Art Market Update

Thanks Souren for the great review. It is interesting to see thousands of new buyers enter the auction arena, some acquiring works of art as status symbols and others buying them like money men play the stock exchange. Profits are up, but for how long? I wonder how much farther the collectors will go.

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

Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation

A unique architectural project is taking shape in Uganda. The main force behind the project is Rungwe Kingdon, who runs the largest bronze foundry of its kind in Europe, together with his wife, Claude Koenig. They are giving back to a country that has given so much to them.

Useful links:
www.ruwenzorisculpture.com
www.pangolin-editions.com

The Museon Arlaten

The Museon Arlaten is indeed a unique time-capsule of 19th-century life in Arles. I think it's a place of fantasy and wonder as well. The museum doesn’t shut until October 25th, so hurry along.

Faces In Places

I found facesinplaces blog colorful, inspiring and entertaining. I loved it. http://facesinplaces.blogspot.com

Statement Jewelry

Simon Chilvers's piece on statement jewelry was intriguing. Bold and sparkly indeed. http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/simonchilvers

Tatil Design

Business cards etched onto laser cut leaves? Wow! Brazilian Design firm Tatil Design came up with the idea, which I thought was stunninly impressive. http://www.idsa.org/IDEA2009/gallery/award_details.asp?ID=21

Useful link:
www.tatil.com.br

Old Market Related Books

Go to Jeff Watson's blog http://masteroftheuniverse.wordpress.com/books-to-download The books provided great insights to the markets. Thank you Jeff.

Random Thoughts

For a big dealer in a central market to be successful he also had to acquire a keen understanding of human nature… None of the knowledge needed by a high-class horse and mule dealer could be learned from books or schools, and it would be well understood that these men were usually middle age or over. Last but not least, he had to be a man with a lot of nerve, who was willing to back his own judgment and that of his buyers and to face the risks involved in shipping, loading, and unloading (together with the possibility of various shipping diseases) that were a hazard of the business… It is easy to see that with money going out in both directions it took larger amounts of capital, accompanied by a good nerve and judgment, to be a successful central market dealer.

- Ben Green
Horse Tradin'

Spot on.

Cutthroat Capitalism: The Game

You are a pirate commander staked with $50,000 from local tribal leaders and other investors. Your job is to guide your pirate crew through raids in and around the Gulf of Aden, attack and capture a ship, and successfully negotiate a ransom. Interesting game. Keep it up Wired!

Rankin Retrospective

Rankin's work was interesting. Shoot Me, Rankin!, is an ambitious project which will see the celebrated photographer shoot 1,000 members of the British public for the gallery walls.

Useful links:
www.rankin.co.uk
www.trumanbrewery.com

Diamonds Are A Wound's Best Friend

Hats off to Dean Ho and his team for discovering a new kind of therapeutic treatment for wound care via diamonds.

Useful link:
www.n-base.org/people.html

The State Of The Retail Jewelry Business

Nicholas White's analysis on the state of the retail jewelry business was spot on. Many will lose a lot of money in 2009. http://www.glgroup.com/Council-Member/Nicholas-White-112557.html

Rajeev Samant Viewpoint

Great review. Those who grow quality grapes will always find buyers even in the hard times. You were spot on. The Indian wine drinker may be in for a great time in the years to come.

Useful link:
www.sulawines.com

Angela Adams’s Rugs

The rugs’ textures and colors were unique, inspiring and worth studying for their sheer beauty. Check out the link www.angelaadams.com

Koen Olthuis

I was really impressed with Koen Olthuis's Citadel, a unique energy-efficient floating residential complex. Check out the link www.waterstudio.nl

Tim Burton Retrospective

I am a huge fan of Tim Burton. His paintings, drawing and photographs, which have never been seen by the public are to be shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. www.moma.org

US Renews Burma Sanctions

President Barack Obama has renewed sanctions aimed at the military junta that rules Burma, continuing the ongoing ban on the importation of jade and rubies into the United States. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.agta.org
www.cibjo.org
www.jvclegal.org

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

It is hard to fully understand what is happening to many diamond companies in India and elsewhere when they mess up with diamond financing banks/financial institutions. The troubles created by a handful of players could adversely impact the exemplary record of the industry. Thanks Chaim for reporting the issues.

