The Economist writes about detergents that can be switched on and off, a new spin-off in chemistry with wide applications + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/science/tq/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9677960
It would be interesting to explore how it works in gemstone cleaning + treatments in the future.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Cultured Pearl Terminology
There are many interpretations on cultured pearl (s) terminology in the industry.
(via Gems & Gemology) According to H A Hanni, a leading expert in gemology, all cultured pearls are tissue nucleated.
The terms bead nucleated and tissue nucleated are often used. The combination of these two terms creates the idea that a cultured pearl is nucleated with either a bead or a piece of mantle tissue, and the term nucleation suggests that there is something in the center of the cultured pearl, either a bead or tissue graft. However, the former does not lead to a cultured pearl if no tissue is added.
And, since all cultured pearls start with a piece of mantle tissue, this expression does not adequately differentiate between the two types. It is thus confusing and of no use. Further, the term tissue nucleated causes people to think that the grafted tissue is in the cultured pearl. However, research has indicated that tissue cells from the transplant become part of the pearl sac and do not remain as a residue in the center of the pearl. They do not form a nucleus. The X-ray visible dark structure in the center of these cultured pearls is often a void and preliminary precipitation from the growing surface of what will become the pearl sac. The transplanted mantle-tissue cells that produce the nacre grow into a pearl sac by multiple cell division, making a small pocket. This pocket produces an initial crust of a CaCO3 on its inner surface, but this crust does not completely fill the space, leading to the cavity in the center of a beadless cultured pearl.
H A Hanni proposed the following suggestions to CIBJO commission:
- Omission of the terms nucleus, nucleation, bead nucleated, tissue nucleated.
- Use of the term grafting for the introduction of mantle-tissue cells (with or without a bead).
- Use of the term beading for the introduction of a material that gives the shape to the pearl sac (to grow or already present), regardless of the shape of that bead.
- Use of the terms beaded-cultured pearl and non-beaded (beadless) cultured pearl for the resulting products.
CIBJO have included the above proposals for their Pearl Book.
(via Gems & Gemology) According to H A Hanni, a leading expert in gemology, all cultured pearls are tissue nucleated.
The terms bead nucleated and tissue nucleated are often used. The combination of these two terms creates the idea that a cultured pearl is nucleated with either a bead or a piece of mantle tissue, and the term nucleation suggests that there is something in the center of the cultured pearl, either a bead or tissue graft. However, the former does not lead to a cultured pearl if no tissue is added.
And, since all cultured pearls start with a piece of mantle tissue, this expression does not adequately differentiate between the two types. It is thus confusing and of no use. Further, the term tissue nucleated causes people to think that the grafted tissue is in the cultured pearl. However, research has indicated that tissue cells from the transplant become part of the pearl sac and do not remain as a residue in the center of the pearl. They do not form a nucleus. The X-ray visible dark structure in the center of these cultured pearls is often a void and preliminary precipitation from the growing surface of what will become the pearl sac. The transplanted mantle-tissue cells that produce the nacre grow into a pearl sac by multiple cell division, making a small pocket. This pocket produces an initial crust of a CaCO3 on its inner surface, but this crust does not completely fill the space, leading to the cavity in the center of a beadless cultured pearl.
H A Hanni proposed the following suggestions to CIBJO commission:
- Omission of the terms nucleus, nucleation, bead nucleated, tissue nucleated.
- Use of the term grafting for the introduction of mantle-tissue cells (with or without a bead).
- Use of the term beading for the introduction of a material that gives the shape to the pearl sac (to grow or already present), regardless of the shape of that bead.
- Use of the terms beaded-cultured pearl and non-beaded (beadless) cultured pearl for the resulting products.
CIBJO have included the above proposals for their Pearl Book.
The New Serenity
Steven Litt writes about the incredible visual experience created by architects + the cultural expressions and financial opportunities + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=1696
India’s Import Duty Exemption: Curse Or Blessing?
Chaim Even-Zohar writes about the Indian diamond industry + the tax methodology + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp
Francis Ford Coppola
Listen, if there's one sure-fire rule that I have learned in this business, it's that I don't know anything about human nature.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Great Late Salvador Dalí
George Stolz writes about Salvador Dali's painting, sculpting, film, writing, design, and fashion careers + his strange brand of reactionary personality + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=1673
Diamonds Forever, For Everyone
Gem Merchants: (via Economic Times + Times News Network) Ritwik Donde writes:
Although born with a silver spoon, it was gold and diamonds that Mehul Choksi was more interested in. The chairman and CEO of the Rs 3,500-crore Geetanjali Group has been considered by many as one of the architects of the present-day organised retail jewellery market.
After completing his studies, Choksi joined the family business as he thought that having a practical understanding is always better than cramming oneself with theories. With the initial money that he took from his father, he diversified the family business from a pure trading-led enterprise to a marketing-oriented retail format. And this is just the beginning, he says.
After convincing his investors about the benefits of a retail format, Choksi targeted the government undertaking MMTC (Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation) to kick start his retail venture. "I used to queue up in front of the MMTC office to get the best offer. And it was through this order that I was able to earn my first million," he says.
