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Sunday, April 28, 2019

This Is The First Ever Photo Of A Black Hole

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/613301/this-is-the-first-ever-photo-of-a-black-hole

GSA 2018 Report

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-gemnews-gsa-2018-report

Gemological Analysis Of Lightbox CVD-Grown White Diamonds

A real challenge for experts and consumers.

Useful link:

Gilson Cat’s-Eye Synthetic Emerald

Gemstone consumers beware.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-microworld-gilson-cats-eye-synthetic-emerald

Corundum With Spinel Corona From The Tan Huong–Truc Lau Area In Northern Vietnam

Take a look at the detailed investigation.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-corundum-spinel-corona-from-tan-huong-truc-lau

How To Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons For Radical Results

Esther Wojcicki is the author of How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results. A must read.

Random Thoughts

Cooking is fun. Cooking is nourishing. Cooking is the thing I do to feel creative, to feel like I made something. You cook for someone to show them you love them, to bring delight to them in a wonderful way. Taste, smell, texture, color: Cooking is sensual. Cooking is also universal. Everybody either cooks or has been cooked for. Everybody’s got the best way to make chili or chocolate chip cookies. We all have a memory of something we loved to eat as a child: Grandma’s potato salad; brownies from a box fresh out of the oven; the chicken soup that warmed up cold fingers and toes after playing in the snow. And when you’re eating a fine meal prepared by someone else — or even a simple meal, like some roasted vegetables and a piece of bread slathered in butter — you can, and should, admire the craftsmanship and creativity. Art is meant to be shared.

Recompose

Get to know Katrina Spade, founder of Recompose.

Saturday, April 27, 2019

The Madhouse Effect

Michael E. Mann is Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Pennsylvania State University. His most recent book, with Tom Toles, is The Madhouse Effect: How Climate Change Denial Is Threatening Our Planet, Destroying Our Politics, and Driving Us Crazy.

Slow City

The international slow food movement started in Italy as a protest against the opening of a McDonald’s restaurant on the Spanish Steps in Rome in 1986. Then, in 1999, came the cittaslow movement (translated as slow city)–inspired by the slow food movement–which emphasizes the importance of maintaining local character while developing an economy that can sustain communities into the future.

I think what the world need right now is a place and time for meaningful engagement.

De Beers Dreams Of Building The Diamond Mine Of The Future In Nunavut

De Beers has the experience so they will.

Useful link:
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/de-beers-dreams-of-building-the-diamond-mine-of-the-future-in-nunavut

Kaya Scodelario Named Face Of New Cartier Jewelry Line

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/kaya-scodelario-face-of-clash-de-cartier-jewelry-collection-1203098120

The Relationship Between Diamonds And The Jewish People

A truly fascinating story.

Useful link:
https://www.jpost.com/Special-Content/The-Relationship-between-Diamonds-and-The-Jewish-People-585659

This $6 Gadget Makes Your Loose Rings Fit Like A Glove

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/clothing/a27007246/gwhole-ring-size-adjuster-review

Could It Be The World's Largest Pearl?

No one knows, but take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5073708

Chocolate Diamonds

Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian Corp explains.

Useful link:
https://www.businessinsider.in/Chocolate-diamonds-werent-always-valuable-Heres-how-they-went-from-cheap-rocks-to-adorning-Rihannas-130000-Grammys-necklace-/articleshow/68998815.cms

Nikki Reed’s Honest Essay About Engagement Rings Will Have You Rethinking Diamonds

NR was spot on.

Useful link:
https://www.instyle.com/fashion/accessories/jewelry/ethical-sustainable-diamonds

David Yurman Debuts Online Custom Engraving Feature

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/david-yurman-engraving-feature

How To Buy A Watch At Auction – And When To Stop Bidding

Get to know Aurel Bacs.

Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/3006591/how-buy-watch-auction-and-when-stop-bidding

Climate Change Issues

No country or community is immune, read an open letter signed by Bank of England’s governor Mark Carney, Bank of France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau, and Frank Elderson, who chairs the Network for Greening the Financial System and serves as an executive director at the Dutch central bank. The prime responsibility for climate policy will continue to sit with governments. And the private sector will determine the success of the adjustment. But as financial policymakers and prudential advisors, we cannot ignore the obvious risk before our eyes.

