Ivory Update

Richard Black's opinion piece in BBC News on ivory auction + other viewpoints @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7693816.stm was educational. Thanks Richard.

Useful links:
www.cites.org
www.bornfree.org.uk

RealNose Project

I was intrigued by the discovery of an artificial nose by the biological engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T) with numerous applications in the future. They suggest that their RealNose could replace drug-sniffing/explosive-sniffing dogs that are used by law enforcement officials + help doctors detect diseases that have specific smells within the human body, like diabetes/bladder/lung/skin cancers.

Useful links:
http://web.mit.edu/lms/www
www.pnas.org
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/smell-0929.html

Smell is perhaps one of the oldest and most primitive senses, but nobody really understands how it works. It still remains a tantalizing enigma.
- Shuguang Zhang

Could it be possible for the MIT team create an artificial eye that can identify (treated vs untreated) gemstones + grade diamonds/colored stones? Just curious.

Canton Fair

Canton Fair is the largest trade fair in the world, where thousands of manufacturers and businessmen gather to conduct business. Go to www.cantonfair.org.cn for further info. A must visit.

Useful links:
http://english.mofcom.gov.cn
www.cftc.org.cn

Mahidarpura Diamond Market

Binu Alex's article on Surat’s (India) diamond market + other viewpoints @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Sparkling-diamond-market-down-but-not-out-12411-2-1.html was brilliant.

Right now many diamond dealers worldwide are in a Parvadega nahi saab-like (we sell the polished diamonds at a loss now) situation, really.

Jewelry Update

The World Gold Council has published an interesting report on demand for gold jewelry via Gold Investment Digest (www.research.gold.org). Low demand + High inflation + Constricted disposable incomes + Slow economic growth + Decline in mine production

Useful link:
www.gold.org

Byzantium Exhibit

Visit the Byzantium exhibit in London, a collaboration between the Royal Academy of Arts + the Benaki Museum in Athens, starting on 25 October 2008—22 March 2009.

Useful links:
www.royalacademy.org.uk
www.benaki.gr

CMJ Music Marathon 2008

Go to CMJ Music Marathon 2008, a showcase of mostly new + independent music @ www.cmj.com/marathon

Useful link:
www.cmj.com

I liked it.

Diamond Market Update

According to the Reserve Bank governor, Dr Gideon Gono, Zimbabwe’s economy could be turned around in the next few years if the country does not continue to lose revenue (US$1.2 billion/month) from illegal diamond dealing in the mining industry. Hard to believe!

Useful links:
www.rbz.co.zw
www.talkzimbabwe.com