Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / A Story With Legs. Interesting sight, really. The story has legs. Thanks Bill.

The World After 4C Rise

The new interactive map of the world that details the likely effects of 4C world was a stark wake-up call. Bad news for almost everyone, really.

Useful link:
www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

A Jen Bekman Project

Art for everyone. I liked Jen's idea. www.20x200.com

Random Thoughts

If you take the couple of centuries we've had, the 19th and the 20th, we've had about 15 bad years in both centuries, and we'll have fifteen bad years in centuries to come. Capitalism overshoots, and market people do get irrationally exuberant sometimes, but that's the nature of it. You want a dynamic system, and you want a market system that's free to make mistakes to some degree.

- Warren Buffett
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Spot on.

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's interview with Paul Romer (Senior fellow, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research) was insightful. The issue is how to build new cities to accommodate a growing world population in better conditions than we have managed up to now. Easier said than done.

Useful link:
http://stanford.edu/~promer

Natural Omphacite

Deep green to black jade has been gaining popularity these past few years in the gem market in Hong Kong and China, and now it is appearing in the Japanese market as well. This material is often called black jade or inky jadeite jade but mineralogically this is not jadeite but omphacite. The labs report on omphacite was educational.

Useful link:
www.gaaj-zenhokyo.co.jp

Radioactive Natural Stones

Dr. Jun Kawano's viewpoints on the radioactive status of natural stones + the detection methodology was educational and insightful. If you are doubtful regarding gemstone treatments have it checked by a reputed gem testing.

Useful link:
www.gaaj-zenhokyo.co.jp

A Gift To My Children

A Gift to My Children: A Father's Lessons for Life and Investing by Jim Rogers is a great book for young minds. A must read.

Useful link:

www.jimrogers.com

App Economy

It's really amazing how Apps have moved into the mainstream. The world has changed, really.

Useful links:
www.zynga.com
www.rim.com
www.apple.com
www.smule.com
www.playfish.com
www.playdom.com

Homepreneur

John Tozzi's opinion piece in the BusinessWeek was educational and insightful. I guess technology has made it easier to start and run a business from anywhere.

Useful links:
www.agency3.com
www.emergentresearch.com
www.sba.gov

The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees: 50 years on. What a story. They have left the music world forever changed, really.

Useful link:
www.beegees.com

Random Thoughts

The big profits made by some of Wall Street’s leading banks are hidden gifts from the state, and taxpayer resentment of such companies is justified. Those earnings are not the achievement of risk-takers.

- George Soros
www.soros.org
www.georgesoros.com

Truly said.

Jancis Robinson Viewpoint

Jancis's report on Russian wine production was insightful. I hope the new wine-friendly government would put order/quality/regulation to restore Russia's true wine status in the region.

Useful links:
www.jancisrobinson.com
www.fanagoria.ru
www.abraudurso.ru
www.grandvostok.ru

X-ray Microtomography For Pearl Testing

Check out the new X-ray micro tomography method for testing pearls. It's non-destructive and precise + the 3-D image is a real stunner.

Useful link:
www.ssef.ch

Bill McKibben

Check out Bill McKibben's inspiring ideas on the pros/cons of climate change and the impact.

Useful links:
www.billmckibben.com
www.350.org

Art Trade

Souren Melikian's viewpoints on Asia Week/Chinese art in the New York Times was interesting. There are more Britons in the lucrative financial professions than ever. They no longer spend money on the classics of Chinese art. Tastes have changed. That's so sadly true.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.bonhams.com
www.benjanssens.com
www.knaptonandrasti.com

Art Market Update

The Economist viewpoints on the state of the art market was interesting. What a difference a year makes, really. Prices of contemporary art at auctions have dropped 50% or more. There could be more surprises in store. Let's wait and see, shall we?

