notcot.org
Tord Boontje = www.tordboontje.com
Jasper Morrison = www.jaspermorrison.com

The Jazz Century

An Inspired Riff on 'The Jazz Century'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123809641615350821.html

Useful link:
www.quaibranly.fr

It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing. Duke was spot on. Thank you Craig.

Mozambique Cuprian Tourmalines

The Complicated History of Mozambique Cuprian 'Paraiba-like' Tourmalines
http://www.agta.org/pressroom/images/200903nf2mozambiquetourmalines.pdf

Useful links:
www.maryjohnsonconsulting.com
www.agta.org

Interesting comments.

Independent Games Festival Awards 2009

Indie game awards showcase future
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7962983.stm

The world is catching on. Game journalists, industry and yes players are beginning to appreciate indie games. The game playing public is beginning to understand that a tiny team with a brilliant vision can make better games than people with a corporate mandate and millions of dollars to spend. The world is realising that as much as they love big budget shooters, they are hungry for new types of experiences.
- Steve Swink
www.flashbangstudios.com

Useful link:
www.igf.com

Great review.

Guide To Fine Gems

The Penny Pincher’s Guide to Fine Gems Between $400 and $900 Retail
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/mar09/penny-pincher2.cfm

Useful links:
www.johndyergems.com
www.colorfirst.com
www.stuller.com

Great collection of colored stones + the fancy cuts very stunningly beautiful, really.

Chaim Even-Zohar Viewpoint

Financial Kit Bag Questions
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.dtc.com

Spot on. The current economic tsunami is global and the diamond industry has taken its toll. Companies that lack resources, leadership, and vision to manage through this crisis will go away one way or another.

Skoll World Forum 2009

The 2009 Skoll World Forum will be held at the Said Business School, Oxford, from March 25 - 27, 2009. Check out the link www.skollworldforum.com/forum-2009

Useful link:
www.skollfoundation.org

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

The Facebook Generation vs. the Fortune 500
http://blogs.wsj.com/management/2009/03/24/the-facebook-generation-vs-the-fortune-500

Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
www.managementlab.org

Spot on. Excellent post. This is a breath of fresh air.

Vanessa Beecroft

Vanessa Beecroft's 'VB65' attempts to force spectators to see Africans differently
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/25/arts/beecroft.php

I wanted to force the Milanese bourgeoisie to enter a private space regulated by the statutes of art, that is the museum, and observe people widely seen as the violators of privacy, people that are seen as different. You need to put something crude on show to provoke a reaction in the public.
- Vanessa Beecroft

Useful links:
www.vanessabeecroft.com
www.pac-milano.org
www.miart.it

What a show!

Jewelry Market Update

US Jewellery Superstore sells at 40-80% discount
http://www.commodityonline.com/goldnews/US-Jewellery-Superstore-sells-at-40-80-discount-2009-03-25-16319-3-1.html

The U.S. jewellery sector is contracting along with the economy, and national and regional chains alike are struggling to stay afloat. The good news for price-conscious consumers is that this trend is creating once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunities. The Henricks Jewelers sale is a perfect example.
- Gary Jorgensen

Useful link:
www.buxbaumgroup.com

We are seeing similar trend in Asia as well.

Sustainable Luxury: New Delhi 2009

Sustainable Luxury: New Delhi 2009
http://www.iht.com/indexes/special/luxury2009/index.php
http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/these-changing-times-iht-sustainable-luxury-conference-2009/?hpw

Interesting perspective. It echoes a number of issues. I hope they do the right thing.

Deutsche Borse Photography Prize 2009

Deutsche Borse Photography Prize
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7939449.stm
http://deutsche-boerse.com/dbag/dispatch/en/kir/gdb_navigation/about_us/30_Art_Collection/25_photography_prize

Useful link:
www.photonet.org.uk

New Amber Collection

Meet Marcin Wesolowski + the company's new buff top amber stones.
www.nac.pl

Stunningly beautiful, really. I liked it.

