Carvers And Collectors

The Getty Center, Los Angeles runs an exhibition named 'Carvers and Collectors' through September 7, 2009 at the Getty Villa. This exhibition features intaglios and cameos carved by ancient master engravers + outstanding works by modern carvers that illustrate the lasting allure of gems. Don't miss. Check out the link www.getty.edu

Mass Animation Project

An Animated Film Is Created Through Internet Consensus. That teaser, posted last fall on Facebook by the upstart company Mass Animation, kicked off a project many people in Hollywood thought was laughable: making a five-minute animated film using the Wikipedia model, with animators from around the world contributing shots, and Facebook users voting on their favorites. Social networking works, really. Check out the link http://www.facebook.com/massanimation

How To Store Excess Electricity

The Challenge for Green Energy: How To Store Excess Electricity. Jon R. Luoma's article on storage technologies was educational and insightful. www.e360.yale.edu

Prix Pictet 2009

The Prix Pictet is an annual prize dedicated to photography and sustainability. Check out the shortlisted artists at www.prixpictet.com

Picasso - Peace And Freedom

In pictures: Picasso - Peace and Freedom. Coming soon/expect next year.

Useful links:
www.tate.org.uk/liverpool
www.picasso.fr

Champagne Citrine Gallery

John Dyer's fancy cuts were stunningly beautiful. Check out the link www.johndyergems.com

Christoph Niemann's Art

Master of the Universe
http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com

Useful link:
www.christophniemann.com

Brilliant. I loved it.

Random Thoughts

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.

- Bertrand Russell

Spot on.

Telling Tales

The V&A's new exhibition Telling Tales delves into the fantastical world of contemporary design, taking visitors on a mind-blowing journey through furniture, lighting and ceramics, all inspired by the spirit of storytelling. Check out the link www.vam.ac.uk

Color Grading Natural Zircon

Brilliant idea. I think the zircon hues and appearances are very similar to to those of champagne (and cognac) diamonds. Hats off to Raja Shah! The existing C1-C7 color-grading system can be easily adapted to quartz + topaz. Why re-invent the (color) wheel? Spot on.

Next Generation Biofuels

(via Guardian) Gene scientist Craig Venter has announced plans to develop next-generation biofuels from algae in a $600m partnership with oil giant Exxon Mobil. His company, Synthetic Genomics Incorporated (SGI), will develop fuels that can be used by cars or aeroplanes without the need for any modification of their engines. I hope the new technology is economically viable and effective.

Useful links:
www.jcvi.org
www.syntheticgenomics.com
www.carbontrust.co.uk

Global Business BBC

Peter Day presents the story of Hiroyoshi Ishibashi + Weathernews Inc.
www.weathernews.com

Inspiring story, really.

Engineered Transparency

Engineered Transparency: The Technical, Visual, and Spatial Effects of Glass by Michael Bell + Jeannie Kim is a fascinating book about innovative glass technology + its impact in our daily lives.

Useful links:
www.wernersobek.com
www.icaboston.org
www.toledomuseum.org

Postcards Of Lost Royals

Reminiscent of a forgotten era of glamour, grace, and regal power, Postcards of Lost Royals brings history to life and distills the essence of a long-vanished world of royalty. One of my favorite, really.

Random Thoughts

Some extremely sharp investment advisors can get you in at the bottom of the market. Some extremely sharp ones can get you out at the top. They are never the same people.

- Gary North
www.garynorth.com

Spot on.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright's operatic debut Prima Donna has been unveiled at the Manchester international festival.

Check out the link www.rufuswainwright.com + www.mif.co.uk

Melbourne Recital Center + Theater Company

The Melbourne Recital Center and Theater Company, designed by ARM has won the 2009 Victorian Architecture medal for successfully crossing design boundaries (for public architecture + interior architecture + interior architecture). Congratulations!

Useful links:
www.a-r-m.com.au
www.melbournerecital.com.au
www.architecture.com.au

Scott Harrison's Story

Clean, Sexy Water. People always ask: What can I do to make a difference? That’s where Scott Harrison comes in. Read on. It's an inspiring story. Thanks Nicholas for the post.

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

Create Your Own Economy

Create Your Own Economy: The Path to Prosperity in a Disordered World by Tyler Cowen is a great book that will open your mind to think differently. A must read.

Useful links:

www.gmu.edu/jbc/Tyler

www.marginalrevolution.com

Michael Arthur

Meet Michael Arthur, a pen and ink artist who specializes in live drawing of theater, dance and music rehearsals. www.michaeldarthur.com

Fabio Cammarata

Fabio Cammarata's unique pendant collections featuring precious people were brilliant. They all have a story.

