GIA wants you to understand exactly what you’re buying when shopping for your diamond. As creators of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System™, GIA set the standards for diamond grading and has been helping consumers make educated diamond buying decisions for over 50 years.
Friday, July 31, 2009
World's largest diamond mine
This diamond mine in eastern Siberia (Mirny, to be exact) is so deep that the surrounding "air zone... is closed for helicopters" after "a few accidents when they were 'sucked in' by downward air flow..." Finally, look for the tiny red arrow in the following photograph; it's pointing to a 220-ton rock-hauling truck more than 20' tall. (Thanks to JavaFAQ and Javier Arbona [via Kazys Varnelis] for both the link and photos.) Meanwhile, something altogether different and Jules Vernian is about to occur thanks to some Japanese scientists hoping to drill down into the earth's mantle: "Using a giant drill ship launched [in July 2005], the researchers aim to be the first to punch a hole through the rocky crust that covers our planet and to reach the mantle below." And then, in an oddly Borgesian, or perhaps MC Escherian, moment of nomenclatural mise-en-abîme, "The 57,500-tonne drill ship Chikyu (Japanese for Earth) is being prepared in the southern port of Nagasaki. Two-thirds the length of the Titanic, it is fitted with technology borrowed from the oil industry that will allow it to bore through 7,000 metres of crust below the seabed while floating in 2,500 metres of water – requiring a drill pipe 25 times the height of the Empire State building." For some sense of perspective here, the diamond mine, pictured above, is 1200 meters deep; that means that to reach the mantle, the Japanese will have to produce a drill-hole nearly seven times deeper than the mine (which sounds alarmingly easy, actually – I was expecting to be horrified). In any case, the drill-ship is called *Earth* and it's being drilled down into the earth... The attack of the simulacra begins.[Note: This post originally stated that the mine was in South Africa – but I've corrected myself thanks to the comment, below. And apologize. It is, in fact, in Russia, as this BBC slideshow – which I actually looked at a few days ago without noticing (uh...) – makes clear. This BBC link also inverts the figures I had, so who knows: I had 1200m deep and 500m wide (which I suppose is a bit unlikely); the Beeb says the opposite. If that is the case, however, then that Japanese bore-hole into the earth's mantle will actually be at least *fourteen times* deeper than the Mirny mine...]See also: Mirny Mine, pt. 2 and Bingham Pit, Utah.
Biggest Diamond Heist Suspect Found With Rough Stones
Last week, Milanese authorities found Leonardo Notarbartolo, the man accused of masterminding the world’s biggest diamond heist, in possession of approximately 2.2 pounds of rough, uncut diamonds.
Many of the stolen diamonds were never recovered, and Notarbartolo was detained for driving around with hundreds of diamonds stashed in his BMW, just a few months after being released from prison for the crime.
Case closed? Not so fast.
Due to the slippery nature of rough diamonds — and of Leonardo Notarbartolo himself — the alleged criminal mastermind could walk away scot free, with the confiscated diamonds back in his possession.
Ever the charmer, Notarbartolo claims he purchased the diamonds legitimately for a mere 10,000 euros, as he told Wired’s Joshua Davis last week through an intermediary. (Davis wrote about the heist in March.) On Monday, the alleged jewel thief contacted Davis again to say that the confiscated diamonds are not precious jewels, but rather industrial-grade diamonds used to manufacture cutting tools, which is why he paid only 10,000 euros for the whole pile.
“Notarbartolo is saying, ‘These are my diamonds. I got them legitimately. Give them back.’ And he’s hired a lawyer, Basilio Foti, to advocate for the return of the diamonds,” explained Davis.
Notarbartolo’s defense will likely hinge on the fact that rough, uncut diamonds are nearly impossible to trace. Polished diamonds typically have certified identities that accompany them during transport, and often contain laser-etched logos or certification numbers that are invisible to the naked eye.
A rough diamond, on the other hand, is pretty much a rough diamond. Because they’re soon to be cut and polished, which changes their characteristics, they’re not certified by the industry. “To say with certainty that any rough diamond is the same rough diamond that was in a vault six years go is almost impossible,” explained Davis, who has reported extensively on the diamond trade.
Despite the fact that the vast majority of the diamonds stolen six years ago were in rough form — and that the guy proven to have organized the crime was just found with a big pile of rough diamonds — authorities probably lack sufficient evidence to put Notarbartolo back behind bars, due to the early-untraceable nature of unpolished stones. Most likely, they will be forced to return the jewels to the convicted jewel thief and send him on his merry way.