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

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Truth is, the average business book is just a Harvard Business Review article with extra examples, and the average HBR article is a good PowerPoint presentation with extra prose. So I figured I could cut to the chase and just give you the CliffsNotes version of my never-to-be-published book. There’s probably no organizational attribute that’s more important today than adaptability. In our topsy turvy world, every organization is teetering on the brink of irrelevance, and unless it can change as fast as change itself, it will soon tumble off the ledge.

- Gary Hamel
www.garyhamel.com
http://blogs.wsj.com/management

Spot on.

LAPP-PRO

These stunning images created by light artists Jan Wöllert/Jörg Miedza was superb. Check it out.

Useful link:
http://lapp-pro.de

Random Thoughts

I am convinced that as a whole society we are losing something precious in our increasingly silence-avoiding culture and that somehow, whatever this silence might be, it needs holding, nourishing and unpacking.

- Sara Maitland
www.saramaitland.com

So true!

Lester Lampert

Check out Lester Lampert's one-of-a-kind jewelry creations at The Field Museum’s Grainger Hall of Gems.

Useful links:
www.fieldmuseum.org
www.lesterlampert.com

Matthew Cook

Matthew Cook's sketches from Afghanistan was brilliant. I liked it. They looked natural.

Useful link:
www.matthewcookwarartist.com

An Education

An Education, adapted from the memoir of the British journalist Lynn Barber, a coming-of-age drama set in 1960's London, is a great movie. I thought Carey Mulligan was superb. Well worth seeing.

Useful link:
www.sonyclassics.com/aneducation

Gao Brothers

China has so many stories that they are like a dream. Every story is true, but I try to tell them in a fictional way.

- Gao Zhen

Useful link:
www.gaobrothers.net

I thought the work of Gao Zhen/Gao Qiang were brilliant. The deconstructed images of Chairman Mao were funny, confrontational and different.

G. Willow Wilson

Check out G. Willow Wilson’s comic series Air at www.gwillowwilson.com

Diamonds Are Not Forever

The Economist report on Botswana was spot on. Botswana’s diamond deposits may run out by 2030. The country has no choice but to diversify/reform its economy by retraining its incompetent/lazy civil servants/managers to attract foreign investment. Not always easy but doable with Ian Khama's five D's: democracy, dignity, development, discipline, and delivery. I wish Ian Khama, the newly re-elected president all the best.

Useful links:
www.econsult.co.bw
www.debswana.com
www.moibrahimfoundation.org

Jewelry Coral

Dave Federman's viewpoint on jewelry coral was interesting. Let's promote fair commerce.

Useful links:
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.seaweb.com
www.cites.org
www.noaa.gov
www.artinitiatives.com

Virtual Spending

Check out these avatar-driven social networking sites. It's hard to believe how fast they have become mainstream, but I guess the virtual world represents a different value proposition.

Useful links:
www.there.com
www.imvu.com
http://secondlife.com
www.gaiaonline.com
www.weeworld.com
www.clubpenguin.com
www.moove.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

A beautiful tribute to Madhu Mehta of Jayam Manufacturing. May his soul rest in peace! Thank you Chaim.

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com

Random Thoughts

This year's collection was keenly contested by investors, collectors and diamond experts from around the world. All diamond were sold, and we were delighted to see strong representation from the growing markets of India and China, as well as the more established markets for rare colored diamonds.

- Jean-Marc Lieberherr
www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
www.riotintodiamonds.com

This is good news.

Brian May's 3D Photography

I really liked A Village Lost and Found.

Useful links:
www.brianmay.com
www.londonstereo.com
www.queenonline.com

Martin Firrell

I thought Martin Firrell's use of text in art was superb. I loved it.

Useful links:
www.martinfirrell.com
www.completehero.com

The Asterix Story

Check out the latest episode at www.asterix.com

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2009

Check out the winners of the Veolia Environnement wildlife photographer of the year 2009 at www.nhm.ac.uk

Remarkable Creatures

Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origin of Species by Dr. Sean B. Carroll is story-telling at its finest, really. Read the book with an open mind.

