Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2010

The Euro-Gem theme this year: De la pierre brute au bijou (From rough stone to jewel). Don't miss. www.euromineral.fr

The Rug Market

Kelly Crow's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about world's top rug collection was educational and insightful. They are unique work of art.

Age + Color + Condition + Weave + Imagery = Quality grade criterias

Useful links:
www.christies.com
www.textilemuseum.org

National Design Awards 2010

The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum has announced the winners of the 2010 National Design Awards. The awards are the closest thing the country has to a Nobel Prize in design. Check this years winners. www.nationaldesignawards.org

Education Of A Wandering Man

It's a true masterpiece. www.louislamour.com

Quick Reference Guide For Gold And Silver

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has published a Quick Reference Guide for manufacturers and sellers of jewelry made from combinations of gold and silver. The new publication supplements JVC’s Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Advertising Gold and Silver Jewelry (The Essential Guide). Check it out. www.jvclegal.org

ICA Congress 2011

The 2011 ICA Congress will be held in Brazil on April 30 - May 4, 2011. The congress will be hosted by IBGM-Brazilian Gems & Jewellery Trade Association. The theme for the 2011 ICA Congress is Ethical Mining & Fair Trade: Certification challenges from Mine to Market. www.gemstone.org

Art Fairs To Remember

Collectors have come to prefer buying at art fairs to entering sometimes intimidating private galleries. That is one reason why dealers take part. For them fairs are also a great way to meet new clients. So true. The lovers of art and antiques are enjoying the surprise of having so much choice. Many thanks to Economist for the update.

Useful links:
www.haughton.com
www.masterpiecefair.com
www.olympia-antiques.co.uk
www.lifaf.com

Random Thoughts

It is really that simple: Design follows money. Get budget, get design. Design firms don't design without clients (which requires budgets), and in-house departments are not very effective without great people (which also requires budgets). Think of this as Designomics.

- Thomas Lockwood
www.dmi.org

Spot on.

Pierino da Vinci Sculpture

Pierino da Vinci's sculpture is indeed a treasure of the utmost importance. Just do the right thing. www.mla.gov.uk

Visions Of Dubai Gold Coin

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the World Gold Council (WGC) has launched The Palm edition of the Visions of Dubai gold coin series. The coins also carry DMCC’s stamp of quality and authenticity and are made of 24-karat gold. They are available in 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce and 1/10 ounce sizes. Check it out.

Useful links:
www.dmcc.ae
www.emiratesgold.ae
www.gold.org

Technology Update

The Economist report on wireless technology was brilliant. Harvesting energy was interesting. It is magical, really.

Useful links:
http://research.nokia.com
http://techresearch.intel.com
www.fultoninnovation.com
http://ecoupled.com
www.witricity.com
www.powercastco.com

YouTube Play 2010

Anyone with access to a video camera and a computer will have an opportunity to catch the eye of a Guggenheim curator and vie for a place in a video-art exhibition in October at all of the foundation’s museums: the Solomon R. Guggenheim in New York, the Deutsche Guggenheim in Berlin, the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. A brilliant way to discover innovative work, really. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.guggenheim.org
www.youtube.com

India Startup Update

Sandeep Singhal's viewpoints was interesting. Great execution starts with having a very clear understanding of the problem that you are trying to address, having a plan to meet that need, and building a strong team to execute against the plan. It is about being able to create and sell a compelling value proposition to your customers, always seeking feedback from them, and being flexible based on what you hear. It is about being aware of what competitors are doing and being a step ahead of them. Spot on. Many thanks.

Useful links:
www.nexusvp.com
www.medusind.com

Random Thoughts

As an executive who travels the world, I feel there is nothing more disturbing than to see and hear about children who have been victimized. As a parent of young children, I just couldn't stand by and ignore this global tragedy any longer. With Jewelgirls, the jewelry industry and consumers, as a whole, can directly help innocent children to put their lives back together and be less susceptible to trafficking altogether.

- Rodney Rahmani
www.brilliantstars.com
www.fairfund.org

Spot on.

BBC's Opera Season

Top 11 Arias. Check it out. www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/opera

Pala Minerals

Pala International has announced the debut of the firm’s website for the mineral enthusiast: Palaminerals.com. Check it out. I really liked Pala International's slogan: The only way to sell quality is to buy it.

