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Tuesday, September 03, 2019

Is 'Recommerce' Retail's Next Big Thing?

Only time will tell.

Useful link:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis/2019/06/30/with-the-realreals-blockbuster-ipo-is-recommerce-retails-next-big-thing/#61884f0028c3

Turbo Zone Truck

A Bansky creation. Definitely a collector's item. Take a look.


Useful links:
https://www.bonhams.com
https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/banksy-van-graffiti-intl-scli/index.html
http://www.banksy.co.uk

Van Bricht

Van Bricht is a leap. It's an act of blind faith that only someone with ultimate conviction would do.


Useful links:
http://vanbricht.com
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-van-bricht-old-mind
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-02/at-van-bricht-in-belgium-a-21-year-old-is-making-50-000-watches?srnd=premium-asia

Mateo New York

Get to know Matthew Harris.


Useful links:
https://mateonewyork.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/felicitycarter/2019/09/02/matthew-harris-of-mateo-offers-modern-jewelry-for-the-modern-woman/#257e51bb4138

Tiffany & Co. Chess Set

A design challenge. It's utilitarian. Take a look.


Useful links:
https://www.tiffany.com
https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/tiffany-co-chess-set-2863193

The Stone Reader

 Modern Ethics in 77 Arguments, and The Stone Reader: Modern Philosophy in 133 Arguments, with essays from the series, edited by Peter Catapano and Simon Critchley is a must read.

Monday, September 02, 2019

What Is Sustainable Chocolate?

Get to know Craig Sams and Jo Fairley of Green & Blacks.

Useful links:
https://www.greenandblacks.com.au
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/news/food-and-culture/sustainable-chocolate-17327

In Too Deep: Why The Seabed Should Be Off-limits To Mining Companies

It's the unknown unknown world. We know only one thing: exploit and destroy.

Useful link:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/03/deep-seabed-off-limits-mining-companies

Diamonds: An Early History Of The King Of Gems

A must read.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-book-review-diamonds-an-early-history-of-the-king-of-gems

Bonas Colored Stone Tender

Mark your calendar: September 14-18, 2019, Hong Kong.

Useful links:
https://www.bonascolouredgems.com
http://www.bonasgroup.com

Cody Cobb

The whole other world is out there. It is accessible.


Useful links:
https://www.codycobb.com
https://www.wired.com/story/hallucinatory-landscape-photographs

Sif Jakobs Jewellery

Get to know Sif Jakobs.


Useful link:
https://sifjakobs.com

Hyperpolyglots

Linguistics is a formidably cerebral discipline. Only a few have the soft skill to master it.


Useful links:
https://languages-cultures.uq.edu.au/profile/4269/luis-miguel-rojas-berscia
https://evlab.mit.edu
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/09/03/the-mystery-of-people-who-speak-dozens-of-languages

See How The World Has Changed Over The Past 750 Million Years

The interactive map is intriguing.  Take a look.


Useful links:
http://dinosaurpictures.org/ancient-earth#430
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/map-lets-you-plug-your-address-see-how-neighborhood-has-changed-over-past-750-million-years-180971507

Headspace

Get to know Andy Puddicombe and Richard Pierson, co-founders of Headspace.


Useful links:
https://www.headspace.com
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49394848

Why Are Richard Mille Watches So Expensive?

Beauty. Rarity, Technicality.


Useful links:
https://www.richardmille.com
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/watches/article/why-are-richard-mille-watches-expensive

Master Of Time

Get to know watch repairer Dimitrie Vicovanu at Master of Time, in midtown Manhattan. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge, deft hand and a workshop in Queens stuffed with an array of repair parts, Vicovanu has become not just the surgeon for ailing chronometers but also a vital resource to a new generation of watch repairers. He’s also been tapped by auction houses such as Sotheby’s to help fix antique models hitting the block. Take note.

Sunday, September 01, 2019

Nature Of Luck

A practical philosophy worth practicing every day of the year for those seeking success in either of Warren Buffett's sweet spots — running businesses or making stock investments — or any walk of life.

Random Thoughts

A good book or conversation should help them reflect on, or think about in new ways, the way they behave and their society behaves. That is the best kind of self-help, it’s not a prescription for how to improve their life, it’s a prompt.

Category Design Advisors

Get to know Kevin Maney, a journalist, author, and cofounder of Category Design Advisors. His most recent book, written with Hemant Taneja, Unscaled: How AI and a New Generation of Upstarts Are Creating the Economy of the Future is a must read.

