IDC Rules For Grading Diamonds

The International Diamond Council (IDC) has released an updated version of its 'IDC Rules for Grading Diamonds', which outlines new rules on diamond nomenclature. Check out the link www.internationaldiamondcouncil.org

Mischer Traxler

Meet Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler, Vienna-based designers + explore their impressive designs. Brilliant creation, really! I liked it.

Useful links:
www.mischertraxler.com
http://dmy-berlin.com

Heard On The Street

Mem­ory in the gem market is notoriously short, as history has shown re­peatedly. In my experience gem markets are continuously foolish, and gem dealers usually invite catastrophe themselves.

Espresso Book Machine

The brainchild of American publisher Jason Epstein, the Espresso is described as an 'ATM for books', and this could change bookselling fundamentally. Check out the link www.ondemandbooks.com

Solar-thermal Technology

The other kind of solar power
http://www.economist.com/science/tq/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13725855

Useful links:
www.brightsourceenergy.com
www.newenergyfinance.com
www.nrel.gov
www.skyfuel.com
www.esolar.com
www.stirlingenergy.com
www.nexteraenergyresources.com

It makes more sense. I think new innovative technologies will evolve in the coming years providing clean electricity.

Purefold

Ridley Scott is back with a new sci-fi web series titled 'Purefold' based on the same themes as Blade Runner.

Check out the link www.ag8.com/purefold + www.rsafilms.com

Opal Market Update

I found Boro Rapaic's comment on laboratory-made opals intriguing. He has labelled synthetic opals as artificial stones/fake. Check out the link http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s2590411.htm

Here is the definition of synthetic vs imitation vs natural:
Synthetic gem: Same as natural gem (in terms of composition, structure, properties and appearance), except made by humans. Must have a natural counterpart.
Imitation: A gem material (natural or otherwise) which has the same appearance as the gem it imitates.
Natural: A gem material which entirely the product of nature. It is unaltered by humans in any way, except for ordinary cutting and polishing (no impregnations).

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's Comment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2009/06/090602_peter_day_comment_june_02.shtml

Thanks Peter for your viewpoint. Getting an MBA may increase a business person's earning power, but exactly what has the recent growth of MBA courses done for the businesses who employ them? A very good question indeed. Difficult to tell. Instead of simplifying the business operation they have made it complex and stupid.

Marco Brambilla

Marco Brambilla: Civilization
http://marcobrambilla.com

Marco's video collage depicting heaven, hell, and purgatory was brilliant.

Venice Biennale 2009

The 53rd Venice Biennale, known to many as the greatest art show on earth, starts today and runs until 22 November 2009. Check out the link www.labiennale.org

Obama’s Speech In Cairo

Text: Obama’s Speech in Cairo
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html?em

Useful links:
www.whitehouse.gov
www.cu.edu.eg
www.barackobama.com

The tone/vocabulary was brilliant. He was not afraid to express his viewpoints. No other president could make that speech because he had the credibility of his own life story: the Muslims in his father's family, the childhood years in Indonesia. Overall I thought it was a balanced speech.

Argyle Pink Diamond Tender 2009

Rio Tinto will be showcasing to the world 43 pink diamonds as part of the 25th Argyle Pink Diamond Tender. The tender, titled 'Grand Passions,' will feature the rarest and best pink diamonds from Rio Tinto's Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia. For the first time, Rio Tinto is bringing the tender to Mumbai, India, where a viewing is slated for Aug. 6-10, 2009 After that, tender viewings are scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, (Sept. 1-11, 2009) and in Hong Kong (Sept. 19-27, 2009).

Useful links:
www.riotinto.com
www.argylediamonds.com.au
www.argylepinktender.com
www.ncdia.com

These diamonds are for appreciators of the truly exceptional. There is a growing recognition that we won't be seeing natural pink diamonds for that much longer. But you may never know.

