Middle East-China Diamond and Jewellery Summit

The first Middle East-China Diamond and Jewellery Summit will be hosted by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) on November 8 - 9, 2008, in Dubai.

Useful links:
www.dmcc.ae
www.dde.ae

The Axis of Growth. The spotlight is on China, India and the Middle East, home to a vibrant and fast-growing jewelry industry.

Malcolm Gladwell Viewpoints

Malcolm Gladwell's opinion piece in New Yorker on Sidney Weinberg, nicknamed 'Mr. Wall Street', and his social skills @ http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/11/10/081110fa_fact_gladwell was brilliant.

Useful links:
www.gladwell.com

The story of Sidney Weinberg, the rags-to-riches story, is inspiring. As Gladwell rightly put it Wall Street needs a few more Sidney Weinbergs, really.

Gold Smuggling In India

The CommodityOnline opinion piece on gold business/smuggling in India @ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Why-Gold-smuggling-is-big-business-in-India-12511-3-1.html was interesting. Despite the economic liberalization of gold imports, smuggling still occurs in India, really.

The RAID Report

I am an avid listener of the BBC Radio. The BBC interview with a RAID spokesperson on illegal exploitation of DR Congo's mineral wealth caught my attention. It's really disturbing. I found the RAID report on companies alleged to be involved in the illegal export of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo @ http://www.raid-uk.org/work/corp_acct.htm insightful.

Useful links:
www.raid-uk.org
www.escr-net.org
www.oecdwatch.org

Art Update

The Economist article on Greek art + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12538492 was interesting.

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.bonhams.com

A Two-Way Street

Carolina A. Miranda's article on street art and their undeniable impact into mainstream galleries and museums + other viewpoints @ http://www.artnewsonline.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2570 was insightful.

Argyle Pink Diamond Tender

According to Argyle Pink Diamonds spokesperson, the 24th annual Argyle Pink Diamond Tender was a success. Australia's Argyle mine, the source of these pink stones, is set to close in 2018. I think the consumers for these diamonds are likely to be collectors, celebrities, and the real rich. Given the rarity, it's a worthwhile investment till a new mine is discovered somewhere in the world. Right now, natural, untreated pink is the real king of diamond.

Useful links:
www.argylepinktender.com
www.riotintodiamonds.com

Pressmart

Pressmart = Digital simulation of print publications. Go to www.pressmart.net for further info. Brilliant!