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com

Mapping The Global Recession

India + China may be growing much faster, but for how long?

Useful link:
www.economy.com

Diamond Imitation Jewelry

To most untrained eyes paste/glass jewelry will look real. But most knowledgeable buyers buy paste jewelry for the look.

Random Thoughts

The lesson for all startups—and BDCs (big dumb companies)—is that innovation is all you have. Once you stop innovating, you lose your talent, and you lose the race. Never. Stop. Innovating. Never. Never. Never.

- Jason Calacanis
http://calacanis.com

Spot on.

Greenopia Wine Report

Greenopia's comprehensive list of major wineries ranked in order of sustainability was interesting. www.greenopia.com

Here is the list:
1. Alma Rosa www.almarosawinery.com
2. French Rabbit www.frenchrabbit.com
3. Frog's Leap www.frogsleap.com
4. Benzinger www.benziger.com
5. Demetria www.demetriaestate.com
6. Franzia www.franzia.com
7. Grgich Hills www.grgich.com
8. Bonny Doon www.bonnydoonvineyard.com
9. Cakebread www.cakebread.com
10. Kendall Jackson www.kj.com

Nancy Schuring Viewpoint

The key to jewelry store survival today is bonding between jeweler and consumer. Thank you Nancy for the insightful article. You were spot on. http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/july09/marketing-tips.cfm

Useful link:
www.devonfinejewelry.com

Net.Art

The Internet’s ability to connect people to share ideas and become active both in the digital and the real world is in fact creating a new genre (net.art) because of its permanent accessibility. Today Internet art can be looked at all the time by anyone. I've always loved art and intrigued by its impact in our daily lives. Maybe net art could be the next big thing. Who knows? Only time will tell.

Useful links:
http://on1.zkm.de
www.ljudmila.org/~vuk
http://404.jodi.org
http://wikipediaart.org
www.picidae.net
www.zexe.net
http://goldberg.berkeley.edu
http://dam.org
http://theoarmour.com
http://mementomori-0.net
www.sfmoma.org
www.lynnhershman.com
http://mikrogalleri.es

Random Thoughts

A man is usually more careful of his money than he is of his principles.

- Edgar Watson Howe

So true!

Hoorsenbuhs

A great place to explore cool jewelry. One-of-a-kind. www.hoorsenbuhs.com

The Mobile Art Laboratory

The story of mobile art laboratory a.k.a MoLab was interesting. The A-Team uses atomic-force microscope, micro-Raman spectroscope, and nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometer to detect and interpret the chemical composition of priceless works of art. Brilliant.

Useful link:
www.eu-artech.org

A Streetcar Named Desire

British actress Rachel Weisz has returned to the London stage in a new production of Tennessee Williams's play A Streetcar Named Desire. Great reviews. A Streetcar Named Desire is in all honestly one of the greatest films of all time.

Useful link:
www.donmarwarehouse.com

AGTA Gemological Testing Center (GTC)

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced today that the AGTA Gemological Testing Center (GTC) will close effective July 29th, 2009. The GTC opened in 1998. Hard to believe. Really.

Useful link:
www.agta.org

No-Melt, Low-Cal Chocolate

Get ready for tongue testing. Barry Callebaut claims its new product, called Vulcano, is the world's first — and so far only — melt-resistant, low-calorie chocolate. I can't wait to try it. Check out the link www.barry-callebaut.com

The Curious Case Of An Emerald Necklace

The case of the Estate of Robinson Brown Jr. was intriguing. Read on. As David Federman rightly put it given the sheer number of worst appraisal and expert witnessing practices in the Louisville emerald trial, those who want to celebrate Jackson’s acquittal should do so by preventing future legal ordeals like his. That can only be done by seeing to it that judges and juries are exposed to best practices. At the end of the day it's all about trust, trust, and trust. http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/july09/louisville-emeralds.cfm

Generation We

Generation We: How Millennial Youth are Taking Over America And Changing Our World Forever by Eric Greenberg + Karl Weber is a fascinating book about the emerging power of Millennial Generation now and for the future. A must read.

