Jennifer Kho and Adena DeMonte writes:
Could California Ban the Bulb?
A proposal to nix incandescent lights could illuminate a new market for energy-efficient lighting technologies.
If California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine has his way, incandescent bulbs—the most common light bulbs in the world—could be outlawed in the state.
He has proposed a ban on the sale of conventional light bulbs, called the How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb Act, by 2012.
If the act is approved, it could electrify the lighting industry, driving new technology and challenging large light-bulb manufacturers like General Electric, Osram Sylvania, and Philips. Along with Wal-Mart’s push to sell 100 million compact fluorescent bulbs by 2008, the proposal could signify the start of a huge trend that could change light as we know it.
More info @ http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=21087&hed=Could+California+Ban+the+Bulb%3f
Monday, February 05, 2007
Marathon Man Movie
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Christian Szell (Laurence Olivier): Well, what are you going to do now, shoot me?
Babe (Dustin Hoffman): No, I don't think so.
Christian Szell (Laurence Olivier): Then you're going to take these (the diamonds)
Christian Szell (Lawrence Olivier): from me? If I could say a word about that...
Babe (Dustin Hoffman): No, you can keep them. You can keep as many as you can swallow.
Christian Szell (Laurence Olivier): Well, what are you going to do now, shoot me?
Babe (Dustin Hoffman): No, I don't think so.
Christian Szell (Laurence Olivier): Then you're going to take these (the diamonds)
Christian Szell (Lawrence Olivier): from me? If I could say a word about that...
Babe (Dustin Hoffman): No, you can keep them. You can keep as many as you can swallow.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.9 Additional guidance for the use of quality marks.
As used in these guides, the term quality mark means any letter, figure, numeral, symbol, sign, word, or term, or any combination thereof, that has been stamped, embossed, inscribed, or otherwise placed on any industry product and which indicates or suggests that any such product is composed throughout of any precious metal or any precious metal alloy or has a surface or surfaces on which there has been plated or deposited any precious metal or precious metal alloy. Included are the words "gold," "karat," "carat," "silver," "sterling," (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
23.9 Additional guidance for the use of quality marks.
As used in these guides, the term quality mark means any letter, figure, numeral, symbol, sign, word, or term, or any combination thereof, that has been stamped, embossed, inscribed, or otherwise placed on any industry product and which indicates or suggests that any such product is composed throughout of any precious metal or any precious metal alloy or has a surface or surfaces on which there has been plated or deposited any precious metal or precious metal alloy. Included are the words "gold," "karat," "carat," "silver," "sterling," (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
Visual Optics
By Alan Hodgkinson
Gemworld International Inc
1999 ISBN 0-964-17334-4
Alan Hodgkinson writes:
Visual Optics is a method of directly observing the optical properties of a faceted gemstone, set or unset, by holding the stone close to the eye and observing a distinctive light source at any distance. This method of viewing a gemstone causes images to form on the retina. The images are the product of the gem’s optical behavior, and one learns to interpret the images observed in relative terms of refraction, birefringence, dispersion, and dichroism. The strongest absorption bands in the spectrum are also apparent, as is the newly described B:D ratio index devised by Hanneman.
When taken into total account, the method allows the gemologist to do much useful work by way of identification, confirmation of identity, distinction between two or more possible identities, or at least narrow the field of a process of elimination.
The target and attraction of Visual Optics, is to provide gemological identification or information—without the use of instruments. The method is most useful for the experienced gemologist, but gives the student an exhilarating exercise in awareness of the optical phenomena in gemstones. This latter factor is lacking in most gemological optics learning programmes.
The initial instructions are an introduction to the subject, and ideal for those unfamiliar with Visual Optic, and who may have little or no standard gem testing equipment. Later in the book you will learn of new developments that enable the method to achieve greater accuracy, and reach to further gemological limits. A Visual Optics kit is now available at:
Alan Hodgkinson
Whinhurst
Portencross by West Kilbride
Ayrshire KA23 9PZ
Scotland, UK
Tel: 01294 822 358
Email: alan-hodgkinson@easynet.co.uk
Gemworld International Inc
1999 ISBN 0-964-17334-4
Alan Hodgkinson writes:
Visual Optics is a method of directly observing the optical properties of a faceted gemstone, set or unset, by holding the stone close to the eye and observing a distinctive light source at any distance. This method of viewing a gemstone causes images to form on the retina. The images are the product of the gem’s optical behavior, and one learns to interpret the images observed in relative terms of refraction, birefringence, dispersion, and dichroism. The strongest absorption bands in the spectrum are also apparent, as is the newly described B:D ratio index devised by Hanneman.
When taken into total account, the method allows the gemologist to do much useful work by way of identification, confirmation of identity, distinction between two or more possible identities, or at least narrow the field of a process of elimination.
The target and attraction of Visual Optics, is to provide gemological identification or information—without the use of instruments. The method is most useful for the experienced gemologist, but gives the student an exhilarating exercise in awareness of the optical phenomena in gemstones. This latter factor is lacking in most gemological optics learning programmes.
