Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Chocolate Evolution
Will Dunham writes about chocolate's origin at least 3,100 years ago in Central America not as the sweet treat people now crave but as a celebratory beer-like beverage and status symbol + other viewpoints @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071112/sc_nm/chocolate_beer_dc
An Interesting Emerald Find
(via Gemfields Resources PLC): The discovery of a 10050 carat emerald from Mbuva-Chibolele emerald mine in Kufubu emerald district of northern central Zambia is an interesting story. I don't know if it's gem quality specimen given the size, color and shape.
The company also owns amethyst mines (Kariba Amethyst mine), pink tourmaline + emerald mine (Kamakanga mine, west-southwest of the Mbuva-Chibolele emerald mine).
Useful link:
www.gemfields.co.uk
The company also owns amethyst mines (Kariba Amethyst mine), pink tourmaline + emerald mine (Kamakanga mine, west-southwest of the Mbuva-Chibolele emerald mine).
Useful link:
www.gemfields.co.uk
Grading System For South Sea Pearls
The Australian-based Autore group has released details of its proprietary South Sea Cultured Pearl Classification system based on the Five S's: Shine, Surface, Shade, Shape, and Size.
Useful link:
www.pearlautore.com
Useful link:
www.pearlautore.com
Chungking Express
Chungking Express (1994)
Directed by: Wong Kar Wai
Screenplay: Wong Kar Wai
Cast: Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu Wai
(via YouTube): Chungking Express 'Airplane' Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krYuVgBQnGo
Brilliant. I enjoyed it.
Directed by: Wong Kar Wai
Screenplay: Wong Kar Wai
Cast: Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu Wai
(via YouTube): Chungking Express 'Airplane' Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krYuVgBQnGo
Brilliant. I enjoyed it.
Rembrandt Reaches The Web
(via The Guardian) James Fenton writes about British Museum's flat art project + its enormous collection of prints and drawings + unrestricted website link and to print off any image + anyone - student, teacher or amateur - being able to get hold of a decent A4 reproduction of the drawing or print they are interested in, for personal use + automatic downloading option that gives a free image (for use in a scholarly article or book) of a suitable quality for reproduction + a general trend (begun by Mark Jones at the V&A) of public institutions not charging for educational use of copyright material + other viewpoints @ http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/visualart/story/0,,2208550,00.html
Sticks And Stones And Lemon Cough Drops
Sylvia Hochfield writes about artist's experimentation with materials that were never intended to be used in art making—from chocolate to excrement, foam rubber and fluorescent tubes, bodily fluids and banana peels—materials that are difficult or impossible to preserve + new preservation strategies + conservation problems + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=1183
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India
Concerning Diamonds, And The Mines And Rivers Where They Are Found; And Especially Of The Author’s Journey To The Mine Of Rammalakota
(via Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India / V Ball / Edited by William Crooke)
Three days after I had bought this stone a messenger arrived from Golkonda who had been sent by an apothecary, named Boete, whom I had left at Golkonda to receive and take care of a part of my money, and in the event of the Shroff paying in rupees, he was to change them into golden pagodas. The day after he had received payment, he was attacked by so serious a disorder in the stomach that he died in a few days. He informed me by letter of his sickness,and that he had received my money, which was all in my chamber in sealed bags; but, as he did not believe that he would survive two days, he exhorted me to hasten my return, because he did not think that my money would be safe in the hands of the servants whom I had left with him. Immediately on receipt of this letter I waited on the Governor to take leave of him, at which he was astonished, and inquired if I had expended all my money. I replied that I had not spent half of it, and that I had still upwards of 20000 pagodas. He then said that if I wished he would afford me an opportunity of investing it, and that I should certainly not lose upon what he would enable me to buy. He further asked if I was willing to show him my purchases, although he was not ignorant of their extent, since those who sold were obliged to make a return of all to him, on account of the charge of 2 percent duty which is due to the King by those who buy. I showed him then what I had bought, and told him what they had cost me. This agreed with the book of the Banian who received the King’s dues. At the same time, I paid him the 2 percent for the King’s dues, on which he remarked that he perceived that the Franks were persons of good faith. He was the more persuaded of this, however, when, drawing forth the stone of 48½ carats, I said, ‘Sir, this is not in the Banian’s book, and there is no one in the town who knows that I have bought it, nor would you yourself had I not told you. I do not wish to defraud the King of his rights—here is what is due to him on account of the price paid by me for this stone.’ The Governor appeared surprised and much edified by my proceedings; he praised me much, and said that this was an action worthy of an honest man, and that there was not another merchant in the country, either Musalman or Hindu, who would act in the same manner if he believed that no one was aware of what he had purchased. Upon this he summoned the richest merchants of the place, told them the facts, and ordered them to bring with them the best stones they possessed. This was done by three or four of them, and thus I expended my 20000 pagodas in one or two hours. The transaction having been completed and the money paid, he told the merchants that as they had dealings with an honest man they ought to present me with a souvenir. This they did with good grace, giving me a diamond worthy nearly 100 ecus. As for the Governor himself, he gave me a turban and waistband.
