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Thursday, February 28, 2019

World’s First Self-Cleaning Hotel Room

A must visit.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/first-self-cleaning-hotel-room-ottilia-2842643

Princeton Alums Are Sellers Of $100 Million Art Trove

A unique art collection for collectors.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-27/princeton-alums-are-said-to-be-sellers-of-100-million-art-trove

Bilibili Billionaire

Get to know Chen Rui.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-28/bilibili-billionaire-a-red-hot-tech-firm-rides-gen-z-to-riches?srnd=premium-asia

How To Become A ‘Digital Nomad’

Just do it.

Useful link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/travel/how-to-become-a-digital-nomad.html?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage

Rembrandt In The Blood

Art business is full of surprises.

Useful link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/magazine/rembrandt-jan-six.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

What Online Jewelry Influencers Expect In 2019

Stay tuned with the trends.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63409&ArticleTitle=What%2bOnline%2bJewelry%2bInfluencers%2bExpect%2bin%2b2019

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Underwater Photographer Of The Year Contest 2019

Organizers of the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest announced the winning photographers and images for this year, and the photographer Richard Barnden, from the U.K., was named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019.

The Age Of Intent

A book on A.I titled “The Age of Intent.” is a must read.

247.AI

Get to know 24/7’s founders — P.V. Kannan and Shanmugam Nagarajan. Their company is now called [24]7.ai.

How To Pick Technology Winners

Judge case by case.

Useful link:
https://www.strategy-business.com/article/How-to-pick-technology-winners?gko=c5ae2

Currency Trading Invades London's Art Auctions In Brexit Shadow

What other options does collectors have?

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-27/currency-trading-invades-london-s-art-auctions-in-brexit-shadow?srnd=premium-asia

No One Is Safeguarding Your DNA

Over to you.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-26/law-enforcement-can-do-whatever-it-likes-with-consumer-dna-data?srnd=premium-asia

There Is A Story Behind Every Store Closing

PS was spot on.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/independents/retail-profiles/7464-there-is-a-story-behind-every-store-closing

How Men Brought Jewelry Style To The Oscars

They did indeed.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/fashion/style/7463-how-men-brought-jewelry-style-to-the-oscars

Sir Peter Blake Label

Auction house Bonhams is expecting a bottle of 60-year-old scotch whisky to sell for up to £700,000 ($924,077) at auction next month in Edinburgh. The whisky sports a label designed by Sir Peter Blake, who co-created The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, and is one of only 12 bottles to ever carry the art.

Great Place To Work For All Summit

Here are the speakers and agenda; catch the Summit livestream here.

The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up

Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up – the self-help manual de rigueur for people who want to want less is a must read.

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Walter Munk

Get to know Walter Munk

Random Thoughts

Business is the art of what works and what brings desired outcomes.

The Military Wants To Build A Bullshit Detector For Social Science Studies

Can we trust all these science?

Useful link:
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/2/25/18211125/darpa-score-center-for-open-science-ai

Parse.ly

A unique traffic news referral service.

Useful link:
https://www.parse.ly

See All Of The Watches That Walked Last Night’s Oscars Red Carpet

Over to you.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/watches-timepieces-oscars-red-carpet-2842354

That Time A Flea Market Find Turned Out To Be A $30 Million Clock

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-26/faberge-egg-with-vacheron-constantin-watch-found-at-flea-market?srnd=premium-asia

GemTrack

A new innovative gem identification technique.

Useful link:
https://www.ssef.ch/gemtrack

13-Carat Pink Is Gem Diamonds’ First Big Recovery Of 2019

Simply lucky.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds-gems/supply/7458-13-carat-pink-is-gem-diamonds-first-big-recovery-of-2019

Gemfields Opens Automated Sort House In Mozambique

The right thing to do.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds-gems/supply/7457-gemfields-opens-15m-automated-sort-house-in-mozambique

Monday, February 25, 2019

Roy Lichtenstein Foundation

A brilliant archive on RL. Roy Lichtenstein Foundation

Terra Sancta Museum

The new archaeological wing of Jerusalem’s Terra Sancta Museum is a must visit.

Healthy.io

Get to know Yonatan Adiri.