Ruby / Sapphire Market Update

Russell Shor's opinion piece in National Jeweler about traditional corundum sources, treatments, and maintaining consumer confidence was insightful. Many thanks. www.gia.edu

Tony Awards 2010

The American rock ’n’ roll story Memphis has won the Tony Award for best musical, and the British production Red for the best play and five other Tonys, one of the highest totals for a play in recent years. Congratulations!

Vast Discovery Of Mineral Deposits In Afghanistan

James Risen's story in the New York Times about the discovery of untapped mineral deposits by the United States Geological Survey was interesting. Afghanistan becoming the Saudi Arabia of lithium is good news and bad news for the region. We are going to see kabuki play of the century between China, Russia, United States, Pakistan, Iran and the crazy war-mongers in the region. Stay tuned.

John Underkoffler Project

G-speak from John Underkoffler was brilliant. He has unveiled his latest work at TED. Don't miss. http://oblong.com

Sustainable Brands Innovation Open 2010

What is sustainable innovation? Check out Sustainable Brands Conference's second annual Innovation Open in Monterey, CA. Lively discussions. World-changing impact.

Tiffany's iPhone Application

Tiffany's engagement ring finder via iPhone was a brilliant idea. Check it out. http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/Browse.aspx

Conflict Gold: The New Blood Diamonds

Sasha Lezhnev viewpoints. It does make sense. The human devastation is real. www.enoughproject.org

The New Retail Consumer

Margo De Angelo/Phyllis Schiller's report in Rapaport about America's changing demographics and the impact was educational and insightful. Many thanks.

Useful links:

www.ahaa.org

www.pewhispanic.org

www.hispanicad.com

www.multicultural.com

www.targetmarketnews.com

www.blackamericastudy.com

www.3af.org

www.asian-nation.org

www.asianweek.com

www.vividmagazine.net

www.ethnictechnologies.com

Undead Jazz Fest 2010

Hats off to Brice Rosenbloom. Just do it. www.undeadjazzfest.com

Random Thoughts

When you put out something like this, there's going to be a lot of naysayers. But the people who really have good eyes in this field that I've shown the painting to, they've all agreed with me. With attributions, it's not the number of people who agree with you, it's the quality of their judgments.

- Everett Fahy
www.metmuseum.org

Spot on.

Global Business BBC

Peter Day reviews the problems facing the press and the business press in particular. Check it out.

Useful links:
http://europe.wsj.com
www.c-changemedia.com
www.buzzmachine.com
http://journalism.nyu.edu
www.penenberg.com

Rating Diamond Grading Labs

Rob Bates was spot on. There are no easy answers. If the industry can find a way to settle this, they would have a far more ethical industry, really.

Yair Shimansky Collection

Yair Shimansky has created the exquisite Diamond Soccer Ball. The unique diamond studded ball made from 6620 white and 2640 black round brilliant cut South African diamonds, weighing 3500 carats in totality, give this ball a total weight of 2.2kgs and a value of $2.5 million. Check it out. www.shimansky.co.za

Random Thoughts

Good jobs — in bulk — don’t come from government. They come from risk-takers starting businesses — businesses that make people’s lives healthier, more productive, more comfortable or more entertained, with services and products that can be sold around the world. You can’t be for jobs and against business.

- Thomas L Friedman
www.thomaslfriedman.com
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/oped/columnists/thomaslfriedman/index.html

Spot on.

Orange Prize 2010

Barbara Kingsolver has won the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction with her sixth novel The Lacuna. Congratulations. www.kingsolver.com + www.orangeprize.co.uk

Lilith Festival 2010

Meet the new music festival/founders/eco-conscious entrepreneurs and their viewpoints. www.lilithfair.com + www.i4ccampaign.com

World Innovation Forum 2010

Andreas Weigend viewpoint. Web 1.0 (getting business online = ebusiness) = Web 2.0 (customer focus=mebusiness) = Web 3.0. Check it out. www.weigend.com

Art Market Update

George/Mary Bloch’s snuff bottles collection. Chinese snuff bottles, from the mid-18th century on, tend to be made from precious materials, such as jade, ivory, lacquer, porcelain, bronze, silver, enamel, jet, rock crystal and rhinoceros horn. Air-tight with little ivory spoons, they became common among the Chinese because Western-style snuff boxes, so fashionable in England and France from the late 17th century on, proved unsuitable for the warm, muggy climate of the East. They were often given as gifts, some with symbolic meaning—homonyms in praise of fertility or children, for example—and much care went into their craftsmanship. Like Japanese netsuke, snuff bottles were designed as hand-held treasures. Cherish stone as if it were gold is a common declaration among collectors who prize interesting stones. So true.

