(via Forbes) The following countries are perceived as the most dangerous destinations in the world for variety of reasons.
1. Somalia
2. Iraq
3. Afghanistan
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo
5. Cote d'Ivorie
6. Pakistan
7. Burundi
8. Sri Lanka
9. Haiti
10. Chad
11. Lebanon
12. Liberia
13. Sudan
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Warming 'likely' Man-made, Unstoppable
(via AP) Seth Borenstein writes:
The world's leading climate scientists said global warming has begun, is "very likely" caused by man, and will be unstoppable.
The scientists — using their strongest language yet on the issue — said now that world has begun to warm, hotter temperatures and rises in sea level "would continue for centuries" no matter how much humans control their pollution. The report also linked the warming to the recent increase in stronger hurricanes.
More info @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070202/ap_on_sc/france_climate_change
The world's leading climate scientists said global warming has begun, is "very likely" caused by man, and will be unstoppable.
The scientists — using their strongest language yet on the issue — said now that world has begun to warm, hotter temperatures and rises in sea level "would continue for centuries" no matter how much humans control their pollution. The report also linked the warming to the recent increase in stronger hurricanes.
More info @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070202/ap_on_sc/france_climate_change
Friday, February 02, 2007
Diamonds Are Forever Movie
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Sir Donald Munger (Laurence Naismith): Tell me, Commander, how far does your expertise extend into the field of diamonds?
James Bond ( Sean Connery): Well, hardest substance found in nature, they cut glass, suggest marriages, I suppose it replaced the dog as the girl's best friend. That's about it.
M (Bernard Lee): Refreshing to hear that there is one subject you're not an expert on!
Sir Donald Munger (Laurence Naismith): Tell me, Commander, how far does your expertise extend into the field of diamonds?
James Bond ( Sean Connery): Well, hardest substance found in nature, they cut glass, suggest marriages, I suppose it replaced the dog as the girl's best friend. That's about it.
M (Bernard Lee): Refreshing to hear that there is one subject you're not an expert on!
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.7 Misuse of the words "platinum," "iridium," "palladium," "ruthenium," "rhodium," and "osmium."
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the words "platinum," "iridium," "palladium," "ruthenium," "rhodium," and "osmium," or any abbreviation to mark or describe all or part of an industry product if such marking or description misrepresents the product’s true composition. The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) are Platinum, Iridium, Palladium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, and Osmium.
(b) The following are examples of markings or descriptions that may be misleading:
(1) Use of the word "Platinum" or any abbreviation, without qualification, to describe all or part of an industry product that is not composed throughout of 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum.
(2) Use of the word "Platinum" or any abbreviation accompanied by a number indicating the parts per thousand of pure Platinum contained in the product without mention of the number of parts per thousand of other PGM contained in the product, to describe all or part of an industry product that is not composed throughout of at least 850 parts per thousand pure platinum, for example,"600Plat."
(3) Use of the word "Platinum" or any abbreviation thereof, to mark or describe any product that is not composed throughout of at least 500 parts per thousand pure Platinum.
(c) The following are examples of markings and descriptions that are not considered unfair or deceptive:
(1) The following abbreviations for each of the PGM may be used for quality marks on articles: "Plat." or "Pt." for Platinum; "Irid." or "Ir." for Iridium; "Pall." or "Pd." for Palladium; "Ruth." or "Ru." for Ruthenium; "Rhod." or "Rh." for Rhodium; and "Osmi." or "Os." for Osmium.
(2) An industry product consisting of at least 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum may be marked or described as "Platinum."
(3) An industry product consisting of 850 parts per thousand pure Platinum, 900 parts per thousand pure Platinum, or 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum may be marked "Platinum," provided that the Platinum marking is preceded by a number indicating the amount in parts per thousand of pure Platinum (for industry products consisting of 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum, the marking described in § 23.7(b)(2) above is also appropriate). Thus, the following markings may be used: "950Pt.," "950Plat.," "900Pt.," "900Plat.," "850Pt.," or "850Plat."
(4) An industry product consisting of at least 950 parts per thousand PGM, and of at least 500 parts per thousand pure Platinum, may be marked "Platinum," provided that the mark of each PGM constituent is preceded by a number indicating the amount in parts per thousand of each PGM, as for example, "600Pt.350Ir.," "600Plat.350Irid.," or "550Pt.350Pd.50Ir.," "550Plat.350Pall.50Irid."
