Manhattan Movie

Memorable quote (s) from the movie:

Isaac Davis (Woody Allen): This is so antiseptic. It's empty. Why do you think this is funny? You're going by audience reaction? This is an audience that's raised on television, their standards have been systematically lowered over the years. These guys sit in front of their sets and the gamma rays eat the white cells of their brains out!

Mary Wilke (Diane Keaton): I was tired of submerging my identity to a very brilliant, dominating man. He's a genius.

Isaac Davis (Woody Allen): Oh really, he was a genius, Helen's a genius and Dennis is a genius. You know a lot of geniuses, you know. You should meet some stupid people once in a while, you know, you could learn something.

Doing Business In Mexico

World Bank / IFC writes:

Doing Business in Mexico 2007 is the second sub-national report in the series Doing Business in Mexico. Last year, quantitative indicators on business regulations and their enforcement were created for 12 cities and states. This year, Doing Business in Mexico 2007 covers all 31 states of the Mexican Republic and measures the progress of the 12 states analyzed last year. The report finds that some states compare well with the best of the world, while others need much reform to become globally competitive. Doing Business in Mexico 2007 gives federal, state, and local policymakers the ability to measure regulatory performance against other states and countries, learn from global and national best practices, and prioritize reforms.

Points of interest
Aguascalientes was the easiest state in which to do business last year. State and city officials have successfully used the benchmark as a promotional tool to compete for business at home and abroad. Simultaneously, they have continued to press ahead with reforms. As a result, Aguascalientes earned the top rank again this year. Querétaro, the lowest ranked overall performer last year, created a public-private task force dedicated to improving its benchmarks. The task force systematically studied bottlenecks, proposed reforms, and measured progress throughout the year. The reforms helped Querétaro climb nine ranks on the ease of doing business to number seven out of 31 states and Mexico City. In this year’s report, three of the top six performers are “new” states: Sonora, which ranks fourth, Campeche in fifth place, and Zacatecas in sixth. Sonora and Campeche are especially efficient when it comes to property registration, ranking first and second in that indicator. Zacatecas stands out both in the ease of registering collateral to access credit, as well as in the ease of enforcing contracts, where it is the top performer. Such state and city level reforms are becoming increasingly important in a globalized world, where specific locations as much as countries compete for investment – e.g. Monterrey versus Shanghai rather than Mexico versus China.

More info @ http://www.doingbusiness.org/main/Mexico.aspx

The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries

FTC writes:

23.25 Misuse of the word "gem."

(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "gem" to describe, identify, or refer to a ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, or other industry product that does not possess the beauty, symmetry, rarity, and value necessary for qualification as a gem.

(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "gem" to describe any laboratory-created industry product unless the product meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and unless such word is immediately accompanied, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "laboratory-grown," "laboratory-created," or "[manufacturer-name]-created," "synthetic," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to clearly disclose that it is not a natural gem.

Note to 23.25: In general, use of the word "gem" with respect to laboratory-created stones should be avoided since few laboratory-created stones possess the necessary qualifications to properly be termed "gems." Imitation diamonds and other imitation stones should not be described as "gems." Not all diamonds or natural stones, including those classified as precious stones, possess the necessary qualifications to be properly termed "gems."

More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm

A Roman Book On Precious Stones

By Sydney H Ball
Gemological Institute of America
1950

Sydney H Ball writes:

Rightly or wrongly, I have for some years felt that the outstanding classical book on precious stones, the 37th book of Pliny’s Natural History, has never been edited by one well versed in the lore of precious stones.

After years of disuse, my Latin limps; consequently, I take the liberty, to save the reader’s busy time, of rendering into modern English what is generally considered to be at least one of the best English translations, that of Philemon Holland, published in London in 1601. (The Historie of the World, commonly called the Naturall Historie of C Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland, Doctor of Physicks. Printed in London by Adam Islip, 1601).

