An Education

An Education, adapted from the memoir of the British journalist Lynn Barber, a coming-of-age drama set in 1960's London, is a great movie. I thought Carey Mulligan was superb. Well worth seeing.

Useful link:
www.sonyclassics.com/aneducation

Gao Brothers

China has so many stories that they are like a dream. Every story is true, but I try to tell them in a fictional way.

- Gao Zhen

Useful link:
www.gaobrothers.net

I thought the work of Gao Zhen/Gao Qiang were brilliant. The deconstructed images of Chairman Mao were funny, confrontational and different.

G. Willow Wilson

Check out G. Willow Wilson’s comic series Air at www.gwillowwilson.com

Diamonds Are Not Forever

The Economist report on Botswana was spot on. Botswana’s diamond deposits may run out by 2030. The country has no choice but to diversify/reform its economy by retraining its incompetent/lazy civil servants/managers to attract foreign investment. Not always easy but doable with Ian Khama's five D's: democracy, dignity, development, discipline, and delivery. I wish Ian Khama, the newly re-elected president all the best.

Useful links:
www.econsult.co.bw
www.debswana.com
www.moibrahimfoundation.org

Jewelry Coral

Dave Federman's viewpoint on jewelry coral was interesting. Let's promote fair commerce.

Useful links:
www.tooprecioustowear.org
www.seaweb.com
www.cites.org
www.noaa.gov
www.artinitiatives.com

Virtual Spending

Check out these avatar-driven social networking sites. It's hard to believe how fast they have become mainstream, but I guess the virtual world represents a different value proposition.

Useful links:
www.there.com
www.imvu.com
http://secondlife.com
www.gaiaonline.com
www.weeworld.com
www.clubpenguin.com
www.moove.com

Chaim Even Zohar Viewpoint

A beautiful tribute to Madhu Mehta of Jayam Manufacturing. May his soul rest in peace! Thank you Chaim.

Useful link:
www.diamondintelligence.com

Random Thoughts

This year's collection was keenly contested by investors, collectors and diamond experts from around the world. All diamond were sold, and we were delighted to see strong representation from the growing markets of India and China, as well as the more established markets for rare colored diamonds.

- Jean-Marc Lieberherr
www.argylepinkdiamonds.com.au
www.riotintodiamonds.com

This is good news.