Diamond Dreidel

Check out the world's very first diamond dreidel by Mervis Diamond Importers. Diamond collectors take note. www.mervisdiamond.com/tacori-diamonds

The Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair 2010

The Antwerp Diamond Bourse - Beurs voor Diamanthandel - is to launch by-invitation only diamond trade fair in the bourse trading hall, February 7-9, 2010. I think the invitation-only exhibition is aimed at high-end diamond, gem and jewelry buyers.

Useful link:
www.awdc.be

Random Thoughts

The four most costly words in investment are: this time is different.

- Sir John Templeton
www.sirjohntempleton.org

So true!

James Cameron’s New 3-D Epic

Joshua Davis's opinion piece in Wired about James Cameron was brilliant. He is the new avatar of this century. There is no doubt about it.

Useful link:
www.joshuadavis.com

The Economics Of Social Gaming

Jeremy Liew's opinion piece in Paid Content was interesting/insightful. It's really amazing how social games have evolved in the last few years.

Useful link:
www.lightspeedvp.com

The Art Of The Idea

Check out John Hunt's brilliant insights via The Art of the Idea: And How It Can Change Your Life

Useful link:
www.tbwa.com

Congo's Gold

Here is the 60 Minutes transcript on Congo Gold.

Useful links:
www.hrw.org
www.enoughproject.org
www.nodirtygold.org
www.responsiblejewellery.com
www.gold.org

Art Market Review

The Economist viewpoint on the state of the art market in Hong Kong was interesting. Sellers have become more greedy and buyers, especially Chinese buyers, have become selective. It's really amazing how quickly the Chinese have become knowledgeable over the years, and they don’t like being taken advantage of. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.bonhams.com

Diamond & Gemstone Grading Reports 2009

Check out National Jeweler's Diamond and Gemstone Grading Reports 2009. I don't think it's a complete list, but still informative. click here.

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about the current state of the art market was interesting. If you are short on major paintings, market what you have on the back of a good story. So true!

Useful link:
www.christies.com

Carbozyme

Check out a New Jersey-based startup called Carbozyme, and their new green technology. According to Carbozyme, the process uses a third less energy than other CO2 storage methods. I wish them all the best.

Useful links:
www.carbozyme.us
www.futuregenalliance.org

Hey Oscar Wilde! It’s Clobberin’ Time!

Hey Oscar Wilde! It’s Clobberin’ Time! is run by Steve Gettis. I loved it. http://heyoscarwilde.com

Rapaport Diamond Market Report

Avi Krawitz was spot on. The financial crisis is not completely over and could still strike in the most unexpected of places. www.diamonds.net

Olympus BioScapes 2009

Check out the breathtaking images from The BioScapes 2009 competition. They are amazing, really.

Useful link:
www.olympusbioscapes.com

Dror Benshetrit

Dron Benshetrit's designs are stunningly complex but simple. I liked it.

Useful link:
www.studiodror.com

Pictory

A picture is worth a thousand words. I liked the pictures and narratives. Hats off to Laura Brunow Miner!

Useful link:
www.pictorymag.com

Art Basel Miami Beach 2009

Latin Americans have emerged as the fair's new power players. What an interesting story!

Useful links:
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com
www.artbasel.com
www.faria-fabregas.com
www.miamiartmuseum.org

The Best Books 2009

The Economist has unveiled the best books lists of 2009. Check it out.

Sundance Film Festival Update

This is Sundance. Check out the complete screening schedule.

Useful links:
http://festival.sundance.org
www.sundance.org

Earth's Climate History

Richard Black's commentary on earth's climate history was educational and insightful. Thanks Richard. Check out the text only version.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim was spot on. These are days of hope and expectation.

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtc.com
www.angloamerican.co.uk

Random Thoughts

A diamond’s trip down the pipeline can be a long one, with many stops along the way - at the rough dealer, the polisher, the jewelry maker and wholesaler - until it arrives in a store. And while all of theses stages are essential, the final eighteen inches across the retailer’s sales counter to the consumer are the critical stage. If the product fails to move across that final foot-and-a-half, the pipeline grinds to a halt.

- Ken Gassman
www.kennethgassman.com
www.diamondintelligence.com

So true!

SeARCH Projects

Check out new design styles by SeARCH + Christian Müller Architects. They are simply beautiful, really.

