Nonobject

Hats off to Branko Lukic. I loved it. http://nonobjectbook.com

Gems Among Us Contest Update

Jewelry Information Center has announced the top 10 finalists in its Gems Among Us Contest. Take a look. http://www.jic.org

Qianlong Chinese Porcelain Vase

A vase found in a house-clearance in London has been sold for £43m, thought to be a record for any Chinese artwork. Amazing price discovery. Take a look. http://www.bainbridgesauctions.co.uk

The Diamond Route

Sharing knowledge/resources. http://www.diamondroute.co.za

Lynsey Addario

Brilliant/powerful narrative. http://www.lynseyaddario.com

Tauba Auerbach

Wordless books. I loved it. http://www.taubaauerbach.com

Global Business BBC

Peter Day talks to Aamir Khan on social change. I enjoyed it. Many thanks Peter.

Useful links:
http://www.aamirkhan.com
http://www.peeplilivethefilm.com
http://www.lagaan.com
http://www.taarezameenpar.com

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize

David Chancellor photography. Natural. Powerful. Beautiful. Africa will be always an inspiring place.

Useful links:
http://www.davidchancellor.com 
http://www.npg.org.uk

Neues Museum

A sculpture collection which was condemned by Hitler's Nazis is on display at Berlin's Neues Museum. Take a look. http://www.neues-museum.de

Pledge to Give Away

Inspiring note. http://givingpledge.org

The Story of Electronics

Annie Leonard is back with The Story of Electronics with surprising facts. Check it out. http://www.storyofstuff.com

Awfully Chocolate

Lyn Lee's chocolate story. http://www.awfullychocolate.com

Global Business BBC

Chilean entrepreneur Fernando Fischmann's unique's technology to keep the water in lagoons clear was interesting/insightful. Many thanks to Peter Day for sharing the story. http://www.crystal-lagoons.com

Christmas Story Contest

I thought jeweler James Avery's 'Christmas Memories: Stories of Life, Love and Faith' contest on its Facebook page was a brilliant idea. I liked it. http://secure.jamesavery.com

Christoph Gielen

Eye-catching. Really. Take a look. http://www.christophgielen.com

Michel Houellebecq

Michel Houellebecq has finally won the Prix Goncourt. All the best.

Useful links:
http://www.houellebecq.info
http://www.academie-goncourt.fr

The Business Of Innovation

Fiona Graham's insightful report in BBC News on innovation was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.stevenberlinjohnson.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFU

James Turrell

A brilliant exhibition by James Turrell. http://www.gagosian.com

Fighting Counterfeiting

I thought The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie's new short film competition titled  'Fakes: Caught on Camera,' was a brilliant approach to raise public awareness. Check it out. http://www.hautehorlogerie.org

Ultra-fast Computer-assisted Trading

David Zax's story in Fast Company about MIT researcher's (Alexander Wissner-Gross + Cameron Freer) innovative solution to ultra-fast computer-assisted trading was interesting. http://www.alexwg.org

Erika Larsen

Erika's photos were simply beautiful. http://erikalarsenphoto.com

Ognissanti Crucifix

Giotto di Bondon's art. http://www.opificiodellepietredure.it

The Comica 2010

Explore the world of comics, graphic novels and manga at the annual Comica Festival. http://www.comicafestival.com

Random Thoughts

There is definitely a new energy out there. We are living in a moment when film makers, and young film makers in particular, are increasingly turning towards documentary as a way to make sense of the world they live in. They are more alert about, and suspicious of the mainstream media and eager for a form that talks to them about real events in a real way, even if that form is rough or even low-key. It's a very exciting and ground-breaking time for the documentary.

- Hussain Currimbhoy
http://sheffdocfest.com

Spot on.

Art Market Update

After last week's impressionist sales, it is the turn of contemporary art to go under the hammer. At Christie's, Campbell's Soup Can With Can Opener by Andy Warhol is among the star turns, estimated at $30-50m (£18m-£30m). Sotheby's has a Coca-Cola bottle canvas by him at $20-25m. The answer, or part of it, is that the very top of the art market is semi-detached from the movements of individual economies. Rather, it is bound up with the tastes and choices of a number of super-rich people in Europe and America – and, increasingly, Russia, China and the Middle East. As Brett Gorvy, deputy chairman of Christie's, put it: "The market is not reliant on one single economy at any one time." Charlotte Higgins was spot on. The trend among the emerging super-rich is to have the right contemporary art = a badge of elite wealth.