“I don’t understand the Italian legal system, of course,” explained Davis, “but speaking on purely logical grounds, if you can’t prove that the diamonds are stolen, then you would logically have to give them back.”
In other words, Leonardo Notarbartolo, who famously liberated $120 million in diamonds and cash from a bank so “secure” it didn’t even need live security guards, may finally have found a suitable second act: freeing himself after being caught red-handed, six years later, with hundreds of what could very well be the very same diamonds
Many of the stolen diamonds were never recovered, and Notarbartolo was detained for driving around with hundreds of diamonds stashed in his BMW, just a few months after being released from prison for the crime.
Case closed? Not so fast.
Due to the slippery nature of rough diamonds — and of Leonardo Notarbartolo himself — the alleged criminal mastermind could walk away scot free, with the confiscated diamonds back in his possession.
Ever the charmer, Notarbartolo claims he purchased the diamonds legitimately for a mere 10,000 euros, as he told Wired’s Joshua Davis last week through an intermediary. (Davis wrote about the heist in March.) On Monday, the alleged jewel thief contacted Davis again to say that the confiscated diamonds are not precious jewels, but rather industrial-grade diamonds used to manufacture cutting tools, which is why he paid only 10,000 euros for the whole pile.
“Notarbartolo is saying, ‘These are my diamonds. I got them legitimately. Give them back.’ And he’s hired a lawyer, Basilio Foti, to advocate for the return of the diamonds,” explained Davis.
Notarbartolo’s defense will likely hinge on the fact that rough, uncut diamonds are nearly impossible to trace. Polished diamonds typically have certified identities that accompany them during transport, and often contain laser-etched logos or certification numbers that are invisible to the naked eye.
A rough diamond, on the other hand, is pretty much a rough diamond. Because they’re soon to be cut and polished, which changes their characteristics, they’re not certified by the industry. “To say with certainty that any rough diamond is the same rough diamond that was in a vault six years go is almost impossible,” explained Davis, who has reported extensively on the diamond trade.
Despite the fact that the vast majority of the diamonds stolen six years ago were in rough form — and that the guy proven to have organized the crime was just found with a big pile of rough diamonds — authorities probably lack sufficient evidence to put Notarbartolo back behind bars, due to the early-untraceable nature of unpolished stones. Most likely, they will be forced to return the jewels to the convicted jewel thief and send him on his merry way.
“I don’t understand the Italian legal system, of course,” explained Davis, “but speaking on purely logical grounds, if you can’t prove that the diamonds are stolen, then you would logically have to give them back.”
In other words, Leonardo Notarbartolo, who famously liberated $120 million in diamonds and cash from a bank so “secure” it didn’t even need live security guards, may finally have found a suitable second act: freeing himself after being caught red-handed, six years later, with hundreds of what could very well be the very same diamonds
£15m frenzy as miners discover world's biggest diamond
It may be a bit large for some people's tastes, but the Millenium Star certainly would make a noticeable solitaire if one were so inclinedRead mORE
£15m frenzy as miners discover world's biggest diamondIt might not be as big as the Ritz, but they say it's the size of a coconut.
The world's biggest diamond, weighing an astonishing 6,000 carats or 42oz, has reportedly been discovered in a South African mine.
That would make it twice as big as the previous record holder for a rough, gem-quality diamond, the 3,106-carat Cullinan found in 1905 near Pretoria.
Scroll down for more ...
A photo of the uncut diamond, shown next to a mobile phone to illustrate its size
Dealers were preparing for a bidding war yesterday and speculating that the monster rock could be worth as much as £15million.
Its ultimate value will depend on how clear it is and how many flaws it contains, such as cracks, gas bubbles or carbon marks.
The super gem is said to have been discovered in North West province and to be on its way to the country's most heavily-guarded and secure unit at the South African Diamond Board centre in Johannesburg.
Dealer Chris Smit said up to half the rock could be lost when it was 'cleaned up'.
During the process, hundreds or even thousands of smaller diamonds would be created which would all have extra value because of their association with the larger gem.
The Cullinan Diamond was given to Edward VII before it was cut into smaller rocks including the 530-carat Great Star of Africa, which is mounted in the Sceptre with the Cross and is kept in the Tower of London.
Scroll down for more ...
The Millenium Star, shown here, is the world's second biggest flaweless diamond, weighing 203 carats. The newly-discovered stone could produce an even larger gemRead more:
The world's biggest diamond, weighing an astonishing 6,000 carats or 42oz, has reportedly been discovered in a South African mine.
