Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

Chaim was spot on. Consumers are downsizing. They prefer to buy affordable diamonds. What this means for holiday season? Nobody knows.

Useful links:
www.diamondintelligence.com
www.abnamro.com
www.antwerpdiamondbank.com

India's Mobile Markets

Rajesh Jain's viewpoints on India's mobile market was interesting. It was also encouraging to know that mobile is becoming the dominant device for voice, for value-added services, and for mobile Internet.

Useful links:
www.netcore.co.in
http://emergic.org

National Palace Museum Exhibit

Rarely seen artworks from mainland China's Palace Museum have gone on display in Taiwan's National Palace Museum. www.npm.gov.tw

Random Thoughts

Fear is a survival instinct, the inbuilt self-preservation mechanism in all of us. People often ask if I was scared during my record solo voyage around the world. My answer is “yes”. Fear almost certainly kept me alive in the Southern Ocean: it keeps you focused and vigilant. But when I got back to land I felt a different type of fear as, for the first time, I began to see the world in a different way. I had never questioned whether our planet’s resources were limited, and had certainly not stopped my busy sailing schedule to wonder if the way I lived was sustainable. But when I stepped off my beloved trimaran after setting the record in February 2005, I began to see things differently. When you sail around the world you take everything you need for three months. From toothpaste to teabags, from clothes to kitchen roll; what you have is all you have, and if you run out you can’t just pop down to the shops to buy more. You are managing your own little world with its finite, life-sustaining supply of resources. And you’re doing it when you are more exhausted than you have been in your life.

- Ellen MacArthur
www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org

Inspiring, really.

Art Market Update

Georgina Adam's viewpoints on the state of the art market was insightful. I wonder where have all the art speculators gone?

Useful links:
www.sothebys.com
www.wallacecollection.org
http://pinchukartcentre.org
www.whitecube.com
www.theartnewspaper.com
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk
www.artcurial.com
www.robilantvoena.com
www.artbasel.com

Economic Stress Index

I really liked AP's Economic Stress Index. I wish they had one for India.

First Iridium Jewelry

Rare-metals manufacturer American Elements has announced that it has begun production of the first-ever jewelry made from pure iridium metal. Check it out.

Useful link:
www.americanelements.com

Nuit Blanche

The city of Paris has begun Nuit Blanche, an annual celebration of contemporary art. Don't miss the fun.