Holland graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, and later received his M D from an unknown university. While practicing his profession, he translated a dozen Greek and Latin works. That he was not over paid is suggested by the fact that one such arduous task he received 4 pounds; for another 5 pounds. Referring to his translations, Fuller in his Worthies says, “These books alone of his turning into English will make a country gentleman a competent library.”

I have ventured, for easier reference, to disregard Holland’s rather inadequate chapter headings and have introduced the more numerous and more logical headings in the Latin edition of Jean Hardouin (Joannes Hardiunus, Paris, 1723).

No work is complete, and this one is far from it. For the shortcomings of my modest part in this book, I can only claim indulgence. As for Holland’s translation, my introductory chapters and notes were written in “those hours which might be spared from the practice of my profession and the necessarie cares of this life.” I am in great debt to Miss Kay Swindler who edited my manuscript.

Where Do You Find Diamonds?

Diamonds are found in three types of deposits.
- alluvial
- glacial tills
- kimberlite / lamproite pipes

A Beautiful Mind Movie

Memorable quote (s) from the movie:

Alicia (Jennifer Connelly): How big is the universe?

Nash (Russell Crowe): Infinite.

Alicia (Jennifer Connelly): How do you know?

Nash (Russell Crowe): I know because all the data indicates it's infinite.

Alicia (Jennifer Connelly): But it hasn't been proven yet.

Nash (Russell Crowe): No.

Alicia (Jennifer Connelly): You haven't seen it.

Nash (Russell Crowe): No.

Alicia Jennifer Connelly): How do you know for sure?

Nash (Russell Crowe): I don't, I just believe it.

Alicia (Jennifer Connelly): It's the same with love I guess.

Doing Business In Africa

World Bank / IFC writes:

Last year and the year before, Africa lagged behind all other regions in the pace of reform. This year it ranks third, behind only Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the OECD high-income countries (figure 1.2). Two-thirds of African countries made at least one reform, and Tanzania and Ghana rank among the top 10 reformers.

Some examples of what African countries reformed include:

In Côte d’Ivoire registering property took 397 days in 2005. Reforms eliminated a requirement to obtain the urban minister’s consent to transfer property. Now it takes 32 days.

Burkina Faso cut the procedures for starting a business from 12 to 8 and the time from 45 days to 34.

Madagascar reduced the minimum capital for start-ups from 10 million francs to 2 million.

Tanzania introduced electronic data interchange and risk-based inspections at customs. The time to clear imports fell by 12 days.

Gambia, Nigeria, and Tanzania reduced delays in the courts. More improvements are under way, and these will be reflected in the Doing Business indicators next year.

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, and Zambia have all started to simplify business regulation. The easy reforms—what can be done by the stroke of a minister’s pen—are coming first. Small as these initial reforms may be, they can attract investors who seek the growth opportunities that will follow. India’s economic boom may have started with just such reforms in the 1980s.

Several African countries are more ambitious. Mauritius set a goal of reaching the top 10 on the ease of doing business by 2009. It has targeted numerous areas of reform: making labor regulation more flexible, reducing the burden of paying taxes and speeding business entry and property registration. One reform: starting in 2007 every business will receive a unique business registration number, and entrepreneurs will no longer have to register in person for the income tax, value added tax, customs and social security numbers. The aim is to have data move around inside the government, not to have entrepreneurs run around from one office to another.

More info @ http://www.doingbusiness.org/main/Africa_Reforms.aspx

The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries

FTC writes:

23.24 Misuse of the words "real," "genuine," "natural," "precious," etc.

It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "real," "genuine," "natural," "precious," "semi-precious," or similar terms to describe any industry product that is manufactured or produced artificially.