Useful links:
www.search.nl
www.christian-muller.com

The Cartier Column Project

Alessandro Mendini's striking Cartier Column (object d'art using fine/precious gems), a one-of-a-kind masterpiece will be on display at Art Basel Miami in the Cartier Salon in the Art Collectors Lounge of the the Miami Beach Convention Center from December 3 - 6, 2009. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.ateliermendini.it
www.cartier.com
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

TweetBookz

Internet entrepreneurs Asael Kahana and Jacob Shwirtz have launched TweetBookz, a book composed of any Twitter user’s history of tweets. I thought it was an interesting concept. Check it out. I wish them all the best.

Useful links:
www.tweetbookz.com
www.definitelysomething.com

Random Thoughts

If you're selling any asset today, you have to think of Asia. That's where the action is, that's where the power is, that's where the wealth is.

- Larry Warsh
Art collector/Founder of Museums Magazines
www.yishujournal.com
www.christies.com
www.graffdiamonds.com
www.auroragems.com

Spot on.

Stuart Haygarth

Stuart Haygarth is one-of-kind eco-artist. He literally turns trash into treasure. Have a look.

Useful links:
www.stuarthaygarth.com
www.haunchofvenison.com

The Map That Changed The World

The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology by Simon Winchester is a fascinating book about a truly forgotten man. A must read.

Useful link:

www.simonwinchester.com

Women In The Art World

Phoebe Hoban's opinion piece in the ARTnews about the impact of women on contemporary art was interesting. I think they deserve a lot of credit.

Useful links:
www.guggenheim.org
www.moca.org
www.nmwa.org
http://ps1.org
www.brooklynmuseum.org
www.moma.org
www.whitney.org
www.centrepompidou.fr
www.lacma.org
www.brainstormersreport.net
www.guerrillagirls.com

Jane Brown

Check out Jane Brown's (Observer) photography at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Useful links:
www.npg.org.uk
www.janebrownphotography.com

Amsterdam Sauer

Check out Amsterdam Sauer's new website featuring jewelry, watches and objets d'art from Brazil. www.amsterdamsauer.com

Global Business BBC

We are growing up in a new kind of society. The stories of new wave of entrepreneurs was interesting. Thanks Peter. I enjoyed it.

Useful links:
www.umh.ua
www.cdprojekt.com

Society6

Society6 is an accessible social network where art can be bought, sold, promoted, and created. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.society6.com

Random Thoughts

The temperature of the air is increasing, the temperature of the ocean is increasing, sea levels are rising - and the Sun appears to have very little influence on what we see.

- Dr Colin Summerhayes
www.scar.org
www.ats.aq
www.ipcc.ch
www.bas.ac.uk
www.awi.de

Let's just hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Platon Viewpoint

The interactive portfolio of portraits by Platon of world leaders was brilliant. I loved it.

Useful link:
www.platonphoto.com

Cédric Delsaux

The images of industrialized wasteland were shocking. Seeing is believing. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.cedricdelsaux.com

Design Korea 2009

Design = Creative industry = Engine of green growth.

Useful links:
www.designkorea.or.kr
www.bodw.com

New Medieval & Renaissance Galleries

Opening 2 December 2009. Victoria and Albert Museum is home to one of the world's most remarkable collections of treasures from the period. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.vam.ac.uk

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Gary was spot on. Good design is rare.

Useful links:
http://blogs.wsj.com/management
www.garyhamel.com
www.technogym.com
http://designthinking.ideo.com

Micropolitan Museum

The microbe portraits from the Micropolitan Museum were stunningly beautiful/educational. Hats off to Wim van Egmond!

Useful link:
www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/micropolitan
http://micropolitan.org

Evie Wyld

Evie Wyld has won this year's prestigious John Llewellyn Rhys literary prize. The novel tells the story of a father and son, their wars and the secrets they keep. Congratulations!

Useful links:
www.eviewyld.com
www.booktrust.org.uk

Trailblazing

The Royal Society, founded in London in 1660, is marking the start of its 350th year by putting 60 of its most memorable research papers online. Check it out.

Useful links:
http://trailblazing.royalsociety.org
http://royalsociety.org

Random Thoughts

We’re seeing a move incrementally back to what the Art Basel brand used to be over 30 years ago: a professional trade fair. We’ll see much less of the fashionista crowd this year who don’t purchase works or contribute in any meaningful way to the art world. Before the slump, the market was unrealistic and overblown. It has stabilised now, but keep in mind that the market is made up of many different strata.

- Todd Levin
www.levinartgroup.com
www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

An interesting viewpoint on art market.