Useful links:
http://sarah-thornton.com
http://www.sothebys.com
http://www.christies.com

Somali Pirates’ Business Model

Somali pirates avoid symmetrical conflict. Instead they use stealth and surprise, attacking targets at their weakest point. According to Prof David James of Henley Business School, the most important lessons firms/startups can learn from Somali pirates' operating systems is strategy. Interesting viewpoint, really.

How To Manufacture A Diamond

Take a look. http://www.safdico.com

Irving Penn Archaeology

Visual poetry. http://www.pacemacgill.com

The Botswana Story

I think Botswana is a lucky country. I hope they do the right thing with the natural resources. I think the emphasis should be on sustainability. Many thanks to Fiona Foster for sharing an interesting story.

Useful links:
http://www.survivalinternational.org
http://www.debeersgroup.com/debswana
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com
http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw

Journey Through The Afterlife: Ancient Egyptian Book Of The Dead

Once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. http://www.britishmuseum.org

Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender Update

All 55 of the diamonds in Rio Tinto’s 2010 Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender has been sold out. These results are true indications of rarity and value. Stay tuned.

Useful links:
https://www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
http://www.riotintodiamonds.com

Lost Bohemia

A film by Josef Birdman Astor. http://www.lostbohemia.com

Random Thoughts

No diamond of that size had ever been found before that and hasn't been found since.

- Jeffrey Post
Curator, National Gem Collection
http://mineralsciences.si.edu/index.htm

Spot on.

Andesine Update

Richard Hughes is an internationally well-known colored stone expert. The subject of andesine in Tibet has been one of controversy since 2008. He examines the history of the controversy, along with detailing an October 2010 visit to the Tibetan andesine mines. http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/tibet-andesine.htm

Good Purpose Report

2010 Report. http://www.edelman.ie

Exit Through The Gift Shop

A Banksy Film. http://www.banksyfilm.com + http://www.griersontrust.org

The Promise

The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen. http://www.brucespringsteen.net

Gems & Gemology

The Fall 2010 issue of Gems & Gemology (G&G) focuses on major industry developments that shaped the millennium’s first decade. This special edition of the quarterly scientific journal, published by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), features a retrospective on changes in marketing and distribution, gem localities, treatments and analytical techniques. Get a copy. http://www.gia.edu

Botswana Diamonds

A different viewpoint. According to Survival International the Bushmen were illegally evicted from their ancestral lands to make way for diamond mining. At the time, the government denied a significant diamond deposit on their land existed. Eight years later, Gem Diamonds, which bought the concession from De Beers, is in negotiations to construct a $3.3 billion mine at one of the Bushman communities. Good/bad news, really.

Useful links:
http://www.survivalinternational.org
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com
http://www.gemdiamonds.com

Gem Diamonds Update

A remarkable 185 carat rough white diamond has been recovered from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. Take a look. http://www.gemdiamonds.com

Set In Style: The Jewelry Of Van Cleef & Arpels

Mark your calendar. The Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum will host an exhibit, “Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels,” starting on February 18 - June 5, 2011. http://www.vancleef-arpels.com

Moguls And Movie Stars: A History Of Hollywood

The true story of the American film industry. http://www.tcm.com

Garden Of Buddhas

There is something pure and powerful about this landscape. The shape of the hills is like a lotus petal blossoming. Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche. A must visit. http://www.ewambuddhagarden.org

Rosenblum Collection & Friends

One-of-a-kind approach. A place for contemporary artists to become visible + meet friends. Rosenblum Collection & Friends is at 183, rue du Chevaleret, 75013, Paris.http://www.rosenblumcollection.eu. Anyone wanting to visit should join the network of Facebook-style friends at the website. http://rosenblumcollection.fr

Alex Ross

Listen to this. Get a copy. http://www.therestisnoise.com

Timeless Investment Classics

Many thanks to Joseph L. Shaefer for the insightful post. Keep up the good work. http://www.stanfordwealth.com

Fate Of The World

Fate of the World features data from real-world climate models, anecdotes from the polar explorer Pen Hadow and input from a team of scientists and economists in the US and UK. Hats off to game designers/Red Redemption.

Useful links:
http://www.fateoftheworld.net
http://www.red-redemption.com
http://www.gamesforchange.org
http://www.darfurisdying.com
http://www.enercities.eu
http://www.playagainstallodds.com

Iris van Daalen

Jewelry out of hair. Interesting approach. http://irisvandaalen.nl

And The Pursuit Of Happiness

I am a huge fan of Maira Kalman. And the Pursuit of Happiness is a great book. Go and get a copy. http://www.mairakalman.com

The Imagine Project

Herbie Hancock's The Imagine Project was a truly global selection. I loved it. Great many thanks. http://www.herbiehancock.com

Charles Landry

Charles Landry knows what makes cities great: Distinction + Variety + Flow. Toolkit for urban innovators. http://www.charleslandry.com

GRID Competition

A brilliant/cool competition. I liked it. http://nikegrid.com

Alfred Wertheimer

Alfred’s pictures are treasures today. They can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery, in Washington, D.C., October 23, 2010 -  January 23, 2011. http://www.npg.si.edu

Carol Brodie

Each piece of jewelry has a moment, meaning or memory. Carol Brodie. Spot on.

