Making music to Rothko's murals
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/7847356.stm
Useful links:
www.jimaitchison.com
www.tate.org.uk
I think music unifies the experience of mind and body. Brilliant visual and sound. I enjoyed it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Burma Ruby/Jade Law Update
(via JCK Online) The Burma Task Force, JVC, the American Gem Trade Association, and Jewelers of America, has released guidance on the steps importers and exporters must follow to import non-Burmese rubies and jadeite. It includes:
- Importer Obligations - Under the new regulations, importers continue to be required to certify that their rubies and jadeite were not mined or extracted from Burma. The importer certification is created through the use of new Harmonized Tariff Codes.
In addition, exporters are obligated to assure that Burmese rubies and jadeite are not intermingled with non-Burmese origin rubies and jadeite. Importers are required to secure a written certification from the exporter stating that the rubies and jadeite were not mined or extracted from Burma. The exporter must also provide 'verifiable evidence' that tracks (if exporting rough) the rough from mine to place of first export, (if exporting polished loose gems) from mine to place of final finishing, and for finished jewelry, from mine to place of final finishing of the article of jewelry.
Exceptions to these provisions include re-importation of rubies and jadeite (or jewelry containing the same) that were in the US prior to September 27, 2008 (if re-imported by the same entity or person who exported them originally from the US, as long as they have not been advanced in value) and those imported for personal use.
- Recordkeeping Obligations - Importers of non-Burmese rubies and jadeite must maintain records for five years pertaining to each transaction in covered articles. These records include complete information regarding purchase, manufacture or shipment of covered articles and the exporter’s certification. Importers are required to produce such records upon request by CBP. This includes maintaining the exporter certification and the statement regarding verifiable evidence indicating the source of rough, polished or finished jewelry, depending on which was imported. 'Verifiable evidence' could be an exporter’s warranty stating the country of origin of the covered articles, the place in which they were polished and the place where they were manufactured into jewelry. Such a warranty should also include a statement that the exporter has available records which corroborate the statement in the warranty.
- Responsible Employee of the Exporter - Importers and exporters are required to name on the invoice a responsible employee of the exporter who has or can obtain knowledge of the transactions. The information that this employee should have access to includes: the verifiable evidence of the source and movement of the covered articles.
Useful links:
www.jvclegal.org
www.agta.org
www.jewelers.org
www.cbp.gov
www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3890
- Importer Obligations - Under the new regulations, importers continue to be required to certify that their rubies and jadeite were not mined or extracted from Burma. The importer certification is created through the use of new Harmonized Tariff Codes.
In addition, exporters are obligated to assure that Burmese rubies and jadeite are not intermingled with non-Burmese origin rubies and jadeite. Importers are required to secure a written certification from the exporter stating that the rubies and jadeite were not mined or extracted from Burma. The exporter must also provide 'verifiable evidence' that tracks (if exporting rough) the rough from mine to place of first export, (if exporting polished loose gems) from mine to place of final finishing, and for finished jewelry, from mine to place of final finishing of the article of jewelry.
Exceptions to these provisions include re-importation of rubies and jadeite (or jewelry containing the same) that were in the US prior to September 27, 2008 (if re-imported by the same entity or person who exported them originally from the US, as long as they have not been advanced in value) and those imported for personal use.
- Recordkeeping Obligations - Importers of non-Burmese rubies and jadeite must maintain records for five years pertaining to each transaction in covered articles. These records include complete information regarding purchase, manufacture or shipment of covered articles and the exporter’s certification. Importers are required to produce such records upon request by CBP. This includes maintaining the exporter certification and the statement regarding verifiable evidence indicating the source of rough, polished or finished jewelry, depending on which was imported. 'Verifiable evidence' could be an exporter’s warranty stating the country of origin of the covered articles, the place in which they were polished and the place where they were manufactured into jewelry. Such a warranty should also include a statement that the exporter has available records which corroborate the statement in the warranty.
- Responsible Employee of the Exporter - Importers and exporters are required to name on the invoice a responsible employee of the exporter who has or can obtain knowledge of the transactions. The information that this employee should have access to includes: the verifiable evidence of the source and movement of the covered articles.
Useful links:
www.jvclegal.org
www.agta.org
www.jewelers.org
www.cbp.gov
www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-3890
America's Best Jewelers Network
America's fine jewelry retailers have launched the ABJ Network, a social-networking site to increase communication among retail jewelers. Great idea.
Useful link:
www.abjnetwork.com
When will the fine jewelers in India launch a similar social networking concept?
Useful link:
www.abjnetwork.com
When will the fine jewelers in India launch a similar social networking concept?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Visual Illusions
Sculpting the Impossible: Solid Renditions of Visual Illusions
http://www.sciam.com/slideshow.cfm?id=sculpting-visual-illusions
Truly brilliant. I liked it.
http://www.sciam.com/slideshow.cfm?id=sculpting-visual-illusions
Truly brilliant. I liked it.
Technology Update
Bend me, shape me, anyway you want me
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12971020
Useful links:
http://flexdisplay.asu.edu
www.plasticlogic.com
www.liquavista.com
If they are designed to be recyclable, then these brilliant breakthrough technologies deserve the support.
http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12971020
Useful links:
http://flexdisplay.asu.edu
www.plasticlogic.com
www.liquavista.com
If they are designed to be recyclable, then these brilliant breakthrough technologies deserve the support.
Random Thoughts
Human beings are subject to wild swings in their levels of fear, risk tolerance and greed. That won’t change. I base my whole approach on buying when others are fearful and selling when others are greedy. The reason Shakespeare is so relevant still today is that his plays were all about human nature, and human nature never changes.
- Mark Sellers
www.sellerscapital.com
Rightfully true.
- Mark Sellers
www.sellerscapital.com
Rightfully true.
Gold 2009
What You Need to Know About Gold
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123284319920613125.html
Useful links:
www.everbank.com
www.mfglobal.com
www.credit-suisse.com
www.pamp.com
www.apmex.com
www.bostonbullion.com
www.kitco.com
www.gold.org
Buying gold is always a very good idea. Like every other asset class, gold goes through periods of appreciation and depreciation, yet gold holds its value rather well. Finally gold still represents the ultimate form of payment in the world so I like it.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123284319920613125.html
Useful links:
www.everbank.com
www.mfglobal.com
www.credit-suisse.com
www.pamp.com
www.apmex.com
www.bostonbullion.com
www.kitco.com
www.gold.org
Buying gold is always a very good idea. Like every other asset class, gold goes through periods of appreciation and depreciation, yet gold holds its value rather well. Finally gold still represents the ultimate form of payment in the world so I like it.
Green School
A Greener Education in Bali
http://www.time.com/time/travel/article/0,31542,1873213,00.html
Useful links:
www.greenschool.org
www.johnhardy.com
Inspiring concept + thoughtful design.
http://www.time.com/time/travel/article/0,31542,1873213,00.html
Useful links:
www.greenschool.org
www.johnhardy.com
Inspiring concept + thoughtful design.
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