Coral Update

Tiffany & Co today unveiled store windows worldwide with an 'Under the Sea' theme to raise awareness about the damage coral harvesting inflicts on critically important marine ecosystems. Check out the link www.tiffany.com

In 2002 we discontinued selling coral jewelry, concluding that in a world where corals and reef communities are under siege, we could not be complicit in their destruction. It is our hope to raise consumer awareness of this important issue and to urge fellow jewelers to join us in refusing to sell coral jewelry.
- Michael J. Kowalski, Chairman/CEO, Tiffany & Co.

Useful links:
www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.seaweb.org
www.cites.org
http://coralreef.noaa.gov/crca.html

That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.
- Neil Armstrong

Just do it.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Russians to Resolve Overhang with Upcoming Sales
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
http://eng.alrosa.ru

It was interesting to learn that by volume, Russia’s production has surpassed Botswana and is now the world’s largest producer. Thanks Chaim.

Time Jumper

Stan Lee will be releasing 'Time Jumper', an animated comic about a boy who can travel in time using his mobile phone, in stages on the internet and mobile phones, free of charge. I hope the experiment succeeds.

Useful links:
www.comic-con.org/cci
www.powentertainment.com

New Art + New Ideas

The Generational: Younger than Jesus, via New Museum in New York, includes work by 50 artists from 25 countries – all younger than 33. New generation = New people. Don't miss!

Useful link:
www.newmuseum.org

François Pinault's Contemporary Art Collection

How the French Charles Saatchi became the merchant of Venice
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/jun/03/francois-pinault-venice-art

Useful link:
www.palazzograssi.it

As a true patron of art, Pinault's art collection = Who’s Who of global art today.

Jim Fiebig

Jim Fiebig is a retailer turned color gemstone consultant. According to Jim, of the $68 billion global gemstone and jewelry industry, colored stones account for only 10 percent of sales. That means 90 percent of those billions are spent on diamonds, gold, and silver. He believes jewelers aren't promoting colored stones with passion. Check out the link www.sellmorecolor.com

Video Game Update

The behavioural effects of video games
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13726738&source=hptextfeature

The upshot of both studies is that video games are like any other medium. Feed the user with aggressive thoughts and you risk making him aggressive. Feed him with the milk of human kindness and the opposite will probably happen. No great surprise, perhaps. But a salutary reminder both that the older generation should not rush to judgment on youthful habits it does not understand, and that the medium is not always the message.
- Economist

Useful links:
www.psychology.iastate.edu/~dgentile
www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/profile208149.html
www.psy.lmu.de/soz/personen/mitarbeiter/osswald/index.html

Interesting article. From my point of view, the twig is bent so shall the tree grow. I would like to see a research done on what effect more complex games have on people.

Forms Bank

Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has launched Forms Bank to help jewelry retailers. These forms include store receipts, take in forms, credit applications, cash transaction reports and more. Check out the link www.jvclegal.org

The San Carlos Apache Nation

Land of Spirit, Land of Stone
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/may09/apache-peridot.cfm

And the land practically hums with gemstones. Of them, the most famous one is vibrant, grassy green peridot admired around the world. As you look across the vast mesa where it's mined and see the sparkle of green outcroppings, you know immediately this is an important deposit of this olivine. But there's more to San Carlos than peridot. Also found there: Fire agate, demantoid garnet, black spinel, obsidian, feldspar, chalcedony.
- Jordan Clary

Useful links:
www.sancarlosapache.com
www.chiricahuaapache.org
www.apachegems.com
www.eddietwomoons.com

Thanks Jordan for sharing the info. It was educational.

Illusion Of The Year 2009

The 5th Best Visual Illusion of the year contest
http://illusioncontest.neuralcorrelate.com
http://macknik.neuralcorrelate.com

Orange Prize 2009

Marilynne Robinson has won the 2009 Orange Prize for Fiction for her third novel, Home. Check out the link www.orangeprize.co.uk

Color-Change Garnet

Kenya’s New Double-Barrel Color-Change Garnet
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/may09/blue-garnet-discovered.cfm

The Taita-Taveta mining area is known for the vast majority of tsavorite production in East Africa and also produces other gems including ruby, golden and chrome tourmaline, red garnet, apatite, etc.