More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm

Precious Stones And Gems

By Edwin W Streeter
George Bell & Sons
1884

Edwin W Streeter writes:

Many pages have been written on the history of precious stones. Authorities on authorities, from remote antiquity to this our day, have been cited as to their value, their uses, their beauties, and their properties, but still one might venture to say that there are fewer judges of the genuineness and real value of precious stones than there are treatises to guide people to such knowledge. Would it be altogether unwarrantable to express a grave doubt whether even in the trade there are very many skilled in detecting the real measure of difference between one stone and another, either by that most essential test, the specific gravity, or by minor tests of a more trivial character? Be this as it may, I have arrived at the deliberate conviction, as a merchant and dealer long versed in the purchase and sale of gems, that some practical and popular guide to those who have an interest in ascertaining and testing the genuineness and value of precious stones, is urgently needed, and cannot fail to be generally useful.

As an illustration of the difficulties of the subject, it may be stated that Professor Church, in a lecture delivered the Society of Arts on April 6th, 1881, pointed out a number of errors in the identification of a collection of precious stones which had been exhibited for years at the South Kensington Museum, although the official description of these stones had been confided to a well-known professor of mineralogy and expert in gems.

In the division of family jewels much injustice is often done by persons incompetent to form a correct opinion of their relative values. A study of this handbook may serve to demonstrate the difficulty of an accurate discrimination. In all cases it would be wise to submit the jewels to a practiced judge, whether for valuation or for probate. It is not right to leave the decision to some house agent or mutual friend.

A lady had bequeathed to her some family jewels, consisting of a sapphire and diamond suite. As they had passed probate several times, there was no doubt in the mind of the legatee of the genuineness of the sapphires. On being applied to in relation to their value, I had to pronounce the sapphires to be only paste. Had they been genuine they would have realized from 30000 pounds to 40000 pounds.

One often sees the spinel and the balas—the one a lively poppy red, and the other a violet rose—usurping the dignity of the true ruby; and yet the pure ruby of ten carats is worth from 3800 pounds to 4800 pounds, while the other stones, called by the same name, would be dear at one hundred pounds.

A gem should be a real possession, capable of affording pleasure to the wearer and the spectator, and, with fair usage, retaining an intrinsic and marketable value, undiminished by the lapse of time. I have sometimes seen in wear gems so scratched that their luster has been seriously impaired, and a suspicion was thus excited in the minds of wearers, friends, and dealers, that there was a defect in the hardness of the stones, and consequently in their in genuineness. It may be worth while to point out that a small sum expended in repolishing such stones would restore their original luster, revive the pleasure derived from the possession of them, and prevent the risk of their being sold as paste or imitation jewelry.

The value of precious stones must vary to some extent with the caprice of fashion—a gem which at one period stands high in public favor being at another time less eagerly sought after. Thus the chrysolite of the ancients, though highly esteemed by them, has not retained its popular character.

It is quite pardonable, and of small consequence, that the characteristic of the less valuable gemstones should be comparatively unknown; but there are precious stones about which there should be no doubt in the mind either of the purchaser or the merchant, viz., the diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire, opal, cat’s eye, alexandrite, and pearl.

In other matters the distinction between a genuine and fictitious material is generally well understood, and fastidiously recognized. A lady refuses to wear a gown composed of an inferior fabric, intended to represent silk, because of its color, texture, and draping indicate, to every experienced eye, the substitution of the false for the real; but she often seems to ignore the fact that the color, the brilliancy, and the texture of a true gem, are as distinguishable from those of the false or mere imitation, as the cotton is from the silk. We presume to believe that in the case of the gown, which in a few nights wear altogether loses its worth, the genuineness of the material is of far less consequence than it is in the case of gems, which should be heirlooms of value, not much deteriorated by the lapse of years.

In determining the value of gems, it should be borne in mind that a perfect stone is rarely met with; and that probably, not even ten percent of the stones which are brought into commerce are really of fine quality. In the mineral kingdom, as in other department of nature, perfection is almost unknown.

Much study and attention will be required to attain a knowledge of the properties and appearance of gems, but the subject is by no means unattractive, and may be turned to good account.