Useful link:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/22/israeli-startup-turns-cellphone-into-a-testing-lab-for-kidney-disease.html

These Are The World's Healthiest Nations

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-24/spain-tops-italy-as-world-s-healthiest-nation-while-u-s-slips?srnd=premium-asia

Dust Samples From Asteroid Could Help Understand Origin Of Precious Minerals

The research should continue to know the unknown.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/dust-samples-asteroid-help-understand-origin-precious-minerals

Lady Gaga Dazzles In Rare Tiffany Diamond On The Oscar Red Carpet

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/02/lady-gaga-tiffany-diamond-oscars-red-carpet

The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming

David Wallace-Wells's book, titled The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming is a must read.

Random Thoughts

Plenty of men do good things, and plenty of women do bad. It's the structures that allow people in power to oppress others based on race, gender or economic status that are at the core of the problem. Those structures, however, are very slow to change.

Protocol Labs

Get to know MA, the general counsel of a blockchain research group, Protocol Labs.

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Matheny Arts Access Program

A creative outlet that is also therapeutic. Matheny Arts Access Program.

Discover The Exotic Inspiration For Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels’ exotic inspirations.

 

Dear Hank & John

Listen to Dear Hank & John comedy podcast in which they offer listeners questionable advice.

How Healthy Will We Be In 2040?

Spain has the highest life expectancy at birth among European Union nations, and trails only Japan and Switzerland globally, United Nations data show. Spain by 2040 is forecast to have the highest lifespan, at almost 86 years, followed by Japan, Singapore and Switzerland, according to the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

Coffee Genome Project

In an effort to create new plants, Juan Medrano, a professor at UC Davis, is leading a lab that is sequencing the genome of a popular strain of coffee plant.

Saturday, February 23, 2019

The Green Book

The Green Book, as it is most often called, became an invaluable resource to black people living in, and traveling through, America. It cataloged black-owned businesses around the country, directing motorists to establishments that served a wide range of functions. Amid its pages—digitized now at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York—were listings for restaurants, hotels, vacation destinations, barber shops, gas stations, and more. By the early 1960s, it had reached about 2 million people; toward the end of its run, it even included international listings. And now, more than 50 years after the final, 1966–67 edition of The Green Book was published, a new Smithsonian Channel documentary from the filmmaker Yoruba Richen traces the guide’s history and its ongoing significance. A must watch.

Outlaw

Outlaw is a new startup aimed at fixing contracts.

Nora Kogan

Missed gifting someone or yourself? Pick your choice at NoraKogan.com.

Netflix Formula

Netflix has discovered something unique: Despite a supposed surge in nationalism across the globe, many people like to watch movies and TV shows from other countries. The strategy may sound familiar; Hollywood and Silicon Valley have long pursued expansion internationally. But Netflix's strategy is fundamentally different. Instead of trying to sell American ideas to a foreign audience, it’s aiming to sell international ideas to a global audience. It works.

Wolfgat

Wolfgat seats just 20 diners in a tiny cottage in a fishing village more than two hours’ drive from Cape Town. And it is the most exciting place on the planet to eat. Good luck getting a table. Booking opens a maximum of three months in advance. But no tables are available.

The World Restaurant Awards this week handed the top accolade—Restaurant of the Year—to chef Kobus van der Merwe, who opened Wolfgat in his parents’ 130-year-old property in September 2016. A must visit.

Griffin McElroy

Get to know Griffin McElroy.

The Best Jewelry Moments

Town & Country’s all-time best jewelry moments at the Oscars. A must see.

New Monuments For New Cities

The nonprofit organization Friends of the High Line launched a collaborative public art exhibition this week at Buffalo Bayou, a waterway flowing through Houston. Called “New Monuments for New Cities,” the yearlong initiative will travel to five different urban reuse projects throughout North America, with stops at Waller Creek in Austin, The 606 in Chicago and The Bentway in Toronto before ending at the High Line in New York City. The initiative’s purpose is to challenge local artists to “transform underutilized infrastructure into new urban landscapes” while also advancing the discussion of what a monument should be in the 21st century. Take note. Many thanks to Smithsonian Magazine.

A Peculiar Business

Rich RJ Rappaport is the founder of Atlanta-based RJR Props, a movie prop company that specializes in faux cash for filming. His money was used in "The Wolf of Wall Street," "The Fast and the Furious," the Netflix series "Ozark" and in 50 Cent and Kendrick Lamar music videos.