Due to the fantastic color-change in the best material, many brokers mistakenly thought the material to be Alexandrite and sold it for very high prices to over-eager buyers. While fine alexandrite fetches thousands of dollars per carat, color change garnet can usually be purchased for a fraction of that.

Useful link:
www.colorfirst.com

Thanks Raja for sharing the info + the colors were great.

Rose Story Farm

The more roses in this world, the better. There's no flower in the world that does what a rose does for us. The fragrances, the colors, the nine or 10 months of bloom. They're incredible. We are so lucky to have this flower.

- Danielle Hahn, Rose Story Farm
www.rosestoryfarm.com

Rose Story Farm is a must visit.

Burmese Ruby Ban Update

JCK Las Vegas show update: The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and several other jewelry organizations worldwide have united to urge Congress to consider lifting the U.S. ban on rubies imported from Burma.

Useful links:
www.agta.org
www.cibjo.org
www.canadianjewellers.com
www.jewelry.org.hk
www.idcany.org
www.gemstone.org
www.nygagroup.com
www.thaigemjewelry.or.th

What a surprise! A 360° U-turn. Sanctions are unlikely to work because Burma's neighbours see no reason to join in. Burma often appears to be a multiple choice test with no correct answers. Sad, really.

Caffé Vita + Theo Chocolate

Caffé Vita + Theo Chocolate
www.caffevita.com
www.theochocolate.com

Give it a try. You will love it.

Obama-inspired Art

Readers’ Portraits of President Obama
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/readers-portraits-of-president-obama/?hp

Brilliant collection, really. I loved it.

Art Museum Update

Reshaping the Art Museum
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2692

Art museums have not been very good at communicating. Science and natural-history museums have done a much better job of remaking themselves to adapt to the 21st century by creating interactive, educational, and family-friendly spectacles. Art museums can succeed by doing the reverse. Not apologizing for the fact that the picture doesn’t move—you do the moving. What’s lacking is the ability for visitors to understand it because they’re not given information or training.
- Peter Marzio
Director, Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts

Useful link:
www.aamd.org

I completely agree. Great post. Thank you, Robin.

René Magritte

New René Magritte Museum
www.musee-magritte-museum.be
www.magritte.be

The world's biggest collection of works by the Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte opens this week in his home city Brussels. More than 40 years after his death, René Magritte remains one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century. Don't miss!

Space Rocks

Space Rocks
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/212/description

Interesting finding via pyrolysis-FTIR.

Garavelli

Garavelli = Eco-conscious (ethically mined gold + diamond) jewelry collection
www.garavellialdo.com

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Why Good Companies Go Bad
http://blogs.wsj.com/management/2009/06/01/gm-why-good-companies-go-bad

Useful link:
www.garyhamel.com

Fact is, most businesses were never built to change—they were built to do one thing exceedingly well and highly efficiently—forever. That’s why entire industries can get caught out by change—industries like big pharma, publishing, recorded music and the major U.S. airlines. In a world where change is shaken rather than stirred, the only way a company can renew its lease on success is by reinventing itself root and branch, before it has to—a feat that even the smartest companies have trouble pulling off.
- Gary Hamel

How true! Thank you for the insightful article.

The Art Of Viktor Deak

Meet Viktor Deak, one of the world’s leading paleoartists + explore his favorite objets d’art.
www.anatomicalorigins.com
www.amnh.org

Living Artwork

You Had to Be There
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2691

Useful links:
www.jeremydeller.org
www.jeremy-deller.co.uk
www.newmuseum.org
www.walkerart.org
www.fondazionenicolatrussardi.com
www.centrepompidou.fr

No retelling can fully capture what transpires between art and its audience at any given time. You just have to be there. Linda, you were spot on. I thoroughly enjoyed your article.