With objects such as those referred to above, I am publishing the present volume, the outcome of more than thirty seven years’ experience , and of the united knowledge of many men of science, and of my contemporaries in trade. I hope that it may be of some service to us as merchants, and to the public in general.

It must be borne in mind that this book is not intended to be a strictly scientific treatise, but rather a practical work for those who, whether in the trade or among the public at large, desire to obtain some knowledge of the general characteristics of precious stones and gems.

In conclusion, I trust that the Goldsmiths’ Company, as fathers of the trade, will ere long throw open their fine suite of rooms in Foster Lane, and will not only establish a comprehensive library of books bearing on the study of jewelry, but by giving gratuitous lectures on precious stones and precious metals will offer that aid to the younger members of our trade which is necessary for a proper understanding of their daily business. To this company we must also look for aids to the more general appreciation of fine art jewelry, by affording favorable opportunities for exhibitions, and by awarding prizes, similar to those offered by the Turner’ Company. This would give an impetus to study to those engaged in jewelry work, and would enable the public to obtain a more accurate knowledge of and to take a deeper interest in a subject which has hitherto remained the property of the exclusive few.

The legacies bequeathed to the Goldsmiths’ Company by the famous goldsmiths and jewelers of the 15th,16th, and 17th centuries, which have since increased in value to an extent almost inconceivable, without doubt were intended for some such purposes as those to which I have referred. I find that so early as 1415, a celebrated goldsmith, Sir Drugo Barentine, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1398, and again in 1408, gave faire lands to this Company.

For the subject matter which forms the basis of this volume, I am in an especial manner indebted to the work of Professor Kluge, translated by Mrs Brewer; and I have also to acknowledge my obligations to Major F B Beaumont, Mr James A Forster, and others who have obligingly contributed information.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries

FTC writes:

23.23 Misuse of the words "ruby," "sapphire," "emerald," "topaz," "stone," "birthstone,"
"gemstone," etc.

(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified words ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, or the name of any other precious or semi-precious stone to describe any product that is not in fact a natural stone of the type described.

(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, or the name of any otherprecious or semi-precious stone, or the word stone, birthstone, gemstone,' or similar term to describe a laboratory grown, laboratory-created, [manufacturer name]-created, synthetic, imitation, or simulated stone, unless such word or name is immediately preceded with equal conspicuousness by the word laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, [manufacturer name]-created, synthetic, or by the word imitation or simulated, so as to disclose clearly the nature of the product and the fact it is not a natural gemstone.

Note to paragraph (b): The use of the word "faux" to describe a laboratory-created or imitation stone is not an adequate disclosure that the stone is not natural.

(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "laboratory-grown," "laboratory-created," "[manufacturer name]-created," or "synthetic" with the name of any natural stone to describe any industry product unless such industry product has essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as the stone named.

More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm

Doing Business In Eastern Europe

World Bank/IFC writes:

Doing business became easier in Eastern European countries in 2005-2006, according to a new report by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Thirty-eight reforms in 16 economies in the region reduced the time, cost, and hassle for businesses to comply with legal and administrative requirements.

Spurred by recent or prospective accession to the European Union, Eastern Europe reformed more than any other region, including Western Europe and other OECD countries.Romania is top reformer in the regionDoing Business 2007: How to Reform finds that Romania was the second most active reformer on the ease of doing business across 175 economies, implementing reforms to simplify business licensing and trading, easing access to credit, increasing labor market flexibility, and strengthening investor protection. Croatia was ranked seventh. The top 10 reformers are, in order, Georgia, Romania, Mexico, China, Peru, France, Croatia, Guatemala, Ghana, and Tanzania.

Doing Business 2007 also ranks 175 economies on the ease of doing business-covering 20 more economies than last year's report. The top-ranked countries in Eastern Europe are Lithuania (16), Estonia (17), and Latvia (24), followed by Slovakia (36) and Romania (47).

