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Saturday, April 06, 2019

Random Thoughts

The big tech is changing everything. It’s changing our democracy, our relationships, our society, and everything in the marketplace. What concerns me is that we have not fully started understanding, let alone clearly analyzing, what’s happening. We just see it as a slow tsunami that is changing us, without being able to really fend for ourselves or give direction to our society.

Six Senses Combines Well And Good In Cambodia

A must visit.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/muse/discoveries/from-a-cambodian-wellness-resort-to-a-womens-only-tailor-6-new-things-you-need-to-know-about-2844315

MIT Offers Online Course On Future Of Work

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.axios.com/mit-offers-online-course-future-work-automation-income-inequality-tech-0c249f5d-af22-49ea-8a93-07893f2f9a15.html

A Paradise For The Age Of The Techno-Autocrat

Rebordering of the world has already started.

Useful link:
https://www.axios.com/us-china-artificial-intelligence-surveillance-addd458b-2e0e-4309-91d8-187aabc83814.html

Is Elite College Worth It?

Not really.

Useful link:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-elite-college-worth-it-maybe-not-11553084146

The Best Wine In The World

Vivino, the popular wine app with 35 million subscribers worldwide, says the best wine in the world is the Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, from Napa Valley in California. That’s based on Vivino’s data mining of the 40 million reviews and 120 million ratings its members posted online last year. Take note.

Free Online Diamond Learning Program

The Diamond Producers Association’s e-learning program, ‘Behind the Brilliance of Diamonds,’ offers a clear and concise, open platform for the industry. Whether you have been working with diamonds for one day or 20 years, the program relates compelling stories about the history of natural diamonds, easy-to-digest and well-researched facts, and memorable details about the important benefits that the natural diamond industry makes to the world. To access the diamond e-learning platform, visit DiamondProducers.com. For more information or assistance, watch the DPA’s brief video hosted online.

Friday, April 05, 2019

San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2019

For the complete list of winners visit sfspiritscomp.com.

Baselworld: Weibo And WeChat’s Digital Boost Offers Hope To Ailing Luxury Event

Never underestimate the power of social media.

Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/3004072/baselworld-weibo-and-wechats-digital-boost-offers

Mexico's Green Gold: The Company Powering Cars With Cactus Juice

Time will tell.

Useful link:
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/19/sport/cactus-power-car-formula-e-supercharged-vision-spt-intl/index.html

Gates Joins Bezos As The Only Two Members Of The $100 Billion Club

More will join shortly. It will be just a matter of time.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-19/gates-joins-bezos-in-12-digit-club-as-the-only-centibillionaires

The Only Place To See A Real Banksy In Vegas Is The DJ Booth At This New Restaurant

A must visit.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/banksy-painting-palms-casino-restaurant-greene-st-kitchen-2844399

A Jewelry Designer’s Opals, Illustrated

A huge fan. I love her designs.

Useful link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/t-magazine/victoire-de-castellane-opals.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FJewels%20and%20Jewelry&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

DPA Offers Course For Retail Associates

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63490&ArticleTitle=DPA%2bOffers%2bCourse%2bfor%2bRetail%2bAssociates

Thursday, April 04, 2019

Oceanix

In late 2018, Mark Collins Chen started a company called Oceanix that is aimed at building the off-shore urban infrastructure that will help people weather the problems of rising seas–as well as extreme floods and storms. But will it really work?

Sicker, Fatter, Poorer

Dr. Leonardo Trasande, the chief of the division of environmental pediatrics at N.Y.U. School of Medicine, is the author of “Sicker, Fatter, Poorer: the Urgent Threat of Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals to Our Health and Future … and What We Can Do About It.” A must read.

Is There An Ethical Source Of Ivory?

It depends.

Useful link:
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190403-the-survival-of-japans-music-rests-on-artificial-ivory

Forget Cars. We Need Electric Airplanes.

Why not?

Useful link:
https://www.vox.com/2019/3/1/18241489/electric-batteries-aircraft-climate-change

Ryugu Is A Heap Of Space Rubble That Might Unlock The Mysteries Of Water On Earth

Keep on searching.