The initial instructions are an introduction to the subject, and ideal for those unfamiliar with Visual Optic, and who may have little or no standard gem testing equipment. Later in the book you will learn of new developments that enable the method to achieve greater accuracy, and reach to further gemological limits. A Visual Optics kit is now available at:
Alan Hodgkinson
Whinhurst
Portencross by West Kilbride
Ayrshire KA23 9PZ
Scotland, UK
Tel: 01294 822 358
Email: alan-hodgkinson@easynet.co.uk
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe): A kiss on the hand may be quite continental..... But diamonds are a girl's best friend........A kiss may be grand, but it won't pay the rental on your humble flat......Or help you at the automat..... Men grow cold as girls grow old, and we all lose our charm in the end...... But square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks won't lost their shape........Diamonds are a girl's best friend.
Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe): A kiss on the hand may be quite continental..... But diamonds are a girl's best friend........A kiss may be grand, but it won't pay the rental on your humble flat......Or help you at the automat..... Men grow cold as girls grow old, and we all lose our charm in the end...... But square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks won't lost their shape........Diamonds are a girl's best friend.
Updata: Lab-Grown Diamonds Make The Cut
Joshua Davis writes:
This winter, a sparkling diamond landed in front of a technician at the Gemological Institute of America in New York City. He ran tests, noted the stone was man-made, and graded it as he would any diamond. It was the gem industry’s strongest acknowledgment yet that lab-grown diamonds are just as real as natural ones.
More info @ http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.02/start.html?pg=6
This winter, a sparkling diamond landed in front of a technician at the Gemological Institute of America in New York City. He ran tests, noted the stone was man-made, and graded it as he would any diamond. It was the gem industry’s strongest acknowledgment yet that lab-grown diamonds are just as real as natural ones.
More info @ http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.02/start.html?pg=6
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.8 Misrepresentation as to content of pewter.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as "Pewter" or any abbreviation if such mark or description misrepresents the product's true composition.
(b) An industry product or part thereof may be described or marked as "Pewter" or any abbreviation if it consists of at least 900 parts per 1000 Grade A Tin, with the remainder composed of metals appropriate for use in pewter.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
23.8 Misrepresentation as to content of pewter.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to mark, describe, or otherwise represent all or part of an industry product as "Pewter" or any abbreviation if such mark or description misrepresents the product's true composition.
(b) An industry product or part thereof may be described or marked as "Pewter" or any abbreviation if it consists of at least 900 parts per 1000 Grade A Tin, with the remainder composed of metals appropriate for use in pewter.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
Understanding Jewellery
By David Bennett & Daniela Mascetti
Antique Collector’s Club
1989/2003 ISBN 1-85149-430-8
Antique Collector’s Club writes:
Now revised and fully updated, this classic book brings together the identification and dating of all types of jewellery, from the late 18th century until the end of the millennium.
The first section of the book provides a detailed study of gemstones, where they come from and the testing methods which are used to identify precious and semi-precious stones, assess quality and detect fakes. Understanding Jewellery is unique in explaining why values vary, setting out the information in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner, linking the text to specific illustrations.
The authors, Sotheby’s experts, evaluate many millions of pounds worth of jewellery annually and thus handle a complete cross-section of what is available on the market. They have specially selected the 919 superb color plates to show what to look for when purchasing antique jewellery and, equally importantly, what to avoid. Great care has been taken to illustrate each piece of jewellery at its actual size.
This book is already firmly established as a reference work for dealers and collectors of jewellery, and for those interested in the history and development of fashion and style. This new revised and expanded edition adds even further depth to the understanding of the subject.
About the authors
Daniela Mascetti is the author of two books on 18th and 19 century jewellery, and is co-author with Amanda Triossi of Earrings from Antiquity to the Present; Necklaces from Antiquity to the Present and Bulgari.
David Bennet has been involved in all Sotheby’s jewellery collections and sales held during the past 30 years. He gives counseling in hermetic astrology and designs unique jewels, each tailored exactly to the owner’s psyche and personal path.
Antique Collector’s Club
1989/2003 ISBN 1-85149-430-8
Antique Collector’s Club writes:
Now revised and fully updated, this classic book brings together the identification and dating of all types of jewellery, from the late 18th century until the end of the millennium.
The first section of the book provides a detailed study of gemstones, where they come from and the testing methods which are used to identify precious and semi-precious stones, assess quality and detect fakes. Understanding Jewellery is unique in explaining why values vary, setting out the information in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner, linking the text to specific illustrations.
The authors, Sotheby’s experts, evaluate many millions of pounds worth of jewellery annually and thus handle a complete cross-section of what is available on the market. They have specially selected the 919 superb color plates to show what to look for when purchasing antique jewellery and, equally importantly, what to avoid. Great care has been taken to illustrate each piece of jewellery at its actual size.
This book is already firmly established as a reference work for dealers and collectors of jewellery, and for those interested in the history and development of fashion and style. This new revised and expanded edition adds even further depth to the understanding of the subject.
About the authors
Daniela Mascetti is the author of two books on 18th and 19 century jewellery, and is co-author with Amanda Triossi of Earrings from Antiquity to the Present; Necklaces from Antiquity to the Present and Bulgari.
David Bennet has been involved in all Sotheby’s jewellery collections and sales held during the past 30 years. He gives counseling in hermetic astrology and designs unique jewels, each tailored exactly to the owner’s psyche and personal path.
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