The 30 economies that score the highest on the ease of doing business are, in order, Singapore, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Hong Kong (China), the United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, Norway, Ireland, Japan, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Lithuania, Estonia, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, Israel, St. Lucia, Chile, South Africa, and Austria.

The rankings track indicators of the time and cost to meet government requirements in business start-up, operation, trade, taxation, and closure. They do not track variables such as market size, macroeconomic policy, quality of infrastructure, currency volatility, investor perceptions, or crime rates.

Romania -- the top reformer in the region and second-ranked globally -- simplified procedures for obtaining building permits and set up a single office for processing applications. This reduced the time for obtaining construction licenses by 49 days. Reforms to labor laws allowed term contracts to extend to six years, encouraging businesses to hire first-time workers. New customs procedures cut the time to satisfy regulatory requirements for trading in half, to 14 days. Romania also broadened the scope of information available for potential borrowers and sped bankruptcy proceedings.

More info @ http://web.worldbank.org

Intarsia

What Is Intarsia?
(via Gem Cutting: A Lapidary’s Manual) John Sinkankas writes:

The ancient art of imbedding small bits of colored material in cement to cover and decorate walls, floors, and other surfaces is called mosaic. Mosaic work using gemstones is popular among amateur gem cutters since it is both decorative and utilitarian. Surplus gem material can be used to advantage in ordinary mosaics, while exceptionally fine mosaic projects can absorb better material that is too small or not quite good enough for cabochons or faceted gems.

A variation of classic mosaic work is called intarsia, or sometimes pietre dure, or Florentine mosaic work. In this style of mosaic, flat pieces of stone are fitted together as closely as possible to make designs and pictures, much as pieces of glass are joined to make stained glass windows. However, intarsia is never transparent; pieces are always cemented to a base of stone, wood or other hard material. Some kinds of intarsia are inlaid into stone panels, which are then flattened to a common level and polished.

The beauty and effectiveness of intarsia depend on the skill used in making designs and selecting various kinds of stone to cover areas of different color and textures. The Italian method of inlaying intarsia is to carve out flat-bottomed recesses in soft slate to receive thin slabs of gem material (cut based on a paper pattern). The edges of the recesses are carefully trimmed to make them square and to avoid unsightly chipping. Since black slate is used, it is not necessary to try for a very exact fit because any slight gaps will be filled with an asphaltic mastic cement that matches the slate color. A truly perfect polish is not practical with this method because the heat generated will make the mastic flow and allow sections of stone to shift. However, a well-moistened pitch lap should overcome these difficulties and allow application of an excellent natural polish.

Art Nouveau Jewelry

By Vivienne Becker
Thames and Hudson Ltd
E P Dutton New York
1985 ISBN 0-525-24345-3

Thames and Hudson writes:

Jewelry was one of the purest, and most successful, expressions of the Art Nouveau movement. It captured the atmosphere and the passions of the fin de siecle, and the moral and artistic freedom which characterized the period. Fresh designs and motifs were created with intense excitement shared by artists all over the world. Sensuous and organic plant forms surged with new life; the female form struggled towards a new freedom, suggesting a long hidden eroticism; dragonflies and insects became creatures of beauty and fantasy; sunsets and changing seasons reflected the symbolic view of art in nature, borrowed from the Japanese. The artists and goldsmiths who created this jewelry were trained in the nineteenth century disciplines; their technical mastery allowed them to experiment with new materials and enamelling processes to indulge their fantasies. This combination—an atmosphere of ideas for a new art and the unrivalled technical skill of the makers—produced some of the most evocative jewelling art of modern times.

