Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

I think Moti Ganz, President, International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) has opened a Pandora’s Box. It's about diamond weighing practices. Diamond traders pay diamond grading laboratories some $250 million a year for certification. To this one must add shipping costs, administrative costs, insurance and interest payments on the time that is lost as the stone is taken out of the normal selling cycle. Now according to Moti why should the industry lose an additional $100-$135 million because of the how-many-decimals-after-the-point issue. Maybe he is right on this point. Many in the industry may not have thought about it. Thanks Chaim for highlighting the issue.

Useful links:
www.idma.net
www.cibjo.org

Art Identification: Analytical Methods

It's really encouraging to see modern approaches in art identification via X-ray fluoroscopy/Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source or CHESS. It is just the latest example showing how science can reveal secrets concealed beneath the surface of paintings and manuscripts. www.acs.org

Random Thoughts

Every single biography on a genius, or highly successful person, that I have ever read has clearly shown me the necessity of complete immersion in one’s field of endeavor to be above average. And as I am average in just about everything I must exude greater then average effort in order to achieve better then average success.

- David Lamb

Spot on.

Science Visualization Videos 2009

The videos/images were educational + stunningly beautiful and descriptive. I liked it.

Useful link:
https://hpcrd.lbl.gov/scidac09

Diamonds Are A Cheat’s Best Friend

Meet Robert Charlton, wealthy English businessman and a philandering one at that, who used diamonds to say sorry to his wife for his infidelity. He gave a diamond jewelry to his wife whenever he strayed. Recently, the cheat diamonds were auctioned by Woolley and Wallis on behalf of Marie, the couple’s only child. What a story!

Useful link:
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk

GPS Drawing

Jeremy Wood, an artist based in London, coined the term 'GPS drawing' nearly a decade ago and continues to maintain a website compiling his and other GPS-produced images from around the world. I liked it.

Useful links:
http://gpsdrawing.com
www.jeremywood.net
www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/fashion/20GPS.html?_r=1

Kevin Cyr

I really liked Camper Bike, a functioning sculptural piece. www.kevincyr.net

EcoSheet

A company called 2K Manufacturing, can turn mixed plastic into a composite board called EcoSheet. Truly amazing + a big step of progress in recycling. Good for business + good for the environment.

Useful links:
www.eco-sheet.com
www.wrap.org.uk