It was a bit easier for me to earn my first revenue as I entered the diamond market when it was at a high, he adds. At the same time, he also started to sell his product at the Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai directly to end customers. In 1985, Choksi decided it was high time that he produced what he sold. And thus, his company ventured into manufacturing.
"It was during this time, that the Gold Control Act was lifted and we looked at the opportunity in mass production of jewellery," he recalls. He also travelled extensively through to collect international clientele. "There were times when I had to travel three countries in a single day to meet clients," Choksi says.
But the most difficult times were yet to come. According to Choksi, he had a harrowing time convincing the organised retailers to house his branded jewellery in their shops. "Brands for a gold or diamond product were relatively unknown during the early 1990s. I had to convince department stores to keep my jewellery instead of cakes and biscuits," he says.
Not many readily agreed, for the consumer, who relied heavily on the family-run, small jewellery shops, had to be convinced of the branding strategy for Choksi’s products. Moreover, he also had to drive home the point that a diamond was not just meant for the rich and famous but the middle-income group too could afford it. "We helped democratise the diamond in India," Choksi says.
As of now, the company already has some of the leading jewellery brands such as D’damas, Nakshatra, Sangini and Asmi under its umbrella and it plans to acquire more brands in the near future. The idea is to reach consumers at all levels.
To attain this objective, the company is now planning a Rs 500-crore investment in building a gem and jewellery SEZ that would cater to the entire value chain of the industry, from manufacturing to retail. Moreover, it also plans to venture into other lifestyle products such as silverware and watches, in addition to catering to the lifestyle needs for high end weddings. "We want to manufacture these products and would also look at partnerships with foreign brands," says Choksi. All that glitters is indeed gold for this enterprising entrepreneur.
Although born with a silver spoon, it was gold and diamonds that Mehul Choksi was more interested in. The chairman and CEO of the Rs 3,500-crore Geetanjali Group has been considered by many as one of the architects of the present-day organised retail jewellery market.
After completing his studies, Choksi joined the family business as he thought that having a practical understanding is always better than cramming oneself with theories. With the initial money that he took from his father, he diversified the family business from a pure trading-led enterprise to a marketing-oriented retail format. And this is just the beginning, he says.
After convincing his investors about the benefits of a retail format, Choksi targeted the government undertaking MMTC (Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation) to kick start his retail venture. "I used to queue up in front of the MMTC office to get the best offer. And it was through this order that I was able to earn my first million," he says.
It was a bit easier for me to earn my first revenue as I entered the diamond market when it was at a high, he adds. At the same time, he also started to sell his product at the Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai directly to end customers. In 1985, Choksi decided it was high time that he produced what he sold. And thus, his company ventured into manufacturing.
"It was during this time, that the Gold Control Act was lifted and we looked at the opportunity in mass production of jewellery," he recalls. He also travelled extensively through to collect international clientele. "There were times when I had to travel three countries in a single day to meet clients," Choksi says.
But the most difficult times were yet to come. According to Choksi, he had a harrowing time convincing the organised retailers to house his branded jewellery in their shops. "Brands for a gold or diamond product were relatively unknown during the early 1990s. I had to convince department stores to keep my jewellery instead of cakes and biscuits," he says.
Not many readily agreed, for the consumer, who relied heavily on the family-run, small jewellery shops, had to be convinced of the branding strategy for Choksi’s products. Moreover, he also had to drive home the point that a diamond was not just meant for the rich and famous but the middle-income group too could afford it. "We helped democratise the diamond in India," Choksi says.
As of now, the company already has some of the leading jewellery brands such as D’damas, Nakshatra, Sangini and Asmi under its umbrella and it plans to acquire more brands in the near future. The idea is to reach consumers at all levels.
To attain this objective, the company is now planning a Rs 500-crore investment in building a gem and jewellery SEZ that would cater to the entire value chain of the industry, from manufacturing to retail. Moreover, it also plans to venture into other lifestyle products such as silverware and watches, in addition to catering to the lifestyle needs for high end weddings. "We want to manufacture these products and would also look at partnerships with foreign brands," says Choksi. All that glitters is indeed gold for this enterprising entrepreneur.
Related link:
Chocolate Art
Original Art works, completely edible, made from 100% cocoa products. Chocolatier Jeff Shepherd offers his original artworks to the public for display, or to enjoy as an edible art experience. 6"x 4" White chocolate canvases, dark chocolate frames, and cocoa butter paint make these unique and exciting artworks a satisfying experience on many levels. Because these pieces are true art, no two are alike.
www.lilliebellefarms.com
Nicholas’s Sugar & Chocolate Art
www.sugarchoc.com
Art that's good enough to eat
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/focus/2005/04/chocolate.shtml
www.lilliebellefarms.com
Nicholas’s Sugar & Chocolate Art
www.sugarchoc.com
Art that's good enough to eat
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/focus/2005/04/chocolate.shtml
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