Useful link:

www.gen-we.com

Global Business BBC

The Red Hat + Matthew Szulik story was inspiring. Red Hat bundles software and service plans together and include software updates free of charge. Thanks Peter.

Useful link:
www.redhat.com

Artificial Intelligence Research

Eric Horvitz's research on artificial intelligence was intriguing. I hope similar techniques will be available for the development of intelligent tutoring systems in the education/business sector.

Useful links:
www.aaai.org
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com

Seashell Trade

A great story on shells + trade + the collectors market. To maintain prices, collectors always spread rumors in the interest of scarcity. Then and now. Shells are like jewels. Collectors these days are interested in both beauty and behavior. The world of top shell collectors is relatively small, and it's an interesting trade.

Random Thoughts

Kenya's natural fuel should come from the wind, hot underground rock and the sun, whose potential has barely even been considered. After the initial capital costs this energy is free.

- Nick Nuttall
United Nations Environment Programme
www.afriwea.org
http://laketurkanawindpower.com

So true!

New Zealand Body Art Awards 2009

The 2009 New Zealand Body Art Awards Show at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna, on Auckland’s North Shore was spectacular.

Useful link:
www.bodyartawards.co.nz

The Price Of Gold

Jewelry is about showing off, or it is about nothing. And showing off comes in many forms. Fact. Check out the golden rules for miners at www.nodirtygold.org

Sand Art

Andres Amador's sand art was stunningly beautiful. You have to see it for yourself. Really. www.andresamador.net

Beautiful Currencies

Have you ever been in another country and thought, 'These folks really have some beautiful money?' Whether it was the colors, the portraits, or the overall design, good looking money is just a little more fun to spend. I had not thought of it that way, but it makes sense. David Standish's comments and top picks were spot on.

Runway Beats

The music compliation was brilliant. I loved it. Thanks Armand/Bruce.

2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom

Architecture for Humanity has announced the eight finalists in their latest competition, to design the classroom of the future. Impressive indeed. Check out the link www.architectureforhumanity.org

Somali Pirate Business Model

The way the Somali pirates exploit the international maritime trade was intriguing. As for the pirates, their escalating demands are a method of price discovery, a way of gauging how much the market will bear. I agree. Brilliant analysis + great graphics. Hats off to Scott.

Useful link:
www.scottcarneyonline.com

Random Thoughts

There are some subjects that I’m dealing with all the time, the vulnerability of the human being. Humiliation, when people humiliate each other and when they humiliate themselves. When I see that kind of behavior among people, I am always very, very sad. I am also concerned in my work with the problem of the human being’s lostness, confusion and weakness.

- Roy Andersson
www.royandersson.com

Ideablob

Meet Ami Kassar, a dotcom start-up veteran + explore his idea-sharing website http://www.ideablob.com

Book Plant Pot

Old books into plant pots. Look what Tokyo Pistol design agency did with theirs. I loved it. http://www.tokyopistol.com/goods/honbachi

Richard Mammone Viewpoint

A successful entrepreneur must be a reductionist. Great advice. Spot on.

Useful links:
http://best.rutgers.edu
http://otc.rutgers.edu
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/ces
http://entrepreneurship.mit.edu

The Anatomy Of An Entrepreneur

A study released by the Kauffman Foundation titled 'The Anatomy of an Entrepreneur' was insightful. Thanks Vivek for the brilliant presentation.

Useful link:
www.kauffman.org

David Lynch Project

For me, David Lynch connects with people, and that's exactly why I love his projects. www.davidlynch.com

The Discovery Of Spain

The Discovery of Spain: British Artists and Collectors: Goya to Picasso, is at the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, until October 11, 2009. www.nationalgalleries.org

New Seven Wonders Foundation

The Swiss non-profit New7Wonders Foundation is conducting a global popularity contest to name the new Seven Wonders of Nature. To vote, visit www.new7wonders.com

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Market
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/07/24/style/1247463627087/on-the-street-market.html

Delightful and surprising styles + wonderful individuality indeed. I loved it. Thanks Bill.

