Global Business BBC

Peter Day's conversation with Niall Ferguson of the Harvard University was interesting and insightful. Many thanks. www.niallferguson.com

Random Thoughts

It's taken nine years to get to where we are now. A lot of drilling. A lot of sampling. A lot of studies. But it's all been worthwhile because now we're sitting on a major deposit. One of the best in the world.

- Matt Manson
www.stornowaydiamonds.com

All the best.

Micro World Of Gems

Check out John Koivula's improved website www.microworldofgems.com

Art Market Update

Duncan Mavin's report in the Wall Street Journal about snuff bottles was interesting. Many thanks. I think they are the most refined miniature art form ever developed. They are simply beautiful, period.

Useful link:
www.bonhams.com

The Most Creative Entrepreneurs In Business

Check out Fast Company's list of top creative entrepreneurs in business. www.fastcompany.com/100

Random Thoughts

Most jewelers are frustrated with the results of their marketing efforts and are constantly throwing up their hands and asking, “Does this stuff really work?” Marketing can truly be an energizing and exciting way to build your business, when you see positive results. Obviously, when you spend money and see little or no return there are only so many times you can continue to place your hand on the stove and endure the pain. Testing remains the single most important way to find out which idea, product or strategy will yield the highest return on your investment.

- James Porte
www.idexonline.com

So true!

The Gem Book

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has released the Gem Book, an invaluable reference for the gem and jewelry trade throughout the world. Check it out. www.cibjo.org

MuseumExpo 2010

Learn. Share. Connect. Have fun. www.museumexpo.org

Why Startups Should Train Their People

Ben Horowitz was spot on. Many thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Useful link:
http://bhorowitz.com

Hong Kong International Art Fair

The fair, also known as Art HK 10, runs from May 27 - 30, 2010. In just its third year, it's not nearly as big as some of the world's more established contemporary art fairs such as Art Basel or London's Frieze Art Fair. But still it is the fair in Asia. Don't miss. www.hongkongartfair.com

Mozambique Ruby Update

Check out the latest report on Mozambique rubies from the GIA Thailand research team. www.giathailand.com

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about Meroe was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful link:
www.louvre.fr

Random Thoughts

How come a “hot” buyer who knows what he wants to buy and how much he plans to spend, walks out of a store without a diamond ring for his fiancé? There is no simple answer to this. Many online retailers have an excellent return policy and after sale service. They also have highly-trained staff to provide assistance over the phone. They are perceived to be much cheaper, which they are not (they are somewhat cheaper). So price perception is an issue.

- Edahn Golan
www.idexonline.com
www.kennethgassman.com

So true!

Cannes Film Festival Update

Apichatpong Weerasethakul's mystical film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives has won the Palme d'Or. Congratulations!

Useful link:
http://www.festival-cannes.com/

What France's Stolen Masterpieces Tell Us

Will Gompertz's viewpoints on the stolen paintings were interesting. Many thanks. www.centrepompidou.fr

RIBA Awards 2010

The Royal Institute of British Architects has announced the winners of its 2010 awards for architectural excellence. www.architecture.com

Global Business BBC

Simple ideas on cleanliness. Many thanks to Peter Day for sharing the info.

Useful links:
www.lshtm.co.uk
www.sbs.ox.ac.uk
www.sheinnovates.com

The Untold Story Of The World's Biggest Diamond Heist

Can't wait to see the movie, really. The project is based on Joshua Davis' Wired magazine article.

Useful links:
www.joshuadavis.net
www.badrobot.com

Thai Gem Trade

Thailand's gemstone trade has come to near standstill, really. Bangkok's main shopping and business area has taken a bit hit and the government has a lot of hardwork ahead to fix the mess. I think Bangkok has changed forever.

Italian Gemological Scientific Conference 2010

The first Italian Scientific Gemological Conference will be held in Rome on June 15/16, 2010. Don't miss.

Muzo Emeralds

Ron Ringsrud has an interesting update from Muzo, Colombia. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.muzoemerald.com

Synthetic Life

J. Craig Venter has taken another step in his quest to create synthetic life, by synthesizing an entire bacterial genome and using it to take over a cell. Congratulations!

Useful link:

www.jcvi.org

Random Thoughts

They say there are two sides to everything. But there is only side to the stock market; and it is not the bull side or the bear side, but the right side. It took me longer to get that general principle fixed firmly in my mind than it did most of the more technical phases of the game of stock market speculation.

- Jesse Livermore

Spot on.

Crazy Like Us

A brilliant book. It's about us. http://crazylikeus.com

Pantone Color Services

The Pantone Universe is simply brilliant and inspiring. Check it out.