I have to record a rather singular and curious account of the manner in which the Indians, whether they are idolaters or Musalmans, make their sales of all kinds of commodities. All passes in complete silence and without any one speaking. The seller and the buyer sit facing one another, like two tailors, and one of the two opening his waistband, the seller takes the right hand of the buyer and covers his own with his waistband, under which in the presence of many other merchants, who occupy themselves sometimes in the same manner, the sale is completed secretly without any one having cognizance of it. For the seller and buyer talk neither by means of their lips nor their eyes, but only by the hand, which they manage to do in the following manner: When the seller takes the whole hand of the buyer that means 1000, and as many times as he presses it so many thousands of padogas or rupees, according to the coin which may be in question. When he takes only five fingers that means 500, and when he takes only one it means 100. By taking only the half up to the middle joint, 50 is meant, and the end of the finger up to the first signifies 10. This is the whole mystery employed by the Indians in their sales, and it often happens that, in a place where there are many people, a single parcel will change hands five or six times without those present knowing for how much it has been sold on each occasion. As for the weight of the stones, one need not be deceived if he does not buy in secret. For when one buys them in public there is a man specially employed by the King to weigh diamonds, who receives no fees from private persons. When he names the weight, both buyer and seller accept his statement, since he has no interest in favoring either party.
Having completed my business at the mine, the Governor gave me six horsemen, that I might traverse, with greater security, the tract under his authority, which extends up to a river separating the Kingdom of Bijapur from that of Golkanda. The transit of this river is very difficult, because it is wide, deep, and rapid, and there is neither bridge nor boat. In crossing it the same contrivances are used as those of which i have elsewhere spoken for the passage of certain Indian rivers, for men, for their goods, carriages, cattle, and horses. A round vessel of 10 or 12 feet in diameter made of branches of osier, like our hampers, and covered outside with ox hides, serves in place of a boat, and I have described in the same place how the passengers arrange themselves. Good boats or a bridge over this river might be provided, but the Kings of Golkonda and Bijapur do not allow this, because the river serves to separate the two Kingdoms. Every evening the boatmen on both banks are obliged to report to the two sub-governors, who reside on either side, at about a quarter of a league from the river, an exact statement of the people, beasts of burden, and merchandise which have crossed during the day.