Dazed Beauty

Dazed Beauty: a new platform dedicated to redefining the language and communication of beauty.

Jack Handey

The famous humorist Jack Handey couldn’t have given us his immortal one-liner: before criticising someone, walk a mile in their shoes; that way, when you criticise them, you’ll be a mile away, and you’ll have their shoes.

Random Thoughts

With the extreme weather that we’re seeing over the last couple of years, we’re all beginning to relearn the fact that we live within nature, and in fact all of our lives are governed by its forces. None of us, no matter where we live, will be able to escape the consequences of this.

Friday, February 22, 2019

A Philosopher Argues That An AI Can’t Be An Artist

The philosopher could be right.

Useful link:
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612913/a-philosopher-argues-that-an-ai-can-never-be-an-artist

Have Smartphones Really Destroyed A Generation?

Yes and no.

Useful link:
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/2/20/18210498/smartphones-tech-social-media-teens-depression-anxiety-research

Meet The Billion-dollar Startups

Meet the minotaurs.

Useful link:
https://www.axios.com/minotaurs-companies-raised-more-than-1-billion-99250290-99b7-435d-82f9-810d172478cc.html

First AI Mining Company Goes Public

I wish Goldspot Discoveries good luck.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/first-ever-mining-ai-company-goes-public

This 88-Carat Oval Diamond Could Sell For $12M

We shall wait and see.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/fashion/jewelry-auctions/7447-this-88-carat-oval-diamond-could-sell-for-12m

This Database Of Gemstone Inclusions Is Now Open To All

Many thanks to Lotus Gemology.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds-gems/grading/7451-this-database-of-gemstone-inclusions-is-now-open-to-all

These Colors Will Be Trending Next Fall

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/fashion/style/7448-these-colors-will-be-trending-next-fall

Lab-Grown Diamonds Land At Place Vendôme

Sign of the times.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/diamonds-gems/supply/7450-lab-grown-diamonds-land-at-place-vendome

Sunlight Escape Collection

A unique design vocabulary. Take a look at Sunlight Escape collection.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

The Periodic Table Song

In October 2015, YouTube host Mitchell Moffit released a song called "The Periodic Table Song" on the AsapScience channel, which started with the catchy lyrics: "There's hydrogen and helium, then lithium, beryllium ..." The song then went on through the entire litany of chemical elements, and science students everywhere began learning it as a helpful way to get them through their chemistry exams.

A Short Guide To Business Etiquette Abroad

Practice.

Useful link:
http://fortune.com/2019/02/14/business-etiquette-abroad-travel

Balloon Adventures Dubai

Get to know Edgora McEwan.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/muse/journeys/edgora-mcewan-is-dubais-first-female-hot-air-balloon-pilot-2842010

Can Blockchain Help Drive Miners' Bottom Line?

Blockchain is still a baby in mining. I think with time they will catch-up.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/can-blockchain-help-drive-miners-bottom-line

Prismatic Rutile In Quartz

One of a kind gem inclusion.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-microworld-prismatic-rutile-in-quartz

Natural Diamond Mistaken As HPHT Synthetic

Buyer beware.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-labnotes-natural-diamond-mistaken-as-hpht-synthetic

Crowningshieldite: A New Mineral

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-gemnews-crowningshieldite-a-new-mineral

Natural-Color Pink, Purple, Red, And Brown Diamonds: Band Of Many Colors

A series of studies on natural colored diamonds.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-natural-color-pink-purple-red-brown-diamonds

Space IL

If all goes to plan, the Israel-based organization SpaceIL will be launching its lunar lander, Beresheet, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket tomorrow at 8:45 p.m. US Eastern time from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Waste No More

Fashion brand Eileen Fisher has always been a pioneer of sustainability in the clothing industry, but now, the company is doing more than taking responsibility for much of its fashion footprint. A new zero-waste initiative called “Waste No More” is merging architects with designers and ethics with business, creatively tied together with an oversized sustainable bow to bring more awareness to the importance of being more conscious of the massive environmental impact that the fashion industry continues to have on the planet. Many thanks to Robb Report.

The Most Innovative Companies In Africa 2019

These top 10 list of Fast Company's most innovative companies in Africa for 2019 can be found here.

