Vancouver Convention Centre

It's more than a building. With its thoughtful design, it's a living green roof. What a great view! www.vancouverconventioncentre.com

Useful links:
www.lmnarchitects.com
http://vimeo.com/user1406895
www.pwlpartnership.com/people/principals/bruce_hemstock

BIF-5 Storytellers

Mark your calendar. The BIF-5 Collaborative Innovation Summit bring together today's most compelling innovators, business model renegades and true transformers to discuss innovation success through personal storytelling. http://businessinnovationfactory.com

Budd Schulberg

Budd Schulberg, the legendary screenwriter and novelist who won an Oscar in 1954 for his classic film 'On the Waterfront,' (one of my favorite films of all time) has died. He was 95. May his soul rest in peace.

The Music Painter

Meet Kilford. The music painter. Quite simply, he paints music. http://themusicpainter.com

The Edinburgh Art Festival 2009

The festival has something for everyone. www.edinburghartfestival.com Don't miss.

New Ruby And Sapphire Guide

CIBJO has made its new Ruby and Sapphire guides available to the public at large in a printable single-sheet format for download. www.cibjo.org

New Gem Cutting Styles

How Optix® Facets Work. Check out the link www.byrex.com

Tungsten Rings

It’s a darker gray, and men like it because of its masculine look and feel. Tungsten is hard and doesn’t scratch easily, it’s user-friendly. Give it a try.

Zero Emissions Research Initiative

Gunter Pauli's Nature's 100 Best, a shortlist of one hundred technologies inspired by proven design systems from Nature was brilliant. A must read.

Useful links:
www.zeri.org
www.n100best.org

Olivia Judson Viewpoint

I completely agree. Since the techniques for extracting DNA and sequencing it have improved, I hope we would be able to expand our understanding of evolutionary patterns as an invaluable source of knowledge. Thanks Olivia.

Useful links:
http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com
www.drtatiana.com

Matt Held's Project

I really liked Matt Held's Platform Project Space. A brilliant idea indeed.

Useful links:
www.heldstudios.com
http://platform.denisebibrofineart.com

Environmentaland

Environmentaland is the brainchild of Global Inheritance, a non-profit that works to engage young people in bringing social and environmental change to their communities. Great concept.

Useful link:
www.globalinheritance.org

Global Business BBC

I love listening to Peter Day's Global Business. Listen to Learning Curve. The message is fresh, relevant and insightful.

Useful links:
www.bt.com
www.sun.com
www.bersin.com
http://daretoshare.wordpress.com
www.saba.com

Capturing The 19th Century

Rarely seen images from the British Library's collection was brilliant. Old is always gold. Check out the link www.bl.uk

Brecon Jazz Festival 2009

The 26th Brecon Jazz Festival is set to come alive to the sounds of jazz legends from across the world from August 7 - 9, 2009. Don't miss. www.breconjazz.org

The Curious Case Of Dina Wein Reis

The grifter, wrote David Maurer in his classic 1940 study of con men, 'has a gentle touch.' He takes his 'toll from the verdant sucker by means of the skilled hand or the sharp wit ... Of all the grifters, the confidence man is the aristocrat.' What's intriguing about Dina Wein Reiss was that she was so good, she was able to pull it off in a really cool way. She knew how to play the game. She took advantage of everyone in the distribution chain. The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff. Ambrose Bierce. What a story! Thanks to James/Doris.

Knowing Your Limits

Great post (May 20, 2007) by Victor Niederhoffer. At times it's hard to keep up with the rule of ever-changing cycles. As Clint Eastwood said, 'Man's got to know his limitations.' This holds true in business and life.

Vivid Pink Diamond

A rare, 5-carat pink diamond set in a so-called cushion-cut ring by famed jewellers Graff Diamonds will be sold in Hong Kong this December by Christies. I think this diamond is going to fetch a sweet price. Stay tuned.

There are pink diamonds and then there are pink diamonds. It is extremely rare for a stone of such top quality to appear on the market with top notes in color, cut, clarity and carat weight. This 5-carat vivid pink gem combines the best of all criteria.
- Francois Curiel, Christies

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.graffdiamonds.com

Bijoux Terner Necklace

This Bijoux Terner resin necklace was exquisite in its design. Beautiful and simple. Really. www.bijouxterner.com

Ron Arad: No Discipline

Ron Arad: No Discipline
August 2, 2009–October 19, 2009 @ www.moma.org

Ron Arad is one of the most influential designers of our time. I think his designs have the ability to communicate and connect the dots. A must visit. Really.

The Art + Fashion + Architecture Of Louis Vuitton

Extraordinary work of art/architecture indeed. I loved it. www.louisvuitton.com

Random Thoughts

Sixty years ago, my wife Sheila and I bought the house we live in to this day. We could not afford carpets or curtains but, more importantly for us, we had a few pictures for our walls. We have loved and cherished these wonderful pieces throughout the course of our lives but, in all truth, art belongs to no-one. Some of us are simply its temporary, fortunate and delighted custodians.

- Lord Richard Attenborough
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Attenborough

So true!

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Report

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has notified the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) + the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) that it will not take action against those who imported or sold irradiated gemstones in the United States before November 2007. The decision came as a result of the JVC and AGTA asking the NRC to exempt certain gemstones in light of the efforts the industry has made to comply with new laws surrounding irradiated gemstones. The JVC and AGTA have developed an easy-to-understand guide on the requirements of importing and selling irradiated gemstones in the United States, 'The Essential Guide to the Trade in Irradiated Gemstones.'

Useful links:
www.nrc.gov
www.jvclegal.org
www.agta.org

Watching People Look At Art

For me visiting museums has always been about total internal reflection. Slow looking helps to record memories and see them better. Thanks Michael for the insightful piece.

Useful link:
www.louvre.fr

Personal Scenario Planning

Peter Schwartz's tutorial on scenario planning was brilliant. A great guidepost. Really.

Useful links:
www.gbn.com
www.longnow.org

Julie & Julia

Every time Meryl Streep appears on screen, the film just glows. Really. Julie & Julia is comedy-drama film. Meryl Streep is Julia Child and Amy Adams is Julie Powell in writer-director Nora Ephron's adaptation of two bestselling memoirs. Go and watch the movie. www.julieandjulia.com

The American Time Use Survey

The American Time Use Survey was intriguing. Sleeping, eating, working and watching television took up about two-thirds of the average day. The New York Times interactive graphics was brilliant. I would really like to know how different groups in India would have spend their day.

Useful link:
www.bls.gov/tus

Extinction: Bad Genes Or Bad Luck?

Extinction: Bad Genes or Bad Luck? by David M. Raup + Stephen Jay Gould is a delightful book on the history of life, extinction, and shows some interesting methods for sorting fact from fiction. A must read.

Useful links:

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

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

The Biofeul Trilema

The report on triple challenges of energy, environment and food as the biofuel 'trilemma' was interesting. It's an unending debate. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com
www.bio.org/worldcongress
www.icsu-scope.org

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