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India (continued)
(via Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India / V Ball / Edited by William Crooke)
Three days after I had bought this stone a messenger arrived from Golkonda who had been sent by an apothecary, named Boete, whom I had left at Golkonda to receive and take care of a part of my money, and in the event of the Shroff paying in rupees, he was to change them into golden pagodas. The day after he had received payment, he was attacked by so serious a disorder in the stomach that he died in a few days. He informed me by letter of his sickness,and that he had received my money, which was all in my chamber in sealed bags; but, as he did not believe that he would survive two days, he exhorted me to hasten my return, because he did not think that my money would be safe in the hands of the servants whom I had left with him. Immediately on receipt of this letter I waited on the Governor to take leave of him, at which he was astonished, and inquired if I had expended all my money. I replied that I had not spent half of it, and that I had still upwards of 20000 pagodas. He then said that if I wished he would afford me an opportunity of investing it, and that I should certainly not lose upon what he would enable me to buy. He further asked if I was willing to show him my purchases, although he was not ignorant of their extent, since those who sold were obliged to make a return of all to him, on account of the charge of 2 percent duty which is due to the King by those who buy. I showed him then what I had bought, and told him what they had cost me. This agreed with the book of the Banian who received the King’s dues. At the same time, I paid him the 2 percent for the King’s dues, on which he remarked that he perceived that the Franks were persons of good faith. He was the more persuaded of this, however, when, drawing forth the stone of 48½ carats, I said, ‘Sir, this is not in the Banian’s book, and there is no one in the town who knows that I have bought it, nor would you yourself had I not told you. I do not wish to defraud the King of his rights—here is what is due to him on account of the price paid by me for this stone.’ The Governor appeared surprised and much edified by my proceedings; he praised me much, and said that this was an action worthy of an honest man, and that there was not another merchant in the country, either Musalman or Hindu, who would act in the same manner if he believed that no one was aware of what he had purchased. Upon this he summoned the richest merchants of the place, told them the facts, and ordered them to bring with them the best stones they possessed. This was done by three or four of them, and thus I expended my 20000 pagodas in one or two hours. The transaction having been completed and the money paid, he told the merchants that as they had dealings with an honest man they ought to present me with a souvenir. This they did with good grace, giving me a diamond worthy nearly 100 ecus. As for the Governor himself, he gave me a turban and waistband.
I have to record a rather singular and curious account of the manner in which the Indians, whether they are idolaters or Musalmans, make their sales of all kinds of commodities. All passes in complete silence and without any one speaking. The seller and the buyer sit facing one another, like two tailors, and one of the two opening his waistband, the seller takes the right hand of the buyer and covers his own with his waistband, under which in the presence of many other merchants, who occupy themselves sometimes in the same manner, the sale is completed secretly without any one having cognizance of it. For the seller and buyer talk neither by means of their lips nor their eyes, but only by the hand, which they manage to do in the following manner: When the seller takes the whole hand of the buyer that means 1000, and as many times as he presses it so many thousands of padogas or rupees, according to the coin which may be in question. When he takes only five fingers that means 500, and when he takes only one it means 100. By taking only the half up to the middle joint, 50 is meant, and the end of the finger up to the first signifies 10. This is the whole mystery employed by the Indians in their sales, and it often happens that, in a place where there are many people, a single parcel will change hands five or six times without those present knowing for how much it has been sold on each occasion. As for the weight of the stones, one need not be deceived if he does not buy in secret. For when one buys them in public there is a man specially employed by the King to weigh diamonds, who receives no fees from private persons. When he names the weight, both buyer and seller accept his statement, since he has no interest in favoring either party.
Having completed my business at the mine, the Governor gave me six horsemen, that I might traverse, with greater security, the tract under his authority, which extends up to a river separating the Kingdom of Bijapur from that of Golkanda. The transit of this river is very difficult, because it is wide, deep, and rapid, and there is neither bridge nor boat. In crossing it the same contrivances are used as those of which i have elsewhere spoken for the passage of certain Indian rivers, for men, for their goods, carriages, cattle, and horses. A round vessel of 10 or 12 feet in diameter made of branches of osier, like our hampers, and covered outside with ox hides, serves in place of a boat, and I have described in the same place how the passengers arrange themselves. Good boats or a bridge over this river might be provided, but the Kings of Golkonda and Bijapur do not allow this, because the river serves to separate the two Kingdoms. Every evening the boatmen on both banks are obliged to report to the two sub-governors, who reside on either side, at about a quarter of a league from the river, an exact statement of the people, beasts of burden, and merchandise which have crossed during the day.
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India (continued)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Globalization Of Golconda
(via Rediff): Sanjaya Baru writes about the history of Golconda + the thriving trade in textiles, rice, iron and steel, tobacco, indigo and diamonds + the European link + other viewpoints @ http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/nov/12spec.htm
The Pointed Star Cut
(via Diamond Cuts in Historic Jewelry:1381-1910) Herbert Tillander writes:
This Point Cut is an important and almost forgotten diamond cut dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Its faceting design was eventually transferred to the faceting of pavilions of Brilliant Cuts and small complementary diamonds. The pattern was no doubt originally inspired by a natural crystal with a very similar distribution of faces—the hexoctahedron. But the basically octahedral faces of this crystal are in such low relief that cleaved-off slices had no appeal in their natural state and were usually faceted into a trihedral design instead. The cut can be described as being pavilion-based, with a crown with eight lozenges radiating from an elevated central point, and eight small upper girdle facets between the main facets. The pavilion was sometimes faceted in the same way, though it often had fewer facets.