Useful link:
www.bonhams.com

Food Art

Antoni Miralda's food art was brilliant. www.foodculturemuseum.com I loved it.

Kabuki

Take a look at one of Japan's most exquisite art forms. www.shochiku.co.jp + www.sadlerswells.com

Open Innovation

Open innovation initiatives. Stefan Lindegaard was spot on. Many thanks. www.15inno.com

Global Witness Update

Global Witness Report on Zimbabwe. www.globalwitness.org

Art Market Update

Sara Campbell's story in ARTnews about Norton Simon was interesting. Many thanks. www.nortonsimon.org

Engagement Ring Shopping

Miriam Alexander was spot on. To sell engagement rings, you have to woo the bride as well as the groom. Period. www.theknot.com

Random Thoughts

The crash of 1962 is a reminder that markets always have been messy and that investors' morale always has been fragile. What's more, the problems the regulators sought to solve nearly a half-century ago are still with us today. They probably will be tomorrow, too.

- Jason Zweig

So true!

Global Business BBC

Peter Day reviews brand new companies in Silicon Valley trying to reshape the future in the same old vigorous way. It was interesting and insightful. Many thanks.

Useful links:

www.saffo.com

www.slide.com

www.seriousmaterials.com

www.zappos.com

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about Richard Wilson's art work was interesting. Many thanks. www.rlfeigen.com

Lena Dunham

Amanda Gordon's story in ARTnews on writer/filmmaker Lena Dunham was inspiring. www.lenadunham.com

Bridal Jewelry

Ken Gassman was spot on. Style is the first consideration for today's brides. It's all about the look. Check out The Knot Survey and much more @ www.theknotinc.com

Couture Show 2010

Take a look at a rare beautiful fancy purplish red diamond via Bruno Scarselli @ Couture Show 2010.

Useful links:
www.couturejeweler.com
www.scarselli.com

Random Thoughts

To get out of jail free, crooks use stolen paintings as negotiating cards. When they get arrested for other criminal activity, they make a deal by providing information that leads to the recovery of stolen paintings.

- Robert Wittman
www.robertwittmaninc.com

So true.

Picasso, The Mediterranean Years

Picasso - The Mediterranean Years is at the Gagosian in London until 28 August, 2010. Don't miss. www.gagosian.com

Jewels In Milan

Good customer service + designs + finsh will last forever.

Useful links:
www. buccellati.com
www.mariobuccellati.it
www.vhernier.it
www.sabbadini.com
www.pisaorologeria.com
www.pomellato.it
www.depadova.it
www.10corsosomo.com

Global Business BBC

Press Under Pressure. Brilliant review. Many thanks to Peter Day.

Useful links:
http://online.wsj.com
www.economist.com

Jewelry Coach

A web-based portal + a one-stop online location for sales training and product knowledge. Check it out. www.thejewelrycoach.com

International Indian Film Academy Award 2010

Check out the 11th edition of IIFA 2010. www.iifa.com

Jeff Koons’ BMW Art Car

I liked it. The colors were simply beautiful with life and energy.

Useful links:
www.bmwdrives.com/bmw-artcars.php
www.jeffkoons.com

Rwanda's Emerging Green Industries

Rwanda: stories and images of its people, economics, and biodiversity. Many thanks to Alissa Walker/Antonio Briceno for sharing the info.

Useful links:
www.antoniobriceno.com
www.artworksforchange.org

Random Thoughts

I have been in this business since the 1980s and most collectors have been American, but here is an English collector who has gathered what must be the greatest collection of 19th Century literature. You feel rather punch drunk looking at it. There is not just one highlight - there is one highlight after another. It is the finest collection I am ever likely to see in my lifetime.

- Peter Selley
www.sothebys.com

Brilliant!

Jewelry Market Update

IDEX Online Research: Best jewelry customers are online. Interesting trend, really. www.kennethgassman.com

Random Thoughts

People are born with natural desires to be admired and to be worthy of admiration. They are born with moral emotions, a sense of fair play and benevolence. They are also born with darker passions, like self-love and tribalism, which mar rationalist enterprises. We are emotional creatures first and foremost, and politics should not forget that.

