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Jurgen Maerz, master metallurgist and director of technical education for PGI, is at the bench in a series of online videos. New York– In response to increased interest from the industry, the Platinum Guild International (PGI) USA has announced it will expand its technical education courses and resources in 2009, in particular its online instructional videos.Among the newest of offerings is a new PGI-focused channel on the Bench Television Network.
(Full post PGI expands technical offerings in 2009…)

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New York–Pearl powerhouse Mikimoto has been tapped to create the The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, which will be presented to Emmy Award-winning actress Glenn Close on Dec. 5.
(Full post Mikimoto crafts prestigious award for Glenn Close…)

Kodak is challenging Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and related companies over alleged patent infringement. Kodak is claiming technologies used in LG and Samsung camera phones are covered by its patents. Documents filed with the International Trade Commission highlight technologies in the Samsung Blackjack II and LG Dare handsets.

Press Release:

Kodak Takes Action Against Samsung and LG For Patent Infringement

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Nov.

(Full post Kodak challenges Samsung and LG on patents…)

Geneva–A day after the three top diamond lots failed to sell at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, a Christie’s auction in the same city sold only 50 percent by lot.

“Jewels: The Geneva Sale,” held on Thursday in the Swiss city, totaled $22.5 million, with the level of prices falling 20 percent-30 percent below what was realized last spring, according to a release from Christie’s.

Despite difficult economic times, the top lot sold, a 42.28-carat Kashmir sapphire that went for $3.49 million or $82,500 per carat, setting a new world record price for a sapphire sold at auction.

Other lots sold included a Van Cleef and Arpels ring featuring a 22.9-carat rectangular-cut, D-color, potentially internally flawless diamond, purchased by a private European buyer for $2.04 million, and a 63.22-carat rectangular-cut fancy intense yellow diamond ring, which fetched $1.3 million.

Eric Valdieu, senior vice president of Christie’s Switzerland, acknowledged that it is a difficult market, but also noted the record sale price for the sapphire and overall strong bidding.

“Even though the level of prices is 20 to 30 percent below what it was in the spring, there was healthy bidding in the room, resulting in a sale that totaled $22.5 million,” he said.
(Full post Latest Christie’s auction sells 50 percent by lot…)

Panasonic LUMIX G1 price info : Panasonic announced pricing for the world’s first Micro Four Thirds System camera, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1 - available in mid-November for a suggested retail price of $799.95, which includes the Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. kit lens. Also available in November, the Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S. telephoto Micro Four Thirds lens has a suggested retail price in the United States of $349.95.
(Full post Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1 price info…)

Amer Radwan of Radwan Diamond and Jewelry Trading in Dubai paid $6.3 million for the 70.87-carat and 102.11-carat Pohahalo diamonds at a Christie’s auction on Oct. 15. New York–The Ponahalo Diamonds, the two stones cut from a 316.15-carat piece of rough mined in South Africa, sold for more than $6 million at a Christie’s auction held on Oct.
(Full post Ponahalo Diamonds sell for $6.3 million…)

Our new lens review featuring the Pentax smc P-FA 50mm 1:1.4. This is the latest in our on-going series scrutinising the optical credentials of the camera manufacturers’ various "fast fifties", and looks at a lens which has been around since the days of 35mm film. Designed as a fast ’standard’ prime, it’s now being pressed into service as a short portrait telephoto on the APS-C sensor. So how well has it adapted to this new role?
(Full post Just posted! Pentax 50mm F1.4 lens review…)

Portrait- Taiwan. Taken by J.C Wang
(Full post Imagination…)

New York—The World Gold Council (WGC) is asking A-list celebrities to design a gold jewelry item that will be auctioned off to charity.

The initiative, titled “Leaves of Change,” will culminate at a May 2009 gala event in Los Angeles featuring both a live and online auction.

Participating celebrities are being asked to design a gold pendant necklace incorporating a leaf motif.
(Full post A-list to design gold pendants for charity…)

Western Digital’s My Passport Studio portable drives now offer FireWire800 in addition to FireWire400 and USB 2.0 interfaces. Although the drives are formatted for the Mac, and can be hooked up via FireWire800 to the new Apple MacBook Pro, they can be reformatted for PC’s.

(Full post FireWire 800 Added to Western Digital My Passport Studio Drive…)