Useful link:

http://seanbcarroll.com

Emerald Market Report

Check out Ronald Ringsrud's latest emerald market update + beautiful specimens. He is a well-known dealer + the author of Emerald: A Passionate Guide.

Useful link:
www.emeraldmine.com

How To Make A Movie For £45

What a story! I hope the film Colin will be seen by as many people as possible. All the best Marc!

Useful link:
www.nowherefast.tv

Slash: Paper Under The Knife

It's really amazing to see the way contemporary artists use paper as a medium to express their viewpoints. Stunningly beautiful, really.

Useful link:
www.madmuseum.org

Bahia Emerald: The Movie

Coming soon! A movie based on the infamous 'Bahia Emerald. The film’s story involves finding, moving, and protecting the 180,000 carat, $372,000,000 'Bahia Emerald' from those seeking to take it away from the Florida owners. I can't wait to see this movie. Can you?

Useful link:
www.greenicemovie.com

Random Thoughts

The current trend…is that a lot of our culture is coming in shorter and smaller bits…When access is easy, we tend to favor the short, the sweet and the bitty. When access is difficult, we look for large-scale productions, extravaganzas and masterpieces.

- Tyler Cowen
www.marginalrevolution.com
www.gmu.edu/centers/publicchoice/faculty%20pages/Tyler/index.html

Spot on.

Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2009

Check out the winners of the Landscape photo of the year 2009.

Useful links:
www.take-a-view.co.uk
www.emmanuelcoupe.com

Art Factory

Peter Hessler's opinion piece in the New Yorker about artists in Lishui, in eastern China was very interesting. Who would have thought a few years ago that Lishui would become one of the important painting center for the foreign market?

Mineralientage München 2009

Check out the spectacular Munich Mineral Show 2009 for minerals, fossils, precious stones and jewelry + a special exhibit titled India’s Hidden Natural Treasures. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.mineralientage.de

3D Film Made By Children

I thought Aardman Animations/Tate Gallery's project to produce the first Tate movie – a 20-minute animated film by children a briliant idea + a great toolkit to inspire creativity.

Useful links:
www.aardman.com
www.tate.org.uk

The Red Feldspar Project

Check out the Special Issue on Red Feldspar via GIA.

Good Morning Project

Jer Thorp's Good Morning project, a visualization of 24 hours of Tweets saying Good Morning, from all across the world was brilliant.

Useful link:
http://blog.blprnt.com

Stirling Prize 2009

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has won the 2009 Stirling Prize, Britain's most prestigious architectural honors, for their design of a cancer center in London. Congratulations!

Useful links:
www.richardrogers.co.uk
www.architecture.com

Random Thoughts

The mutual fund industry is a $10 trillion industry that has seen no innovation for 25 years. The Internet has had no impact.

- Andy Rachleff
www.kaching.com

The concept is great — the ability to tap into not just the wisdom of the crowd, but to be able to identify and invest with the particular geniuses in the crowd that stand out.
- Marc Andreessen

So true!

Optical Data Storage

The scientists at the University of Edinburgh believe tiny crystals could hold the key to creating computers with massive storage capacity. Great news, really.

Useful link:
www.chem.ed.ac.uk/staff/academic/alexander.html

Wine Odyssey Australia

Check out Wine Odyssey's walk-through crash course in Australian wine. Brilliant concept, really.

Useful link:
http://wineodyssey.com.au

China Design Now 2009

The Portland Art Museum has a great China Design Now exhibition now. China is definitely moving from imitation to innovation in design + many sectors. Check it out.

Useful links:
http://portlandartmuseum.org
www.cdnpdx.org

Niassa (Mozambique) Ruby

Cheryl Kremkow's report on Niassa (Mozambique) rubies was edcuational and insightful. I have seen the rubies (treated/untreated) in Bangkok. The top quality ones can be easily confused with Burmese/Thai/Tanzania (Winza). I think the prices are also fair to a certain degree. I hope the mines are productive/sustainable in the long run.