That would make it twice as big as the previous record holder for a rough, gem-quality diamond, the 3,106-carat Cullinan found in 1905 near Pretoria.
Scroll down for more ...
A photo of the uncut diamond, shown next to a mobile phone to illustrate its size
Dealers were preparing for a bidding war yesterday and speculating that the monster rock could be worth as much as £15million.
Its ultimate value will depend on how clear it is and how many flaws it contains, such as cracks, gas bubbles or carbon marks.
The super gem is said to have been discovered in North West province and to be on its way to the country's most heavily-guarded and secure unit at the South African Diamond Board centre in Johannesburg.
Dealer Chris Smit said up to half the rock could be lost when it was 'cleaned up'.
During the process, hundreds or even thousands of smaller diamonds would be created which would all have extra value because of their association with the larger gem.
The Cullinan Diamond was given to Edward VII before it was cut into smaller rocks including the 530-carat Great Star of Africa, which is mounted in the Sceptre with the Cross and is kept in the Tower of London.
Scroll down for more ...
The Millenium Star, shown here, is the world's second biggest flaweless diamond, weighing 203 carats. The newly-discovered stone could produce an even larger gemRead more:
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Rambus
Rambus Incorporated (NASDAQ: RMBS), founded in 1990, is a provider of high-speed interface technology. The company became particularly well known for its aggressive intellectual property based litigation practices following the introduction of DDR-SDRAM memory.Rambus, a California company, was incorporated in 1990 and re-incorporated in Delaware in 1997. The company was listed on NASDAQ in 1997 under the code RMBS. As of February 2006, Rambus derived the majority of its annual revenue by licensing patents for chip interfaces to its customers.
Companies such as AMD, Elpida, Infineon, Intel, Matsushita, NECEL, Qimonda, Renesas, Sony, and Toshiba have taken licenses to Rambus patents for use in their own products.[1]
Rambus' share price has ranged between a high of nearly $150 in 2000 to a low of approxmiately $3 in 2002 with a 4:1 split on June 15, 2000The first PC motherboards with support for RDRAM debuted in 1999. They supported PC800 RDRAM, which operated at 400 MHz but presented data on both rise and fall of clock cycle resulting in effectively 800 MHz, and delivered 1600 MB/s of bandwidth over a 16-bit bus using a 184-pin RIMM form factor. This was significantly faster than the previous standard, PC133 SDRAM, which operated at 133 MHz and delivered 1066 MB/s of bandwidth over a 64-bit bus using a 168-pin DIMM form factor.
Some downsides of RDRAM technology, however, included significantly increased latency, heat output, manufacturing complexity, and cost. PC800 RDRAM operated with a latency of 45 ns, compared to only 7.5 ns for PC133 SDRAM. RDRAM memory chips also put out significantly more heat than SDRAM chips, necessitating heatsinks on all RIMM devices. RDRAM also includes a memory controller on each memory chip, significantly increasing manufacturing complexity compared to SDRAM, which used a single memory controller located on the northbridge chipset. RDRAM was also two to three times the price of PC133 SDRAM due to manufacturing costs, license fees and other market factors. DDR SDRAM, introduced in 2000, operated at an effective clockspeed of 266 MHz and delivered 2100 MB/s over a 64-bit bus using a 184-pin DIMM form factor.
With the introduction of the i840 chipset, Intel added support for dual-channel PC800 RDRAM, doubling bandwidth to 3200 MB/s by increasing the bus width to 32-bit. This was followed in 2002 by the i850E chipset, which introduced PC1066 RDRAM, increasing total dual-channel bandwidth to 4200 MB/s. Also in 2002, Intel released the E7205 Granite Bay chipset, which introduced dual-channel DDR support for a total bandwidth of 4200 MB/s, but at a much lower latency than competing RDRAM. In 2003, Intel released the i875P chipset, and along with it dual-channel DDR400. With a total bandwidth of 6400 MB/s, it marked the end of RDRAM as a technology with competitive performance.