Anti-Desertification Architecture

Magnus Larsson's presentation at the TEDGlobal confererence in Oxford was brilliant. His proposed Great Green Wall idea, a 4,349 mile line of trees stretching across Africa to stop desertification could work provided the political and financial aspects are taken into account. A promising vision, really. Hats off to Magnus!

Jewelers Vigilance Committee Update

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has launched an electronic newsletter, eNews&Views for its members. This new online publication includes important information and updates to help jewelry retailers, manufacturers and distributors protect their businesses from risk, as well as links to additional legal compliance information. www.jvclegal.org

Art Market Update

Amsterdam's Museum of Handbags and Purses is a rare place + a must visit. www.tassenmuseum.nl

Why We Travel

For inspiration, see this gallery of images.

Bayreuth Festival 2009

The festival opens on July 26, 2009, with Christoph Marthaler's staging of Tristan and Isolde and runs until 28 August, 2009. Check out the link www.bayreuther-festspiele.de + www.wagneropera.net

Enron

Lucy Prebble tells the story of the Enron Corporation beautifully. The play could hardly be more timely. Check out the link www.royalcourttheatre.com

Blood Computers

The Global Witness report claims that multinational companies are furthering a trade in minerals at the heart of the hi-tech industry that feeds the horrendous civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Check out the link www.globalwitness.org

ABCs Of Entrepreneurship

Jeff Bezos's video presentation on entrepreneurship was brilliant. Watch and learn. www.amazon.com

Copenhagen Climate Change Summit 2009

Get your voice heard by sharing your message with Flickr group, A Message to Copenhagen

Useful link:
http://en.cop15.dk

Coco Chanel Film

The whole Coco Chanel tale is intriguing. She was very complex, pleochroic, and very rich. She was also a fragile person. It should be an interesting movie. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4518183.stm

Useful links:
www.chanel.com
www.roadshowfilms.com.au/cocoavantchanel

Michael Jackson Diamond

Charred strands of Michael Jackson's hair that were salvaged from the shoot of a tragic Pepsi commercial have been sold and will be turned into diamonds. What a story. LifeGem is evaluating the hair sample to determine how many diamonds can be created. www.lifegem.com

Antiques Roadshow

The Antiques Roadshow isn't just about antiques - it's history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one. Be on a show. It's an immersive experience.

Tatton Park Flower Show

Tatton Park is the place to spot up-and-coming garden designers and innovative new ideas. Check out the link www.rhs.org.uk

Jatin Das

The Collector: Jatin Das. Great collection indeed. You can tell a beautiful story with a beautiful fan.

Useful links:
http://jatindas.com
www.fancircleinternational.org

Random Thoughts

Losing potential profits hurts the ego; losing money really hurts.

- Gerald Appel
www.systemsandforecasts.com

Spot on.

D-Screen Technology

HRD Antwerp has released D-Screen, an affordable device able to distinguish natural from synthetic colorless or near-colorless polished diamonds. It's available to all diamond bourses worldwide. The D-Screen indicates if a polished diamond is natural and has not been subjected to color enhancement. Synthetic diamonds and diamonds subjected to a high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) treatment are instantly detected. The technology used is based on optical measurement, by projecting shortwave ultraviolet (UV) radiation through the diamond. The D-Screen's range covers all polished diamonds from 0.2 carats up to 10 carats in the colours D to J. This encompasses the bulk of gem-grade diamonds. Check out the link www.hrdantwerp.be + equipment@hrdantwerp.be

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

British Government Loan Guarantees to Assist Diamond Sector in Crisis. Quite a story, really. Thanks Chaim.

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com

How To Re-learn The Old-fashioned Art Of Salesmanship

Christina Binkley's piece was brilliant. Selling pure emotions isn't always easy. I think the gemstone industry could also learn a lot from the new approach.