Useful link:
www.fabiocammarata.it

Jorge Colombo Update

Jorge Colombo sketches limo drivers using the Brushes application (iPhone) and his fingertips. www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/tny/finger-painting

Significant Objects Project

A curious way to promote writing. Storytelling in a different way. Really.
http://significantobjects.com

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Elevated
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/11/fashion/20090712-street-feature/index.html?hp#

It's fashion for the 21st century. This is the future. Thanks Bill. I loved it.

Art Market Update

Orientalist art. Great review. Two crucial lessons for vendors in recessionary market: don’t sell unless you have to, and don’t be greedy in setting estimates. If the low estimate is pitched at a high level, buyers sense greed in the air and tend to hold off from bidding. In a buyers’ market, purchasers like to feel they have got a bargain, especially if they are spending a lot of money. Spot on.

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

Karl Taro Greenfeld Viewpoint

Luxe Redux. Lavish. Silent. Undisturbed. Visiting luxury boutiques these days can seem like stepping into a time capsule. Spot on. Karl's report on the luxury sector was brilliant. Today the brand + consumer disconnect is real. How do you sell luxury in a post-luxury age? That's a two million dollar question!

Useful link:
www.karltarogreenfeld.com

Soul Power

Soul Power is an extravagantly entertaining documentary by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte. Don't miss. Check out the link www.sonyclassics.com/soulpower

Heard On The Street

I don’t want to make money buying and selling gems. The idea is all about acquiring knowledge, and access to the top gems of the world.

Madécasse

Madécasse, made from cacao grown in Madagascar’s naturally organic forests tastes good. Try it. It’s traded fairly and is environmentally friendly.

Useful link:
www.madecasse.com

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

Take the sommelier home with you
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/7033f200-6ce0-11de-af56-00144feabdc0.html

Useful links:
www.jancisrobinson.com
www.ft.com/arts/columnists/robinson
www.sarmentwine.com

Great review. Thanks Jancis.

The Hermitage Amsterdam

The Hermitage’s new satellite museum in Amsterdam should encourage visitors to spend an extra day in the Dutch capital. Certainly, yes and yes. Check out the link www.hermitage.nl

How Flowers Conquered The World

I have always wondered about flowering plants dominating the landscape. How did this happen? Have you ever stopped to think just how important they are? I love flowers. What would this world be like without flowers?

Useful links:
www.ncp.wur.nl/UK/Staff/Berendse
www.aew.wur.nl/uk/staff/MS

Fewer, Better Things

Antwerp hopes to keep its sparkle. Antwerp has certainly secured its place as capital of the diamond trade - 80% of the world's rough diamonds and 50% of all polished stones pass through the city. But these are hard times for diamonds. It's a fact!

Useful links:
www.awdc.be
www.antwerpdiamondbourse.net
www.worldfed.com

Marko Djurdjevic

Meet Marvel’s Marko Djurdjevic, the concept artist/artistic genius + explore The Marvel Art of Marko Djurdjevic.

Useful link:
www.sixmorevodka.com

Random Thoughts

An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less, until eventually he knows everything about nothing.

- Anonymous

How true!

Kalu Ganga River Auctioned For Gem Mining

For the first time in Sri Lanka history one of the main rivers (Kalu Ganga in Kahangamuwa) has been auctioned for Rs. 30.6 million by the Gem and Jewelry Authority for gem mining. Hard to believe, really.

Useful link:
www.srilankagemautho.com

Peter Galison + Robb Moss

Secrecy: www.secrecyfilm.com

Secret knowledge vs Open knowledge. A great documentary.

Jewelry Market Update

In a Downturn, Jewelers Aren’t So Precious. In this economy, many consumers would rather keep their money in their wallets than on their fingers, necks or ears. As people re-examine their budgets, jewelry is turning out to be one of the easiest places to cut back — or trade down (NYT). The half-carat is the new three-carat (Hayley Corwick). Spot on.

Artworks By Old Masters

Old Master price soars at auction. I think luck also played an important role. The painting was expected to fetch up to £250,000, but it sold for £1.3m as two bidders battled it out.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.bonhams.com

Michael Moore's New Film

Michael Moore has announced the title of his forthcoming documentary: Capitalism: A Love Story. Check out the link www.michaelmoore.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Playing with Figures
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.mckinsey.com
www.ndol.org

Fascinating post. Thanks Chaim.

Diamonds In The Rough

The human rights abuses in the Marange Diamond Fields of Zimbabwe has been shockingly horrific. Could the Kimberley Process (KP) simply ban diamonds from one area? No one knows. I think the government of Zimbabwe + World Diamond Council should take some proactive steps, and do the right thing.