The Age Of Aging

The Age of Aging: How Demographics are Changing the Global Economy and Our World by George Magnus is an insightful book on the economics of aging. A must read.

Useful link:
www.georgemagnus.com

Red Dot Museum

Check out the red dot concept winners at www.red-dot.sg

World Press Photo 2009

World Press Photo winners gallery 2009. www.worldpressphoto.org

A Buddhist Tale

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about the stunningly beautiful Buddhist statues from China was interesting. All great cultures go through metamorphosis, and religion does play a part leaving their own distinctive fingerprints.

Useful links:
www.cernuschi.paris.fr
www.artasie.com
www.royalacademy.org.uk

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Thanksgiving Week. Beginning of the holiday seasons. The new fashion was brilliant. Tiny bits of fantasy. This is the real thing. Thanks Bill. I enjoyed it.

Random Thoughts

My joke is that it’s a business for the great-grandchildren. If you break through and create a brand, you can make it. But you have to be a serious player.

-Craig Hall
www.hallwines.com
www.robertmondaviwinery.com
www.wineamerica.org
www.newyorkwines.org

Spot on.

Art Market Update

The Economist art review was interesting. Who would have thought a few years ago that China would overtake France for the first time to become the third-biggest art market in the world? Amazing, really. China has got the momentum now. I hope they don't screw up.

Useful links:
www.the-saleroom.com
www.sothebys.com
www.christies.com
http://huachenauctions.com
www.chongyuan.cn
www.polypm.com.cn
www.cguardian.com
www.artseconomics.com

Artballing

I thought Michael Vaughan's artballing technique was interesting. I have never seen anything like this before. Brilliant, really.

It is a very rare thing to be able to follow a career path that you love and the opportunity to combine my two greatest passions - art and cricket - has been a sublime moment in an extraordinary life of highs and low, dreams and sometimes nightmares. Artballing captures the drama, speed and excitement of cricket in one precious, dynamic visual moment that, unlike the perfect six, lasts a lifetime.
- Michael Vaughan

Useful links:
www.michaelvaughan.net
www.castlegalleries.com

StoryCorps

StoryCorps = the art of natural storytelling / priceless moments via raw emotion. I believe these sort of projects help us keep in touch with our roots and history. It's real, it's what life is all about. I loved it.

Useful links:
www.storycorps.org
http://soundportraits.org

Best Business Books 2009

Best Business Books of 2009 by Strategy + Business.

DeRose Vineyards

Tamara Audi's story in the Wall Street Journal about DeRose Vineyards was interesting. Someday I would like to visit this winery to see the fault zone.

Useful links:
www.derosewine.com
www.es.ucsc.edu/personnel/Brodsky
www.usgs.gov

Maria Kalman Viewpoint

The way you interpreted special events like Thanksgiving was simply brilliant and inspiring. Thanks Maira. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Useful links:
www.mairakalman.com
http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com

The Modern Jade Story

Alexandra Seno's viewpoint in the Wall Street Journal about jade was interesting and insightful. Today, a string of plain, polished round beads in the much-desired shade of green (imperial jade) can command US$1 million. Spot on. The best colors are rare/old.

Useful links:
http://teufi.com
www.life-of-circle.com
www.qeelin.com

Costume Jewelry Update

Victoria Gomelsky's opinion piece in the New York Times was interesting. Costume jewelry = price diversity. Amazingly fine jewelry and costume jewelry coexist fantastically. Sign of the times, really.

Useful links:
www.gomelsky.net
www.chanel.com

Zimbabwe’s Diamond Mines

Joshua Hammer's report on Zimbabwean diamonds in Fast Company was educational and insightful. Sadly many companies/gem dealers will continue to do business in Zimbabwe.

Useful link:
www.joshuahammer.com

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell: The Photographs Behind the Art was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.nrm.org

Japan's Micro-Homes

Small is beautiful. It takes a lot to bring about change. It's a state of mind. Living small isn't easy, but people are starting to take notice of the trend. It may not be for everyone, but I love it.

Random Thoughts

They get one letter from me every couple of years. And basically it says, run this business like it's the only business that your family can own for the next 100 years. You can't sell it. But every year don't measure it by the earnings in the quarter that year. Measure it by whether the moat around that business, what gives it competitive advantage over time has widened or narrowed. If you keep doing that for 100 years, it's going to work out very well. Then I tell them basically if the reason for doing something is everybody else is doing it, it's not good enough. If you have to use that as a reason, forget it.