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

How To Sell Colored Gemstones

Jim Fiebig's opinion piece in the National Jeweler about colored gemstones was interesting. There is always opportunity in chaos. Many thanks.

Useful link:
www.zultanite.com

Art Market Update

Interesting private collection indeed. Mr Keverne was spot on. For the best and rare prices keep going up. The market speaks for itself. Many thanks to Economist.

Useful links:
www.bonhams.com
www.keverne.co.uk
www.littletonandhennessy.com

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Gordon Gekko is back. www.wallstreetmoneyneversleeps.com

Digital Avatars

A unique experience, really. http://ict.usc.edu

Gold Vending Machine

Check this out. Times are changing, really. www.gold-to-go.com

Jewelry Market Update

Ken Gassman was spot on. Many thanks.

Historically, the jewelry business has had low barriers of entry. Almost anyone could (and still can) open a jewelry store and generate some sales. The problem is that too many jewelers enter the business because they love the dazzle of diamonds and the glitter of gold; they fail to grasp the concept that this is a business proposition. We say that those people are in the “jewelry business.” They come and go; they don’t stay long because they aren’t good business people. In contrast to those people who are enamored with the sparkle and dazzle of jewelry, there are the people who understand that selling jewelry is just like any other business: you invest capital for a return. Those people could run any business, because they understand the financial dynamics that drive the business. We say those people are in the “business of jewelry.” These people are the long-term survivors in the jewelry industry. They have controls and systems in place to run their businesses. It’s not the color of the gemstones that captures their attention; rather, it is the color of money that captivates them.
- Ken Gassman

Useful link:
www.kennethgassman.com

Precious Metals Book

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has released the Precious Metals Book, an invaluable reference for jewelry manufacturers in all countries throughout the world. Check it out. www.cibjo.org

Keshi Cultured Pearls Update

Trade alert. Keshi cultured pearls are entering the natural pearl trade. Find the full article by clicking here. www.ssef.ch

Random Thoughts

Companies start out as hopes and dreams and stay there for at least a little while. Even after the product has been launched and users are jumping aboard, the company is still in hopes and dreams mode. But eventually one of three things happens to a company; it goes out of business, it gets sold, or it becomes a real business. And one of the most interesting things to watch and learn from, as an entrepreneur or investor in entrepreneurs, is what happens when you go from hopes and dreams to the real thing. There is a big chasm between hopes and dreams and the real thing. Companies need to grow up and go through the ugly adolescent phase. They start to doubt themselves, they start to churn employees, they may even go through a management change or two. Getting across this chasm is hard, it takes tenacity, both from the entrepreneur and team and from the investors. Everyone has to stay the course, buy into the plan, and execute it. Crossing the chasm to the real thing is not nearly as fun as the hopes and dreams phase. It is hard work and it happens after the gushing media has left your company for the shiny new thing. Your company will take a morale hit and you will have to lead it through this phase. But getting to the other side is worth all of it. There is nothing as satisfying in entrepreneur land than having a profitable growing sustainable business that doesn't need another dime of anyone else's capital. I have watched entrepreneurs stand up in front of their teams and tell them that they've reached that point. I get chills every time I see it.

- Fred Wilson
www.avc.com

So true!

360-Degree Research

Stuart Karten was spot on. Keep the focus on the end user. Period.

Useful links:
www.kartendesign.com
www.designresearchconference.org
www.starkey.com

Robin And Lucienne Day

Contemporary Days: Robin and Lucienne Day Design the UK, is a brilliant documentary about the British design duo whose abstract, modernist design help change the post-World War II Britian. Don't miss. www.designonscreen.org

Art Market Update

The Economist report on the state of the art market in America was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful link:
www.christies.com

CVD-grown Diamond Update

Rob Bates has an interesting update on the one-carat white lab-grown stone. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.apollodiamond.com

Art Market Update

Market fluctuations are creating larger shifts in art-world taste. Check it out.

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

Gold vs. Diamonds

Avi Krawitz was spot on. The safe-haven mantle remains firmly in gold’s grasp. Really. Many thanks.

