Rhodonite

Visual observation: New transparent rhodonites from Brazil (by-product of manganese mining) could be easily confused for rhodochrosites. The color is beautiful and I hope the stones won't be exposed to treatments like other colored stones.

Ecopulse Study 2008

A recent study called Ecopulse 2008 by the Shelton Group + consumers feedback is rather interesting.

Go to www.sheltongroupinc.com for more information.

New Business Startups - India

Vaishali Jain writes about startup companies + other viewpoints @ http://www.livemint.com/2008/09/03001251/Startup-challenges.html?h=F

Useful links:
www.routeguru.com
www.criticat.com
www.hotteststartups.in
www.tieindia.org
www.wadhwani-foundation.org

The Prediction Market

I found Intrade, an online prediction market based in Dublin, interesting. Go to www.intrade.com for further information. I think it's definitely the place for betting enthusiasts.

Supercapitalism

Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life by Robert B. Reich is an interesting book about the clash between capitalism and democracy. A must read.

Useful link:

www.robertreich.org

Ivanka Trump + Diamonds

The New York Post/Page Six Magazine article on Ivanka Trump @ http://www.nypost.com/pagesixmag/issues/20080824/Ivanka+Trump+s+View+Top was interesting.

Useful link:
www.ivankatrumpcollection.com

Rough Diamonds

1. The purchase of rough diamonds is a specialized field requiring much experience and is definitely not recommended for beginners.

2. Ask for Kimberley Certificate. Today most reputable diamond dealers will not buy rough diamonds without documents.

3. Market factors. One of the great mysteries for beginners is understanding the relationship between price and quality. In a perfect world, price would directly relate to quality, weight, and rarity. But rough diamond trade is far from perfect. Market factors can have as much or even greater impact on prices as does quality. Check current prices.

4. If you are using thermal testers to confirm your identification of rough diamonds, make sure the instruments are working properly. Read the instructions fully and practice using it. Allow stones to acclimatize to the surrounding temperature before testing.

5. There are plenty of diamond imitations in the open market. Frequently encountered diamond simulants include glass, quartz, corundum, topaz, phenakite, spinel, zircon + synthetic cubic zirconia, GGG, YAG, synthetic strontium titanate, synthetic moissanite, and assembled stones.

6. If you are doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Alexandrium

Li Al Silicate (+Nd) + Amorphous (glass) + Light blue to lavender + Hardness = 6.5 + Heat sensitive + perceived as simulants for many light blue colored stones (especially alexandrite).