Useful links:
www.hrw.org
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.worlddiamondcouncil.com
www.jvclegal.org

The Knot Report

What Brides Say About Rings....and You. What I found intriguing was that stone cut/shape and style/setting vied for the most important attributes, with 53% and 52% respectively ranking them as #1 or #2. Metal was the third most important attribute, followed by stone size and price/value tied for fourth place. The least important attributes for engagement ring shoppers were the retailers and designers. Interesting trend indeed. Thanks Deborah for the insightful article.

Useful links:
www.theknot.com
www.weddingchannel.com

Ponyo

Japan’s Master Animator to Be Honored in U.S. Visit

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/movies/09miyazaki.html?hpw

Useful links:

www.comic-con.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki

www.ghibli.jp

-

I am a huge Hayao Miyazaki fan and my favorite is Spirited Away.

Random Thoughts

History shows that the art market follows the stock market and the real estate market. I thought the recent contemporary auctions were pretty good. Every artist is different. You may see continued softening with some artists. When you have works of great quality, there will always be buyers who will want to step up to the plate, who will buy in good times and bad.

- Eli Broad
www.broadfoundation.org

Spot on.

Manchester International Festival 2009

If you are in Manchester, U.K, for the festival, don't miss Zaha Hadid’s extraordinary Bach concert chamber. Though a temporary one, it's a real masterpiece.

Useful links:
www.mif.co.uk
www.zaha-hadid.com

The Jameel International Art Prize

Between Islamic and contemporary art
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8138175.stm

An exhibition of nine artists and designers who've been short-listed for the prize is being held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Corot To Monet

In pictures: Corot to Monet at the National Gallery
www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Brilliant, really.

The Road To Samarcand

The Road to Samarcand: An Adventure by Patrick O'Brian is a brilliant book and has economic wisdom and adventure. A must read.

Georgia O'Keeffe

Dove/O'Keeffe: Circles of Influence
www.clarkart.edu
www.okeeffemuseum.org

Great review. Thanks Judith.

IDEO Toolkit

IDEO's field-tested tools for social impact via Human-Centered Design Toolkit was brilliant.

Useful links:
www.gatesfoundation.org
http://designthinking.ideo.com

Milton Glaser

A new documentary by Wendy Keys: Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight
Milton Glaser is the modern renaissance man. Don't miss.

200 Top Art Collectors 2009

The ARTnews 200 Top Collectors
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2702

Great compilation from a lot of great sources.

Swarovski Crystallized

You be the artist + create your own jewelry.
www.crystallized.com

Coral Update

The Coral Reef Alliance + Greenpeace USA + SeaWeb + Sierra Club + the World Wildlife Fund + other conservation organizations, along with more than 100 marine scientists, have sent signed letters to the U.S. Congress and the White House urging lawmakers to reauthorize the U.S. Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, legislation that was designed to support research and management of coral reefs. Check out the link www.coral.org

Useful links:
www.greenpeace.org
www.seaweb.org
www.sierraclub.org
www.worldwildlife.org
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.cites.org
www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's Comment. I think he was right. Innovation is the only way out of the current nasty recession. Enter Saul Klein via OpenCoffee Club. It’s a meeting place for people who love start-ups, and it is now in more than 80 different cities worldwide. Check out the link www.opencoffeeclub.org

I.D. Annual Design Review 2009

The Design Review recognizes the best in design in consumer products, graphics, packaging, environments, furniture, equipment, concepts and interactive. Check out the link www.id-mag.com/annualdesignreview

Gaston Julia Necklace

Marc Newson’s 'Julia', the one-of-a-kind necklace named after Gaston Julia, the mathematician who, in the early 1900s, discovered the formula upon which the necklace is modeled, was stunningly beautiful. Hats off to Marc, really.

Useful links:
www.boucheron.com
www.marc-newson.com

Marc Andreessen

Marc Andreessen + Ben Horowitz = Andreessen Horowitz
http://blog.pmarca.com

Andreessen believes the internet will soon take over all aspects of our lives + most applications are going to be delivered over the internet. Look out for new startups.

Shawn Blore

Blood Diamonds + Diamond Smuggling
www.shawnblore.com/Reports_Diamonds.htm

Read on. There is a lot of info.

Art News Update

The Faking of the Russian Avant-Garde
http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2708

Useful links:
www.incorm.eu
www.centrepompidou.fr

Brilliant report. Art business is becoming like gem business. There are more fakes than genuine pictures/gems. It's definitely affecting the market. Collectors are pertrified because some experts have not only proved to be unable to struggle with the forgers, they have become their accomplices. It's like two blind walking the streets. Scary, really.