Note to 23.7: Exemptions recognized in the assay of platinum industry products are listed in the Appendix.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
23.7 Misuse of the words "platinum," "iridium," "palladium," "ruthenium," "rhodium," and "osmium."
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the words "platinum," "iridium," "palladium," "ruthenium," "rhodium," and "osmium," or any abbreviation to mark or describe all or part of an industry product if such marking or description misrepresents the product’s true composition. The Platinum Group Metals (PGM) are Platinum, Iridium, Palladium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, and Osmium.
(b) The following are examples of markings or descriptions that may be misleading:
(1) Use of the word "Platinum" or any abbreviation, without qualification, to describe all or part of an industry product that is not composed throughout of 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum.
(2) Use of the word "Platinum" or any abbreviation accompanied by a number indicating the parts per thousand of pure Platinum contained in the product without mention of the number of parts per thousand of other PGM contained in the product, to describe all or part of an industry product that is not composed throughout of at least 850 parts per thousand pure platinum, for example,"600Plat."
(3) Use of the word "Platinum" or any abbreviation thereof, to mark or describe any product that is not composed throughout of at least 500 parts per thousand pure Platinum.
(c) The following are examples of markings and descriptions that are not considered unfair or deceptive:
(1) The following abbreviations for each of the PGM may be used for quality marks on articles: "Plat." or "Pt." for Platinum; "Irid." or "Ir." for Iridium; "Pall." or "Pd." for Palladium; "Ruth." or "Ru." for Ruthenium; "Rhod." or "Rh." for Rhodium; and "Osmi." or "Os." for Osmium.
(2) An industry product consisting of at least 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum may be marked or described as "Platinum."
(3) An industry product consisting of 850 parts per thousand pure Platinum, 900 parts per thousand pure Platinum, or 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum may be marked "Platinum," provided that the Platinum marking is preceded by a number indicating the amount in parts per thousand of pure Platinum (for industry products consisting of 950 parts per thousand pure Platinum, the marking described in § 23.7(b)(2) above is also appropriate). Thus, the following markings may be used: "950Pt.," "950Plat.," "900Pt.," "900Plat.," "850Pt.," or "850Plat."
(4) An industry product consisting of at least 950 parts per thousand PGM, and of at least 500 parts per thousand pure Platinum, may be marked "Platinum," provided that the mark of each PGM constituent is preceded by a number indicating the amount in parts per thousand of each PGM, as for example, "600Pt.350Ir.," "600Plat.350Irid.," or "550Pt.350Pd.50Ir.," "550Plat.350Pall.50Irid."
Note to 23.7: Exemptions recognized in the assay of platinum industry products are listed in the Appendix.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
Gems
By Robert Webster
Revised by B.W.Andersen
Butterworths
1989 (4th Edition), Reprinted 1987, 1989
ISBN 0-408-01148-3
Butterworths writes:
Since it was first published in 1962, Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification has become firmly established as the most comprehensive and authoritative account of gemstones available in the English language.
The period since publication of the third edition, in 1975, has seen numerous changes of far-reaching consequence for the science of gemology. A large proportion of these changes has been brought about as a direct consequence of the appearance in quantity of cubic zirconia, an extremely successful stimulant of diamond. Thus, a full description of cubic zirconia and the associated new test instruments has been a foremost concern for Basil Anderson in this revision.
There have been other additions to the range of synthetic gemstones, most importantly synthetic opal, and recent advances in the techniques for altering the color of gemstones. These are described and discussed in detail in this new edition, along with several new gem minerals and the current procedures for diamond grading.
Although primarily aimed at the professional jeweler and student gemologist, Gems is also an essential item in the library of the collector and the layman who is interested in precious stones.
About the author
Robert Webster is the author of two other books: Practical Gemmology and The Gemmologist’s Compendium
Revised by B.W.Andersen
Butterworths
1989 (4th Edition), Reprinted 1987, 1989
ISBN 0-408-01148-3
Butterworths writes:
Since it was first published in 1962, Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification has become firmly established as the most comprehensive and authoritative account of gemstones available in the English language.