Color-Change Pink Pyrope Garnet Update

One of a kind colored stone.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-gemnews-color-change-pink-pyrope-garnet-update

Trapiche-Like Ruby From The Batakundi Mine, Kashmir

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-microworld-trapiche-like-ruby-from-the-batakundi-mine-kashmir

Eye Of The Pangolin

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world and are facing extinction. To draw attention to these scaly, anteater-like animals, a new wildlife documentary, Eye of the Pangolin, is attempting a unique way to inspire action and conservation: access.

Partnering with the non-profit organization Pangolin.Africa, the documentary was made available on YouTube in May 2019. The intention is to reach communities wherever the internet is available, especially African communities, who live near the animal's habitats.

Shiseido’s Beauty App Promises Perfect Skin

At a cost. @US$92 per month.

Useful links:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-01/netflix-for-your-skin-shiseido-debuts-92-a-month-beauty-plan
https://www.shiseido.com

Finding Dutchland

Get to know Rina Mae Acosta, a writer and founder of the parenting blog Finding Dutchland. She is also the co-author of The Happiest Kids in the World: How Dutch Parents Help Their Kids (and Themselves) by Doing Less.

The Anthropocene Project

Take a look at a brilliant multimedia initiative called The Anthropocene Project.

Turquoise Mountain

Turquoise Mountain, an organization founded in 2006 by the Prince of Wales and Hamid Karzai, former president of Aghanistan, has worked to rebuild infrastructure and provide vocational training to Afghan artisans in Kabul. Take note.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Gem Color Academy

Take a look.


Useful link:
http://www.gemewizard.com/education/gem-color-academy

Inconspicuous Consumption

Get to know Tatiana Schlossberg.


Useful link:
https://www.tatianaschlossberg.com

Inside A Diamond Jewelery Workshop

A must visit.

Useful link:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-diamonds/hammers-chisels-and-a-microscope-inside-a-diamond-jewelery-workshop-idUSKCN1TS22O

Greg Yuna

Get to know Greg Yuna, a famous jeweler and artist.

Useful links:
http://coveteur.com/2019/06/20/greg-yuna-new-york-city-jeweler-you-should-know
https://www.gregyuna.com

Yoshino Cedar House

An extraordinary community-run Airbnb that has drawn international visitors to the remote village in Nara, Japan since it opened in 2017.

Useful link:
https://www.yoshinocedarhouse.com

Redemption Of Vanity

Get to know Diemut Strebe.


Useful links:
https://arts.mit.edu/artists/diemut-strebe/#about-the-residency
https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/artist-makes-diamond-disappear-2866642

Friday, August 30, 2019

Buunch

Get to know Buunch, a flower delivery service. It's imaginative, artistic, and memorable.

The Fascinating Reason Why MB&F’s New $165,000 Dive Watch Is Red

To evoke a 3-dimensional jellyfish. Brilliant idea. Colorful design. I liked it.

Useful links:
https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/mbf-hm7-aquapod-dive-watch-details-and-specifications-2856098
https://www.mbandf.com

How Are The World's Affluent Feeling?

Insightful report.

Useful links:
https://today.yougov.com/topics/economy/articles-reports/2019/05/22/how-are-worlds-affluent-feeling-steady-they-go
https://unitymarketingonline.com/luxury-consumers-are-burned-out-but-luxury-brands-keep-stoking-the-fire-that-caused-it

Opportunities In The Other Responsible Natural Stone: Recycled Diamonds

It's truly amazing how recycled diamonds reenter the diamond jewelry pipeline.

Useful link:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2019/06/25/opportunities-in-the-other-responsible-natural-stone-recycled-diamonds/#6a10d1692f58 

T-Rex Walking Desk Clock

Take a look.


Useful links:
https://www.lepee1839.ch
https://www.mbandf.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertanaas/2019/08/29/mbf-lepee-create-23000-t-rex-walking-desk-clock/#2056567e14e2

Follow The Ancient Amber Road

A fascinating gem and an interesting trade.


Useful links:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/follow-ancient-amber-road-180970609
http://www.ambercombine.ru
http://ambermuseum.eu

Asterank

Take a look at the online database of over 600000 asteroids by the potential value of their minerals.