Very bold statement indeed. Just do the right thing.

Technology Therapy Group

Get to know Jennifer Shaheen, president of Technology Therapy Group, which provides marketing and tech expertise to retailers.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

The Influencer Collection

Royal Chain is targeting millennials and Gen Z with a new collection. The gold jewelry supplier has launched “The Influencer Collection,” directly targeting the social media- and-selfie-obsessed members of the generations. The 52-piece collection features 14-karat gold items ranging from novelty pieces to trendy designs with a “next-gen vibe,” with prices starting as low as $85. The designs are minimal and meant to be stacked and layered. The Influencer Collection is available now and can be ordered by visiting Royal Chain’s website.

Zoe Chicco

Zoe Chicco, the Los Angeles-based designer, who manufacturers her array of easy-to-wear, everyday jewels entirely at her in-house facility downtown, has launched an online charm builder. Take a look.

Transported By Technology

Get to know Mike Wooldridge, a travel blogger at Transported by Technology.


Global Emotions Report 2019

Gallup’s 2019 Global Emotions Report is a must read.

Investigators Recover Jewels Taken From Rome’s Etruscan Museum

Catch me if you can.

Useful link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/02/world/europe/rome-jewels-etruscan-museum.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FJewels%20and%20Jewelry&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

An Irradiated CVD Synthetic Melee Diamond Found In Irradiated Natural Melee Diamonds

Buyers beware.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-labnotes-irradiated-cvd-synthetic-melee-diamond-in-irradiated-natural-melee-diamonds

Microscopic Observations Of Blue Sapphires Treated With Heat And Pressure

There will be always news ways to enhance colored stones because of new technology, rough materials from new sources, money, with a bit of gambling mindset.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-gemnews-microscopic-observations-blue-sapphires-treated-heat-pressure

Quarterly Crystal: Bubble In Fluorite

Fluid inclusions are always a delight to observe.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-microworld-quarterly-crystal-bubble-in-fluorite

Four Books To Help You Overhaul Everything At Work

Give it a try.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-29/best-business-books-to-improve-your-work-habits

What Are Fat Fingers And Why Don't They Go Away?

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-31/what-are-fat-fingers-and-why-don-t-they-go-away-quicktake?srnd=premium-asia

You’ve Told That Story 100 Times. Please Stop.

How to be a better storyteller.

Useful link:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/youve-told-that-story-100-times-please-stop-11553950801

Palladium Bubble Pops—A Red Flag For Other Metals?

Time will tell.

Useful link:
https://independentspeculator.com/palladium-bubble-pops-a-red-flag-for-other-metals

Hurun Most Successful Chinese Artists Alive Today 2019

Take note.

Useful link:
http://www.hurun.net/EN/Article/Details?num=FB8E791B5091

Minespider

Get to know Nathan Williams, chief executive officer of Minespider, a startup that’s using blockchain, the technology at the heart of Bitcoin, to better track shipments of metals as they move from mines to smelters and then on to factories worldwide.  

GemGeneve

The 2019 edition of GemGenève, the international gem and jewelry show now in its second year, is set to open its doors on May 9. Held at Palexpo in Geneva, the sophomore edition of the fair brings together 210 of the world’s leading antique jewelry dealers, gem merchants, diamantaires, pearl specialists, and contemporary designers in a new and improved format.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Blockchain Bandit

The security consultancy Independent Security Evaluators has detailed in a paper some interesting facts. The researchers not only found that cryptocurrency users have in the last few years stored their crypto treasure with hundreds of easily guessable private keys, but also uncovered what they call a blockchain bandit. Take note.

Robert Lang

Get to know Robert Lang, a NASA physicist and a full-time origami artist. Lang applied his math background to transport the art of folding into new frontiers, creating pieces never before possible. Take a look.

Leanpath

Get to know Leanpath, a company that provides equipment to measure and track food waste.