Pigcasso

Pigcasso is a fine specimen, weighing in at just over 350 lbs. She has been creating artworks since 2016, having learnt to paint using positive reinforcement training following her rescue (I highly recommend watching her in action over on YouTube).

Gem Diamonds Recovers A Pink Diamond

Gem Diamonds has recovered a high-quality, 13.33-carat pink diamond in Lesotho. 

The type I diamond was unearthed earlier this month at its Letšeng mine, and is the first stone above 10.8 carats the company has reported this year. It is the largest pink diamond the miner has recovered since 2011, when it retrieved a 30.68-carat stone. In December it found a pink stone weighing 8.53 carats. Many thanks to Rapaport.

Sevan Bicakci

Known for his lavish carved-gemstone rings, the jeweler Sevan Bicakci has added watchmaking to his portfolio. Take a look.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

The Gomi Speaker

The Gomi Speaker is the result of research by the sustainable designer (and Gobi cofounder) Tom Meades. Operating largely thanks to an $11,000 grant from the nonprofit Environment Now Programme, he’s developed a process that repurposes plastic waste as speakers. Take a look.

Lagerfeld Confidential

The 2008 documentary Lagerfeld Confidential is a must watch.

Random Thoughts

There is one God for everybody and all the religions are shops.

Colored Stone Grading

One must view the whole, not just the parts. It is a fascinating exercise.

Useful link:
http://lotusgemology.com/index.php/library/articles/343-colored-stone-grading-a-heretic-s-guide

Beauty Icon Bobbi Brown

Get to know BB.

Useful link:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/15/beauty-icon-bobbi-browns-makeover-and-formula-for-success.html

Impossible Cookware And Other Triumphs Of The Penrose Tile

Take a look.

Useful link:
http://nautil.us/issue/69/patterns/impossible-cookware-and-other-triumphs-of-the-penrose-tile-rp

Romancing The Ruby

A must watch.

Useful link:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x725qyb

An Object Lesson

An Object Lesson. I wonder what is the story behind this thing.

Precious Metals Forecast 2019

The results of the survey by the London Bullion Market Association of analysts' predictions for the gold price in 2019 is another example of just how unpredictable financial markets have become.

Random Thoughts

For those with plenty of discretionary income, what is the No.1 luxury item that’s taking money away from diamond jewelry? 

I would guess it’s not a tangible item, like a handbag or a pair of shoes, but rather experiences, particularly travel. Is there a way to compete with that?

Monday, February 18, 2019

Did You Know

Eskimos have 50 different words for snow.

Electric Vehicle Market

By 2022, according to a recent report from Deloitte, electric cars will reach a tipping point: owning an electric vehicle will be as cheap as owning one that runs on fossil fuels, and sales will grow much more quickly. Take note.

Famed Cullinan Mine Banks On Big Diamonds To Drive Down Debt

Wish the miners good luck.

Useful link:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-petra-diamonds-cullinan-focus/famed-cullinan-mine-banks-on-big-diamonds-to-drive-down-debt-idUSKCN1Q30LZ

Gübelin Testing Nano-Tracking For Diamonds

Sign of the times.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63361&ArticleTitle=G%C3%BCbelin%2bTesting%2bNano-Tracking%2bfor%2bDiamonds

Still A Girl’s Best Friend: How Ethical Diamonds Are Changing The Industry

A must listen.

Useful link:
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/ethical-diamonds

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Things I Like

My education is never only about me, but also about the world I am going to inherit.

Climate Panic

The planet is getting warmer in catastrophic ways. And fear may be the only thing that saves us.

Random Thoughts

If you combine your passion (art, diamonds, colored stones, watches, jewelry, cars, real estate, wine, books, etc) with an informed decision, you’ll have something you love every day and maybe the value goes up one day.

Jewelry Companies And Traders Should Not Fear: Responsible Sourcing Can Be Beautiful

CMV was spot on.

Useful link:
https://medium.com/@creilly_41843/jewelry-companies-and-traders-should-not-fear-responsible-sourcing-can-be-beautiful-54d22609c26d

Is There Really Such A Thing As “Ethical Consumerism”?

I think so.

Useful link:
https://www.vogue.com/article/ethical-consumer-rentrayage-batsheva-lidia-may