The Wisdom Of Bees

Readable. Entertaining. http://www.thewisdomofbees.com

The Future Of Design

The Q&A with Paul Eagle + Janice Barnes was educational and insightful. Many thanks to Fast Company. http://www.fastcodesign.com

Syd Mead

The world of Syd Mead. http://www.sydmead.com

Best Books Of 2010

Economist's list of best books for 2010.

Top 100 Global Thinkers

FP's 2010 list. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/2010globalthinkers

Bulgari:125 Years Of Italian Magnificence

A Bulgari exhibition. http://en.bulgari.com/browse/flash/exhibition

Cleopatra: A Life

A great book. http://www.stacyschiff.com

Random Thoughts

There are no rules. But there is no point naming a five-carat diamond. Only the rarest of diamonds (those with the highest color, clarity, and largest size) warrant a name. Whether or not the name takes will depend entirely on whether or not the person behind it has enough clout.

- Patti Wong
http://www.sothebys.com

Spot on.

Of Gods And Men

A very universal film indeed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Gods_and_Men_(film)

Forget Gold, Buy Diamonds

Yoni Jacobs' opinion piece in Seeking Alpha on diamonds vs gold was interesting. A diamond is forever. The time to buy diamonds may be now. Maybe he is right.

Secret Of Diamond Polishing

Hat's off to Lars Pastewka. Impressive research. The research could be useful in nanotechnology. http://www.en.iwm.fraunhofer.de

Steinmetz Yin Yang Diamonds

Rare. Fabulous. Expensive. Take a look. http://www.steinmetz-group.com

Udemy

The Academy of You. http://www.udemy.com

Falling Light

Falling Light = Troika + Swarovski Crystal Palace. I loved it.

Useful links:
http://www.troika.uk.com/fallinglight
http://www.swarovskicrystalpalace.com

Random Thoughts

Throughout history, people have emulated what celebs have done. It's called para-social interaction. When we copy them - and Oprah is good example - we feel like thety have some special insight, or greater taste or opportunity than we have and we feel like we are connecting.

- Dr Erik Gregory
http://mprcenter.org
http://www.emitations.com
http://www.solomonbrothers.com

Spot on.

Aranda\Lasch

The crystalline shapes were simply brilliant. http://www.arandalasch.com

Sahara Solar Breeder Project

A brilliant Japanese research project. The researchers aim to produce 50% of the planet's electricity using sand by 2050. http://www.diginfo.tv

How Wine Became Modern: Design + Wine 1976 To Now

This is an exhibition not to be missed.

Useful links:
http://www.dsrny.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS9ocP6FNvM
http://www.sfmoma.org

Stars On Canvass 2010

Colorful + Enlightening exhibition. http://www.willowfoundation.org.uk

I Am Loved

Brilliant idea. Real story from real people. http://www.iamloved.com

100 Notable Books Of 2010

The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2010.

Afghanistan: Crossroads Of The Ancient World

The British Museum showcases 200 objects of the long-lost ancient treasure found at Tillya Tepe, the hill of gold. Don't miss. http://www.britishmuseum.org

The Perfect Pink

A 14.23 ct, VVS2, type IIa fancy intense pink, rectangular-cut diamond has been sold for $23,165,968, or $1.63 million per carat in Hong Kong. http://www.christies.com

Modern Times

A new restored version of Modern Times has been released. The comedy works as well today as it did over seventy years ago, another sign that all is not well with our economy. http://www.criterion.com/films/27526-modern-times

Portraits Of The Mind

Portaits of the Mind: Visualizing the Brain From Antiquity to the 21st Century by Carl Schoonover explores the brain through gorgeous imagery via state-of-the-art techniques allowing us to see the unseen. Thanks Carl. http://www.carlschoonover.com

Ghent Altarpiece

Peter Schjeldahl shares his experience about the Ghent Altarpiece, the van Eyck masterpiece in St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium. Great many thanks.