Laboratory-Grown Diamonds: Demand Rises, Prices Fall

Time will tell.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/lab-grown-diamonds-demand-rises-prices-fall

Single HPHT Synthetic Diamond Mixed In Natural Diamond Ring

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-gemnews-single-hpht-synthetic-diamond-mixed-in-natural-diamond-ring

Large Pargasite Inclusion In Kashmir Sapphire

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-labnotes-large-pargasite-inclusion-in-kashmir-sapphire

DeepMind And Google: The Battle To Control Artificial Intelligence

Get to know Demis Hassabis.

Useful link:
https://www.1843magazine.com/features/deepmind-and-google-the-battle-to-control-artificial-intelligence

The Experience Economy

Joe Pine's book “The Experience Economy,” is a must read.

Shane Chen

Get to know Shane Chen. Take a look at his unique designs.

Argyle Yields Largest White Diamond

Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine has yielded the largest gem-quality white diamond in its 35-year history. The 28.84-carat stone, named Argyle Octavia for its octahedral shape, was discovered at the Australia-located mine last month. This discovery is a testament to the extraordinary Argyle orebody that continues to deliver these miracles of nature, even as it nears the end of mine life. The Argyle mine is set to close in 2020. The company will sell the diamond at a tender in Antwerp later this year. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Salt, Sugar, Fat

Get to know Michael Moss. His book Salt, Sugar, Fat is a must read.

The Gemological Characteristics Of Pipi Pearls Reportedly From Pinctada Maculata

A meticulous report on Pipi Pearls from GIA's Bangkok Gem Testing Laboratory.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2018-characteristics-pipi-pearls-from-pinctada-maculata

How I Found A Stolen Picasso

Get to know Arthur Brand.

Useful link:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/mar/29/art-detective-arthur-brand-how-i-found-a-stolen-picasso-painting

Can Cryptocurrencies Recover?

No one knows.

Useful link:
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2019/03/28/flaws-in-bitcoin-make-a-lasting-revival-unlikely

Meet The Female Inventor Behind Mass-Market Paper Bags

Get to know Margaret Knight.

Useful link:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/meet-female-inventor-behind-mass-market-paper-bags-180968469

Rebooting High School

Capabilities over knowledge should be the key driver.

Useful link:
https://www.axios.com/rebooting-high-schools-future-jobs-5366f9f5-1aed-4878-81d6-77992281f205.html

Monday, April 22, 2019

PC Pitstop

Virtual companies do scale. Get to know Rob Cheng. Building a Virtual Company to $20 Million: Rob Cheng, CEO of PC Pitstop

Maecenas

Maecenas is a three-year-old startup looking to revolutionize the art world through tokenization. It allows investors to use cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin to buy a share of an artwork. The value of the shares — or tokens — rise and fall in a similar way to stocks. This allows original owners to maintain partial ownership of a work as its value grows, and opens up the market to younger investors. Take note.

When Beauty Gets In The Way Of Science

The simplest theory is the best.

Useful link:
http://nautil.us/issue/71/flow/why-beauty-is-fatal-to-physics

The Dark Truth About Recycling

Recycling is broken. The krillion dollar question is: what do we do now?

Useful link:
https://www.fastcompany.com/video/the-dark-truth-about-recycling/mqZeXwH6

These Asian Chocolatiers Are Spicing Up The Global Sweets Scene

Take note.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-03-26/asian-chocolate-makers-vietnam-malaysia-indonesia-philippines

West Africa — An Emerging Gold Exploration Investment Hotspot

Take note.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/west-africa-emerging-gold-exploration-investment-hotspot

Just Jules’ New Collection

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/just-jules-charming

GIA Unveils New Diamond Origin Report

A remarkable add-on. I hope they don't make any mistakes.

Useful link:
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=63519&ArticleTitle=GIA+Unveils+New+Diamond+Origin+Report

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Born To Be Posthumous

Born to Be Posthumous: The Eccentric Life and Mysterious Genius of Edward Gorey. Written by Mark Dery, it covers with great detail the macabre and bizarre author Edward Gorey. Take note.