Useful link:
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/613137/ryugu-is-a-heap-of-space-rubble-that-might-unlock-the-mysteries-of-water-on-earth

Encryption Pioneer Aims To End Our Data Dilemma With Cryptography’s Holy Grail

Can we trust them?

Useful link:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90314942/duality-homomorphic-encryption

Cheese In Surround Sound: A Culinary Art Experiment

A fascinating experiment. A unique art project.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/swiss-cheese-aged-music-flavor-2844409

First Cobalt Refinery Report

Toronto-based First Cobalt Corp.'s (CVE: FCC) stock soared over 38% Wednesday, after the company announced it has successfully produced a battery grade cobalt sulphate at its refinery near the town of Cobalt, Ontario. Take note.

Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Dada Daily

Get to know Claire Olshan, the founder of Dada Daily.

The Reducetarian Cookbook

Brian Kateman is cofounder and president of the Reducetarian Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy to create a healthy, sustainable, and compassionate world. Brian is the editor of The Reducetarian Cookbook (Hachette Book Group: September 18, 2018) and The Reducetarian Solution (Penguin Random House: April 18, 2017).

Carabao

Made in Thailand.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-19/thai-red-bull-rival-reclaims-top-performing-drinks-company-crown?srnd=premium-asia

Muzeum Susch Aims To Elevate The Visibility Of Women Artists

Something of a cultural revolution is coming.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/muse/discoveries/muzeum-susch-opens-st-moritz-2844488

One Of The Most Important Modern Pocket Watches Of All Time Is Coming Up For Auction At Phillips

Take note.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/most-important-modern-pocket-watches-george-daniels-phillips-2844356

Report Says Most Crypto Trading Volume Is Suspicious

Why it took so long?

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-19/most-crypto-trading-volume-labeled-suspicious-in-research-report?srnd=premium-asia

Tuesday, April 02, 2019

Corbella Milano

Corbella Milano, a book edited by Ms. Corbella and Bianca Cappello will be released in April in the United States by the Milan-based publisher Silvana Editoriale. It includes photographs of some of the stage jewels and armaments that have survived, images of opera stars in costume, design sketches and other archival references. A must read.

The Founders Of Workday And Eventbrite Share The Dos And Don’ts Of Raising Capital

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90321723/should-you-take-venture-capital-funding

Learn To Code

Get to know Hiroshi Mikitani.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-19/billionaire-has-new-goal-for-his-17-000-workers-learn-to-code?srnd=premium-asia

Tiffany Provides Glimpse Into Future Store Design

We will have to wait and see.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63488&ArticleTitle=Tiffany%2bProvides%2bGlimpse%2binto%2bFuture%2bStore%2bDesign

Opal Interchangeable Clasp By Marcel Roelofs

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/britts-pick-opal-marcel-roelofs

Must-See: Katey Walker’s Jewelry Capsule For The Conservatory At Hudson Yards

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/katey-walker-jewelry-conservatory

Gem Diamonds Finds A 134 Carat Yellow Diamond

Gem Diamonds has found a 134-carat yellow, the second significant colored diamond it has found this year. It discovered the high-quality, type I stone on March 31 at its Letšeng mine in Lesotho, the company said Sunday. The last yellow-diamond of that magnitude the miner reported on was a 151.52-carat stone, which it retrieved in June 2017. In March, Gem Diamonds sold a pink stone weighing 13.33 carats to Graff for $8.8 million. The company, which is renowned for the discovery of large diamonds from Letšeng, recovered a white, type IIa diamond from the deposit last week. In 2018, it found a record 15 stones weighing more than 100 carats. Thanks to Rapaport.

The Sexy Hexy Project

At Gem Breakfast. Called the #sexyhexyproject, it’s an online pop-up and social media campaign that corrals seven one-of-a-kind rings, all featuring hexagonal center diamonds in designs by independent, under-the-radar artisans. Take a look.