Useful links:
http://carolbrodieandco.com
http://blogs.hsn.com/author/CarolBrodie

Cinemateca Boliviana

Hats off to Alejandro Villegas, the only archivist at Cinemateca Boliviana for going the extra mile to preserve and safeguard Bolivia's film heritage. Great many thanks to Mattia Cabitza for sharing the story.

Useful link:
http://www.cinematecaboliviana.org

Art Market Update

Konstantin Rozhnov's viewpoints on Ruusia's art market was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.guelman.ru
http://www.artadvisoryservices.com

Hella Jongerius

The art of imperfection. I liked it. http://www.jongeriuslab.com

Form + Code

The new book FORM+CODE In Design, Art and Architecture by Casey Reas + Chandler McWilliams is a must read. http://formandcode.com

Mookaite

Mookaite is an attractive ornamental rock that is mined in Western Australia. I really liked the stone because of the beautiful patterns. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://outbackmining.com/mookaite.htm
http://www.australiangemmologist.com.au/current.html

Waste Land Movie

An uplifting story. Don't miss. http://www.wastelandmovie.com

Asian Innovation Award 2010

Tata Chemicals Ltd.'s filter, called Swach, the Hindi word for clean, has won The Wall Street Journal's Asian Innovation Award Gold prize. Congratulations. http://www.tataswach.com

Filtrete Water Station

A brilliant innovation from 3M + IDEO. Take a look. Filtrete Water Station

Aston Martin DB5

Harry Yeaggy has paid £2.6m to buy James Bond's 1964 Aston Martin DB5. Take a look. http://www.rmauctions.com

AGTA Spectrum Awards 2010

AGTA Spectrum Awards is an annual natural colored gemstone & cultured pearl jewelry design competition. Here are the winners from the 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards competition. http://www.agta.org/awards/2010-winners

A Week At The Airport

An interesting book, really. Many thanks for sharing a unique experience. http://www.alaindebotton.com

Graphic: Inside The Sketchbooks Of The World's Great Graphic Designers

Steven Heller + Lita Talarico takes us inside the brains of the greatest design minds working today.

Useful link:
http://www.hellerbooks.com

Global Business BBC

Peter Day continues his investigation in to what makes a good chief executive. Don't miss.

Useful links:
http://www.hcltech.com
http://www.globalsinc.com

Food Landscapes

Take a look at Carl Warner's imaginative collections. They are stunningly beautiful. I liked it.  http://www.carlwarner.com

Landscape Photographer 2010

Antony Spencer has won the prestigious title of Landscape Photographer of the Year 2010. Congratulations. http://www.take-a-view.co.uk

Hope Diamond Special

Smithsonian Channel will premiere a one-hour special, Mystery of the Hope Diamond, on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 8 p.m. Don't miss.

Useful link:
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/hope

Amber From India

Scientists have discovered a treasure trove of prehistoric insects preserved in amber in India. The new deposits, which the scientists have likened to a huge cache of herbal cough drops, were found in the open-cast coal mines of the Cambay region of north-west India. Many thanks to Steve Connor for sharing the info.

The Power Of Ideas

The 74 young entrepreneurs of The Power of Ideas Class of 2010. All the best. http://www.ideas.economictimes.com

Random Thoughts

Look. You could take all the gold that's ever been mined, and it would fill a cube 67 feet in each direction. For what that's worth at current gold prices, you could buy all -- not some -- all of the farmland in the United States. Plus, you could buy 10 Exxon Mobils, plus have $1 trillion of walking-around money. Or you could have a big cube of metal. Which would you take? Which is going to produce more value?

- Warren E. Buffett
http://www.berkshirehathaway.com

Equities.

Nature's Gift

Richard Anderson was spot on. Great many thanks for sharing the info.