Useful link:
www.diamonds.net

Art & Copy

I thought Doug Pray's documentary about the advertising industry was superb. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.artandcopyfilm.com

David Hockney

Carol Kino's opinion piece in the NYT on David Hockney, Britain’s most famous living artist was interesting.

Useful link:
www.hockneypictures.com

The Museum Of Everything

Hats off to James Brett, the brain behind The Museum of Everything. In fact I liked it because it was simply about personal creativity/expression. Period.

Useful link:
www.musevery.com

Benetton Case Study

Peter Gumbel's opinion piece in the Time magazine on Benetton's unique business management was brilliant and insightful.

Generational shifts in family businesses are notoriously tricky. A rule of thumb is that only 1 in 3 family firms survives the transition from the founding generation to the next, and only 1 in 10 makes the jump successfully from the second to the third generation. The more numerous and distant the cousins involved, the harder the task of keeping them all in line — although sometimes the biggest problems come from the closest relatives.
- Peter Gumbel

Useful link:
www.benetton.com

The Art And Design Fair

Souren Melikian's viewpoints on the art and design fair in the New York Times was interesting. The show is a must-attend event for art lovers merely interested in looking + keen collectors looking to buy.

Useful links:
www.hopkins-custot.com
www.yveskleinarchives.org
www.barryfriedmanltd.com

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street/Animated. A marvelous surprise, really. Beautifully done. Thanks Bill.

Silvermist Diamonds

Coming soon! Rio Tinto will be introducing Silvermist, its new silvery-gray colored diamonds that can be used to create more affordable diamond jewelry piece. I loved the name. Something really different from colorless diamonds. I hope the price is sweet/consumer-friendly.

Useful links:
www.riotintodiamonds.com
www.argylediamonds.com.au
www.ncdia.com

Random Thoughts

Jewelry is not a fad product. Archeologists have solid proof that it has been around for at least 50 millennia – and some would now argue that jewelry has been around for at least 100,000 years. In its earliest days, people wore jewelry to denote their social and cultural identities: wealth, power and privilege. Early jewelry also provided identification of gender, age and social class. After thousands of years, these same factors continue to drive demand for jewelry. The 2008-09 recession will not derail consumers’ cultural affinity for jewelry.

- Ken Gassman
www.kennethgassman.com

So true!

Pantone Team

Ask the Pantone Color Institute. Its members travel the world to find out what hues will move product.

People are wanting someplace to go, somewhere to retreat to. My challenge is to come up with a color that speaks to how we can create a feeling of escape -- to get away from the problems of the everyday world. Even if it's a fantasy.
- Leatrice Eiseman

Useful links:
www.pantone.com
www.colorexpert.com

Art Market Update

The Economist art review was insightful. The work on display at London's Frieze Art Fair was intellectually intriguing as ever. A great place to connect the dots.

Useful links:
www.friezeartfair.com
www.galleriazero.it
www.gavinbrown.biz/artists/view/rirkrit-tiravanija
www.helgadealvear.com
www.marianneboeskygallery.com/artists/barnaby-furnas
www.michaelwerner.com
www.salon94.com

Corrine Hunt

I thought Canadian Aboriginal designer/artist, Corinne Hunt's artworks for the Vancouver Olympics were brilliant. I also thought the Olympic committee made a wise decision to use precious metals from old electronics for the medals, bringing awareness to the cause of recycled scrap.

Useful links:
www.corrinehunt.ca
www.vancouver2010.com

Holition

Check out Holition's virtual reality marketing application for use online, in-store and at live events. I thought it was great tool for education and business. I liked it.

Useful links:
www.holition.com
www.inition.co.uk
www.holtsgems.com

Art Market Update

Georgina Adam's art market recap in FT was interesting/insightful. Thanks.

Useful links:
www.fiac.com
www.phillipsdepury.com
www.garageccc.com
www.theartnewspaper.com

Martin Parr

Check out Martin Parr's brilliant photographs on consumer culture. Educational/insightful indeed.

Useful link:
www.martinparr.com

Frieze Art Fair 2009

Check out new/established artists at www.friezeartfair.com

Start-up Secrets

Check out these tips from America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs.

