The diamonds selected for the annual Argyle Pink Diamond Tender are one-of-a-kind lot and are extremely rare. In 2006, out of 30 millions +/- carats produced by the Argyle mine only 65 stones met the Tender standards. The Tender collection included 65 natural pink and blue diamonds weighing approximately 61.43 carats. The diamonds are processed by skilled diamond cutters at the Argyle’s polishing factory in Perth.
Once a year, Argyle’s diamond marketing team issue special release on pink diamonds that are sold by special bids by invitation only. Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat. The Argyle pink diamond color ranges from various shades of pink to intense purplish red. The value is based on the intensity of color. The top quality stones are faceted into round, marquise, oval, or pear to improve the over all life and natural beauty. Demand for Argyle’s fancy pink diamonds are extremely high and collectors from around the world pay hefty premiums to buy them.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The GodFather Movie
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Don Corleone (Marlon Brando): I never wanted this for you. I work my whole life - I don't apologize - to take care of my family, and I refused to be a fool, dancing on the string held by all those bigshots. I don't apologize - that's my life - but I thought that, that when it was your time, that you would be the one to hold the string. Senator Corleone; Governor Corleone. Well, it wasn't enough time, Michael. It wasn't enough time.
Michael (Al Pacino): We'll get there, pop. We'll get there.
Don Corleone (Marlon Brando): I never wanted this for you. I work my whole life - I don't apologize - to take care of my family, and I refused to be a fool, dancing on the string held by all those bigshots. I don't apologize - that's my life - but I thought that, that when it was your time, that you would be the one to hold the string. Senator Corleone; Governor Corleone. Well, it wasn't enough time, Michael. It wasn't enough time.
Michael (Al Pacino): We'll get there, pop. We'll get there.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.17 Misrepresentation of weight and "total weight."
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent the weight of a diamond.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "point" or any abbreviation in any representation, advertising, marking, or labeling to describe the weight of a diamond, unless the weight is also stated as decimal parts of a carat (e.g., 25 points or .25 carat).
Note 1 to paragraph (b): A carat is a standard unit of weight for a diamond and is equivalent to 200 milligrams (1/5 gram). A point is one one hundredth (1/100) of a carat.
(c) If diamond weight is stated as decimal parts of a carat (e.g., .47 carat), the stated figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. If diamond weight is stated to only one decimal place (e.g., .5 carat), the stated figure should be accurate to the second decimal place (e.g., ".5 carat" could represent a diamond weight between .495-.504).
(d) If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, a conspicuous disclosure of the fact that the diamond weight is not exact should be made in close proximity to the fractional representation and a disclosure of a reasonable range of weight for each fraction (or the weight tolerance being used) should also be made.
Note to paragraph (d): When fractional representations of diamond weight are made, as described in paragraph d of this section, in catalogs or other printed materials, the disclosure of the fact that the actual diamond weight is within a specified range should be made conspicuously on every page where a fractional representation is made. Such disclosure may refer to a chart or other detailed explanation of the actual ranges used. For example, "Diamond weights are not exact; see chart on p.X for ranges."
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
23.17 Misrepresentation of weight and "total weight."
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent the weight of a diamond.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "point" or any abbreviation in any representation, advertising, marking, or labeling to describe the weight of a diamond, unless the weight is also stated as decimal parts of a carat (e.g., 25 points or .25 carat).
Note 1 to paragraph (b): A carat is a standard unit of weight for a diamond and is equivalent to 200 milligrams (1/5 gram). A point is one one hundredth (1/100) of a carat.
(c) If diamond weight is stated as decimal parts of a carat (e.g., .47 carat), the stated figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. If diamond weight is stated to only one decimal place (e.g., .5 carat), the stated figure should be accurate to the second decimal place (e.g., ".5 carat" could represent a diamond weight between .495-.504).
(d) If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, a conspicuous disclosure of the fact that the diamond weight is not exact should be made in close proximity to the fractional representation and a disclosure of a reasonable range of weight for each fraction (or the weight tolerance being used) should also be made.
Note to paragraph (d): When fractional representations of diamond weight are made, as described in paragraph d of this section, in catalogs or other printed materials, the disclosure of the fact that the actual diamond weight is within a specified range should be made conspicuously on every page where a fractional representation is made. Such disclosure may refer to a chart or other detailed explanation of the actual ranges used. For example, "Diamond weights are not exact; see chart on p.X for ranges."
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
Principles Of Color Technology
By Fred W Billmeyer, Jr & Max Saltzman
John Wiley & Sons
1981 ISBN 0-471-03052-X
John Wiley & Sons writes:
In the fifteen years since the first edition of Principles of Color Technology, basic theory has remained the same, but in many cases practice has become considerably more automated. The second edition of this standard work covers all the major advances in color applied to the use of colorants in the industrial and creative production of colored material.
