Opal Market Update

I found Boro Rapaic's comment on laboratory-made opals intriguing. He has labelled synthetic opals as artificial stones/fake. Check out the link http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s2590411.htm

Here is the definition of synthetic vs imitation vs natural:
Synthetic gem: Same as natural gem (in terms of composition, structure, properties and appearance), except made by humans. Must have a natural counterpart.
Imitation: A gem material (natural or otherwise) which has the same appearance as the gem it imitates.
Natural: A gem material which entirely the product of nature. It is unaltered by humans in any way, except for ordinary cutting and polishing (no impregnations).

Global Business BBC

Peter Day's Comment
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2009/06/090602_peter_day_comment_june_02.shtml

Thanks Peter for your viewpoint. Getting an MBA may increase a business person's earning power, but exactly what has the recent growth of MBA courses done for the businesses who employ them? A very good question indeed. Difficult to tell. Instead of simplifying the business operation they have made it complex and stupid.

Marco Brambilla

Marco Brambilla: Civilization
http://marcobrambilla.com

Marco's video collage depicting heaven, hell, and purgatory was brilliant.

Venice Biennale 2009

The 53rd Venice Biennale, known to many as the greatest art show on earth, starts today and runs until 22 November 2009. Check out the link www.labiennale.org

Obama’s Speech In Cairo

Text: Obama’s Speech in Cairo
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html?em

Useful links:
www.whitehouse.gov
www.cu.edu.eg
www.barackobama.com

The tone/vocabulary was brilliant. He was not afraid to express his viewpoints. No other president could make that speech because he had the credibility of his own life story: the Muslims in his father's family, the childhood years in Indonesia. Overall I thought it was a balanced speech.

Argyle Pink Diamond Tender 2009

Rio Tinto will be showcasing to the world 43 pink diamonds as part of the 25th Argyle Pink Diamond Tender. The tender, titled 'Grand Passions,' will feature the rarest and best pink diamonds from Rio Tinto's Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia. For the first time, Rio Tinto is bringing the tender to Mumbai, India, where a viewing is slated for Aug. 6-10, 2009 After that, tender viewings are scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, (Sept. 1-11, 2009) and in Hong Kong (Sept. 19-27, 2009).

Useful links:
www.riotinto.com
www.argylediamonds.com.au
www.argylepinktender.com
www.ncdia.com

These diamonds are for appreciators of the truly exceptional. There is a growing recognition that we won't be seeing natural pink diamonds for that much longer. But you may never know.

Coral Update

Tiffany & Co today unveiled store windows worldwide with an 'Under the Sea' theme to raise awareness about the damage coral harvesting inflicts on critically important marine ecosystems. Check out the link www.tiffany.com

In 2002 we discontinued selling coral jewelry, concluding that in a world where corals and reef communities are under siege, we could not be complicit in their destruction. It is our hope to raise consumer awareness of this important issue and to urge fellow jewelers to join us in refusing to sell coral jewelry.
- Michael J. Kowalski, Chairman/CEO, Tiffany & Co.

Useful links:
www.tiffanyandcofoundation.org
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.seaweb.org
www.cites.org
http://coralreef.noaa.gov/crca.html

That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.
- Neil Armstrong

Just do it.

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Russians to Resolve Overhang with Upcoming Sales
http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
http://eng.alrosa.ru

It was interesting to learn that by volume, Russia’s production has surpassed Botswana and is now the world’s largest producer. Thanks Chaim.