Donna Distefano

Get to know New York City–based master goldsmith Donna Distefano

Monday, April 01, 2019

Boris Katz

Get to know Boris Katz.

Useful link:
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612826/virtual-assistants-thinks-theyre-doomed-without-a-new-ai-approach

De Beers, Botswana To Expand World's Richest Diamond Mine

The extension will enable to meet the demands of the diamond consumers.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/de-beers-botswana-expand-worlds-richest-diamond-mine

CIBJO Calls For Synthetics Treatment Disclosure

Disclosure is a must.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63481&ArticleTitle=CIBJO%2bCalls%2bfor%2bSynthetics%2bTreatment%2bDisclosure

Diamond Fields Resources Report

A unique pink rough diamond has been sold at a tender in Antwerp.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63484&ArticleTitle=Diamond%2bFields%2bPink%2bSells%2bfor%2b%252417K%252fct.

Silver Promotion Service

The sales of silver jewelry is growing.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/sales-of-silver-jewelry-grew-2018

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Art Central Hong Kong Fair 2019

Random Thoughts

In the beginning, there was nothing. And in the end, there was — nothing, once again. And, since the subject here is the accumulation of money, let’s say the way of all cash, too.

The Undersea Cable Market Is Booming Again, This Time Funded By Big Tech

There is a lot of cable going in.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-14/undersea-cables-are-no-longer-underwater-as-fiber-booms-again?srnd=businessweek-v2

‘Contemporary Art From The Colección Patricia Phelps de Cisneros’ At Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico

A must visit.

Useful link:
http://www.artnews.com/2019/03/15/contemporary-art-from-the-coleccion-patricia-phelps-de-cisneros-at-museo-amparo-puebla-mexico

New Guidelines Advise Against Aspirin To Prevent Heart Disease

Think seven times before taking Aspirin.

Useful link:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-guidelines-advise-against-aspirin-to-prevent-heart-disease-11552859677

Chicago Restaurant Rebuilds Nearly-100-Year-Old Jewelry Store Under Its Roof

A must visit.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/restaurant-rebuilds-jewelry-store

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Rare Earth Pricing Outlook To 2030

Adamas Intelligence has announced the publication of a new report, titled ‘Rare Earth Pricing Outlook to 2030‘. In this report, AI forecasts global rare earth supply and demand to 2030 and how oxide prices will evolve in the years ahead.

What Do We Mean When We Say Ethical Sourcing?

As times change, as meanings change, as new technology becomes available, the definitions will also change.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/blog/7546-what-do-we-mean-when-we-say-ethical-sourcing

The Pearson Twins

Get to know Adam and Neal Pearson.

Useful link:
https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/585814/pearson-twins

What’s Inside The Audemars Piguet VIP Concept Lounge At Art Basel Hong Kong?

A masterpiece from Fernando Mastrangelo.

Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3003824/whats-inside-audemars-piguet-vip-concept-lounge-art

The Worst Disease Ever Recorded

It's a terrifying summary.

Useful link:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/03/bd-frogs-apocalypse-disease/585862

Copper Was Key In The Emergence Of Primitive Life On Earth

Take note.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/copper-key-emergence-primitive-life-earth

Richard Mille Shows Taste For Sweet Surprises With Limited Edition Bonbon Collection

A rare collection.

Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches/article/3002095/style-edit-richard-mille-shows-taste-sweet-surprises

Flower Power Finds Expression In High Jewellery Pieces From Dior, Tiffany & Co. And Mikimoto

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/2188813/flower-power-finds-expression-high-jewellery

Alessandro Bogliolo On The Journey Of A Tiffany Diamond

A good storytelling format.

Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people-events/article/2188978/alessandro-bogliolo-journey-tiffany-diamond-and-duty

Mystery Owner To Sell $26 Million Of Wine At Hong Kong Auction

Wine auctions are always fascinating to watch.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-29/mystery-owner-to-sell-26-million-of-wine-at-hong-kong-auction?srnd=premium-asia

Friday, March 29, 2019

Petra Diamonds Finds 425.1 Carat Diamond

Petra Diamonds has announced it had dug up a 425.1 carat, D-colour, Type II gem quality diamond at its iconic Cullinan mine in South Africa. Simply lucky!