One of the four-face points of the dodecahedron became the apex of the gem; the crystal’s ‘equator’ became the girdle, and the stone was then symmetrized above and below by applying facets to the four main edges and thus creating eight main facets. Girdle facets were applied as well. If for any reason it proved necessary to reduce the depths of the pavilion, this was usually left with four facets and a culet. One occasionally comes across a Pointed Star Cut with six-part symmetry. These were either developments of the Burgundian Point Cut or had been fashioned directly from dodecahedral rough with one of the three-face apexes facing the viewer.
Conventional representations of celestial bodies were often used as symbols of rank and authority, and this is one reason why important Star Cut diamonds are occasionally found in portraits of kings and queens. But another reason for the popularity of this cut was that, if the gem was fashioned from a perfectly formed dodecahedron, it was possible to retain far greater weight with this style than with a Table Cut. However, Pointed Star Cuts never became really common—the Burgundian Point Cut, made from the same type of rough, remained the fashionable cut along with the Pyramidal Point Cut and the various Table Cuts that still dominate the market.
This Point Cut is an important and almost forgotten diamond cut dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Its faceting design was eventually transferred to the faceting of pavilions of Brilliant Cuts and small complementary diamonds. The pattern was no doubt originally inspired by a natural crystal with a very similar distribution of faces—the hexoctahedron. But the basically octahedral faces of this crystal are in such low relief that cleaved-off slices had no appeal in their natural state and were usually faceted into a trihedral design instead. The cut can be described as being pavilion-based, with a crown with eight lozenges radiating from an elevated central point, and eight small upper girdle facets between the main facets. The pavilion was sometimes faceted in the same way, though it often had fewer facets.
One of the four-face points of the dodecahedron became the apex of the gem; the crystal’s ‘equator’ became the girdle, and the stone was then symmetrized above and below by applying facets to the four main edges and thus creating eight main facets. Girdle facets were applied as well. If for any reason it proved necessary to reduce the depths of the pavilion, this was usually left with four facets and a culet. One occasionally comes across a Pointed Star Cut with six-part symmetry. These were either developments of the Burgundian Point Cut or had been fashioned directly from dodecahedral rough with one of the three-face apexes facing the viewer.
Conventional representations of celestial bodies were often used as symbols of rank and authority, and this is one reason why important Star Cut diamonds are occasionally found in portraits of kings and queens. But another reason for the popularity of this cut was that, if the gem was fashioned from a perfectly formed dodecahedron, it was possible to retain far greater weight with this style than with a Table Cut. However, Pointed Star Cuts never became really common—the Burgundian Point Cut, made from the same type of rough, remained the fashionable cut along with the Pyramidal Point Cut and the various Table Cuts that still dominate the market.
Crown24K
Nimbus Systems has launched Crown24K, a unique software that could benefit jewelry manufacturing + precious metal, stone, diamond management + jewelry inventory management + jewelry POS + financial accounting, CRM, promotions management + bar coding, RFID support + image linking + human resource management + business reports + MIA + more for the gem and jewelry industry.
Useful link:
www.crown24k.com
Useful link:
www.crown24k.com
Portable UV-Vis Spectrometer
It has been reported that SSEF will be introducing a small but portable UV-Vis spectrometer for pros + the concept could speed up the gem identification process on-site with unique absorption spectra database + standard microscope observations.
Useful link:
www.ssef.ch
Useful link:
www.ssef.ch
Burmese Jade
It has been reported that supplies of top quality Jadeite Jade from Burma is getting scarce + the prices are high due to tense political situation in the country. But for real traders business will be as usual + without regular visits / purchases there won't any business, especially for dealers in Hong Kong. It will be interesting to see what happens at the rough Jadeite Jade auction in Rangoon, in mid-November 2007.
