About Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus: Lifting People Worldwide out of Poverty
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2243

Useful links:
www.muhammadyunus.org
www.grameen-info.org
www.grameenamerica.com

Elegant economic theories vs. Real-life economics = Muhammad Yunus + Grameen Bank, the single most important development in the third world in the last 100 years. Hats off to Muhammad Yunus!

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

PAC’S Smillie Casts Final “No Confidence” Vote in KP and Goes Home
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.kimberleyprocess.com
www.pacweb.org

To Ian Smillie: I salute you + thank you for what you have done for the diamond industry. Good luck!

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