When it comes to gold, demand is influenced by consumption and investment. While the outlook on gold consumption for jewelry, in particular, and for industrial use, is largely a function of global economic activity, this factor is easily offset by its reputation as a risk-free store of wealth. With its historic roots of serving as a form of money, gold traditionally maintains its value as currencies depreciate.To a large extent, diamonds offer the same safety net. In fact, as Rapaport Group’s chief economist, Yariv Segev, explains, it can be argued that diamonds are even safer than gold, given their easily transportable nature. However, as Segev stresses, that’s where the similarities end. Price trends for diamonds have shown little resemblance to those exhibited for gold in the past few years. While diamonds followed financial markets in waiting for assurances of economic improvement, gold was far more bullish in its recovery from the downturn.While my father, who is by no means a financial advisor, naturally thinks about gold at the slightest sign of economic weakness, today there are few, if any, who view diamonds in the same way. On the contrary, the diamond industry is — or at least should be — cautiously contemplating the possible impact that Europe’s bailout might have on global consumer confidence.The main difference between diamonds and gold lies in the fact that investments in diamonds are not large enough to influence prices. The industry is almost exclusively dependent on consumer demand and therefore, on economic growth. This makes it highly susceptible to risk. We learned this when, as the recession set in and unemployment rose, consumers naturally shied away from diamonds. To subvert that risk, the industry would do well to encourage investments in diamonds. While a strong marketing focus along these lines would help, as has been suggested by many before, the most effective way to achieve this goal would be through the commoditization of diamonds. Granted, the complications of such a development are well recognized and constitute a debate for another forum. But the theory is that commoditization would make diamonds more accessible to the man on the street as they become easier to trade. For now, we recognize it as gold’s major advantage over diamonds in wooing investors.
- Avi Krawitz

Useful link:
www.diamonds.net

Global Business BBC

Take a look at an online site for the exchange of new management ideas. Many thanks to Peter Day.

Useful links:
www.garyhamel.com
http://managementexchange.com

Diamond Auction

Sotheby’s diamond auction in Switzerland has seen a new record price per carat, with a blue, cushion-shaped 7.64 carat stone fetching 8.93m Swiss francs. A white emerald-cut 52.82 carat diamond fetched 8.8m Swiss francs, while an Alexandre Reza ring mounted with a 5.02 carat blue diamond sold for just over 7m Swiss francs. www.sothebys.com

Art Market Update

If you want to find out in which direction Western culture is headed, watch the auction scene. So true. Many thanks to Souren Melikian.

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

Glassphemy Project

Take a look at David Belt's latest project: Glassphemy! It's a psychological recycling experiment, really. http://macro-sea.com

KP Launches Facebook Page

The Kimberley Process (KP) has launched a Facebook page with useful links to related articles, background information about the process and issues relating to conflict diamonds. www.kimberleyprocess.com

The 2009 Diamond Pipeline

The 2009 Diamond Pipeline: The Year to Forget. Chaim was spot on. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.idexonline.com

Cannes 2010

Asia in Cannes. www.festival-cannes.com

Babies

Babies is simply beautiful. See it.

Useful links:
www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/babies
http://dschoolserver.stanford.edu/extreme
http://embraceglobal.org

Random Thoughts

The main conclusion to be drawn from the two main sales (Christies/Sothebys) is that there is still a lot of money out there for important works by stellar artists—work that combines rarity, excellence, wall power and a fabulous provenance. With interest rates at near-record lows, stock markets in the shallows and property prices well below what they were two years ago, art is an attractive alternative asset class. For the best of the best—in short, a work such as Mrs Brody's “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust”—there seems to be little shortage of people with $100m to burn in a single night. On the other hand, works with some taint—the wrong period, wrong colour, wrong size, wrong estimate—have a much tougher time finding buyers. Why risk spending $1m on a work you might not be able to re-sell? Even in a rising market, finding buyers is no easy ride.

- Economist
www.economist.com

Spot on.

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's viewpoints on pedal power was interesting. I am a huge fan. I hope it's available worldwide.

Useful links:
www.worksman.com
http://bamboobikestudio.com

CVD-grown Diamond Update

A New York lab has identified a near-colorless CVD-grown diamond larger than a carat that was submitted for grading. Buyer beware.

Useful links:
www.apollodiamond.com
www.gia.edu

Antiques For Everyone

As part of the Antiques For Everyone's silver anniversary celebration in July 2010, the Birmingham Assay Office in the U.K. will be showing important pieces from its private silver collection at the NEC. Check it out. www.antiquesforeveryone.co.uk

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about the state of the art maket (Impressionist/Modern works) was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful link:
www.christies.com

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Gary Hamel's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about the near infinite number of ways in which companies annoy their customers was brilliant. Many thanks.

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

Modern Masters With Alastair Sooke

Thanks to Alastair Sooke. I enjoyed the show. The way Warhol's life and artwork has been investigated was brilliant.

Useful link:
www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/modernmasters

No Dirty Gold Update

Gold mining has been linked to conflict and human rights violations, forest destruction, toxic pollution, and loss of lands and livelihoods. Take a look at the No Dirty Gold campaign and jewelry retailer statements.