The period since publication of the third edition, in 1975, has seen numerous changes of far-reaching consequence for the science of gemology. A large proportion of these changes has been brought about as a direct consequence of the appearance in quantity of cubic zirconia, an extremely successful stimulant of diamond. Thus, a full description of cubic zirconia and the associated new test instruments has been a foremost concern for Basil Anderson in this revision.
There have been other additions to the range of synthetic gemstones, most importantly synthetic opal, and recent advances in the techniques for altering the color of gemstones. These are described and discussed in detail in this new edition, along with several new gem minerals and the current procedures for diamond grading.
Although primarily aimed at the professional jeweler and student gemologist, Gems is also an essential item in the library of the collector and the layman who is interested in precious stones.
About the author
Robert Webster is the author of two other books: Practical Gemmology and The Gemmologist’s Compendium
Thursday, February 01, 2007
How To Identify The Source Of African Ivory
Using sophisticated statistical analysis of genetic data the scientists are applying new DNA techniques extracted from African elephant dung and skin samples to identify the origin of illegally poached ivory with remarkable accuracy.
More info @ http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1208970.htm
More info @ http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1208970.htm
The Pink Panther Movie
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Gem dealer 1: As in every stone of this size, there is a flaw.
Sultan: A flaw?
Gem dealer 2: The slightest flaw, your excellency.
Gem dealer 1: If you look deep into the stone, you will perceive the tiniest discoloration. It resembles an animal.
Sultan: An animal?
Gem dealer 1: A little panther.
Sultan: Yes! A pink panther. Come here, Dala. A gift to your father from his grateful people. Some day it will be yours. The most fabulous diamond in all the world. Come closer.
Gem dealer 1: As in every stone of this size, there is a flaw.
Sultan: A flaw?
Gem dealer 2: The slightest flaw, your excellency.
Gem dealer 1: If you look deep into the stone, you will perceive the tiniest discoloration. It resembles an animal.
Sultan: An animal?
Gem dealer 1: A little panther.
Sultan: Yes! A pink panther. Come here, Dala. A gift to your father from his grateful people. Some day it will be yours. The most fabulous diamond in all the world. Come closer.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.6 Misrepresentation as to silver content.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent that an industry product contains silver, or to misrepresent an industry product as having a silver content, plating, electroplating, or coating.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as "silver," "solid silver," "Sterling Silver," "Sterling," or the abbreviation "Ster." unless it is at least 925/1,000ths pure silver.
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as "coin" or "coin silver" unless it is at least 900/1,000ths pure silver.
(d) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as being plated or coated with silver unless all significant surfaces of the product or part contain a plating or coating of silver that is of substantial thickness.8
(e) The provisions of this section relating to markings and descriptions of industry products and parts thereof are subject to the applicable tolerances of the National Stamping Act or any amendment thereof.9
Note 1 to 23.6: The National Stamping Act provides that silverplated articles shall not "be stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted with the word ‘sterling’ or the word ‘coin,’ either alone or in conjunction with other words or marks." 15 U.S.C. 297(a).
Note 2 to 23.6: Exemptions recognized in the assay of silver industry products are listed in the appendix.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
23.6 Misrepresentation as to silver content.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent that an industry product contains silver, or to misrepresent an industry product as having a silver content, plating, electroplating, or coating.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as "silver," "solid silver," "Sterling Silver," "Sterling," or the abbreviation "Ster." unless it is at least 925/1,000ths pure silver.
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as "coin" or "coin silver" unless it is at least 900/1,000ths pure silver.
(d) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as being plated or coated with silver unless all significant surfaces of the product or part contain a plating or coating of silver that is of substantial thickness.8
(e) The provisions of this section relating to markings and descriptions of industry products and parts thereof are subject to the applicable tolerances of the National Stamping Act or any amendment thereof.9
Note 1 to 23.6: The National Stamping Act provides that silverplated articles shall not "be stamped, branded, engraved or imprinted with the word ‘sterling’ or the word ‘coin,’ either alone or in conjunction with other words or marks." 15 U.S.C. 297(a).
Note 2 to 23.6: Exemptions recognized in the assay of silver industry products are listed in the appendix.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
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