Artscience Labs

Meet David Edwards. http://artsciencelabs.org

Sun Catalytix

A innovative project by Daniel Nocera. http://www.suncatalytix.com

ChallengePost

A brilliant place for challenges. http://www.challengepost.com

Art Market Update

Souren Melikian report via NYT. http://www.metmuseum.org

Random Thoughts

I hope that America is entering a post-greed period. I can't think of a single step that would change the nature of our society more than everyone abandoning their automobiles and cycling instead. There would be less dependence on oil, obesity levels would drop dramatically, and reflective bike clips would replace fancy ladies' purses as the current must-have fashion accessory.

- Nick Dewar
http://www.nickdewar.com

Spot on.

Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark

One of my favorite characters in the movies. It better be good. http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com

Type: A Visual History Of Typefaces & Graphic Styles

Vol.1/2. Brilliant illustrations. http://www.taschen.com

Digital Planet BBC

Gareth Mitchell's Digital Planet programme was brilliant. I enjoyed it. Great many thanks to Colin Grant for sharing the info on 3D printers ++++.

Useful links:
http://www.freedomofcreation.com
http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.bath.ac.uk/research/about/features/reprap.html
http://www.planetread.org

Sandiaga Uno

Inspiring story indeed. I think Indonesia needs more Sandiaga Uno's to spearhead an entrepreneurial revolution. Really. http://www.saratoga-asia.com

Flash Rosenberg

Snapshots of thoughts. Take a look. http://flashrosenberg.com

Best Business Books 2010

Annual review of best business books. http://www.strategy-business.com

Random Thoughts

It's very difficult to focus when times are good, You start to think you're Midas or something, or Jesus if you're selling everything you make. When times are bad you have time to rethink, you have time to throw a lot of things out.

- Damien Hirst
http://www.damienhirst.com

Spot on.

Two Cities, Four Architects

I.M.Pei, Frank Gehry, Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel on their work. Many thanks to New York Times.

The Investment Answer

A fascinating book. http://www.theinvestmentanswerbook.com

Man-made Diamonds

The Economic Times article on man-made diamonds was interesting. Synthetic diamonds are created in a laboratory. They have nearly the same chemical, physical, and optical properties of their natural counterpart. On the other hand, imitation diamonds usually resemble in color only. They do not have the same chemical, physical and optical properties of their natural counterpart. In fact synthetic diamonds and imitation diamonds often get mixed up. I think imitation/synthetic diamonds are not that difficult to identify. If doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Useful links:
http://www.ckcsons.com
http://www.popleys.com
http://www.debeers.com
http://www.debeersgroup.com
http://www.moissaniteco.com

Startup Updates

Aneace Haddad story. All the best with Taggo.

Useful links:
http://aneace.blogspot.com
http://www.taggo.co.uk

Silver Market Update

Silver Institute Market report. http://www.silverinstitute.org

Books On Shirts

Striking works of art. I loved it. http://www.outofprintclothing.com

Aaron Huey

Here is a selection of images. http://www.aaronhuey.com

Dave Brubeck

Meet the jazz giant. http://davebrubeck.com

Gallery Of Fluid Motion

Striking images, really. http://www.aps.org/units/dfd

Exhibition A

A new online art platform. Limited edition pieces by top contemporary artist. Take a look. http://www.exhibitiona.com

Nanosys

A great innovation story. Nanosys has the sustainable replacement technology to deal with rare earth metals instead of expanding rare earth metal mines. Take a look. http://www.nanosysinc.com

Street Photography Now

Human life in all its forms. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://streetphotographynowproject.wordpress.com
http://www.photonet.org.uk

Catchafire

Risk-taking, do-gooding entrepreneurs. Take a look at Rachael Chong's startup Catchafire. http://www.catchafire.org

Pixel House

Brilliant architecture never goes out of style. I really liked the Pixel design. Hats off to Mass Studies/Slade Architecture.

Useful links:
http://www.massstudies.com
http://sladearch.com

Global Business BBC

Singapore startups, Episode 2. The program was educational/insightful. Many thanks to Peter Day.

Useful links:
http://www.ida.gov.sg
http://www.springboardresearch.com
http://www.starhub.com
http://www.wego.com
http://www.polycom.com
http://www.nuffnang.com.sg

Children Of Mines

Images of child laborers around the world. Take a look. Shocking, really.