Useful link:
www.iwc.com

We Choose The Moon

On July 16 at 9:32 a.m. EDT, exactly 40 years to the minute after the moon launch, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum went live with http://wechoosethemoon.org

Travel Gadgets

Top 10 Travel Gadgets Under $50
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com

Do the right thing. Less is more.

Global Business BBC

I thoroughly enjoyed the programme. Thanks to Peter Day.

Useful links:
www.cutec.org
http://magicsolver.com

Going Green Film Festival

The trend is beginning. Check out the link www.goinggreenfilmfestival.com

Total Solar Eclipse 2009

Each time I learn something new. Awesome. Nature in its glory. Really.

Pulp-Based Computing

M.I.T. Media Lab's Pulp-Based Computing project was rather interesting. The team's website says Pulp-Based Computing is a series of explorations that combine smart materials, papermaking, and printing. By integrating electrically active inks and fibers during the papermaking process, it is possible to create sensors and actuators that behave, look, and feel like paper. These composite materials not only leverage the physical and tactile qualities of paper, but can also convey digital information, spawning new and unexpected application domains in ubiquitous and pervasive computing at extremely affordable costs. Fluid Interfaces Stay tuned.

David Ogilvy’s Best Business Advice

Thank you Patricia Sellers for sharing. http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com The one I liked most was the old Scottish motto: Be happy while you’re living, for you are a long time dead. Spot on.

Souren Melikian Viewpoint

Without spending a dime, the British Museum has acquired 1,683 Chinese ceramic vessels, some of them unique, and many more made for the emperors of China, thus becoming the greatest repository of the ceramic art of China in the Western world. Thanks Souren for sharing the extraordinary story of the acquisition + the two collectors. It was educational and insightful.

Useful link:
www.britishmuseum.org

Art Of forgery

The National Gallery is to stage its first exhibition dedicated exclusively to fakes and mistakes – and, its director insists, they can be a pure joy. I agree. It's not a bad idea to have fakes. It's important to know how clever forgers can be + learn how to identify them. Hats off to Nicholas Penny!

Useful link:
www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Art Market Update

Kelly Crow's report on Brueghels was brilliant. (To succeed as an Old Master buyer, collectors must be willing to navigate a clubby, oak-paneled world dominated by a handful of dealers, such as Richard Green in London and Otto Naumann in New York, and a slew of heady collectors, from investor activist Carl Icahn to investment banker Leon Black. A pilgrimage must also be made each March to gossip and shop at the prestigious European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht, Netherlands. Spot on.)

Random Thoughts

When stock prices are rising, it’s called 'momentum investing'; when they are falling, it’s called 'panic'.

- Paul Krugman
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com

Spot on.

Nobuo Uematsu

Nobuo Uematsu is the master. Videogame music in concert was an immersive experience. Give it a try.

Useful links:
www.square-enix-usa.com/uematsu
www.ffdistantworlds.com
www.videogameslive.com
www.play-symphony.com
www.awrmusic.com

Guide To Sleeping In Airports

The Budget Travellers Guide to Sleeping in Airports has some interesting surprises. Charles de Gaulle has been voted the absolute worst, followed by Sheremetyevo in Moscow. In the third and fourth spots were New York’s JFK and Los Angeles’ LAX, while Delhi airport rounded off the top five worst airports. On the flip side, Singapore’s Changi was rated the cleanest and most comfortable airport to sleep in, followed by Seoul’s Incheon and Amsterdam’s Schiphol. Avoid Paris’ Charles de Gaulle at all costs, but embrace Singapore’s Changi.

Useful link:
www.sleepinginairports.net

Nandan Nilekani Interview

Great interview. In Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation, Nandan Nilekani tackles themes ranging from education and demographics to investment and infrastructure. Nilekani was recently recruited by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to head a project to create a national identification card for the country. I wish him the best of luck.

Useful link:
http://imaginingindia.com

Connect With Community

Museums' new mantra: Connect with community. I fully agree. It's all about community. This generation is about social relevance and global connection. That's the only way to get connected.