Random Thoughts

What happens if you can actually automate all human intellectual labor? said Greg Brockman, chairman of OpenAI, a company backed by several Silicon Valley billionaires. Such thinking computers might be able to diagnose diseases better than doctors by drawing on superhuman amounts of clinical research. They could displace a large number of office jobs. Eventually, the job shortages would force the government to pay people to pursue their passions or simply live. The prospect is both energizing and terrifying.

The Mueller Report

The Mueller report, at 448 pages, is long but hardly an epic. Only for the curious.

Cubed: A Secret History Of The Workplace

Get to know Nikil Saval, author of Cubed: A Secret History of the Workplace.

Cos Liquidate Stock To Repay Loans; Diamond Prices May Fall

The other side of India. You need to have a thick skin and accumulated luck to stay in the diamond business in India.

Useful link:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/diamond-prices-may-fall-further/articleshow/68588091.cms

The Great Diamond Shortage That Never Was Is Likely Coming Soon

It's good news and bad news. Time will tell.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-27/the-great-diamond-shortage-that-never-was-is-likely-coming-soon

The Still-Unresolved Saga Of Sierra Leone’s Peace Diamond

TIA (This is Africa).

Useful link:
https://augustafreepress.com/the-still-unresolved-saga-of-sierra-leones-peace-diamond

Taking Stock At Cartier

Get to know Cyrille Vigneron.

Useful link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/22/fashion/jewelry-cartier-cyrille-vigneron.html

Has Luxury Become A Dirty Word In France?

Sad really. Sign of the times.

Useful link:
https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/opinion/has-luxury-become-a-dirty-word-in-france-gilets-jaunes-yellow-vests-protest

Roberto Curto

Get to know avant-garde Italian designer Roberto Curtò, who has just unveiled a jaw-dropping new concept for a 207-foot superyacht, with its dramatic lines inspired by the bug-eyed mollusk, part of the squid family. In fact, to reflect the squid connection, he’s somewhat unflatteringly named his quirky new creation Hypnosquid. Take a look.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Nihi Sumba

Nihi Sumba is set on the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago about 50 minutes by plane from Bali. Owned by US billionaire Christopher Burch, who's the CEO of venture investment firm Burch Creative Capital and co-founder of designer fashion brand Tory Burch, the 38-room beachfront retreat is surrounded by rugged jungle. A must visit.


Random Thoughts

People tend to do their most creative work when they find deep meaning in what they're doing—when they feel that their work really contributes to something that matters. If people lack that meaning, it's very hard for them to stay intrinsically motivated and creative. Many leaders don't realize how necessary it is to help people understand the importance of their work.

Plastic Footprint

One tool, from a startup called Omni Calculator, asks simple questions about a typical week, tallying up how many plastic bottles or takeaway boxes or yogurt containers you use, and then telling you roughly how many pounds of plastic you use in a year or that you’ll use in your lifetime.

Another, from Greenpeace’s U.K. office, adds up the number of plastic items you buy and then forces you to scroll through a visual representation of your annual pile of trash.

An app called My Little Plastic Footprint goes further, helping users track their progress toward zero waste over time.

Act responsibly. Progress toward zero waste.

Walking Assembly

What would an architectural element that could be moved by a single person look like? The resulting project, called Walking Assembly, demonstrates the possibilities with a set of interlocking concrete puzzle pieces that the designers are able to assemble into a solid wall and staircase in about 15 minutes. Take a look.

Diamond Date Night Helps Make The Ring Shopping Romantic

Creative and romantic.

Useful link:
https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/matt-odesky-from-the-diamond-ring-invented-diamond-date-night-11591074

Meet Göran Kling, Who Is Crafting Street-Smart “Slang” Jewelry In Sweden

Brilliant idea. Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-goran-kling-who-is-creating-slang-jewelry-for-men-in-sweden

Why Placeholder Engagement Rings Are On The Rise

A new trend.

Useful link:
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/3/27/18281399/loaner-engagement-rings-placeholder-temporary-proposal

How To Finance An Engagement Ring

Act responsibly.