The book deals with major makers in France, and then follows the parallel modern movement that spread through Europe and the United States, acquiring different decorative characteristics, from England, Germany and Austria to Belgium, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. For the collector, comprehensive biographies are included, drawing together for the first time full information on over 300 designers. The Guide to Identification, including over 200 maker’s marks and signatures, forms an invaluable aid to identifying and appreciating the jewelry. Each part of the book is illustrated by a series of dramatic color and black and white plates: the striking variety of the pieces shown, from the organic beauty of the work of Lalique to the simpler, more geometric Liberty designs, is clear evidence of the international scope and appeal of Art Nouveau jewelry.

Indicator Minerals

What are the indicator minerals for prospecting diamond?
Well-trained geologists look for garnet, chromite, chromian diopside, ilmenite, clinopyroxene, olivine, zircon, and diamond as indicator minerals. The minerals may also be found as inclusions in a diamond.

Doing Business In South Asia

World Bank / IFC writes:

This is the third report in the series of South Asia regional reports based on the methodology of the annual global Doing Business report. The South Asia report covers 8 countries. The top ranked countries in the region are the Maldives (53) and Pakistan (74), followed by Bangladesh (88), Sri Lanka (89), Nepal (100), India (134), Bhutan (138), and Afghanistan (162). As a region, South Asia performs comparatively well in business start-up and protecting investors. It lags far behind, however, on the ease of employing workers, enforcing contracts, and trading across borders. In-depth examination of indicators in key cities provides helpful details that can be seen in the tables below. Hyderabad has the most business-friendly regulations in India, Karachi in Pakistan, and Dhaka ranks best in Bangladesh.

More info @ http://www.doingbusiness.org/southasia

Quartzsite

Quartzsite is the annual host of one of the largest gem, mineral and fossil shows in the United States. Since the 1960s rockhounds have been moving to Quartzsite, in Western Arizona each year in large numbers to display their merchandise. During the month of January and February over a million plus visitors may descend on this town to sell their merchandise. In January, Quartzsite becomes the fourth largest city in Arizona because of the show. Most of the shows are outdoors, with dealers setting up booths outside or in tents right next to their trailers. Quartzsite is more casual than Tucson and the dealers enjoy it because of the relatively low set up costs. This enables them to sell goods at fair prices to buyers. During the show vendors come from all over the world to display all kinds of gem and jewelry crafts. There are daily field trips for those who are interested in rockhounding. The show also has special demonstrations on lapidary techniques sponsored by the Quartzsite Roadrunner Gem and Mineral Club. The show is a big event for cutters so that they are able to display diverse assortment of cut gems, minerals and fossils. At the same a lot of Quartzsite goods may get resold at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show.

Quartzsite show schedule:
- Desert Gardens International Gem & Mineral Show: January 2 – February 28
- Tyson Wells, Rock-Gem-Mineral Show: January 7 – 16
- Tyson Wells “Sell-A-Rama” Rocks, Gem-Arts-Crafts Show (January 21 – 30)
- PowWow Gem & Mineral Show: January 26 - 30

More info @ www.desertusa.com/Cities/az/quartzite.html

Wall Street Movie

Memorable quote (s) from the movie:

Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas): Hiya, Buddy.

Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen): Gordon.

Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas): Sand bagged me on Bluestar huh? I guess you think you taught the teacher a lesson that the tail can wag the dog huh? Well let me clue you in, pal. The ice is melting right underneath your feet. Did you think you could've gotten this far this fast with anyone else, huh? That you'd be out there dicking someone like Darien? Naw... you'd still be cold calling widows and dentists tryin' to sell 'em 20 shares of some dog shit stock. I took you in... a NOBODY! I opened the doors for you... showed you how the system works... the value of information... how to *get it*! Fulham oil, Brant resources, geodynamics and this is how you fucking pay me back you COCKROACH! I GAVE you Darien! I GAVE you your manhood I gave you EVERYTHING! You could've been one of the great ones Buddy. I look at you and see myself... WHY?

Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen): I don't know. I guest I realized that I'm just Bud Fox... and as much as I wanted to be Gordon Gekko, I'll always be Bud Fox.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries

FTC writes:

23.22 Disclosure of treatments to gemstones.

It is unfair or deceptive to fail to disclose that a gemstone has been treated if:

(a) the treatment is not permanent. The seller should disclose that the gemstone has been treated and that the treatment is or may not be permanent;

(b) the treatment creates special care requirements for the gemstone. The seller should disclose that the gemstone has been treated and has special care requirements. It is also recommended that the seller disclose the special care requirements to the purchaser;

(c) the treatment has a significant effect on the stone’s value. The seller should disclose that the gemstone has been treated.

Note to 23.22: The disclosures outlined in this section are applicable to sellers at every level of trade, as defined in 23.0(b) of these Guides, and they may be made at the point of sale prior to sale; except that where a jewelry product can be purchased without personally viewing the product, (e.g., direct mail catalogs, online services, televised shopping programs) disclosure should be made in the solicitation for or description of the product.

More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm

Ivory

A History and Collectors Guide
Thames and Hudson Ltd
1987 ISBN 0-500-23505-8

Thames and Hudson writes:

More than three thousand years ago, the Old Testament records, “King Solomon made a great throne of ivory….” from which he summoned to his court ‘the navy of Tarnish, bringing gold and silver, ivory and apes, and peacocks…’

Throughout history, from the ancient civilizations to the present day, the subtle glowing color and sensual tactile surface of ivory has lent a special quality to objects as diverse as religious images and thimbles, palace furniture and paper knives. Ivory is also extraordinarily tractable—it can be sliced paper thin, sawn, carved, etched, or turned on a lathe, stained or painted—and so flexible that an ivory riding whip was once described as being ‘as finely tempered as a Toledo sword blade, and as supple as a willow switch.’

The astonishing range of this remarkable substance has, for the first time, been fully described in Ivory: A History and Collector’s Guide, illustrated with copious reproductions, many in color. A team of distinguished contributors have combined their considerable expertise to unfold the story of ivory carving, from Paleolithic Europe, through the Hellenistic and Roman worlds to the Middle Ages and right up to the twentieth century Europe. There are chapters on Europe, the Near East and India, the Far East and South East Asia, North America—and Central and South America where bone was used instead of ivory. The contributors reveal the beauties of ivory—in rich patina of antique figures or the intricacies of miniature medieval plaques—and describe the different kinds of ivory that have been used.

This unparalleled survey also includes a description of the ivory trade, an illustrated glossary, sections on collecting ivory and its care and repair, a guide to collections open to the public, a bibliography and—most notably—an invaluable detailed time chart which highlights every period in the long and exotic history of ivory.

Richly documented and superbly illustrated, Ivory: A History and Collector’s Guide is not only the definitive reference work for collectors and dealers but a sumptuous source book for students of the decorative arts, ivory carvers and all who appreciate the unique beauty and fascinating history of ivory.

Modified Asterism

It is possible to imitate asterism in gemstones by engraving several sets of parallel lines or grooves in flat or curved surfaces of the stones or cutting six-rayed star on the surface of a suitable cabochon, with tools such as rotating or vibrating iron rod. The technique is widely used in producing man-made asterism in rubies, sapphires and other colored stones including glass. A modified technique may be used to produce fake asterism in mainstream colored stones. The fake star stones are sold worldwide, but may be seen more frequently in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Burma, East Africa, Europe and United States, the colored stone centers of the world. An interesting fact is asterism in natural stones is due to the presence of needle-like inclusions, but they are not seen in these fake cabochons. In addition, the so-called called stars are not properly oriented and overall the stones look asymmetrical and lack the natural appearance.

Well informed buyers will always look carefully for the right star pattern, color, and finally, the top and base. In most cases the producers of fakes are not properly identifying the minerals before engraving, because highly radioactive crystals or crystal fragments have been used and sold with an incorrect but common mineral name. If in doubt always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.