Alexis Rockman

A brilliant eco-artist. Take a look. http://www.alexisrockman.net

Gary Hamel Viewpoint

Bold thinking. I believe the definition of innovation has become surface-diffused/confused  + innovation rankings by experts have failed simplifying the true meaning of innovation. Sad, really.

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

Sanergy

A brilliant startup. Clean sanitation. http://saner.gy

Art Market Update

The Economist report. http://www.phillipsdepury.com

Lab-grown Diamond Update

Lab-grown colorless diamonds will be hitting the market in large quantities pretty soon. Gemesis, the Florida-based lab-grown diamond producer have produced colorless diamonds that is identical in every way to a natural/mined diamond except for its origin. I am sure there will be problems identifying lab-grown diamonds in the market. Not all jewelers/dealers are trained properly to identify natural from treated/synthetic diamonds. If in doubt always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

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

The Life Of Anne Frank — A Graphic Biography

One of the most remarkable stories of the 20th century has now been turned into a comic. Take a look. http://www.annefrank.org

Public Speaking

Fran Lebowitz speaks her mind in Martin Scorsese’s documentary 'Public Speaking,' on HBO. http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/public-speaking/index.html

Golden Horse Film Festival 2010

Hats off to Chang Tso-chi for winning the Golden Horse award for best film When Love Comes. http://www.goldenhorse.org.tw

Earth As Art

Take a look at the unusual pictures of Earth from above via the US Geological Survey (USGS) satellites. Simply beautiful, really. http://earthasart.gsfc.nasa.gov/image_index.html

Virtual Entrepreneur

Jon Jacobs' story was interesting. http://www.entropiauniverse.com

Argentina's Napa Valley

Alexie Barrionuevo's story in the New York Times on Mendoza, Latin America's largest winemaking region was interesting. Many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.catenawines.com
http://www.kj.com
http://www.moet.com
http://www.escorihuela.com.ar
http://www.salentein.com
http://www.vinesofmendoza.com

Joseph Gill's Historical Index To Gems & Jewelry

The listing includes 20000 listings of publications in English on gems and jewelry from 1652 until 2009. Brilliant work. Great many thanks to Pala International for sharing the info. http://www.palagems.com

Peridot Mining On Zabargad Island

James Harrell/Elizabeth Bloxam provide an interesting description of the ancient mine in Egypt in the November/December issue of Minerva Magazine. http://minervamagazine.com

Internet Trends

Hats off to Mary Meeker for the brilliant data presentation on Internet(http://www.scribd.com/doc/42793400/Internet-Trends-Presentation) markets/trends. http://www.morganstanley.com

15 Years, 50 Classics

Great many thanks to Art Kleiner for sharing the articles (http://www.strategy-business.com/article/00050?gko=5dfa7&cid=enews20101116) that have had the greatest impact. http://www.strategy-business.com

International Film Festival Of India 2010

The International Film Festival of India opens in Goa on November 22 - December 2, 2010. http://iffi.nic.in

Leo Fuchs

A Master Hollywood photographer. http://www.leofuchs.com

Diamond Market Update

Barry Sergeant's opinion piece in the Mineweb on diamond miners and the market trend was insightful. Many thanks. Why are diamond miners so unloved? A $46 million dollar question, really. http://www.mineweb.com

Jewelry Market Update

Liam Pleven/Ann Zimmerman was spot on. For jewelers, all that glitters today isn't necessarily gold, but less expensive metals from silver to tungsten, because of the rising gold price and lifestyle changes (price/fashion driven). http://www.mintel.com

Educate!

A Eric Glustrom project. http://www.experienceeducate.org

Flavie ISATELLE

Take a look at Flavie's brilliant website on gems, gemology, geology and field trips. http://www.gems-geology.com

Global Financial Integrity Report

India report. http://www.gfip.org

Antonio C. Bonanno Award 2011

Stuart Robinson has won the 2011 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology. Congratulations.

Useful links:
http://accreditedgemologists.org
http://www.gemguide.com

The Great Life Photographers

The book offers more than 100 portfolios including those of Alfred Eisenstaedt, Margaret Bourke-White, Carl Mydans, Gordon Parks, W. Eugene Smith, Robert Capa, Ralph Morse, Nina Leen, Harry Benson, Philippe Halsman, and Joe McNally, whose work for LIFE in the aftermath of September 11 was in the finest tradition of the magazine. Each portfolio includes a short biography, offering an intimate look at the people behind the lens. This is a must-have book, really.