Judy Garland
(via YouTube): Judy Garland 'Get Happy' (Summer Stock, 1950)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U-rBZREQMw
Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bpuoS-icGY
Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland (1963) - 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iip7u1LyL0I
Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland (1963) - 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_M-4Anu450
Judy Garland - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10w_sEcHlGs
Real gems from a different generation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U-rBZREQMw
Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bpuoS-icGY
Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland (1963) - 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iip7u1LyL0I
Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland (1963) - 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_M-4Anu450
Judy Garland - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10w_sEcHlGs
Real gems from a different generation.
Kona Coffee
Karin Stanton writes about Hawaii's Kona Coffee + new ways of attracting new consumers + the creativity and business angle + other viewpoints @ http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071111/kona_coffee_japan.html?.v=2
Weakening Art Sales Rattle Sotheby's, Christie's
AFP writes about the sharp downturn in US stock markets + the unpredictable upsides and downsides in the art market + the unsold major works including a Van Gogh + other viewpoints @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071110/ts_afp/entertainmentartusauction_071110024929
Exposing The Hidden 'He'
Kim Levin writes about Linda Nochlin + her views on famous artists + successful women artists + other viewpoints @ http://www.artnews.com/anniversary/top6.asp
Wise Buys
Eileen Kinsella writes about great values in the art market + how to invest time, energy, and money in contemporary art + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=1165
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India
Concerning Diamonds, And The Mines And Rivers Where They Are Found; And Especially Of The Author’s Journey To The Mine Of Rammalakota
(via Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India / V Ball / Edited by William Crooke)
It is very pleasant to see the young children of these merchants and of other people of the country, from the age of ten years up to the age of fifteen or sixteen, assemble every morning under a tree which is in the town square. Each as his diamond weights in a little bag suspended on one side, and on the other a purse attached to his waistband, which contains as much as 500 or 600 gold pagodas. They seat themselves there awaiting the arrival of anyone who wishes to sell diamonds, either brought from this or from some other mine. When anyone brings a stone he places it in the hands of the eldest of the children, who is, to speak, the chief of the band; he looks at it and passes it on to him who sits next. Thus it goes from hand to hand till it returns to the first one without anyone saying a word.
He than asks the price of the specimen, wishing to purchase, if possible; and if by chance he buys at too high a price he is responsible. In the evening these children count up what they have purchased, and after examining the stones separate them according to their water, weight, and cleanliness. Next they price each as they see how far the value exceeds the cost of purchase. They then carry them to the great merchants who always have a number of parcels to match, and all the profits is divided among the children, save only that their chief receives a quarter per cent more than the others. Young as they are, they know the value of all the stones so well that if one of them has bought a stone and is willing to lose a half percent, another gives him cash for it. You can seldom show them a parcel of a dozen stones, among which they will not discover four or five with some flaw, point, or defect at the angles.
It remains to be said that these Indians have a high regard for strangers, and especially for those whom they call Franks. Immediately on my arrival at the mine I went to call upon the Governor of the place, who also rules the Province on behalf of the King of Bijapur. He is a Musalman, who embraced me and assured me I was welcome—not doubting that I had brought gold with me—for at all the mines of Golkonda and Bijapur they speak but of new pagodas, which are golden coins—and that I had only to place it in my lodging, where it would be safe, and he would be responsible for all I had. Besides the servants I brought with me he allotted me four others, and commanded them to keep watch of my gold by day and night, and to obey all my orders. Shortly after I had left him he recalled me, and on my return: ‘I sent to seek you,’ he said, ‘in order to assure you again that you have nothing to fear—eat, drink, and sleep, and have a care for your health. I have forgotten to tell you to be careful not to defraud the Kind, to whom 2 percent is due on all your purchases. Do not attempt,’ he continued, ‘to do as some Musalmans did, who came to the mine and combined with the merchants and some brokers to withhold the royalties of the King—saying that they had only purchased to the value of 10000 padogas, while they had invested more than 50000.’ I then commenced to purchase, and saw that there was a sufficiently large profit to be made, all being 20 percent cheaper than at Golkonda, in addition to which, one sometimes, by chance, met with large stones.