Useful links:
http://reachadvisors.com
http://reachadvisors.typepad.com
www.museumoftolerance.com
www.metmuseum.org
www.lacma.org
www.museumca.org
www.getty.edu

Jorge Colombo's Sketches

Artist Jorge Colombo makes pictures of New York street life using the Brushes application on his iPhone. Check out the link www.jorgecolombo.com

Leonardo Notarbartolo's Story

Milanese authorities found Leonardo Notarbartolo, the man accused of masterminding the world’s biggest diamond heist, in possession of approximately 2.2 pounds of rough, uncut diamonds.

Great story, but diamonds are nearly impossible to tag/trace. I completely agree with Joshua Davis. If you can’t prove that the diamonds are stolen, then you would logically have to give the diamonds back to the owner. Stay tuned.

Useful link:
www.joshuadavis.net

Why Raindrops Come In Many Sizes

I have always wanted to ask this question. Now, by filming one falling raindrop, researchers in France have explained why the drops are an array of so many different sizes. Emmanuel Villermaux from Aix-Marseille University explained it well. Thanks.

Random Thoughts

There was a time when a fool and his money were soon parted, but now it happens to everybody.

- Adlai Stevenson

Spot on.

Harnessing Networks

Harnessing Networks to Create Value and Identify New Opportunities by Paul R. Kleindorfer, Yoram (Jerry) Wind was interesting. It was all about open innovation + engaging/learning via social experiments so that the key players are able to modify and move forward to generate new opportunities.

Space Exploration

July 20, 1969: One Small Step. One Giant Leap. Forty years ago, NASA put a man on the moon. What does the next 40 years hold for the world’s premiere space agency? Space exploration volunteers wanted (The catch? It's a one-way ticket). The next generation of astronauts may hurtle through the cosmos for years or decades on a mission to explore distant planets and stars – and never return. For some it would be an offer they can't refuse.

Burma Gem Sales and Statistics

Check out Pala’s Burma Gem Sales and Statistics. Educational/insightful.

Strange Habits

For Sale: One Leopard-Skin Rolex and Maybe Some Frozen Sharks. When a Mexican drug lord gets busted, what happens to his emerald-encrusted pistols? Read on. What really intrigued me was the Mexican narco-bling: A Rolex watch and band custom-jeweled to resemble leopard's skin; De La Cour watches featuring skull or marijuana-leaf motifs; a pair of gold pistol grips with raised eagle busts adorned with diamonds and emeralds. Perhaps reflecting proximity of death for many drug traffickers, often the jewels have religious themes, such as a palm-sized gold and diamond necklace ornament depicting St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes.

Seven Pleasures

Seven Pleasures: Essays on Ordinary Happiness by Willard Spiegelman was simply pleasurable. A must read.

Museum In A Shoebox

Created by the Swedish artist Kristina Dalberg, it presents real and imaginary works by real and imaginary artists. Check out the link www.museuminashoebox.com

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

You will forget the customer at your peril. In business, everything starts with the customer. Without customers, there are no sales, and with no sales, a business is bankrupt. Spot on. Thanks Luke.

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

Cash For Diamonds

Cash for Gold USA has launched a new website, Cash for Diamonds, which allows consumers to sell diamond jewelry and loose stones. Check out the link http://cashfordiamondsusa.com I would like to see an entrepreneur launch Cash for Colored Stones. Really.

Digital Graffiti

To see the interactive digital graffiti wall at the Royal Albert Hall was an immersive experience. I think it's a perfect educational tool. I really liked it.

Useful link:
www.lumacoustics.co.uk

Diffusing Copper Into Tourmaline

Potential for Diffusing Copper into Tourmaline via GIA Research (Thailand)
http://www.giathai.net/pdf/The_copper_diffusion_of_tourmaline_experiment_June_16_2009.pdf

Educational/insightful. If doubtful, always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Music Simplified

The music-making game + technology installation that allows anyone to create a music track and video in just six minutes was brilliant. I liked it.

Useful links:
www.silentstudios.co.uk
http://musicispower.youthmusic.org.uk
www.chrisoshea.org