Billmeyer and Saltzman have substantially realigned their emphases in accordance with these new developments, including coverage of:
- Metamerism
- Non-color problems—quality control, techniques of sampling and sample preparation, and applications of simple statistics.
- Methods for instrument selection.
Fundamentals—the role of light, descriptions of color in objective, numerical terms, and practical industrial applications of color technology—are covered in the same methodical manner that has made Principles of Color Technology such an important information source for both industry and academics. Current updated material and a refinement of the general presentation make this second edition even more indispensable to the world of color technology.
John Wiley & Sons
1981 ISBN 0-471-03052-X
John Wiley & Sons writes:
In the fifteen years since the first edition of Principles of Color Technology, basic theory has remained the same, but in many cases practice has become considerably more automated. The second edition of this standard work covers all the major advances in color applied to the use of colorants in the industrial and creative production of colored material.
Billmeyer and Saltzman have substantially realigned their emphases in accordance with these new developments, including coverage of:
- Metamerism
- Non-color problems—quality control, techniques of sampling and sample preparation, and applications of simple statistics.
- Methods for instrument selection.
Fundamentals—the role of light, descriptions of color in objective, numerical terms, and practical industrial applications of color technology—are covered in the same methodical manner that has made Principles of Color Technology such an important information source for both industry and academics. Current updated material and a refinement of the general presentation make this second edition even more indispensable to the world of color technology.
The Slovak Opal
Dr Luigi Constantini, geologist and gemologist with the International Gemological Institute Italy, has written The Slovak Opal: A Rediscovery of the Queen of Gems for Gem Lovers and Tourists.
The book describes the historical as well as mineralogical and gemological aspect of Slovak opal. The book also explains the classification of Slovak opal, quality grading with glossary and index for quick reference.
The book is available @ www.e-igi.com/estore
The book describes the historical as well as mineralogical and gemological aspect of Slovak opal. The book also explains the classification of Slovak opal, quality grading with glossary and index for quick reference.
The book is available @ www.e-igi.com/estore
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.16 Misuse of the words "brilliant" and "full cut."
It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified expressions "brilliant," "brilliant cut," or "full cut" to describe, identify, or refer to any diamond except a round diamond that has at least thirty-two (32) facets plus the table above the girdle and at least twenty-four (24) facets below.
Note to 23.16: Such terms should not be applied to single or rose-cut diamonds. They may be applied to emerald-(rectangular) cut, pear-shaped, heart-shaped, oval-shaped, and marquise-(pointed oval) cut diamonds meeting the above-stated facet requirements when, in immediate conjunction with the term used, the form of the diamond is disclosed.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
23.16 Misuse of the words "brilliant" and "full cut."
It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified expressions "brilliant," "brilliant cut," or "full cut" to describe, identify, or refer to any diamond except a round diamond that has at least thirty-two (32) facets plus the table above the girdle and at least twenty-four (24) facets below.
Note to 23.16: Such terms should not be applied to single or rose-cut diamonds. They may be applied to emerald-(rectangular) cut, pear-shaped, heart-shaped, oval-shaped, and marquise-(pointed oval) cut diamonds meeting the above-stated facet requirements when, in immediate conjunction with the term used, the form of the diamond is disclosed.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
Gemstones And Their Origins
By Peter C Keller
Van Nostrand Reinhold
1990 ISBN 0-442-31945-2
Van Nostrand Reinhold writes:
The closest most people ever come to experiencing gemstones at their source is at the jeweler’s case. This book takes you to many of their classic sources: the rich alluvial deposits of Sri Lanka, where precious stones lie exposed on gravel riverbeds; to Chantaburi-Trat, Thailand, where rubies are brought to the earth’s surface embedded in volcanic magma; to the black emerald-bearing veins of Muzo, Colombia; to the source of Australia’s Argyle diamond deposit—the most productive in the world, yet undiscovered until 1980.
Gemstones and Their Origins is the first major work devoted to the origins of precious stones: how they form, where they are found, and how they are recovered. Rigorous in scientific detail and lavish in illustrations, it explores the major geological processes responsible for the formation of gem deposits and then examines, on location, nine classic gem deposits from around the globe.
Peter C Keller takes you on a geologist’s tour of the world’s most famous and geologically significant gem deposits. Keller traces the origin of gems at each of four principle gem forming sources. First, we view the development of gemstones deposited by water on the earth’s surface. Here we encounter the gem gravels of Sri Lanka, opal deposits of Australia, and ruby and zircon from Indochina.