Beirut Art Center

The Beirut Art Center has become a popular destination for Beirutis, tourists and art critics for its brilliant exhibitions. Check out a provocative exhibition of work by 20 Lebanese artists titled 'The Road to Peace: Paintings in Times of War, 1975-1991,' a collection of pieces that portray the trauma of the Lebanese civil war.

Useful link:
www.beirutartcenter.org

Damien Hoar de Galvan

Is There Room for One More? = A Damien Hoar de Galvan project. Don't miss.
http://damienhoardegalvan.com
www.farmprojectspace.com

Microsoft Hohm

Manage Carbon footprints + Energy costs via web-based energy monitoring application. Check out www.microsoft-hohm.com

Bill Thompson Viewpoint

Giving life a shape
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8132623.stm

Useful links:
www.andfinally.com
www.pilot-theatre.com
www.hoipolloi.org.uk
http://hideandseekfest.co.uk
www.thesanchoplan.com
http://envirodigital.wordpress.com

Bill, I completely agree. The cross-fertilisation of art + technology has been useful in many ways. We have become creators of digital revolution.

Living Statue

To stand on Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth as part of Antony Gormley's One and Other must be an experience of a lifetime. Check out the link www.oneandother.co.uk

Useful links:
www.london.gov.uk/fourthplinth
www.antonygormley.com

Gem Market News

The Thai government is planning to scrap its value added tax (VAT) for jewelers on imports of rough diamonds, gems and raw materials to boost the local industry’s competitiveness in the export market. I hope they implement it quickly. They have been talking about it for some time. Many gem dealers and jewelry manufacturing companies are moving to China for good reasons: cost + tax.

Useful links:
www.bangkokgemsfair.com
www.thaigemjewelry.or.th

How To Deal With Difficult Customers

The JCK Special Report on handling difficult customer types was brilliant. http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6669174.html

Useful links:
www.ex-sell-ence.com
www.iastraining.com
www.jewelrysalestraining.com
www.zellit.com

Fulvio Maria Scavia

Meet Fulvio Maria Scavia, designer, gemologist, philosopher, teacher + explore his creations.
www.scavia.it

Random Thoughts

After losing a number of real diamonds to both women and thieves, I decided to look into synthetic diamonds as an alternative some time ago. At the risk of sounding cynical you don't blow through as many ring-requiring ceremonies & occasions as I have without incurring significant financial loss… and that's before the rings are even factored into the equation. Man made diamonds vary wildly in price & quality. Even so, the discount to comparable high quality diamonds is high enough to make something man made a no-brainer for me. As for whether anyone notices if it is real or not, I can't recall having met anyone outside of the jewelry industry who is impressed with a diamond wedding ring one way or the other, either real or synthetic.

- Kevin Humbert

An interesting perspective, really.

Martin Rapaport Viewpoint

A New World. Martin Rapaport's speech at the JCK Las Vegas show was eye-opening and thought-provoking. Great changes are taking place in the gem and jewelry sector. Do you have the money to be in this business? What are your priorities? Tough questions. No easy answers.

Peter Schjeldahl Viewpoint

Peter Schjeldahl analyzes James Ensor's work whose paintings are featured in a Museum of Modern Art retrospective. Brilliant review.

Happy Planet Index

Costa Rica is the greenest and happiest country in the world. The Happy Planet Index (HPI) measures how much of the Earth's resources nations use and how long and happy a life their citizens enjoy as a result. We have a lot to learn from the Costa Ricans.

Useful links:
www.happyplanetindex.org
www.neweconomics.org

Art Market Update

Happy days for some
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13976812

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

Beautiful paintings that collectors want to live with rarely return to the market.

Hannah Barry

Hannah Barry is a name to watch. The exhibition called Bold Tendencies III has some terrific pieces in it. Check out the link www.hannahbarry.com

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Fashion Fireworks
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/02/fashion/20090705-street-feature/index.html?hp#

Gigantic fake jeweled necklaces — sparkling like fireworks — are just the thing to cheer up last year’s dress. Great imitations, really. Thanks Bill.

The Necklace

The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives by Cheryl Jarvis is an inspirational book about timesharing a diamond necklace + the emotional immersiveness + the remarkable social experiment. Brilliant. A must read.