- Warren Buffett
www.berkshirehathaway.com

Spot on. I loved it.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Luke Johnson's opinion piece in the Financial Times about the dos and don'ts of business partnerships was interesting. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

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

Galaxy Game

I thought the web-based project Galaxy Zoo was a brilliant simulation exercise. The simulated images not only show the different aspects of galaxy formation, but also generate data that will help astronomers' understanding of these collisions.

Useful links:
http://mergers.galaxyzoo.org
www.galaxyzoo.org

World's Most Powerful Person

Forbes magazine has named U.S. President Barack Obama as the world's most powerful person. I hope he does the right thing for the world, and wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors.

Useful link:
www.barackobama.com

Open-Source Approach

Justin Lahart's story on Arduino in the Wall Street Journal was interesting. I think allowing duplication is a better way to spur innovation than keeping designs under lock and key.

Useful links:
www.arduino.cc
http://interactionivrea.org
http://web.media.mit.edu/~leah
http://thehighlowtech.com
www.sparkfun.com

Dance With Chance

Dance with Chance: Making Luck Work for You by Spyros Makridakis + Robin Hogarth + Anil Gaba is an insightful about how luck plays an important role in a person's wealth, health and happiness. A must read.

Useful link:

http://dancewithchance.com

Random Thoughts

The global financial crisis had its origins in short-term, unsustainable strategies and actions. Before the crisis and since, we (and others) have called for a more long-term and responsible form of capitalism – what we call “sustainable capitalism”. Yet despite our collective best efforts, one year on, the capital markets seem to be reverting to business as usual.

- Al Gore/David Blood
www.generationim.com
www.algore.com

Spot on.

Art Market Update

The Economist special report on the art market was interesting. The best that can be said about the market at the moment is that it is holding its breath, and there are still buyers in the market. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
http://sarah-thornton.com
www.artseconomics.com
www.us.capgemini.com/worldwealthreport08
www.christies.com
www.sothebys.com
www.drouot.com
www.bonhams.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim made a very interesting point. I love your posts and looking forward to read more from you. Thanks Chaim.

Useful links:
www.antwerpdiamondbank.com
www.diamondintelligence.com
http://ec.europa.eu

Diamonds Are A Jeweler’s Best Friend

Ken Gassman's survey about the diamond retail jewelry sector was interesting. Diamonds and diamond jewelry are the largest selling category in a specialty jeweler’s store everywhere. Period. Thanks Ken.

Useful links:
www.kennethgassman.com
www.jewelers.org
www.americangemsociety.org
www.instoremag.com
www.tiffany.com
www.bluenile.com

Courtauld Gallery

Check out Frank Auerbach’s paintings of the rebuilding of London, from the 1950s and early ’60s at the Courtauld Gallery. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.courtauld.ac.uk

World Design Capital 2012

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design has named the city of Helsinki (Finland) the World Design Capital for 2012. Congratulations!

Useful links:
www.icsid.org
www.wdc2012helsinki.fi

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol

A handwritten manuscript of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol has gone on display at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York. Don't miss. Charles Dickens exhibition - The Morgan Library and Museum

Conflict Gold

Check out a 60 Minutes piece on the role gold plays in fueling conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo this Sunday, November 29, 2009.

1-1-1 Model

I really liked Marc Benioff’s (Salesforce.com) 1-1-1 Model + his new book Behind the Cloud

Thanks to the falling cost of hardware, overseas coders, and on-demand services, start-ups need less capital to get off the ground.
- Marc Benioff

Commute Greener

Check out Commute Greener application via Volvo Group. The technology helps reduce global and personal CO2 footprints by greener commuting. Give it a try.

Useful links:
www.commutegreener.com
www.volvo.com

Getting Real

Getting Real is a collection of essays from the founders of 37signals. The concept of Getting Real is about doing it. Brilliant.

Useful links:
http://37signals.com
http://productblog.37signals.com

Statkraft's Osmotic Power Plant

Seeing is believing. Statkraft's osmotic plant located in Tofte, Norway, is the first pilot plant to use the power produced when salt water and fresh water combine in a polymer membrane. The company believes it could be viable anywhere that a river meets or comes close to the ocean.

Useful link:
www.statkraft.com

Brazil's Ethanol Industry

Peter Day's viewpoint on Brazil's ethanol industry was insightful.