Useful links:
http://www.teebweb.org
http://www.unpri.org
http://www.trucost.com
http://www.gdfsuez.com
http://www2.natura.net
http://www.pwc.co.uk
http://www.sabmiller.com
http://www.starbucks.com
http://www.walmart.com

Vertical

Rex Pickett, author of the well-known book ‘Sideways’ which was made into a popular movie in 2004, is coming out with a new book ‘Vertical’ to be released on November 21, 2010. http://verticalthenovel.com

A Point Of View

Sarah Dunant's opinion piece in BBC on conspicuous consumption was interesting. Old habits die hard, really. http://www.sarahdunant.com

The Energy Project

To get more done, work less. http://www.theenergyproject.com

The Julie Project

Brilliant. I loved it. http://www.darcypadilla.com

Paul Sahre

Paul's poster designs hang in the permanent collection at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and the National Design Museum. Part of his work’s appeal is its humor. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://www.paulsahre.com
http://aigany.org/index.php/blog/article/video_encore_paul_sahre

The Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain

Take a look at Slug by Anish Kapoor. http://www.fiac.com + http://www.anishkapoor.com

Boxing Gym

Engaging. Interesting. A brilliant documentary film by Frederick Wiseman. Don't miss.

Useful links:
http://www.ifccenter.com/films/boxing-gym
http://www.zipporah.com

SuperFreakonomics Illustrated

Seeing is believing. Smart thinking. Great story-telling. A must read. http://freakonomicsbook.com

Jewelry Market Update

The Economist report was spot on. Consumer confidence is crucial. If people feel glum, they don’t buy baubles. Period.

Useful links:
http://www.moussaieff.co.uk
http://www.lvmh.com
http://www.bain.com

Stefano Canturi

Take a look at Stefano's brilliant designs/collection, especially Barbie with diamond choker. http://www.canturi.com

Mont Blanc Crystal Treasures

Take a look at this years show. http://www.mineralientage.de

Mark Seliger

Take a look at Mark's brilliant photography. http://www.markseliger.com

Bence Mate

Bence Mate has won the 2010 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for his artistic image, A marvel of ants. Congratulations. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://www.matebence.hu
http://www.hidephotography.com

The BVLGARI Blue Update

The BVLGARI Blue Diamond Ring. Price Realized: $15,762,500. http://www.christies.com/features/auctions/1010/jewels

Ted Muehling

Simply beautiful designs, really. http://www.tedmuehling.com

Global Business BBC

Are CEO's up to the job? Yes/No. Peter Day shines the spotlight on these much praised and vilified high profile leaders. I loved the programme. Many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.wpp.com
http://www.xinfu.com
http://www.puritangift.com
http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk

Troels Brun Folmann

Music made with bees was brilliant. http://www.troelsfolmann.com

Chocolate Wars

Deborah Cadbury's new book Chocolate War gives an insider look of the chocolate pioneers, their visions and ideals, their unique relationship between business and religion, and yet all of them shared one thing: they want to make the best chocolate in the world. A fascinating story.

Random Thoughts

A lot of investors and clients who enjoy jewelry have started purchasing important diamonds and gems as a hedge against what's going on in the stock market, against what's going on with currencies. A lot of people are putting their money into a gem, and then there's the appreciation of the gem and the appreciation of the currency that they buy in.

- Rahul Kadakia
http://www.christies.com

Maybe.

Tron: Legacy Couture Collection

Disney Consumer Products is collaborating with high-end designers Rousseau, Hayden-Harnett, Rotenier, and TomTom to launch a luxury accessory and shoe collection for women inspired by the high-tech 3D adventure, TRON: Legacy, releasing in U.S. theaters Dec. 17, 2010 in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D. Designed for the young female urbanite, the new TRON: Legacy couture line features dramatic sterling silver and leather statement pieces including an iconic limited edition 5-inch high-heeled platform sandal inspired by the fearless female warrior—Quorra. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://www.rotenier.com
http://www.jeromecrousseau.com
http://haydenharnett.com
http://www.tomtomjewelry.com
https://www.disneyconsumerproducts.com

Gary Wenk

How chemicals control your thoughts and feelings. Check out Gary Wenk's blog. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-brain-food

Lotto Lab

Illusions of light. Take a look. http://www.lottolab.org

People’s Design Award 2010

Hats off to Leslie A. Ligon. Her bracelet has the complete Braille alphabet on the outside and the print alphabet on the inside. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://peoplesdesignaward.cooperhewitt.org/2010
http://braillejewelry.blogspot.com

Swan Lake

 Matthew Bourne is a brilliant story teller. Don't miss this show.

Useful links:
http://www.swanlaketour.com
http://www.new-adventures.net

Tokujin Yoshioka Update

Take a look at X-RAY.  http://www.tokujin.com

I Wonder

Take a look at Marian Bantjes' gorgeous + visually intense new book, I Wonder. http://www.bantjes.com