Richard Long

The Richard Long / Heaven and Earth @ Tate Britain
www.tate.org.uk
www.richardlong.org

It's different. Don't miss.

John Hegley Viewpoint

John Hegley's (performance poet/musician/songwriter) classroom demo was brilliant and inspiring. I loved it. Check out the link www.johnhegley.co.uk

Cloudspotting

I love watching clouds, what an absolutely awesome gallery. To me cloud patterns reminds me of inclusions in gemstones. No two inclusions are alike. Likewise, no two cloud patterns are ever the same. Check out the link http://cloudappreciationsociety.org

Diamond Giveaway

You never get tired of a diamond. Hard to believe? Lines curled around for blocks in Tokyo's Ginza district Monday for 5,000 tiny but free diamonds French jeweler Mauboussin was giving away in an attention-getting drive. I think it was brilliant idea + a step beyond, really.

Useful link:
www.mauboussin.com

Jonathan Singer

There are no words to describe the magnificance of the many photographs of flowers Jonathan has shot + the colors and details are so real you can almost touch them. Check out the link www.botanicamagnifica.com

Jerry Ross Barrish

Meet Jerry Ross Barrish + explore his one-of-a-kind artworks
www.jerrybarrish.com

Heard On The Street

What is cool today may be uncool tomorrow.

Abstract America

Abstract America
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article6374218.ece

Useful link:
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk

Interesting viewpoint.

Project FROG

Project FROG = Smart building systems + Energy-efficient designs
www.projectfrog.com

Rick Steves

Authentic journey: Spend less, Experience more
www.ricksteves.com

The Limits Of Control

Shades of Gris
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2690

Useful links:
www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures
www.jim-jarmusch.net
www.museoreinasofia.es

Don't miss!

The Black Stone Of Kaaba

According to Grant Pearson (Australia), meteoritic materials have been of interest since antiquity for ornamentation or amulets, or as objects of fear, curiosity, worship or veneration. For example, the black stone of Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to which pilgrims have long paid homage is thought to be meteoritic with its ancient mystical allusions probably arising from its having fallen from the heavens. For a different viewpoint, check out the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba

Startup2Startup

Startup2Startup: Different viewpoints
http://startup2startup.com

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Bridal Path
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/05/30/fashion/20090531-street-feature/index.html#

Weddings + Sweet 16 parties were brilliant. I loved it. Thanks Bill.

Art Market Update

Snuff said
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13762914

Useful link:
www.christies.com

In the current market, when only rare objects of excellent quality are selling well, such a provenance can only enhance value. Spot on.

Food, Inc Movie

How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families? Listen to the leaders in the food movement. Check out the link www.foodincmovie.com

About Sierra Leone Diamonds

Digging in the dumps
http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13745774

Useful links:
www.koiduholdings.com
www.pacweb.org
www.awdc.be

I hope the collapse of world diamond prices will not drive frustrated, disenfranchised youth to violence/unrest. Many artisanal miners have gone back to farming. As the Economist rightly put it, in the longer run, a bit of diversity may be healthy.

The Architecture Of Happiness

The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton is in fact a meditation on beauty, durability, proportions, symmetry + the role that architecture plays connecting one's environment/psychological factors. A must read.

Useful link:

www.alaindebotton.com

Random Thoughts

People should paint their roofs white and drive cool cars on pale-colored roads to avoid devastating climate change. Yes, make people paint their roofs white. I think white is pretty. If all vehicles used cool colors then they could cut down the air conditioning and we would have a great reduction in energy.

- Steven Chu
US Energy Secretary
www.energy.gov
www.nobelcause.org

Interview Project

David Lynch's Interview Project.
http://interviewproject.davidlynch.com

Useful links:
www.davidlynch.com
www.davidlynchfoundation.org
www.worldofdavidlynch.com

Maker Faire 2009

Maker Faire, the largest festival for DIYers, crafters and hackers is scheduled for May 30 through 31, 2009. It's the world's largest DIY festival. Check out the link http://makerfaire.com

Souren Melikian Viewpoint

Surprises and Perils of a French Sale
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/30/arts/30iht-melik30.html?_r=1

Useful link:
www.piasa.fr

Great information. Thanks for the post.

