|
Mobile version
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hunting Barack Osama in Tibet: In search of andesine mines Ruby-Sapphire.com Share     It was autumn of 2008. I was in a car on my way to Chanthaburi when a friend called. "Fancy a trip to Tibet?" Gautama H. Buddha, man, don't do this to me. Of course I'd like to go to Tibet! Why? "To visit the Tibetan andesine mines." Yes master, when do we go? "End of next week." Wow, we'd better get some visas PDQ. Alas, it was not to be. Despite frantic calls to Christina Iu in Japan, who was helping organize the trip, we were a day late. Next time, Christina promised, next time. "Okay," said I, "next time," and began to quickly plot when the high passes would next be clear enough for vehicular transport. Forward to spring 2009. At a conference in China, I met the inimitable Christina in the flesh and reminded her of her promise. More
Holiday jewelry buying guide SmartMoney.com Share
Call it the Beyoncé effect: In spite of the sluggish economy and the tight job market, more consumers say they'd like someone to put a ring on it this holiday season. Jewelry ranks higher on holiday wish lists than laptops, smartphones, digital cameras or TVs, according to one survey, and it was the only category to grow more desirable since last year. And to shoppers' surprise in spite of the skyrocketing price of gold, it's not a bad year to be in the market for sparkle. Jewelers are feeling the squeeze of higher wholesale prices, but they haven't passed that along to consumers yet, says Ken Gassman, a jewelry industry analyst. More PGI awards 8 jewelry designers with 'Platinum Honors' for outstanding work in platinum at 2011 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ PGI Share
Platinum once again took center stage at the 27th annual AGTA Spectrum Awards™, a competition that celebrates outstanding design using colored gemstones. An impressive 74 platinum entries were submitted in this year's competition, several of which were entered into new entry price-pointed categories including Platinum Innovation in Bridal Wear and Platinum Innovation in Day Wear, sponsored by Platinum Guild International. PGI-USA president, Huw Daniel adds, "Designers outdid themselves by creating breathtaking designs, and since platinum is naturally white, the gemstones really popped. This year, we were also thrilled to see entry platinum submissions, showing that beautiful gems set in platinum are available across all budgets." More
Cullinan blue diamond private peek San Francisco Chronicle Share
Although they see gorgeous pieces every day, it's a rare day that a jeweler makes a historic find. But Stephen H. Silver of Menlo Park, Calif., admits his poker face cracked a bit when he went to Portland, Ore., to look at a private collection and stumbled across one of the most important necklaces ever made: the Cullinan blue necklace, which had been sitting in a vault and rarely worn since its creation in 1905. "It was truly one of the most beautiful, artistically executed pieces I'd ever seen," he recalled. More Stones on fire Color-n-Ice Share
We love the vibrant and varied hues found in the tourmaline family of mineral gems. It doesn't hurt that this species also produces lively clean stones adored for their transparency. Every once in a while, miners stumble upon yet another variety like this head turning orange tourmaline. Brazil and Africa produce the largest amount of gemmy tourmaline goods, but the species is found in the U.S. and even Afghanistan in lesser quantities. As you can guess, chemical additions like magnesium or copper in the complex silicate composition affect color. More
US luxury sales rebounds despite concerns over high unemployment International Business Times Share
U.S. consumers return to luxury stores despite concerns over high unemployment and a double-dip recession. A recent study published by the U.S. consultancy, Bain & Co., indicates a strong surge in core product categories in the luxury sectors like apparels, shoes, accessories, leather goods and perfumes as the industry rebounds from its first full-year decline in sales in 2009. "The recovery has been faster than expected. The concern over unemployment and the economy is not over yet, but wealthy customers understand it doesn't have a major effect on their personal wealth," said Claudia D'Arpizio, a Bain partner in Milan, Italy, and lead author of the study in a statement. More Wittelsbach-Graff diamond exhibit: Museum of Natural History show is a jewel lover's best friend Columbia Spectator Share
There was a time when most college girls hoped for a diamond by graduation. Marriage is no longer a college priority, but that doesn't mean a girl can't still appreciate diamonds. For those who feel the same, the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, which recently was unveiled in the Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History, is one of the most appreciated diamonds to date. On display through Jan. 2, the 31.06-carat, "fancy deep blue" giant originally was found in India and once was rumored to be a sister of the even more colossal 45.52-carat Hope Diamond, which is at the Smithsonian. More Let FedEx Office deliver your holidays AGTA Share
Rely on the pros to make your season run more smoothly. FedEx Office offers a wide range of products and services to help you manage this busy time of year. Pack and ship: Whether you're sending gifts to clients and partners or friends and family, FedEx can get it all there safely. And quickly, too: FedEx Ground® is faster to more locations than UPS Ground. You also will get a great price. Packing services start at just $4.99. More |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