Next, we explore gemstones formed by molten rock—the hydrothermal emerald deposits of Colombia, the pegmatites of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the rubies of Chantaburi-Trat in Thailand, brought to the earth’s surface in volcanic flows. As we go deeper into the earth’s crust, we encounter the world famous ruby deposits of Mogok, Burma, and jade deposits of northern Burma, one of few known examples of high pressure regional metamorphism.
Our descent into the earth’s crust ends some 100 miles below the earth’s surface. Here, in conditions of super high pressure and temperature, peridot and diamond form. Examples from the classic peridot of Zabargad and the recently discovered diamonds at Argyle in Western Australia are examined.
Along the way, Peter Keller documents this geological field trip with the outstanding photographs of Harold and Erica Van Pelt, renowned as the leading photographers of gems and mineral specimens in the world today. More than 100 stunning color photographs depict rough and cut stones and the often primitive places where they are mined. Useful maps, some in color, and an exhaustive bibliography make this the definitive reference work on the subject for gemologists and geologists, collectors and dealers, students and gem lovers.
Van Nostrand Reinhold
1990 ISBN 0-442-31945-2
Van Nostrand Reinhold writes:
The closest most people ever come to experiencing gemstones at their source is at the jeweler’s case. This book takes you to many of their classic sources: the rich alluvial deposits of Sri Lanka, where precious stones lie exposed on gravel riverbeds; to Chantaburi-Trat, Thailand, where rubies are brought to the earth’s surface embedded in volcanic magma; to the black emerald-bearing veins of Muzo, Colombia; to the source of Australia’s Argyle diamond deposit—the most productive in the world, yet undiscovered until 1980.
Gemstones and Their Origins is the first major work devoted to the origins of precious stones: how they form, where they are found, and how they are recovered. Rigorous in scientific detail and lavish in illustrations, it explores the major geological processes responsible for the formation of gem deposits and then examines, on location, nine classic gem deposits from around the globe.
Peter C Keller takes you on a geologist’s tour of the world’s most famous and geologically significant gem deposits. Keller traces the origin of gems at each of four principle gem forming sources. First, we view the development of gemstones deposited by water on the earth’s surface. Here we encounter the gem gravels of Sri Lanka, opal deposits of Australia, and ruby and zircon from Indochina.
Next, we explore gemstones formed by molten rock—the hydrothermal emerald deposits of Colombia, the pegmatites of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the rubies of Chantaburi-Trat in Thailand, brought to the earth’s surface in volcanic flows. As we go deeper into the earth’s crust, we encounter the world famous ruby deposits of Mogok, Burma, and jade deposits of northern Burma, one of few known examples of high pressure regional metamorphism.
Our descent into the earth’s crust ends some 100 miles below the earth’s surface. Here, in conditions of super high pressure and temperature, peridot and diamond form. Examples from the classic peridot of Zabargad and the recently discovered diamonds at Argyle in Western Australia are examined.
Along the way, Peter Keller documents this geological field trip with the outstanding photographs of Harold and Erica Van Pelt, renowned as the leading photographers of gems and mineral specimens in the world today. More than 100 stunning color photographs depict rough and cut stones and the often primitive places where they are mined. Useful maps, some in color, and an exhaustive bibliography make this the definitive reference work on the subject for gemologists and geologists, collectors and dealers, students and gem lovers.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Consumption Level Goes North As India Shines
(via Times News Network) Rajesh Shukla & Preeti Kakar writes:
The Indian economy has ushered in a new era, wherein the country’s per capita income growth in recent years has outperformed that of the other major Asian economies. However, the gains of prosperity have been distributed unevenly. The paradox of plenty amid poverty ceases to lift. For instance, per capita income in the richest state of the country is about five times that of the poorest.
India’s economic diversity matches its social diversity and this engenders a wide spectrum of consumers in terms of their income levels and spending behaviour. What is noteworthy here is that the diversity is not only visible in the spending behaviour of people with different levels of income but also with the same level of income. This is because income levels by themselves do not reveal much about market behaviour and purchasing power.
More info @ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1581481.cms
The Indian economy has ushered in a new era, wherein the country’s per capita income growth in recent years has outperformed that of the other major Asian economies. However, the gains of prosperity have been distributed unevenly. The paradox of plenty amid poverty ceases to lift. For instance, per capita income in the richest state of the country is about five times that of the poorest.
India’s economic diversity matches its social diversity and this engenders a wide spectrum of consumers in terms of their income levels and spending behaviour. What is noteworthy here is that the diversity is not only visible in the spending behaviour of people with different levels of income but also with the same level of income. This is because income levels by themselves do not reveal much about market behaviour and purchasing power.
More info @ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1581481.cms
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