Fascinating Stories About Human Nature

Fascinating Stories About Human Nature
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/chris-dannen/techwatch/seven-fascinating-stories-about-human-nature

Useful links:
www.predictablyirrational.com
http://web.mit.edu/ariely/www/MIT
www.woz.org

Fascinating stories indeed. Thanks Chris.

Maira Kalman Viewpoint

At Ease
http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/at-ease

Useful link:
www.mairakalman.com

Brilliant. A moving tribute. Thank you.

Tracey Emin

Tracey Emin's new exhibition
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8072833.stm

Useful links:
www.whitecube.com
www.emininternational.com

Unique story telling. Intensely honest.

The Bling Culture

Culture of Bling Clangs to Earth as the Recession Melts Rappers' Ice
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124329128994052323.html

Useful links:
www.jasonofbh.com
http://sellyourgoldteeth.com

It's a sign of the times, really.

How To Sell

How to Sell: A Novel by Clancy Martin is a true to life tale of a jeweler turned philosophy professor. A must read.

Heard On The Street

You need to under-promise and over-deliver.

Art Deco

Forever Art Deco
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124332244318553837.html

Useful links:
http://yangtzeboutique.langhamhotels.com
www.shanghaipeacehotel.com

I think it's time to reinterpret the true Art Deco and welcome the new trendsetters.

e-Charm Pendant

Sal Praschnik Jewels has a pendant that’s also a 2GB flash drive in 14k, 18k, and sterling silver, some accented with diamonds in a range of price points. I liked it. Check out the link www.salpraschnik.com

The Hergé Museum

Totally Tintin
A spectacular new museum dedicated to Hergé, the pen name of Georges Remi, who created the comic-book hero Tintin, opens in the Belgian town of Louvain-la-Neuve on June 2nd. Check out the link http://tintin.francetv.fr + www.chdeportzamparc.com

World Gold Council Update

The World Gold Council will hold its third virtual event on May 30, 2009, on Moderne Island via Second Life. Check out the link http://secondlife.com + www.gold.org

Duke Ellington Jazz Festival 2009

5th Anniversary Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington, DC, celebrates New Orleans, June 5-15, 2009. Check out the link http://dejazzfest.org

Don't miss!

About Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus: Lifting People Worldwide out of Poverty
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2243

Useful links:
www.muhammadyunus.org
www.grameen-info.org
www.grameenamerica.com

Elegant economic theories vs. Real-life economics = Muhammad Yunus + Grameen Bank, the single most important development in the third world in the last 100 years. Hats off to Muhammad Yunus!

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

PAC’S Smillie Casts Final “No Confidence” Vote in KP and Goes Home
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

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

To Ian Smillie: I salute you + thank you for what you have done for the diamond industry. Good luck!

Man Booker International Prize 2009

Alice Munro has won the 2009 Man Booker International Prize. Congratulations!

Useful link:
www.themanbookerprize.com

Brazilian Diamonds

Dr D B Hoover + Dr J Karfunkel has written an interesting article about large diamonds originating in Alto Parnaiba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in The Australian Gemmologist magazine (Volume 23, Number 10, April - June 2009). Many large diamonds have come from the region, but most production is taken out of the country leaving little evidence that such diamonds ever existed. The region is still well-known for fine pink and red diamonds. There is an interesting report by Partnership Africa Canada entitled 'Laws for the English to see'. Check out the link www.pacweb.org + www.australiangemmologist.com.au

Malaya Zircon

The Malaya zircons originate from the area of the Bombo river, which is a tributary of the Umba river. Mining is active in a region between Mkujani and Umba in the Tanga Province, Tanzania. The colors range from yellow to brown and red. Most specimens are found as water-worn pebbles. Alluvial stones could easily be confused for corundum, chrysoberyl, garnet, or spinel. Gem quality specimens when faceted show good transparency and brilliance. The stones may be heat treated to modify colors. If in doubt, always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Mangenta