One evening in Banian, poorly clothed, having indeed only a band round his waist and a miserable handkerchief on his head, came towards me politely and seated himself by my side. In this country one pays no attention to dress, and a person who has but a miserable ell of calico about his loins may sometimes have a good parcel of diamonds concealed. I, on my part, treated the Banian with civility, and after he had been seated by me for some time he asked me through my interpreter if I wished to buy some rubies. The interpreter told him to show them up to me, upon which he drew a number of small rags from his waistband, in which he had about a score of rings mounted with rubies. After I had examined them I said that they were too small for my purpose and that I sought large stones. Nevertheless, when I remembered that I had been asked by a lady at Ispahan to bring her a ruby ring of the value of about 100 ecus, I bought one of his rings which cost me nearly 400 francs. I knew well that he did not value it at more than 300 francs, but willingly risked the additional 100 francs in the belief that he had not sought me to sell the rubies only, and because I understood from his manner that he desired to be alone with me and my interpreter in order to show me something better. As the time of prayer of the Musalmans approached, three of the servants appointed by the Governor left, and I found an excuse for getting rid of the fourth, who stayed behind to wait on me, by sending him to buy bread, where he remained a sufficiently long time. For all the people of this country being idolaters, content themselves with rice, and do not eat bread, and when a person wishes for it it is necessary to have it brought from a distance, from the fortress of the King of Bijapur, where the Musalmans reside. The Banian, seeing that he was alone with me and the interpreter, with a good deal of mystery, removed his headdress and untwisted his locks, which according to the usual custom, were bound round his head. Then I observed a small rag appearing amidst his hair, in which there was concealed a diamond, weighing 48½ of our carats, of beautiful water and of cabuchon shape, three quarters of the stone clear, save for a small flaw on one side which appeared to penetrate some distance into the stone. The remaining quarter was full of flaws and red spots.
When I examined the stone, the Banian, seeing the attention which I gave to it, ‘Do not trouble yourself now, you will see it tomorrow morning at your leisure when you are alone. When a fourth of the day has passed, it is thus that they speak, you will find me outside the town, and if you wish for the stone you will bring the price of it with you, and he then stated the amount he wanted for it. For it should be stated en passant that after this quarter of the day or town where they dwell, both to satisfy the ordinary necessities of nature and bathing, as well as to say the prayers which their priests require them to repeat. The Banian having named this hour—because he did not wish anyone to see us together—I did not fail to go in search of him, and carried with me the price he asked, less by 200 pagodas, which I kept apart, in reserve. But in the end, after we had bargained for a short time, I gave him 100 pagodas extra. On my return to Surat I sold the stone to a Dutch captain, and I earned a fair profit from the transaction.
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India (continued)
(via Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India / V Ball / Edited by William Crooke)
It is very pleasant to see the young children of these merchants and of other people of the country, from the age of ten years up to the age of fifteen or sixteen, assemble every morning under a tree which is in the town square. Each as his diamond weights in a little bag suspended on one side, and on the other a purse attached to his waistband, which contains as much as 500 or 600 gold pagodas. They seat themselves there awaiting the arrival of anyone who wishes to sell diamonds, either brought from this or from some other mine. When anyone brings a stone he places it in the hands of the eldest of the children, who is, to speak, the chief of the band; he looks at it and passes it on to him who sits next. Thus it goes from hand to hand till it returns to the first one without anyone saying a word.
He than asks the price of the specimen, wishing to purchase, if possible; and if by chance he buys at too high a price he is responsible. In the evening these children count up what they have purchased, and after examining the stones separate them according to their water, weight, and cleanliness. Next they price each as they see how far the value exceeds the cost of purchase. They then carry them to the great merchants who always have a number of parcels to match, and all the profits is divided among the children, save only that their chief receives a quarter per cent more than the others. Young as they are, they know the value of all the stones so well that if one of them has bought a stone and is willing to lose a half percent, another gives him cash for it. You can seldom show them a parcel of a dozen stones, among which they will not discover four or five with some flaw, point, or defect at the angles.