Useful link:
https://www.businessinsider.in/How-to-finance-an-engagement-ring/articleshow/68617696.cms

Friday, April 19, 2019

Hearts On Fire Hayley Paige Collection

Take a look at Hearts On Fire x Hayley Paige Collection of stackable diamond bands and engagement rings.

Random Thoughts

Everybody fails. Everybody falls. We are all human, after all. But mercy lifts us. Forgiveness allows us to move on and try again. As we approach this Easter weekend, remember that you and I are never really done. There’s always tomorrow.

Bycs

Get to know Bycs, and the bicycle mayors program.

Kaarta

Kevin Dowling is the founder of Kaarta, a 3D-scanning startup mapping architecture, engineering, and construction.

The World's Greatest Leaders

Fortune’s World’s Greatest Leaders list is out.

The Insatiable Traveler

Susan Portnoy is an award-winning photographer, inveterate traveler and founder of The Insatiable Traveler.

MiaDonna

Get to know Anna -Mieke Anderson.

Useful link:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/330729

The Difference In Diamonds: Lab Grown vs. Mined vs. Alternatives

Take a short course at a reputable gemological institute to learn the theory and practice to differentiate diamonds and their imitations.

Useful link:
https://www.theplunge.com/engagement-rings/diamonds-lab-grown

Lab-Grown Diamonds Shake Up The Diamond Industry

An evolving new industry.

Useful link:
https://www.npr.org/2019/03/28/707722624/lab-grown-diamonds-shake-up-the-diamond-industry

How Diamonds Gain Color

A magic combination of deformation, impurities, radiation, plus unknown unknown factors may be the cause of color in a diamond,

Useful link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/science/diamonds-color.html

Moroni: The Riches Of Renaissance Portraiture

The art of Giovanni Battista Moroni, the 16th-century painter who excelled at remarkably naturalistic portraits is having its first American survey at the Frick Collection in “Moroni: The Riches of Renaissance Portraiture.” A must visit. 

Another Major Find At Cullinan

South Africa’s Petra Diamonds has found yet another big rock at its iconic Cullinan mine, the third coloured diamond over 100-carats since March that has been unearthed at the operation.

Zarya Diamond Mine

Alrosa has started diamond production at a new deposit in Yakutia with an expected mine life of 11 years. The Zarya pipe will help compensate for the diminishing resources at the miner’s Komsomolsky open-pit site. It will have the capacity to process 1.25 million tonnes of ore per year. Zarya, which is in the Aikhal division, cost the Russia-based miner RUB 12 billion ($187.3 million) to launch. Zarya is a landmark event for both Alrosa and Russia. It is already the second deposit launched in Yakutia in such a short span of time. The company began operations at the Verkhne-Munskoye deposit in Yakutia in October. 

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Random Thoughts

Plastic is an incredibly important part of the economy today, so we have to think about how it is being redesigned, reused, collected, recycled and ultimately disposed of across the entire value chain.

Co-Star

Get to know Co-Star, an app that lets people download and compare their birth charts. The app has been downloaded more than three million times. Why? I don't know. Its Instagram account has more than 400,000 followers. Why? People do believe in astrology.

Gemstone Mining Map

Gem mining may look interesting, but you must do your homework several times before investing your money. Gem mining is only for the thick-skinned.

Useful link:
https://www.mining-technology.com/features/gemstone-mining-map-2

A Coal Miner's Less-Is-More Lesson For Frackers

A brilliant mindset. Flat is the new up.

Useful link:
http://www.mining.com/web/coal-miners-less-lesson-frackers

Chef's Table

I love watching it in slow motion. It's therapeutic.

Useful link:
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/in-praise-of-chefs-table-wild-overuse-of-slow-motion

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits Of Failure And The Importance Of Imagination

A must read.

Useful link:
https://www.amazon.com/Very-Good-Lives-Importance-Imagination-ebook/dp/B00QGZDLI6

J.K. Rowling’s Greatest Advice

Imagination works.

Useful link:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/28/harry-potter-novelist-jk-rowling-famous-advice-to-harvard-students-is-dark-but-so-brilliant-and-true.html