Pricing HTHP-Treated Diamonds

Identifying and Pricing HTHP-Treated Diamonds
http://www.gemguide.com/news/AGTAMar09HTTP.htm

Natural diamonds may be treated to improve their colorless appearance or to produce a variety of colors. The most common method used today is the High Temperature, High Pressure method, or HTHP. Other methods include irradiation, annealing, and combinations of treatment methods. Because of this, the identification of treated diamonds poses the greatest challenge to the gem labs today.
- Richard B. Drucker

Useful links:
www.gemguide.com
www.agta.org

Great review.

Blue Fluorescent Diamonds

Final Filtration and LEDS: A Four-Prong Solutionto Overgrading Blue Fluorescent Diamonds
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/mar09/fluorescent-diamonds.cfm

Here are the conclusions Michael Cowing reached on ending the chronic problem of overgrading blue fluorescent diamonds. His study demonstrates that the 'true body color' of a diamond can be easily and accurately graded against master diamonds at normal wearing distance from daylight fluorescent overhead illumination (3 to 4 feet distant) where neither the UV nor 'visible violet' is strong enough to influence the color grade. He offers a four-prong inexpensive combination of solutions involving present and future grading illuminations:
1. The desired grade for a blue fluorescent diamond should be reaffirmed as its 'true body color' defined historically in the diamond trade as that color seen in typical artificial lighting where fluorescence is not stimulated. This color is correctly seen at typical viewing distances from fluorescent and incandescent ceiling lighting—usually covered with some kind of plastic diffuser.
2. Since lab grading is done from about 2 to 10 inches from fluorescent tubes (rather than 3 to 4 feet away where UV has significantly decreased), Cowing recommends the use of a polycarbonate plastic like Lexan as an effective and inexpensive filter to remove UV from 400nm down—without affecting perception of the visible spectrum.
3. To solve the fluorescence whitening caused by 'visible violet' Cowing recommends use of flat-white plastic diffusers which attenuate violet and all visible wavelengths equally, so that fluorescence is not stimulated nor is the diamond’s color altered. Such white diffusers have the added bonus of reducing spectral reflections and glare.
4. In concert with the movement to the 'green' technology of LED lighting, use of white LED lighting such as the investigation’s Dazor LED desk lamp, not only provides inherently, UV-free grading light, but is dimmable without change in color temperature down to 2000-4000lux, so as not to stimulate fluorescence from the visible-violet.
- Michael D. Cowing

An interesting viewpoint on blue fluorescent diamonds. It makes sense.

Thomas Harth Ames

One of the finest opals of any time on public display is a slice of Oregon contra luz engraved by master carver Thomas Harth Ames of Arvada, Colorado. The opal bears the likeness of Mount Hood illuminated by the aurora borealis. It is on display in the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Oregon. Check out the link www.ricenwmuseum.org

Beauty Of Color

The Violent Beauty of Color
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123793427020031141.html

Useful links:
www.metmuseum.org
www.moma.org

Great review.

Maldive Effect

Wisdom of the small

http://www.economist.com/world/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13354355

Useful links:

www.marklynas.org

www.carboncommentary.com

www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv

www.maldivesinfo.gov.mv

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Great idea. I hope it's a do-able project. On a side note, to me Maldives, which is a chain of small coral islands, looked like liquid/crystal inclusions in blue sapphires, really.

Ancient Rock Art

Ancient rock art from around the world
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29844547?pg=1#Tech_8RockArt

God Of Carnage

A fearless approach to funny drama
http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/23/arts/carnage.php

Useful links:
www.godofcarnage.com
www.shubertorganization.com

A very interesting play.

Deeper Luxury Report

Deeper Luxury Report by Jem Bendell and Anthony Kleanthous
http://www.wwf.org.uk/deeperluxury/report.html

Useful link:
www.wwf.org.uk/deeperluxury

A must read.

Akiyoshi's Illusion Pages

Akiyoshi Kitaoka's Illusion Pages
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/~akitaoka/index-e.html

Stunningly Brilliant!

New Ventures India

New Ventures India = Sustainable, socially responsible and environmentally beneficial enterprises

Useful link:
www.newventuresindia.org