Useful links:
http://www.asterank.com
http://www.eziodagostino.com
https://www.wired.com/story/luxembourg-asteroid-mining

Safe Cities Index 2019

The Economist Intelligence Unit's 2019 Safe Cities Index (SCI) has ranked 60 destinations across the world in terms of their digital security, health security, infrastructure and personal safety. Topping the list is Tokyo. The most populated metropolis on Earth earns a score of 92.0 out of a possible 100. Singapore is hot on its heels in second place with 91.5 and another Japanese metropolis, Osaka, is third, with 90.9. No big shocks there, these cities also made up the top three in the two previous SCI rankings, conducted in 2015 and 2017.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Random Thoughts

Most of what we are—96%—is carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. But our bodies also use, and are composed of, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur, plus trace amounts of boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, tin, vanadium, and zinc, among others.

The Most Spectacular Restaurant In The World

Must read. Get to know Tom Roston.


Useful link:
https://tomroston.com

Color-Change Spessartine Garnet: A First Report

A collector's gemstone.


Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2019-labnotes-color-change-spessartine-garnet-first-report

The Most Exciting New Color Gem Engagement Rings

No second thoughts. Colored stones are always better than diamonds.

Useful link:
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/bridal/article/rainbow-revolution-most-exciting-new-colour-gem-engagement-rings-chaumet-de-grisogono

Takashi Murakami’s First Pair Of Sneakers

Take a look.


Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/style/footwear/takashi-murakami-sneakers-gundam-porter-yoshida-2866165

The Metals Hunter Scavenging The Globe For Nature’s Rarest Elements

Get to know Anthony Lipmann.


Useful links:
http://www.lipmann.co.uk
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-08-28/the-metals-hunter-scavenging-the-globe-for-nature-s-rarest-elements?srnd=premium-asia

No One Knows How Many Of The World’s Skin-Lightening Creams Are Tainted With Mercury

Take note.


Useful links:
http://www.ecowastecoalition.org
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-08-28/mercury-taints-unknown-number-of-skin-lightening-beauty-creams?srnd=premium-asia

Astrid & Miyu

A new jewelry brand. I wish them good luck.

Useful links:
https://www.astridandmiyu.us
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/astrid-miyu-5-million-funding

Baby Gold

Get to know Helen Ashikian.


Useful links:
https://www.babygold.com
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/fashion/style/8026-this-mommy-and-me-jewelry-is-actually-super-chic

To Catch A Thief, There’s DNA Spray

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/independents/crime/7844-to-catch-a-thief-there-s-dna-spray

Vara Of London

Get to know Mayuri Vara.


Useful links:
https://varaoflondon.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonydemarco/2019/08/27/vara-of-london-unveils-prive-collection-of-jewels/#6ff5521121ae

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Studio F.A. Porsche

When Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the creator of the Porsche 911, left the family car business in 1972 to found his eponymous design firm, Studio F.A. Porsche, the first product he created was a watch that looked completely different from everything else in that category. Or so Roland Heiler, managing director of the studio, which produces the premium Porsche Design brand, told guests gathered in the Porsche hospitality space in Carmel Valley, Calif., earlier this month during Monterey Car Week. The rest is history.

Who Own The Moon?

No one, till someone conquers and claims to be theirs first.

Useful link:
https://video.newyorker.com/watch/who-owns-the-moon

Four Of Tech’s Most Promising Avenues

Cross-disciplinary understanding of AI, self-driving vehicles, medical technologies, and quantum computing will be the future unicorns.

Useful links:
https://www.sginnovate.com
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/27/singapores-sginnovate-highlights-four-areas-of-technology-investments.html

The Queen: A Night At The Opera Limited Edition

A collector's item.

Useful links:
https://www.montegrappa.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nancyolson/2019/06/27/rock-band-queen-immortalized-in-a-stunning-limited-edition-pen/#726d36051311

Andrea Fohrman

Take a look at Andrea Fohrmans one-of-a-kind ring. 

M.S. Rau Antiques

Get to know M.S. Rau Antiques, the famous New Orleans–based dealer.

Baltimore Art, Antique And Jewelry Show

A few good reasons for jewelry lovers to visit Baltimore, chief among them the upcoming Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show. Held at the Baltimore Convention Center, it opens Aug. 29 and runs through Sept. 1.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Meet The A.I. Landlord That’s Building A Single-Family-Home Empire

Get to know Sean Dobson.

