Man Booker International Prize 2009

Alice Munro has won the 2009 Man Booker International Prize. Congratulations!

Useful link:
www.themanbookerprize.com

Brazilian Diamonds

Dr D B Hoover + Dr J Karfunkel has written an interesting article about large diamonds originating in Alto Parnaiba, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in The Australian Gemmologist magazine (Volume 23, Number 10, April - June 2009). Many large diamonds have come from the region, but most production is taken out of the country leaving little evidence that such diamonds ever existed. The region is still well-known for fine pink and red diamonds. There is an interesting report by Partnership Africa Canada entitled 'Laws for the English to see'. Check out the link www.pacweb.org + www.australiangemmologist.com.au

Malaya Zircon

The Malaya zircons originate from the area of the Bombo river, which is a tributary of the Umba river. Mining is active in a region between Mkujani and Umba in the Tanga Province, Tanzania. The colors range from yellow to brown and red. Most specimens are found as water-worn pebbles. Alluvial stones could easily be confused for corundum, chrysoberyl, garnet, or spinel. Gem quality specimens when faceted show good transparency and brilliance. The stones may be heat treated to modify colors. If in doubt, always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.

Mangenta

Hot Pink? Call It 'Mangenta'
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124346597807560297.html

Amazingly the shade magenta a.k.a hot pink is shaking things up now. It's a state of mind.

Luke Johnson Viewpoint

Rough diamonds dazzle as entrepreneurs
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6e52bd78-4a07-11de-8e7e-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=782015c4-f2e3-11dd-abe6-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

I prefer the company of the down-to-earth, self-made men and women who run our industries. They know that obscure terminology and fancy projections are worthless if the underlying fundamentals of a deal are awful. I hope we never again trust overpaid fools who think they know best thanks to bogus theories.
- Luke Johnson

Useful links:
www.lukejohnson.org
www.riskcapitalpartners.co.uk
www.channel4.com

Spot on. Thanks Luke.

Simon Schubert

The German artist Simon Schubert creates works of art by folding paper into elaborate designs. Stunningly beautiful. Check out the link www.upstairs-berlin.com

Random Thoughts

Getting married is a major commitment. Love is a necessary con­dition to make a successful marriage, but love alone is not suffi­cient. Much more is needed. Before walking down the aisle, you should learn as much as possible about the one you intend to marry. Compatibility, trust, family, upbringing, religion, educa­tion, career, and financial condition all come into consideration. Marriage, after all, involves a long-term commitment. While there are no guarantees and you can never really be 100 percent certain, you should at least try to minimize the probability of making a wrong decision before tying the knot. Furthermore, when you enter into a marriage you are not likely to walk out just because a prettier face happens to come along. You are not likely to call it quits just because you have some dis­agreements. Of course, if it becomes absolutely clear that there are irreconcilable differences, divorce is always an option. But divorce is messy and extremely expensive. It should never be taken lightly. It should be employed only as a last resort. Divorce should not be the first thing on your mind when you are seriously thinking about getting married. In Warren Buffett's mind, buying a business is like getting married. One difference, of course, is that while he can have just one wife at a time, he can own as many businesses as he can afford. Yet in every case, when Buffett buys a business, he knows he is making a major commitment. This is why he tries to buy only good businesses that he plans to keep for the long run. All serious Buffett fans know this is part of his mystique.

- Vahan Janjigian
http://janjigian.blogspot.com

Spot on.

Heard On The Street

No matter what the gem market is doing, people want comfort food and comfort items + a good friend.