Rambus survived the obsolescence of RDRAM and moved to support DDR and DDR2 in the area of video card technology and in particular, PCI-E.[citation needed] Rambus also developed and licensed its XDR RAM technology
Companies such as AMD, Elpida, Infineon, Intel, Matsushita, NECEL, Qimonda, Renesas, Sony, and Toshiba have taken licenses to Rambus patents for use in their own products.[1]
Rambus' share price has ranged between a high of nearly $150 in 2000 to a low of approxmiately $3 in 2002 with a 4:1 split on June 15, 2000The first PC motherboards with support for RDRAM debuted in 1999. They supported PC800 RDRAM, which operated at 400 MHz but presented data on both rise and fall of clock cycle resulting in effectively 800 MHz, and delivered 1600 MB/s of bandwidth over a 16-bit bus using a 184-pin RIMM form factor. This was significantly faster than the previous standard, PC133 SDRAM, which operated at 133 MHz and delivered 1066 MB/s of bandwidth over a 64-bit bus using a 168-pin DIMM form factor.
Some downsides of RDRAM technology, however, included significantly increased latency, heat output, manufacturing complexity, and cost. PC800 RDRAM operated with a latency of 45 ns, compared to only 7.5 ns for PC133 SDRAM. RDRAM memory chips also put out significantly more heat than SDRAM chips, necessitating heatsinks on all RIMM devices. RDRAM also includes a memory controller on each memory chip, significantly increasing manufacturing complexity compared to SDRAM, which used a single memory controller located on the northbridge chipset. RDRAM was also two to three times the price of PC133 SDRAM due to manufacturing costs, license fees and other market factors. DDR SDRAM, introduced in 2000, operated at an effective clockspeed of 266 MHz and delivered 2100 MB/s over a 64-bit bus using a 184-pin DIMM form factor.
With the introduction of the i840 chipset, Intel added support for dual-channel PC800 RDRAM, doubling bandwidth to 3200 MB/s by increasing the bus width to 32-bit. This was followed in 2002 by the i850E chipset, which introduced PC1066 RDRAM, increasing total dual-channel bandwidth to 4200 MB/s. Also in 2002, Intel released the E7205 Granite Bay chipset, which introduced dual-channel DDR support for a total bandwidth of 4200 MB/s, but at a much lower latency than competing RDRAM. In 2003, Intel released the i875P chipset, and along with it dual-channel DDR400. With a total bandwidth of 6400 MB/s, it marked the end of RDRAM as a technology with competitive performance.
Rambus survived the obsolescence of RDRAM and moved to support DDR and DDR2 in the area of video card technology and in particular, PCI-E.[citation needed] Rambus also developed and licensed its XDR RAM technology
D T K COMPUTERS
Cuatro 9434-A Cuatro 9434
Cuatro 9230
Cuatro 8510
Cuatro 9230
Cuatro 8510DTK's participation in the region's premier IT exhibition is in line with the company's market consolidation strategy, and its wide product showcase at the event is expected to attract major response from the thousands of trade visitors. Nimer Al Attal, Managing Director, DTK Computer Middle East, said,
'Our participation in GITEX this year will be marked by the diversity of our product showcase, underlining DTK's commitment to offer high performance products that address various consumer requirements. Our navigation device, our latest notebooks, servers and desktops, are certain to create a buzz at this edition of the region's premier IT exhibition.'The DTK notebooks that will be on display at the company's stand at GITEX include, First time showing of MiBook S50, MiBook S55, MiBook Z20. MiBook series notebooks come with Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology supporting Intel Merom 800 FSB Core2 Due processors. Models like the Z20 comes with fingerprint securty feature and card reader and a 1.3 mega pixel web camera. Presto X56 notebooks come with AMD Turion X2 Dual Core high perforamce proceesors, HyperTransport technology, and 'Cool n Quiet' technology. The range of DTK desktops that will be showcased at the show include Cuatro 9630, Cuatro 9730, Cuatro 9511, Cruiser 5015 and Crusier 620. The Cuatro series supports Intel lates Processors the Core 2 Duo and Core2 Quad, , and is known for its high performance and reliability. The Cruiser series on the other hand, supports AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processors and features HyperTransport technology, 'Cool n Quiet' technology and 8 GB dual channel DDR II. A highlight for DTK this GITEX will be its recently launched u-Drive 3500 GPS navigator. It comes with a built-in internal antenna, 3.5' TFT LCD touch panel, 64 MB SDRAM, 1W internal speaker with 3.5mm stereo earphone jack and rechargeable battery. Other features of the navigator include separated navigation and map view, 3D visualisation, lane information, satellite images, speech recognition, more intuitive workflow, memory optimisation, real-time tracking and online messaging. Addressing the needs of the gaming market, DTK will display its Racer X Gaming Station, which has a futuristically-designed outer cover to give it a sporty look and feel. The machine's high-performance specifications including the AMD powered FX processor and Intel Core2 Extreme provides the ultimate experience to gaming enthusiasts. DTK is also aiming for a comprehensive showcase of its range of Intel based servers - Vistapro 6220, Vistapro 6150 and Cosmos 5100 - and AMD Advantage 5250, Advantage 6250 and Advantage 2100E designed to meet the growing demands of high-powered computing environments. These rack-optimised servers afford quality, balanced performance and systems management capabilities for enterprise workloads in a compact, scalable design. DTK's other products that will be on display at the event include the, Grafika 8650 workstation and the Maestro III all-in-one 17' and 19' LCD PC, which is a PC, home theatre, TV, MP3, VCD and DVD player, all rolled into one.