- David Brooks
New York Times columns

Spot on.

Audi Urban Future Award 2010

Vision 2030. www.audi-urban-future-award.com

Useful links:
www.alisonbrooksarchitects.com
www.big.dk
www.dsrny.com
www.e-cloud9.com
www.jmayerh.com
www.standardarchitecture.cn

Startup Update

Sanjay Anandaram's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about religion/business was interesting and insightful. It's true global religions offer many real-world marketing and business lessons for entrepreneurs in product development, market entry and market expansion. Great lessons indeed. Many thanks. www.jumpstartup.net

Louise Bourgeois

Louise Bourgeois was a good artist, and one of the very best. May her soul rest in peace.

Nathan Myhrvold Viewpoint

The interview: Fareed Zakaria + Nathan Myhrvold. Alternative energy + Geoengineering.

Useful links:
www.intellectualventures.com
www.fareedzakaria.com

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian's opinion piece in the New York Times about Michel Rullier's collection was insightful. www.fraysse.net

New Designers 2010

The JCKOnline profile on new designers was inspiring and insightful. Many thanks. www.jckonline.com

The Artist Is Present

Take a look at Marina Abramovic's performance piece 'The Artist is Present' at MoMA. www.moma.org

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Leadership from the inside out. Gary was spot on. There is passion fatigue not only in communities but also in business. We are getting disconnected a little bit every day. Sadly dechurching is happening in India as well.

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

Baubles, Bangles, And Beads

Rob Bates's report in JCKOnline about beads and charms was interesting. It's really amazing what a mix-and-match approach can do to jewelry business. Many thanks Rob.

Useful links:
www.pandora.net
www.chamilia.com

Divorce Jewelry

Sign of the times, really. Andrew Adam Newman's report in the New York Times about divorce jewelry was interesting.

Useful links:
www.divorcedjewelryco.com
www.divinediamonds.com
www.idonowidont.com
www.exboyfriendjewelry.com
www.weddingringcoffin.com

Quentin Blake's Pen Portraits

Watch Quentin Blake draw portraits of people reading. It's so real. Check it out. www.quentinblake.com

Investing In Movies With A Cause

Vicky Dhir/Aditya Mehta's opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about investing in socially conscious films was interesting. All the best.

Useful link:
www.dmcapitaladvisors.com

Eurovision 2010

Check out all the glitz and glamor from behind the scenes at this year's contest in Oslo, Norway. www.eurovision.tv

Random Thoughts

Creativity is uncomfortable. It is their dissatisfaction with the present that drives them on to make changes. Creative people, like those with psychotic illnesses tend to see the world differently to most. It's like looking at a shattered mirror. They see the world in a fractured way. There is no sense of conventional limitations and you can see this in their work. Take Salvador Dali, for example. He saw the world differently and behaved in a way that some people perceived as very odd.

- Mark Millard
www.bps.org.uk

So true!

Diamond Ipad

Check out the limited edition Mervis Diamond iPad. Stunningly beautiful, really. www.mervisdiamond.com

Zimbabwe Again

What would you say if you were told that there is a place, where if you uproot a tree, you will find diamonds hiding in its roots? Yes, Zimbabwe again. Brilliant story, really. Many thanks to Edahn Golan for sharing the story.

Useful links:
www.idexonline.com
www.kimberleyprocess.com

Picasso And Braque Go To The Movies

Arne Glimcher, founder of the Pace Gallery and a movie maker, has finally tied the strands of his two métiers—art and film—into one bow = Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies. Can't wait to see the movie.

Useful links:
http://thepacegallery.com
www.moma.org

Miles Davis Exhibit

Miles Davis's extraordinary career has been documented in a new exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Don't miss.

Useful links:
www.milesdavis.com
www.mbam.qc.ca

The Mongoliad

Check out The Mongoliad, an app from author Neal Stephenson. Must be interesting, really.

Useful links:
www.nealstephenson.com
www.subutai.mn
http://sfappshow.com

Art Market Update

Sotheby's sale next month of a cache of more than 40 letters by René Magritte—unseen for nearly a quarter century—is interesting. Check it out. www.sothebys.com

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.