Manolo Blahnik

Manolo Blahnik: the man who makes shoes so delicately, decoratively sensual – so caressing of the curve of a foot – that they don’t need a logo or a sole to identify them; they create their own walk (Vanessa Friedman). How true! He gives shape and meaning to shoes. And in many ways, he is his own best critic.
Check out the link www.manoloblahnik.com

Journey To The Stars

Academy Award–winning actress Whoopi Goldberg will narrate the American Museum of Natural History’s spectacular new Hayden Planetarium Space Show, Journey to the Stars, at the Museum’s Rose Center for Earth and Space on July 4, 2009. Check out the link www.haydenplanetarium.org

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

New Zealand comes of age
www.ft.com/arts/columnists/robinson

Useful link:
www.jancisrobinson.com

Great review. Thanks Jancis.

Heard On The Street

Gem markets have created so much gemstones that we easily lose sight of an important fact: the real gem markets thrive on scarcity.

The Drunkard's Walk

The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow is a fascinating book about the factor of chance. The book will make you think. A must read.

Useful link:

www.its.caltech.edu/~len

Herb & Dorothy

Herb & Dorothy tells the extraordinary story of Herbert Vogel, a postal clerk, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history with very modest means. Check out the link www.herbanddorothy.com

Throw Down Your Heart

The Grammy-winning banjoist Bela Fleck travels to four African countries – Uganda, Tanzania, Gam­bia, and Mali, to learn, share, and rejoice. A must see movie. Check out the link www.throwdownyourheart.com

Doyle Brunson

Meet Doyle Brunson, the 'Godfather of Poker'.

Best advice: Be slow in choosing a friend, be even slower in changing friends.

Useful links:
www.doylebrunson.com
www.bluffmagazine.com
www.worldseriesofpoker.com

Alacria Royal Collection From Carl F. Bucherer

Alacria Royal collection = Color + Brilliance + a good story
www.carl-f-bucherer.com

Paris Flea Markets

Hunting for Treasure in Paris’s Marchés aux Puces
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com
http://parispuces.com
www.vide-greniers.org
http://gallery.me.com/c.chase#100287

Terrific story, really.

Nancy Schuring Viewpoint

Pass the Padparadscha, Please: Gem-Enchanted Evenings at Nancy’s
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/may09/geminars.cfm

Useful link:
www.devonfinejewelry.com

People love to hear about new gems. In the process, you may turn customers into collectors of colored gemstones. A knowledgeable consumer is always your best customer.

Art + Information

New ways for communication. Check out the links www.gapminder.org + http://baekdal.com

AGTA Forums

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has launched members-only forum at www.agta.org + a public forum at www.gemstoneforums.com

Share and learn.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Oy, the Ever CENsational Sarah
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.cibjo.org
www.cen.eu
www.internationaldiamondcouncil.org

Thanks Chaim for the update.

Heard On The Street

Love it or leave it. If a young person feels he has an insatiable curiosity as to everything that is going on in the gem market, he should try buying / selling gems. He will be endlessly absorbed by it, he will enjoy it and he may even make some money.

Art Market Update

Risk-Defying Sale of Contemporary Art at Christie's
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/arts/02iht-melik2.html?_r=1

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
www.arndt-partner.de
www.joanavasconcelos.com

Great review. Thanks Souren.

Richard Woods

Richard Woods Artworks are functional and ornamental. I liked it. Check out the link www.richardwoodsstudio.com

Random Thoughts

A word of advice: When your wife to be picks out a wedding ring, no matter what price, run, do not walk, to the counter and purchase it. Do not repeat the mistake I made many years ago and say, 'let’s think about it…'. Some mistakes are never forgotten.

- John Lamberg

Brilliant!

The Wittelsbach Diamond

More Blue, Less Provenance

http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/may09/wittelsbach.cfm

Useful links:

www.graffdiamonds.com

www.acagemlab.com

I completely agree with the author (s). This diamond is a piece of history + it is a masterpiece that should be left as such. I think.

Karl Malden

Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden, best known for his roles in A Streetcar Named Desire and On The Waterfront alongside Marlon Brando, has died aged 97. I have been a huge fan of Karl Malden since I saw him in On The Waterfront. RIP Mr. Malden.

Useful link:

www.karlmalden.com

Dai Lam Ngoc Sapphire, Vietnam

A huge block of sapphire of 15 tonnes in weight from a mine in the central province of Nghe An is on display at the Ruby Plaza trade centre in Hanoi. Named Dai Lam Ngoc, the sapphire block is 2.4m in height, 1.7m in width and is the biggest of its kind to be found in Vietnam so far. A must see, really!

Rebecca Collection

Rebecca Collection by Alessandro Testi
www.testiusa.com

Very innovative indeed.

Newsweek's Top 100 Books

Newsweek's Top 100 Books: The Meta-List
http://www.newsweek.com/id/204478

Interesting list. Who's to say what the best is? This debate could go on forever, and it probably will.