Global Business BBC

Singapore Startups. An interesting overview by Peter Day.

Useful links:
http://www.insead.edu
http://www.nuffnang.com.sg
http://www.wego.com
http://www.awfullychocolate.com

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

EITI reports. http://eiti.org

The Taj Mahal Gold Coin

A unique opportunity to buy a piece of history. http://www.monnaiedeparis.com + http://www.franklinmint.com

Art Gensler

Gensler viewpoints/projects. http://www.gensler.com

I Paid A Bribe

Paid bribe in India? Vent here. http://ipaidabribe.com

Molecular Animation

Erick Olsen's artilce in the New York Times on molecular animation was a great piece. I think visualization should play a significant role in education.

Useful links:
http://www.gnomonschool.com
http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/home/home.do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbcWGU8fpxA&feature=related%20?
http://www.xvivo.net/powering-the-cell-mitochondria
http://www.biovision.com

Kelly Slater

Kelly Slater = the most fluid/balanced surfer in competitive surfing = poetry in motion. Take a look. http://www.kellyslater.com

Camera Culture Group

A camera that can shoot around corners has been developed by scientists at the MIT Media Lab. Take a look.

Useful links:
http://cameraculture.media.mit.edu
http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~nayar/bio.html

Youssef Nabil

Take a look at Nabil's work of art. http://www.youssefnabil.com

Kinect Adventure

A Good Science Studio initiative. http://www.microsoft.com/games

Cacao Genome Project

The whole of the genome is in the public domain and protected from patenting for perpetuity so everyone would have free and continued access to it. Dr Yana Shapiro. http://www.cacaogenomedb.org

Prix Pictet Photography 2011

The organizers of the annual Prix Pictet photography competition has announced their shortlist for the 2011 prize. Take a look. A preview of the shortlist can be seen at Galerie Filles du Calvaire, Paris, France until November 29 2010. http://www.prixpictet.com

Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work

I believe this book is a must-read for anyone in business. Fascinating, really.

Useful links:
http://www.hare.org
http://www.hrbackoffice.com

The Graff Pink

An exceptionally rare 24.78-carat, VVS2, fancy intense pink diamond of the purest, vibrant hue has been sold by the Sotheby’s (Geneva) for $46,158,674 (CHF 45,442,500). The winning bid went to Laurence Graff, and shortly after the sale, Graff named the diamond 'The Graff Pink'.

Useful links:
http://www.graffdiamonds.com
http://www.sothebys.com

Random Thoughts

This is not a case of the simple repatriation of objects. People from China want to be surrounded by art they are familiar with from the past, that they have seen in museums, and in books or remember from their parents and grandparents homes--rather than English silver and French furniture. There is no logic to what they will pay--no price tag. If they want something, there is no stopping them. They will go through the roof to buy it.


- Giuseppi Eskenazi
http://www.eskenazi.co.uk


Spot on.

Christopher Elbow Chocolates

Amazing. They are mini works of art. http://www.elbowchocolates.com

Peace Dividend Trust

Innovative funding initiatives in developing markets. Take a look at PDT's insightful approach in implementing new operational ideas for improving aid. http://www.peacedividendtrust.org

Hasselblad Masters

Hasselblad Masters photography prize. Take a look at established/rising photographic artists. http://www.hasselblad.com

Diamond Market Update

Q & A. Martin Rapaport + Stephen Lussier discussion on global diamond demand was educational and insightful. http://www.diamonds.net

Today's Special

A heartwarming Tandoori comedy. http://www.todaysspecial.com

Arnolfini

Fun with software. Interactive art. Don't miss. http://www.arnolfini.org.uk

Art Market Update

The Economist report on Abu Dhabi Art was interesting and insightful. Great many thanks.

Useful links:
http://www.abudhabiartfair.ae
http://thepacegallery.com
http://www.galleryhyundai.com
http://www.whitecube.com
http://www.paradiserow.com
http://www.agialart.com
http://www.barjeelartfoundation.com
http://www.operagallery.com