Useful links:
www.eesp.fgv.br
www.iconebrasil.org.br
http://english.unica.com.br

KiBiSi

Jens Martin Skibsted + Bjarke Ingels + Lars Holme Larsen = KiBiSi

Useful links:
www.kibisi.com
http://biomega.dk
www.big.dk
www.kilodesign.dk

Paul Delaroche's Artwork

A painting by Paul Delaroche is going back on display after being damaged in a World war II air raid and hidden away for decades. The painting will be shown in London's National Gallery from 24 February, 2010. Mark your calendar.

Useful link:
www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Identity: Eight Rooms, Nine Lives

Check out Wellcome Collection's new exhibition on Identity. http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8375000/8375695.stm

The Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson's latest film, The Lovely Bones, is based on Alice Sebold's best-selling novel, a brilliant story told from the perspective of a murdered teenage girl who reaches out to her family from the afterlife + he says Tintin film is finished. I am a huge fan of Peter Jackson, and I can hardly wait to see this movie!

Useful links:
www.lovelybones.com
www.tintin.com

Marange Diamonds

The Rapaport Group/RapNet Diamond Trading Network have implemented an immediate trading ban on all diamonds from Zimbabwe's Marange diamond fields due to severe human rights violations. I think that this was the right thing to do and the ethical thing to do.

Useful links:
www.diamonds.net/Zimbabwe
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.wfdb.com

The Design Museum Holon

I thought Ron Arad's architecture was stunningly beautiful. The building looks very similar to Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim New York. I liked it.

Useful links:
www.dmh.org.il
www.ronarad.com

Luke Johnson Veiwpoint

Luke Johnson was spot on. How to murder your company in 10 easy steps.

- Take on too much debt
- Choose the wrong business partner
- Become overdependent on one customer
- Get ill
- Make a mess of a major IT project
- Get into a price war
- Sign a burdensome property lease
- Forget your customers
- Never evolve
- Don’t bother investing

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

Training And Research

Check out the educational programmes designed for CIBJO by AIFOMD.

Useful links:
www.sustainablejewellery.org
www.aifomd.org
www.cibjo.org
www.unitar.org
www.un.org/millenniumgoals
www.antwerpdiamondsymposium.com

Random Thoughts

I should charge 600 euros (for a meal at elBulli), but I do not cook for millionaires. I cook for sensitive people. Creativity comes first; then comes the customer.

- Chef Ferran Adrià
www.elbulli.com

Interesting thoughts, really.

Coral Update

Megan Gambino's story in the Smithsonian about coral spawning was educational and insightful.

To me, coral spawning is like a total eclipse of the sun. You should see it once in your life.
- Nancy Knowlton

Useful links:
http://sio.ucsd.edu/Profile/nknowlton
http://cmbc.ucsd.edu

International Council Of Societies Of Industrial Design Congress 2009

Efficiency to creativity. A call to develop design propositions for a 2050 scenario.

Useful links:
www.icsidcongress09.com
www.icsid.org
www.thedesign2050challenge.com

Reinventing Yourself

Bob Buford's opinion piece in BusinessWeek about halftime impact was brilliant. Thanks Bob.

Useful links:
www.halftime.org
www.activeenergy.net
www.bobbuford.com

Fela!

Jon Pareles's viewpoint in the New York Times about Fela was interesting.

Useful links:
www.felaonbroadway.com
www.felaproject.net

The Farming Game

The Farming Game by Bryan L. Jones is a fascinating book about farm economics and commonsense with wit and insight. A must read.

Random Thoughts

Diamonds are terrifically difficult to value or to audit the value. The only time the value is certain is when it crystallises in a sale.

- Ian Henderson
JPMorgan, London
www.jpmorgan.com

Spot on.

Bill Cunningham Viewpoint

On the Street / Colors. Stylish women are wearing many points of view -- so long as it's black with a touch of white. It was brilliant. Thanks Bill.

India's Richest

Naazneen Karmali's special report in Forbes Asia about India's 100 Richest was interesting.

Centquatre

Check out Le 104 or the Centquatre, a multidisciplinary arts center in Paris. A must visit.

Useful link:
www.104.fr

Diamond Market Update

The Economist story about colored diamonds was interesting. Laurence Graff was right. If you have money to invest, there is no safer haven than something rare. Rarity is the greatest single factor influencing today’s auction prices for superb colored diamonds.

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

Art Review

Souren Melikian's viewpoint in the New York Times about Fal-Nameh/Book of Omens was interesting.

Useful links:
www.asia.si.edu
www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr

Random Thoughts

Japanese companies reinvented the process of making cars. That's what we're doing in health care. What health care needs is process innovation, not product innovation.

- Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty
www.narayanahospitals.com

Spot on.