Tomfoolery London

Running from 23rd March - 4 May 2019 in Tomfoolery’s wedding atelier, the aim of the event is to showcase the sheer variety of rings on show, from writhing gemstone clusters to beautifully individual wedding bands, illustrated by an extraordinary selection of ring stacks that couldn't be more alt bridal. Delicate and bold, diamonds and spinels, even a skull – the only thing that unites them is their uniqueness. The message is clear: your engagement, your rules. A must visit.

Coders: The Making Of A New Tribe And The Remaking Of The World

In his new book Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World, Clive Thompson lays out the history of programming, highlighting the pioneering role women played. A must read.

Time For Trees

Time for Trees, as the initiative is called, will be comprised of multiple projects across the globe, ranging from reforestation efforts, like those that will take root in California, to urban and suburban community tree-planting efforts. Around 65% of the projects will unfold in rural areas, and the rest in more populated communities. The aim is to combat the 18 million acres of forests that are lost globally each year. While 100 million trees is only a fraction of the overall forest debt we must recover, the Arbor Day Foundation is confident it will make an impact: That many trees can remove 578,000 tons of pollution from the air. Just do it.

Huge Pools Of Dirty Money Are Europe’s Worst-Kept Banking Secret

Why it took so long? Follow the banks.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-03-14/huge-pools-of-dirty-money-are-europe-s-worst-kept-banking-secret?srnd=businessweek-v2

Who Wants To See A Movie About High-Frequency Trading? High-Frequency Traders

The curious ones.

Useful link:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-wants-to-see-a-movie-about-high-frequency-trading-high-frequency-traders-11552673608

Lucapa Finds Fourth +50 Carat Diamond At Mothae Mine In Lesotho

Simply lucky.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/lucapa-finds-fourth-50-carat-diamond-recently-opened-mothae-mine-lesotho

Having The Sistine Chapel In Your Living Room

Simply brilliant.

Useful link:
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-47585338/having-the-sistine-chapel-in-your-living-room

Raw Materials: Holy Grail Of 21st Century Industrial Policy

Raw Materials: ‘holy grail’ of 21st century industrial policy. Maros Sefcovic, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of the Energy Union believes Europe has world-leading technologies as well as high environmental and social standards, and that the EU aims to ensure that mining is no longer the polluting industry of the past. MS was spot on.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Beata Heuman

Get to know interior designer Beata Heuman.

More Than A Third Of Gold Mines In Congo Exposed To Ebola

Does anyone have a quick solution?

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/third-gold-mines-congo-exposed-ebola-report

Seeing Is Believing: What Stone Enhancements Are Acceptable?

Over to you.

Useful link:
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/know-how/what-gemstone-enhancements-are-acceptable-rubies-emeralds-sapphires

Dune Jewelry Aims To Touch The World

Get to know HDC.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/dune-jewelry-touch-world

How The Sapphire Trade Is Driving Lemurs Toward Extinction

Sad really.

Useful link:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/03/sapphire-mining-fuels-lemur-deaths-in-madagascar/?cjevent=ec503e28479a11e980a401c80a18050f&utm_source=6154180&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=CJ

Who Needs Diamonds? We Want Nike's Swarovski-Studded Sneakers

Over to you.

Useful link:
https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/Nike-Air-VaporMax-Swarovski-45917744

How To Prove Yourself As CEO On Day 1

Act responsibly. Be authentic.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-27/the-ceo-guide-to-proving-yourself-on-day-one

These Beautiful Maps Capture The Rivers That Pulse Through Our World

Hats off to Robert Szucs.

Useful links:
https://www.grasshoppergeography.com
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/these-beautiful-maps-capture-rivers-that-pulse-through-our-world-180971789

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Alana Jones-Mann

Take a look at the eye-catching designs of Alana Jones-Mann, a designer and baker based in Los Angeles.

Dawn Konofaos

Get to know Tampa-based vegan baker Dawn Konofaos.