'Our participation in GITEX this year will be marked by the diversity of our product showcase, underlining DTK's commitment to offer high performance products that address various consumer requirements. Our navigation device, our latest notebooks, servers and desktops, are certain to create a buzz at this edition of the region's premier IT exhibition.'The DTK notebooks that will be on display at the company's stand at GITEX include, First time showing of MiBook S50, MiBook S55, MiBook Z20. MiBook series notebooks come with Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology supporting Intel Merom 800 FSB Core2 Due processors. Models like the Z20 comes with fingerprint securty feature and card reader and a 1.3 mega pixel web camera. Presto X56 notebooks come with AMD Turion X2 Dual Core high perforamce proceesors, HyperTransport technology, and 'Cool n Quiet' technology. The range of DTK desktops that will be showcased at the show include Cuatro 9630, Cuatro 9730, Cuatro 9511, Cruiser 5015 and Crusier 620. The Cuatro series supports Intel lates Processors the Core 2 Duo and Core2 Quad, , and is known for its high performance and reliability. The Cruiser series on the other hand, supports AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processors and features HyperTransport technology, 'Cool n Quiet' technology and 8 GB dual channel DDR II. A highlight for DTK this GITEX will be its recently launched u-Drive 3500 GPS navigator. It comes with a built-in internal antenna, 3.5' TFT LCD touch panel, 64 MB SDRAM, 1W internal speaker with 3.5mm stereo earphone jack and rechargeable battery. Other features of the navigator include separated navigation and map view, 3D visualisation, lane information, satellite images, speech recognition, more intuitive workflow, memory optimisation, real-time tracking and online messaging. Addressing the needs of the gaming market, DTK will display its Racer X Gaming Station, which has a futuristically-designed outer cover to give it a sporty look and feel. The machine's high-performance specifications including the AMD powered FX processor and Intel Core2 Extreme provides the ultimate experience to gaming enthusiasts. DTK is also aiming for a comprehensive showcase of its range of Intel based servers - Vistapro 6220, Vistapro 6150 and Cosmos 5100 - and AMD Advantage 5250, Advantage 6250 and Advantage 2100E designed to meet the growing demands of high-powered computing environments. These rack-optimised servers afford quality, balanced performance and systems management capabilities for enterprise workloads in a compact, scalable design. DTK's other products that will be on display at the event include the, Grafika 8650 workstation and the Maestro III all-in-one 17' and 19' LCD PC, which is a PC, home theatre, TV, MP3, VCD and DVD player, all rolled into one.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Motion-Based Gaming on the Horizon for Xbox
After curling up in the fetal position and taking a thorough ass-kicking from Wii for a while, Microsoft has opened its eyes to make sure it was clear, pulled itself up, hobbled battered and bruised back to the proverbial drawing board, and taken solace in the old maxim that starts off by admitting defeat then advocates mimicking the competition. In other words, they’ve announced a new package of body motion-based hardware at E3.
Altec Lansing’s Expressionist Plus Speakers, With ‘Woofer
Consider yourself blessed if you can’t tell the difference between low-end speakers and Bose or Bang & Olufsen, because this sexy Altec Lansing setup will only cost you $100. The Expressionist Plus includes a pair of 2-inch, 4-watt speakers with adjustible bases for directing the sound, plus a 5.25-inch, 20-watt desktop subwoofer that can be stashed virtually anywhere. An auxiliary in jack makes it easy to connect iPods or other portable players in case the party tires of your music collection. As for sound quality, you’d have to hear it to be the judge, but if looks and price were everything, we’d call this system a keeper. [via Altec Lansing]
Toshiba Makes More NAND Flash, For Apple?