Useful link:
www.nodirtygold.org

Take One Picture

Brilliant. I loved it. Many thanks. Take One Picture display have been inspired by one specific painting from the gallery's collection - Pierre-Auguste Renoir's The Umbrellas. Take a look with the project manager, Caroline Marcus. www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Stuart Semple

Take a look at Stuart Semple's latest collection. www.stuartsemple.com

Rough Diamond Report

IDEX Online Rough Diamond Report. www.idexonline.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Thanks ever so much, Chaim. I will really miss those insightful memos, really.

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com

2010 Turner Prize Shortlist

Turner Prize shortlist has been announced.

Useful link:
www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize

New Ruby Treatment

Learn more about the composite ruby story. www.aglgemlab.com

Art Market Update

A Pablo Picasso painting has set a new record for the most expensive art work sold at Christie's auction house in New York fetching $106m (£70m). Amazing prize, really.

Useful link:
www.christies.com

Tony Awards 2010

2010 Nominations Annoucement. www.tonyawards.com

Costume Institute Gala 2010

Take a look the Costume Institute exhibition: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Brilliant, really.

Useful link:
www.metmuseum.org

Ace Of Diamonds

David Domoney is designing the Ace of Diamonds display for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. This garden will celebrate links between plants and precious stones since many of the plants used will either have gemstones in their names or have flowers reminiscent of precious stones such as the hosta diamond tiara. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.domoney.tv
www.rhs.org.uk

Different: Escaping The Competitive Herd

Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd by Youngme Moon explores what it means for a business to be different, to be meaningfully different, to be different in a way that makes a difference to consumers. A must read.

Useful link:
www.youngmemoon.com

Corporate Social Responsibility Course

Take a look at the first Executive Course in Corporate Social Responsibility offered by the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF). The course will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, from June 20 - 22, 2010. www.cibjo.org

Future Of MBA Education

Srikant M. Datar / David A. Garvin was spot on. To remain relevant, business schools will have to rethink many of their most cherished assumptions. The world has changed, really.

Random Thoughts

I'm of a generation that doesn't collect things. We don't appreciate things. I'm kind of old-fashioned in that I appreciate things. I purchase things I enjoy and they are not always the most collectible. I have them because I am inspired by them.

- Jason Wu
www.jasonwustudio.com

Brilliant.

Zaha Hadid Update

Fascinating work indeed. www.zaha-hadid.com

Fairtrade + Fairmined Marks

The Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) and the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) has developed the first ever third party independent certification for gold to bring about social, environmental and economic development in artisanal and small-scale mining communities. This partnership enables both organizations to meet shared strategic objectives, creating a system to ensure that artisanal and small-scale miners can earn a better price for their gold. The partnership will be communicated on product via a co-labeling hallmark using both the FAIRTRADE and FAIRMINED Marks. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.fairtrade.net
www.communitymining.org
www.responsiblejewellery.com

Random Thoughts

Everyone knows the protocol when an engagement is announced. The happy couple is congratulated, then the groom-to-be has his hand shaken and the bride-to-be has hers delicately held up so everyone can admire the twinkling new diamond on her finger and make a swift and furtive guess at how much it cost. The modern engagement ring marries materialism and romance in one hard, beautiful stone. But can it last?

- Ceri Radford
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/author/ceriradford

Sometimes it's really hard to tell.

Free Comic Book Day

What’s better than comics? Free comics, really. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.freecomicbookday.com

Gerald Scarfe + Jonathan Yeo

Check out the art of politics with Gerald Scarfe and Jonathan Yeo. I enjoyed it. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.geraldscarfe.com
www.jonathanyeo.com

The Beauty Of Maps

A new exhibition at the British Library, Magnificent Maps, aims to put the art back into how we view, and use, these often beautiful examples. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.rgs.org
www.bl.uk
www.susanstockwell.co.uk

The World's Most Influential People

Take a look at The 2010 TIME 100. www.time.com

Rough Diamond Tender

Take a look at IdexOnline research report on rough diamonds sold at auction.

Useful links:
www.diamdel.com
www.bhpbilliton.com

The United States Kimberley Process Authority

The United States Kimberley Process Authority (USKPA) has launched its new website www.uskpa.org.

USKPA is a not for profit trade association formed for the purpose of administering and controlling the usage of U.S. Kimberley Process Certificates for the export of rough diamonds. The USKPA is authorized by the government to provide U.S. Kimberley Process Certificates to licensed entities for use in exporting rough diamonds. Check it out.