IdeaPaint

IdeaPaint is simply a paint that turns any paintable surface into a dry-erase board. I liked it. Hats off to John Goscha!

Useful link:
www.ideapaint.com

Design USA: Contemporary Innovation

If you're looking for who's who in American design, this would be it. http://exhibitions.cooperhewitt.org/Design-USA

Gitanjali Profile

I found the Prince Mathews Thomas's article on Mehul Choksi/Gitanjali interesting. The choice methodology of the gem and jewelry sector in India is to rely more on oral contracts than written ones. I do know that Gitangili want to evangelize the gem and jewelry sector so that they could provide a new template to meet the demand and aspirations of the new India. Everything takes time in India, really. I wish him the best of luck.

Useful link:
www.gitanjaligroup.com

Harrods Gold Bullion

Harrods has become the first London shop to offer gold in-store. Customers can collect their purchase in person. Check it out.

For many people this is a new and unfamiliar asset class that demands absolute trust. Up until now, however, London has had no well-recognised name serving this market. Harrods saw the opportunity to help individuals buy physical gold in a prudent manner.
- Chris Hall, Harrods Gold Bullion

Useful links:
www.harrods.com
www.pamp.ch

Asia's Luxury Destination

Bettina Wassener's viewpoints on Hong Kong as the top location for sales of expensive jewelry, gems and fine wines was interesting. I can't agree more. Hong Kong is the place, period. I think Asias are comfortable with showing their wealth. Old habits die hard, really.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
www.hurun.net

Thinkers 50

According to The Thinkers 50 biennial poll of business thinkers, C. K. Prahalad has become the most influential living management guru in the world. Congratulations!

Useful link:
www.thinkers50.com

Random Thoughts

This is a piece of 19th century art furniture we are experimenting with, and whether it's art is irrelevant. We are asking very important questions about who can be represented in this extraordinary square of patriotic value - it's become a place of protest, it's become a place of celebration.

- Antony Gormley
www.oneandother.co.uk
www.antonygormley.com
www.london.gov.uk/fourthplinth

It was one-of-a-kind project. I thought it was brilliant.

The Art Instinct

The Art Instinct: Beauty, Pleasure, and Human Evolution by Denis Dutton is a brilliant book that combines both genetics + art, my favorite topics. A must read.

Useful links:
www.denisdutton.com
http://theartinstinct.com

Global Business BBC

I listen to the fantastic episode of Peter Day's Global Business every week. His report on Brazil, one of the emerging economies of the future was brilliant and insightful. Keep up the good work.

Useful links:
www.florusbrazil.com
www.insolitastudios.com
www.sebrae.com.br
www.embraer.com

Maggi Hambling

Check out Maggi Hambling's thoughts on LS Lowry's placid oceans. www.thelowry.com

Musical Motifs in ‘Tosca’

Anthony Tommasini's (chief classical music critic, New York Times) interpretations of Puccini's use of motifs with various characters and elements in 'Tosca' to enhance the emotional power of the work was brilliant. I loved it.

Noli Novak

Check out Noli Novak's stipple portrait of President Barack Obama. It was brilliant. I liked it.

Useful links:
http://hedcuts.blogspot.com
www.nolinovak.com

100 Most Important People In Art

The ArtReview Power 100 was educational and insightful.

Useful link:
www.artreview100.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim's viewpoint on Professor Dina Siegel was interesting. Check out her most recent academic study, titled 'The Mazzel Ritual: Culture, Customs and Crime in the Diamond Trade'.

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.uu.nl

Diamonds And Human Security, Annual Review 2009

Partnership Africa Canada's Diamonds and Human Security Annual Review for 2009 was interesting. They believe those governments that refuse to get tough on smuggling, human rights abuses, and money laundering were placing the scheme at high risk of collapse. I can't agree more.

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

Random Thoughts

Whatever it is you're looking to do or make or sell, you build your business on the assumption that you can do it better, smarter, and more efficiently than the competition. Otherwise, what's the point?