Hot Pink? Call It 'Mangenta'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124346597807560297.html

Amazingly the shade magenta a.k.a hot pink is shaking things up now. It's a state of mind.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Rough diamonds dazzle as entrepreneurs
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e52bd78-4a07-11de-8e7e-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=782015c4-f2e3-11dd-abe6-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

I prefer the company of the down-to-earth, self-made men and women who run our industries. They know that obscure terminology and fancy projections are worthless if the underlying fundamentals of a deal are awful. I hope we never again trust overpaid fools who think they know best thanks to bogus theories.
- Luke Johnson

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk
www.channel4.com

Spot on. Thanks Luke.

Simon Schubert

The German artist Simon Schubert creates works of art by folding paper into elaborate designs. Stunningly beautiful. Check out the link www.upstairs-berlin.com

Random Thoughts

Getting married is a major commitment. Love is a necessary con­dition to make a successful marriage, but love alone is not suffi­cient. Much more is needed. Before walking down the aisle, you should learn as much as possible about the one you intend to marry. Compatibility, trust, family, upbringing, religion, educa­tion, career, and financial condition all come into consideration. Marriage, after all, involves a long-term commitment. While there are no guarantees and you can never really be 100 percent certain, you should at least try to minimize the probability of making a wrong decision before tying the knot. Furthermore, when you enter into a marriage you are not likely to walk out just because a prettier face happens to come along. You are not likely to call it quits just because you have some dis­agreements. Of course, if it becomes absolutely clear that there are irreconcilable differences, divorce is always an option. But divorce is messy and extremely expensive. It should never be taken lightly. It should be employed only as a last resort. Divorce should not be the first thing on your mind when you are seriously thinking about getting married. In Warren Buffett's mind, buying a business is like getting married. One difference, of course, is that while he can have just one wife at a time, he can own as many businesses as he can afford. Yet in every case, when Buffett buys a business, he knows he is making a major commitment. This is why he tries to buy only good businesses that he plans to keep for the long run. All serious Buffett fans know this is part of his mystique.

- Vahan Janjigian
http://janjigian.blogspot.com

Spot on.

Heard On The Street

No matter what the gem market is doing, people want comfort food and comfort items + a good friend.

Frugal Traveler Update

A Two-Wheeler Tour of Wine Country
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/a-two-wheeler-tour-of-wine-country/?hpw

Useful link:
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com

I always enjoy your travel stories. Thanks Matt.

Martin Rapaport Viewpoint

Credit Alert
http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=26503

We must face the fact that credit/memo programs have hurt the U.S. market. In our eagerness to throw diamonds at every potential customer, whether they had money or not, we prostituted our product. We used every trick and gimmick to keep diamond prices artificially high, and in that process, fooled ourselves into thinking we could sell diamonds without getting paid. Where once we sold diamonds for hard cash, we now can’t get paid — even if we give diamonds away on memo programs. The U.S. market has gone from a cash cow to a credit hog.
- Martin Rapaport

Useful link:
www.diamonds.net

Martin, old habits die hard. Easy credit has given way to lower ethical standards. Thanks for the insightful article.

Eno Artwork

Eno Artwork
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8068173.stm

All the things that humans do, including imagining, are the way we deal with emergencies including the global financial crisis. So to imply, 'oh God, there's a crisis, no time for imagining any more' - it's not true. This is the time for imagining and the way we learn to imagine, one of the ways we learn to imagine, is through the experience of art. The human ability to imagine made people "capable of surviving. By allowing ourselves to let go of the world that we have to be part of every day, and to surrender to another kind of world, we're allowing imaginative processes to take place.
- Brian Eno

Useful links:
http://luminous.sydneyoperahouse.com
www.enoshop.co.uk

Immersive experience, really.

