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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Luxury Jewelry Market Update

Henri Barguirdjian (President/CEO of GRAFF) was spot on. Whatever is fine/rare in jewelry fetches unbelievable prices.

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

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Structural Geology

This discipline is interesting because it reconstructs the time sequence of various stresses and strains placed on rocks in 3 dimensions. Many thanks to Filipe for sharing. http://lisbonstructuralgeologist.blogspot.com

No Labels

India definitely need a No Label movement. Politicians should put aside their differences and do what's best for India. http://nolabels.org

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Giacometti Fakes

An interesting art forgery case.

Useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Giacometti
http://www.kunsthaus.ch
http://www.artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=3151

The Hard Nut

Fresh. Beautiful. http://markmorrisdancegroup.org/hardnut

Fiona Tan

Video art of Fiona Tan. Take a look. http://www.fionatan.nl

Art Market Update

The Economist report on Gustav von Klemperer collection was interesting. http://www.meissen.com + http://www.buymeissen.com

Grant Achatz

Grant Achatz's dishes are not only delicious but also beautiful to look at. http://www.alinearestaurant.com

Oldman's Guide To Outsmarting Wine

Concise. Fun. Practical. http://www.markoldman.com

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Taipei International Flora Exposition 2010

The Flora Expo you don't want to miss. http://www.2010taipeiexpo.tw

Diamond Smugglers Of Séguéla

Monica Mark's story in the Africa Report about the diamond smugglers of Seguela was interesting. http://www.theafricareport.com

Random Thoughts

Diamonds are purchased for emotions. We don't think that diamonds being treated as an investment in the same way as gold is, is the answer.

- Varda Shine
http://www.debeersgroup.com

Spot on.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Lisa Kereszi

Here is a selection of Lisa's work. I liked it. http://lisakereszi.com

The Desert Laboratory Repeat Photography Collection

The US Geological Survey has the largest collection of repeat photography in the world. Take a look.

Startup Stories

The Banyan Tree story. http://www.banyantree.com

Doonesbury Cartoons

Garry Trudeau is the creator of the Doonesbury series. He shares with BBC chronicling some of the defining moments in American history. I loved it. http://www.doonesbury.com

Art Barter

Free thinking. Inspiring. The contract is legally binding. Don't promise something you can't deliver. http://www.artbarter.co.uk

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Global Business BBC

Peter Day talks to experts to compare the two countries vying for the position of number one in the world economy: Indian and China. Interesting viewpoints.

Useful links:
http://www.network18online.com
http://www.facebook.com/superpowerthebook
http://www.naisbitt.com

John Lennon

To mark the passing of three decades since John Lennon's death on December 8, 1980 - take a look back at his life with The Beatles, his solo career and his campaign for world peace. Many thanks to BBC for sharing the audio slideshow. http://www.johnlennon.com

Fourteen Actors Acting

A video gallery of classic screen types. I loved it. Many thanks to New York Times.

Diamond Exoplanet

The discovery has been described as astonishing astonomical tour de force. According to experts a large traction of the rock mass could be made of diamonds and lots of land masses rich in diamonds much more than we see on earth.

Useful links:
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu
http://www.nmm.ac.uk

Monday, December 13, 2010

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Bed Of Procrustes

The book makes the reader think, really. Great many thanks to Nassim Nicholas Taleb. http://www.fooledbyrandomness.com

Art Market Research

AMR Index List. http://www.artmarketresearch.com

America The Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins

The U.S Mint has released the 2010 America the Beautiful five-ounce silver bullion coins. Take a look. http://www.usmint.gov

Turner Prize 2010

Susan Philipsz has won the 2010 Turner Prize for a sound installation that features her singing three versions of a Scottish lament. Congratulations.

Useful links:
http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp1IjBycbdI
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11928557

The Joy Of Stats

Hans Rosling's simplified presentation was brilliant. Keep up the good work Hans.

Useful links:
http://www.flixxy.com/200-countries-200-years-4-minutes.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wgq0l
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html
http://www.gapminder.org

Friday, December 10, 2010

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Jehad Nga

Immensely beautiful. Jehad's work is amazing. http://www.jehadnga.com

Art Market Update

The Economist report was interesting. Auctions are always unpredictable. I guess that's what makes them exciting.

Startup Stories

Michael Lazerow was spot on. The entrepreneurs guide too was useful. http://www.buddymedia.com

The Ghost Writer

The Roman Polanski's thriller The Ghost Writer has won the European Film Awards for best film/director. Congratulations.

Useful links:
http://theghost-romanpolanski.com
http://www.europeanfilmacademy.org

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

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Monday, December 06, 2010

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.

Saturday, December 04, 2010

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

Friday, December 03, 2010

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

Thursday, December 02, 2010

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

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

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

Monday, November 29, 2010

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