Useful links:
http://fortune.com/longform/single-family-home-ai-algorithms
https://www.amherst.com

Jewelry Designer’s Diary

Get to know Vittoria D'Aste-Surcouf.

Useful links:
https://www.vasbijoux.com
https://www.nationaljeweler.com/independents/retail-profiles/7835-designer-s-diary-re-inventing-a-business-after-motherhood

The Fashion Pact

Why it took so long? I hope the biggest fashion brands will honor their promises for the benefit of all.


Useful links:
https://keringcorporate.dam.kering.com/m/1c2acf6f32f1c321/original/Fashion-Pact_G7_EN.pdf
https://robbreport.com/style/fashion/the-fashion-pact-zegna-hermes-and-others-sign-g7-climate-agreement-2865730

Move Over Diamonds – Rubies, Sapphires And Emeralds Are A Girl’s New Best Friends

Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds will always be a girl's best friend.

Useful link:
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/watches-jewellery/article/3016133/move-over-diamonds-rubies-sapphires-and-emeralds

Letšeng Mine Yields 114 Carat Yellow Diamond

Take a look.


Useful link:
https://www.gemdiamonds.com

Gemfields Emerald Auction Update

In August, Gemfields has sold US$18.6 million worth of emeralds at its Lusaka, Zambia auction.


Useful links:
https://gemfields.com
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=64094&ArticleTitle=Gemfields%2bEmerald%2bAuction%2bAchieves%2b%252419M%2b

Bulgari’s Serpenti Capsule Collection

Get to know Alexander Wang.


Useful links:
https://www.alexanderwang.com
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3024371/alexander-wang-reinterprets-bulgaris-serpenti-capsule

Gemologue

Get to know Liza Urla, the creative mind behind Gemologue.



Useful links:
https://gemologue.com
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/social-liza-urla-gemologue

Monday, August 26, 2019

Irene Neuwirth's Jewel Collection

You be the judge.


Useful links:
https://ireneneuwirth.com
https://www.nytimes.com/video/t-magazine/fashion/100000006640084/house-tour-irene-neuwirth.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FJewels%20and%20Jewelry&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection

Smearing Cannabis On Your Face: The Latest Asian Beauty Craze

What is crazy today becomes brilliant tomorrow. And the new brilliant product is cannabis.

Useful links:
https://cannacubed.com
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/3015604/smearing-cannabis-your-face-latest-asian-beauty-craze

Gorongosa Restoration Project

Coffee is a crop that can stop deforestation.



Useful links:
https://www.gorongosa.org
https://www.nespresso.com
https://www.axios.com/mozambique-national-park-coffee-fight-deforestation-dc121d50-cac0-4989-bce2-f2dbb1bcf3ba.html

Sapphire Inclusion With Rutile Silk In A Burmese Star Sapphire

Nothing unusual but still beautiful and natural-looking.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-microworld-sapphire-inclusion-with-rutile-silk-in-a-burmese-star-sapphire

Unique Orange Sapphire With Golden Sheen Effect Reportedly From Kenya

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2019-gemnews-unique-orange-sapphire-with-golden-sheen-effect-reportedly-from-kenya

Graff Reveals Polished Lesotho Pink Diamond

From 13.33 carat rough pink diamond to 5.63 carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond.



Useful links:
https://www.graff.com/house/2019/the-graff-lesotho-pink-diamond
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=64091&ArticleTitle=Graff%2bReveals%2bPolished%2bLesotho%2bPink

The World’s Smallest Cinema

A fun conversation starter. Visit The Hoxton.



Useful links:
https://thehoxton.com
https://fortune.com/2019/08/17/hoxton-hotel-movie-theater

Stones Wines

Get to know Lawrence Fairchild and Philippe Melka.



Useful links:
https://www.stoneswine.com
https://robbreport.com/food-drink/wine/perrarus-new-cabernet-sauvignon-2863166

Jaeger-LeCoultre Dazzling Rendez-Vous Moon

For women only.


Useful links:
https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com
https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/jaeger-lecoultres-latest-moonphase-for-women-is-an-over-the-top-ode-to-diamonds-2865321

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Emerald: The Superstar Of Trapiche Gemstones

It is.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/emerald-superstar-trapiche-gemstones

35 Innovators Under 35

In these profile you will find people employing innovative methods to change the world.