Online Games Update

The Game of Life
http://www.wired.com/dualperspectives/article/news/2009/05/games_wired

Games create drama and excitement. We've done that for years with videogames, and now we can apply that thinking to the rest of life.
- Jane McGonigal

Useful links:
www.seriosity.com
www.avantgame.com
http://en.oreilly.com/et2009
www.playbe.com
www.denniscrowley.com

Games can change behavior.

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's Comment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2009/05/090526_peter_day_comment_may_26.shtml

Useful link:
www.intel.com

Computer chipmaking is a ruthless business. I think Andy Grove was right: Only the paranoid survive. Thanks Peter.

Energy [R]evolution

Energy [R]evolution Report via Greenpeace + European Solar Thermal Electricity Association + International Energy Agency's (IEA) SolarPACES group. http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/usa/press-center/reports4/energy-r-evolution-a-sustain.pdf

Useful links:
www.greenpeace.org
www.estelasolar.eu
www.solarpaces2009.org

Rhodochrosite From China

Rhodochrosite From China #1/2
http://www.collectorsedge.com/news.aspx?showarticle=38
http://www.collectorsedge.com/news.aspx?showarticle=39

Useful link:
www.collectorsedge.com

Interesting specimens. I liked the color. Some looked very similar to the specimens from the now-closed Sweet Home mine in Colorado, U.S.A.

Urban EcoMap

Urban EcoMap = A free web-based carbon footprint-tracking tool that breaks down emissions information from energy, waste, and transportation by zip code. I wish cities in India had their own carbon footprint maps to improve the environment and became part of the solution. Check out the link http://sf.urbanecomap.org

Gem Market News

According to gem dealers based in Bangkok, glass-filled rubies processed in Thailand are sold in Burma (Rangoon/Taunggyi) as African ruby. Furthermore, heat-treated flame-fusion rubies are also sold as natural. An amazing twist of fate. Active gem markets in Mogok include the Garden Gem Market, Le-U, Mogok Cinema, Mintado and Kyatpyin Cinema. If in doubt, always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Jorge Colombo

Jorge Colombo's phone drawing can tell a story.
www.jorgecolombo.com

Dead Aid

Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa by Dambisa Moyo is a thought-provoking book on the pros and cons of aid culture in Africa. A must read.

Useful link:

www.dambisamoyo.com

DanceAfrica 2009

DanceAfrica 2009 = A vast genre of African dance
www.bam.org
http://seewedancecompany.com
www.evidencedance.com

Polaroid Project

Polanoid = An online source where people can upload scanned Polaroid pictures.
http://polanoid.net

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's Comment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2009/05/090519_peter_day_comment_may_19.shtml

Useful link:
www.audurcapital.is

Truly remarkable.

Land Art

Andrew Graham-Dixon viewpoint on land art
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cultureshow/videos/2008/06/s5_e2_land

Useful link:
www.andrewgrahamdixon.com

I loved it.

Gemstone Treatments

A word of caution! Dyed grossular garnets are being sold as rubies in South Asia/Southeast Asia. If in doubt, always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

About Jim Collins

For This Guru, No Question Is Too Big
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/business/24collins.html?em

Useful link:
www.jimcollins.com

Impressive shortlist: Creative 53% + Teaching 28% + Other 19%. Hats off to Jim. You are just plain lucky.

Afghan Emerald

Dynamite sticks and gem stones
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8060813.stm

You need luck in this place if you want to get rich.

Gabriel García Márquez

Gabriel García Márquez: A Life by Gerald Martin is a fine tribute to a remarkable writer of our time. A must read.

Useful link:
www.pitt.edu/~hispan/faculty/martin.html

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Boundless
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/05/24/fashion/20090524-street-slide-show/index.html#

Great review. Experimental and colorful. Thanks Bill.

The White Ribbon

Michael Haneke's work, 'The White Ribbon', has won the Palme d'Or, the main prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Check out the link www.festival-cannes.fr

Heard On The Street

To be an intelligent gemstone dealer, you must be unemotional/inversely emotional.