- Ivanka Trump
www.ivankatrumpcollection.com

An interesting viewpoint on jewelry business.

NORD Architects

I really liked NORD's immersive/experiential architecture. Keep up the good work.

Useful link:
www.nord-web.dk

Tres Amigas Project

Check out America's first renewable energy trading hub. Brilliant idea.

Useful link:
www.tresamigasllc.com

U.S. Retail Jewelry Update

Ken Gasssman's viewpoints on the retail jewelry sector in the U.S was educational and insightful. It was interesting to know that about 90 percent of the 22,500 specialty jewelers in the U.S. – just over 20,000 firms – generate annual sales of $2.5 million or less. Most of these firms operate only one or two stores. Thanks Ken.

Useful links:
www.kennethgassman.com
www.idexonline.com

Liesbet Bussche

Check out Belgian jewelry designer Liesbet Bussche's supersized baubles on the streets of Amsterdam. She turned concrete balls into black-pearl earrings, sculpted a necklace from construction-site rubble, and wove red and white beads into warning tape. I have never seen anything like that before. I thought it was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.liesbetbussche.com

Random Thoughts

My team at Random and here at the Opera House allow me to be very organised. I know what I'm doing way in advance, and I always make sure I've got enough time. Once I'm working on something, I don't do anything else. I'm mono-track.

- Wayne McGregor
www.randomdance.org

Brilliant!

A New Leonardo da Vinci Art

Here is an interesting spin. Antiques Trade Gazette reports that the work, previously catalogued as 'German, early 19th Century', could be a new Leonardo da Vinci portrait, based on infrared analysis. If original, the painting could be worth tens of millions of dollars.

Useful link:
www.antiquestradegazette.com

Startup Advice

Clara Villarosa, founder of the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem shares startup tips about developing realistic business ideas, finding funding, and analyzing competitors' marketing plans. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.huemanbookstore.com

Diamond Exhibit At American Museum of Natural History

A brilliant collection of 25 diamonds, including the Olympia Diamond Collection, is on display now through January 2010 at the American Museum of Natural History's Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems in New York City. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.amnh.org
www.scarselli.com
www.argylediamonds.com.au
www.gemesis.com
www.apollodiamond.com

Viral Loop

Viral Loop: From Facebook to Twitter, How Today's Smartest Businesses Grow Themselves by Adam L. Penenberg is a brilliant book on the power of the virus + the impact. A must read.

Useful links:

www.penenberg.com

www.caterina.net

www.hunch.com

Random Thoughts

It is natural and proper to prefer a business which is large and well managed, has a good record, and is expected to show increased earnings in the future. But these expectations, though seemingly well-founded, often fail to be realized. Many of the leading enterprises of yesterday are today far back in the ranks. Tomorrow is likely to tell a similar story.

- Benjamin Graham/David Dodd

So true.

Michael Gusky Viewpoints

The more a person knows about the value of their gold, the more likely they are to find an honest buyer and get the highest prices for their valuables. So, let's talk about gold. The higher the karat the higher the amount of gold in the jewelry. For instance, 10 karat gold contains 41.6 percent gold while 18 karat gold contains 75 percent gold. The rest are other metals alloyed with the gold for color and strength.

- Michael H Gusky
www.goldfellow.com

Spot on.

Global Arts Guide

Check out art venues/event/category via New York Times. I loved it. Thanks to Elisabeth Hopkins.

Jason de Caires Taylor

Meet Jason de Caires Taylor, and explore world’s first underwater sculpture park at www.underwatersculpture.com

Maharaja: The Splendour Of India’s Royal Courts

Check out Victoria and Albert Museum’s exhibition 'Maharaja: the Splendour of India’s Royal Courts’ at www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/maharaja

Bioneers Conference 2009

An interesting mix of viewpoints. www.bioneers.org

Carbon War Room

A unique philanthropic initiative. www.carbonwarroom.com