Marou Faiseurs de Chocolat, Vietnam

Distinctly Vietnamese. Try Marou.

Get Your Shit Together

Get to know CR, founder of the online resource, Get Your Shit Together, and her new book, “What Matters Most.”

Language And Luxury

Language & Luxury offers hand-tailored language-learning experiences coupled with upscale accommodations. Stay from one to three months, receiving two hours per day of one-on-one instruction in your chosen language—French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish—in sublime foreign destinations including Paris, Rome, Porto, and San Sebastian. When you’re not studying, your personal concierge can suggest activities designed to encourage conversation as you explore your host city. Take note.

The Fluenz Immersion Program

The Fluenz Immersion program in Mexico City, is a brilliant—and luxurious—way to learn.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

No Regrets

No regrets. That’s the name of the new Stephen Webster pop-up lounge and boutique that opened earlier this month at Bergdorf Goodman and will be up and running through April 28. A must visit.

Rainforest Action Network Report

A must read.

Useful link:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90318532/banks-pumped-1-9-trillion-into-fossil-fuels-since-the-paris-climate-deal

Gemology Inside

Get to know Dr.Hobart King.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/tucson-visit-spurs-geology-professor-publisher-head-back-school

Rose In Demantoid From Madagascar

One of a kind inclusion.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-microworld-rose-in-demantopid-from-madagascar

Synthetic Moissanite Coated With Diamond Film Imitating Rough Diamond

Take a look. Buyers beware.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-gemnews-synthetic-moissanite-coated-diamond-film-imitating-rough-diamond

Random Thoughts

Can God create a world in which evil does not exist? This does appear to be logically possible. Presumably God could have created such a world without contradiction. It evidently would be a world very different from the one we currently inhabit, but a possible world all the same. Indeed, if God is morally perfect, it is difficult to see why he wouldn’t have created such a world. So why didn’t He?

Muuto

Get to know Muuto, a Scandinavian company with a special touch for simple designs.

Lawrence Graff's Diamond Collection

Luxury jeweler Graff is preparing to cut and polish the exceptional 13.33-carat Lesotho Pink that sold for $8.8 million in February. 

The company revealed this week that it bought the stone from Gem Diamonds at a tender in Antwerp. At $656,933 per carat, the sale was the highest average price for any rough diamond recovered at the Letšeng mine in Lesotho, Gem Diamonds said last week without saying who the buyer was. 

The purchase comes amid a depletion of the world’s pink-diamond resources, as the mines that produce them become extinct, Graff explained.

“This is the most vivid pink rough diamond I have ever seen, and it is an exceptionally rare treasure,” said Graff founder Laurence Graff. “I am sure the polished diamond that comes from this rough will be an auspicious addition to our roll call of famous gems.” Many thanks to Rapaport.

David Brown Automotive

Get to know David Brown Automotive.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Random Thoughts

I’ve developed a natural suspicion of many new technologies. I’ve not adopted smartwatches or fitness monitors or at-home voice-activated assistants because I think they have major security and privacy implications that I’m not yet comfortable with.

An Upscale Bourbon

A unique creation by Japanese and US distilling techniques.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-08/jim-beam-gets-japanese-touch-with-suntory-bet-on-upscale-bourbon?srnd=premium-asia

Matt Eich

Get to know Matt Eich.

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

How Imagination Will Save Our Cities

PD was spot on. Imagination works.

Useful link:
http://nautil.us/issue/70/variables/how-imagination-will-save-our-cities

$1.3M Perfume Enters Race For World's Most Expensive Fragrance

Only for a few with a peculiar taste.

Useful link:
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/1-3-million-perfume-dubai/index.html

Gem Diamonds Unearths 161 ct. Rough

Another lucky find.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63495&ArticleTitle=Gem%2bDiamonds%2bUnearths%2b161ct.%2bRough

Coronet Watch Wins Guinness Accolade

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63500&ArticleTitle=Coronet%2bWatch%2bWins%2bGuinness%2bAccolade