Useful link:
https://www.technologyreview.com/lists/innovators-under-35/2019

Kelly Wearstler

A brilliant jewelry designer and a story teller.

Useful links:
https://www.kellywearstler.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/yjeanmundelsalle/2019/06/25/believing-in-design-as-storytelling-kelly-wearstler-has-revolutionized-modern-american-design/#3dd0fb7759e1

The Mosquito

Get to know Dr. Timothy C. Winegard, the author of The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator. He holds a PhD from the University of Oxford and is a professor of history and political science at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado.

World's Tallest Shipping Container Building

Patalab Architecture has won approval to build a nine-storey office block from shipping containers, which will be the world's tallest building made from the modular structures. When built, the office block in Whitechapel, east London, will be 26-metres-high plus a lift overrun. This will make it taller than the Freitag Store in Zurich – the current tallest building made from shipping containers. London studio Patalab Architecture choose to design the building from reused shipping containers for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Take a look.

Future Today Institute

Get to know Amy Webb, the founder of the Future Today Institute.

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Inclusions In Natural, Treated, Synthetic, And Imitation Opal

Take a look at a wide range of interesting inclusions in opal.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2019-suggested-reading-opal-chart

Le Paris Russe de Chanel

Craftsmanship at its best. Take a look.


Useful links:
https://www.chanel.com/us/high-jewelry/paris-russe
https://robbreport.com/style/jewelry/chanel-jewelry-collection-inspired-by-russian-culture-2863158

Pietra

A new jewelry startup.




Useful links:
https://www.pietrastudio.com
https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/news-analysis/this-start-up-wants-to-be-the-etsy-of-jewellery?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

There’s Another Reason Behind Bitcoin’s 200% Rise This Year

It's halvening time for Bitcoin.

Useful link:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/25/bitcoin-how-the-halvening-is-boosting-the-cryptocurrencys-price.html

Trinitite

Take a look.


Useful link:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/chunk-trinitite-reminds-sheer-devastating-power-atomic-bomb-180972848

One Formula: 50 Years Of Car Design

Get to know Gordon Murray.

Useful link:
https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/one-formula-50-years-car-design-gordon-murray-2855940

Hunting The Redwood Poachers

Only for collectors.

Useful link:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-06-25/stealing-redwood-trees-is-hard-but-stealing-burls-isn-t

PlantBottle

At the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, this July, Shell Huang Xiaoyan, Vice-President, Research and Development, Asia at Coca-Cola showed off one of the company’s new plant-based plastic alternatives. She described developing the PlantBottle as the biggest honour in her career. It’s a 100% recyclable material, and since its initial launch in 2009 it has helped Coca-Cola reduce its emissions by the equivalent of one million vehicles. Now, the company has opened the bottle’s patent to the public so other developers and manufacturers can use it. Definitely a good initiative.

The Kao Warrior Ring

Take a look at the Koa Warrior ring by jewelry designer Nan Fusco.

Kruse GWS Auctions

Take a look at Kruse GWS Auctions and the Royal Artifacts, Fine Jewelry, Handbags and Timepieces event happening Saturday, August 24, 2019. The Los Angeles–based, fifth-generation auctioneer has amassed more than more than 270 lots of luxury goods, largely centered on signed vintage jewelry from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, David Webb, and other coveted names. Take note.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Square Roots

Get to know Tobias Peggs. A unique startup story.


Useful link:
https://squarerootsgrow.com

The Wealthiest Diamond Company Owners And Investors In The World

WealthX has revealed the top 10.


Useful links:
https://www.wealthx.com
https://www.professionaljeweller.com/top-ten-the-worlds-wealthiest-diamond-company-owners-and-investors

MOB Hotels

Get to know Cyril Aouizerate.



Useful links:
https://www.mobhotel.com
https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/founder-mob-hotels-cyril-aouizerate-2864934

Polly Wales

Polly Wales's wabi-sabi style jewelry designs are unique and brilliant. There is beauty in imperfection.

Useful links:
https://pollywales.com
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/trend-file-the-rise-of-perfectly-imperfect-jewelry
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/britts-pick-pagoda-polly-wales

18 Fresh Takes On Pearls

Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/radical-pearl-jewelry

The Golden Asteroid That Could Make Everyone On Earth A Billionaire

Whoever get's there first dominates forever.

Useful link:
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/The-Golden-Asteroid-Worth-700-Quintillion.html