Picasso Collection

Met’s Picasso collection: 34 paintings, 58 drawings, a dozen sculptures and ceramics, along with 200 of the museum’s 400 prints is on display through August 2010. Many thanks to Holland Cotter for the info. Don't miss. www.metmuseum.org

Rupa Subramanya Dehejia Viewpoint

I thought Rupa Subramanya Dehejia's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal was interesting. Many thanks. You don't need a 10x. Income inequality is a visible inclusion in India today. In major cities, showing off one’s wealth / prosperity is becoming a popular sport in the emerging middle class and most certainly of the nouveau riche. Time for total internal reflection, really.

BP Portrait Award 2010

Take a look at shortlisted artists. www.npg.org.uk

Shanghai Expo 2010

Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China will be held in the city of Shanghai, China from May 1 - October 31, 2010. Don't miss.

Useful link:
http://en.expo2010.cn

The Jade Story

The Economist story on the Chinese passion for jade was interesting.

Useful links:
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
www.christies.com

The Rio Tinto Pink Diamond Tender

According to Josephine Archer, business manager, Argyle Pink Diamonds, there are only around 500 more Tender-quality diamonds available between now and 2018, and, like in any auction, once they are gone, they are gone. Period.

Useful links:
www.riotintodiamonds.com
www.riotinto.com
www.argylediamonds.com.au
www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au

Random Thoughts

Rarity and demand are the two main factors. Top-quality diamond rough, especially among highly sought-after colored diamonds, is increasingly rare. At the same time, demand for investment-grade diamonds is continuing to grow worldwide, driven by the growing number of collectors in Asia, Europe, Russia and the U.S., as well as emerging markets in India, the Middle East and South America. The stability we have seen throughout this recessionary period is in some ways a function of the economy itself. Diamonds and gemstones have long been regarded as a stable store of value, and it is not unusual for collectors to seek out these alternative investments, especially in times of economic uncertainty.

- Rahul Kadakia
www.christies.com

Spot on.

Global Witness Update

This is Zimbabwe (TIZ). In Marange, diamond business will be as usual. The twig is bend so shall the tree grow. Sad, really.

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

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Gary Hamel's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about the fault lines that run between individuals and institutions + the new thinking was brilliant. Many thanks.

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

Paul Graham Viewpoint

Organic startup ideas. www.paulgraham.com

Art Cars At Milan 2010

Take a quick look at this year’s Art Cars at Milan 2010.

Useful link:
www.calder.org

JIC Ultimate Proposal Contest 2010

I thought JIC's Ultimate Proposal Contest was a brilliant idea. The best engagement proposal story are ready for viewing online at JIC.org/ ProposalContest now through April 30, 2010.

Useful links:
www.jewelers.org
www.JIC.org

Sabine Roemer

The Emerald Queen, a life-size fiberglass elephant designed by U.K. jeweler Sabine Roemer, will debut in the Wonder Room of London-based department store Selfridge's. Don't miss.

Useful link:
www.sabineroemer.com
www.worldlandtrust.org
www.selfridges.com

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about Turkish work of art was insightful. Many thanks.

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

Unilock

Take a look at the new Unilock Pre-Set instructional kit for its patented bezel setting system. www.presetstone.com

Random Thoughts

The discipline which is most important in investing is not accounting or economics, but psychology.

- Howard Marks
www.oaktreecapital.com

Spot on.

Global Business BBC

Folding bikes, e-bikes, tricycles, recumbents, fixies, cargo bikes, and bamboo bikes is being reinvented and demand is great. The world is witnessing a genuine cultural shift towards two wheels. Many thanks to Peter Day for sharing his viewpoints.

Useful links:
www.brompton.co.uk
www.cyclescheme.co.uk
www.gocycle.com
www.wiggle.co.uk

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim Even Zohar was spot on. The Oppenheimer family has a unique ability to surprise and it won’t be any different this time around. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.debeersgroup.com
www.dtc.com
www.e6.com
www.forevermark.com

Pearl Book

CIBJO (Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie et Orfèvrerie), also known as the World Jewellery Confederation has released the Pearl Book. Check it out. www.cibjo.org

Blood, Sweat And Luxuries

Six young British consumers swap their luxury lives for the simple mud huts and shanty towns of Africa and Asia to work alongside the people who mine, manufacture, process and recycle luxury goods. Don't miss.

The Colour of Paradise

The Colour of Paradise: Colombian Emeralds in the Age of Gunpowder Empires by Kris Lane traces the remarkable story of intercontinental trade (emeralds), from Colombian hillside to Mughal court. A must read.

Useful link:
http://kelane.people.wm.edu