It remains to be said that these Indians have a high regard for strangers, and especially for those whom they call Franks. Immediately on my arrival at the mine I went to call upon the Governor of the place, who also rules the Province on behalf of the King of Bijapur. He is a Musalman, who embraced me and assured me I was welcome—not doubting that I had brought gold with me—for at all the mines of Golkonda and Bijapur they speak but of new pagodas, which are golden coins—and that I had only to place it in my lodging, where it would be safe, and he would be responsible for all I had. Besides the servants I brought with me he allotted me four others, and commanded them to keep watch of my gold by day and night, and to obey all my orders. Shortly after I had left him he recalled me, and on my return: ‘I sent to seek you,’ he said, ‘in order to assure you again that you have nothing to fear—eat, drink, and sleep, and have a care for your health. I have forgotten to tell you to be careful not to defraud the Kind, to whom 2 percent is due on all your purchases. Do not attempt,’ he continued, ‘to do as some Musalmans did, who came to the mine and combined with the merchants and some brokers to withhold the royalties of the King—saying that they had only purchased to the value of 10000 padogas, while they had invested more than 50000.’ I then commenced to purchase, and saw that there was a sufficiently large profit to be made, all being 20 percent cheaper than at Golkonda, in addition to which, one sometimes, by chance, met with large stones.
One evening in Banian, poorly clothed, having indeed only a band round his waist and a miserable handkerchief on his head, came towards me politely and seated himself by my side. In this country one pays no attention to dress, and a person who has but a miserable ell of calico about his loins may sometimes have a good parcel of diamonds concealed. I, on my part, treated the Banian with civility, and after he had been seated by me for some time he asked me through my interpreter if I wished to buy some rubies. The interpreter told him to show them up to me, upon which he drew a number of small rags from his waistband, in which he had about a score of rings mounted with rubies. After I had examined them I said that they were too small for my purpose and that I sought large stones. Nevertheless, when I remembered that I had been asked by a lady at Ispahan to bring her a ruby ring of the value of about 100 ecus, I bought one of his rings which cost me nearly 400 francs. I knew well that he did not value it at more than 300 francs, but willingly risked the additional 100 francs in the belief that he had not sought me to sell the rubies only, and because I understood from his manner that he desired to be alone with me and my interpreter in order to show me something better. As the time of prayer of the Musalmans approached, three of the servants appointed by the Governor left, and I found an excuse for getting rid of the fourth, who stayed behind to wait on me, by sending him to buy bread, where he remained a sufficiently long time. For all the people of this country being idolaters, content themselves with rice, and do not eat bread, and when a person wishes for it it is necessary to have it brought from a distance, from the fortress of the King of Bijapur, where the Musalmans reside. The Banian, seeing that he was alone with me and the interpreter, with a good deal of mystery, removed his headdress and untwisted his locks, which according to the usual custom, were bound round his head. Then I observed a small rag appearing amidst his hair, in which there was concealed a diamond, weighing 48½ of our carats, of beautiful water and of cabuchon shape, three quarters of the stone clear, save for a small flaw on one side which appeared to penetrate some distance into the stone. The remaining quarter was full of flaws and red spots.
When I examined the stone, the Banian, seeing the attention which I gave to it, ‘Do not trouble yourself now, you will see it tomorrow morning at your leisure when you are alone. When a fourth of the day has passed, it is thus that they speak, you will find me outside the town, and if you wish for the stone you will bring the price of it with you, and he then stated the amount he wanted for it. For it should be stated en passant that after this quarter of the day or town where they dwell, both to satisfy the ordinary necessities of nature and bathing, as well as to say the prayers which their priests require them to repeat. The Banian having named this hour—because he did not wish anyone to see us together—I did not fail to go in search of him, and carried with me the price he asked, less by 200 pagodas, which I kept apart, in reserve. But in the end, after we had bargained for a short time, I gave him 100 pagodas extra. On my return to Surat I sold the stone to a Dutch captain, and I earned a fair profit from the transaction.
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier’s Travels In India (continued)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Woody Allen + Billy Graham
(via YouTube): Woody Allen interviews Billy Graham.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iAaxOAHCM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lwx3Wc18Mc
I enjoyed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iAaxOAHCM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lwx3Wc18Mc
I enjoyed it.
Farewell My Concubine
Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Directed by: Kaige Chen
Screenplay: Lillian Lee (also novel), Bik-Wa Lei, Wei Lu
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Gong Li
(via YouTube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-d5Aiy50P8
It was brilliant.
Directed by: Kaige Chen
Screenplay: Lillian Lee (also novel), Bik-Wa Lei, Wei Lu
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Gong Li
(via YouTube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-d5Aiy50P8
It was brilliant.
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