There comes a point where the sheer volume of rumors on a particular subject makes a story difficult to deny, and we’re at that point with Apple’s rumored tablet computer. The latest holds that Toshiba is ramping up NAND flash production to 90 percent of capacity, fueling speculation that the company is dealing with a massive Apple order. Earlier, CNet had reported that Toshiba inked a $500 million deal to supply flash memory to Apple. Of course, Apple has said that it’s dealing with heavy demand for the iPhone 3GS, so maybe this tablet speculation is far-fetched, but given everything else we’ve heard, there’s got to be something new on the way. [DigiTimes via Toshiba]
The Orb Bluetooth Headset You Can Wear on Your Finger
Three quarters of the way through reading about the Orb, we still swore it was a concept. But from the information available, it appears that it’s actually scheduled for sale early next year. The innovative, sleek Bluetooth is hidden within a ring that you can wear around like any other jewelry. When it’s time to make a call, slip it off, twist it and stick it onto your ear for a fully functional Bluetooth headset. Even when it’s on the ear, it blends seamlessly, looking as unassuming as an earring. The deluxe version includes an FOLED display that shows caller ID, calendar information and voice-to-text. A variety of sizes will be available so even the chubbiest sausages can serve host to an Orb. Deluxe edition will be available in January for $175 and regular version minus FOLED display will be $129. [via DVICE] Continue ReadingCreative Zii Egg Ready for Developers, Decidedly Rectangular
We’re not marketing gurus, but if Creative were to approach us pitching their “Zii Plaszma” “StemCell Computing Platform to Innovate and Profit,” I’d probably tell that company to come back when they’ve got a real product. But tell us about the Creative Zii Egg’s front and rear-facing cameras, 10-point touch screen, HD playback with 1080p output, OpenGL ES support and full SD card slot alongside a 32 GB drive, and now we’re talking. To be clear, the Zii Egg isn’t a portable media player or a phone, yet. It’s just a hybrid Android/proprietary platform for developers, whom Creative is soliciting now. If the Zii Egg can turn into something more tangible, with all the specs listed above, we’ll go ahead and buy into that StemCell Plaszma hootenanny. [Zii via Engadget]
Glimpse of the New Nissan Electric
Working toward its goal of becoming a leader in zero-emission vehicles, Nissan showed off its new electric four-door hatch today. The car gets 100 miles per charge and will be officially unveiled on Sunday. The car operates via a 24-Kilowatt lithium ion battery that is stored under the floor. The Nissan electric motor powers up to 80 kilowatts (107 hp) and pushes the four-door to around an 87 MPH top speed. A unique feature of the vehicle is something that Nissan calls “EV-IT”, which works with the car’s navigation system to show the driver how much range that he has with the current amount of charge, determine if the car is within range of pre-set destinations like home or work and provide information about charging stations within driving range. The system can also be configured to provide information on the vehicle’s charging status remotely, via cell phone or Internet. Nissan is planning on introducing an EV in Japan and the US next year, but currently there’s no indication of how much it will cost. [via Wired]
2. $160,000 – Chateau Lafite 1787
The 1787 Chateau Lafite isn’t prized for its flavor. In fact, it’s not even drinkable. But a bottle of the vinegar nevertheless fetched $160,000 in a London auction because of the initials etched into the glass. Th.J. Its rumored owner, once president Thomas Jefferson, is said to have bought the bottle overseas while serving as ambassador to France.3. $114,614 – 1945 Château Mouton-Rothschild
Hailed as a “true miracle” in winemaking, the 1945 Mouton-Rothschild was harvested in ideal climate conditions and perfectly bottled a deep, blackcurrant flavor that’s astoundingly concentrated. An anonymous buyer snatched up a Jeroboam for 114,614 at a Christie’s auction in 1997.
4. $80,000 – 1992 Screaming Eagle
Purple-colored at the rim, the 1992 Screaming Eagle is one of Napa Valley’s most buzzed-about wines. The cabernet is intense, rich and creamy with elegant fruity flavors that linger in the mouth.
5. $43,500 – 1775 Sherry from Massandra Collection
Bottled in the Crimea and prized by Russian Czars, the oldest Western European sherry was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2001. The most rare bottles of the sherry bear an imperial seal.
A wine so legendary it’s name has become a subtle joke so pervasive it was uttered by the animated mouse in “Ratatouille,” the 1947 Cheval Blanc is co
Only 160 cases of the 1951 Grange were produced by famed Australian winemaker Max Schubert, who wanted to make a red to rival those he observed while studying in Bordeaux. The wine experiment was corked in whatever bottle Schubert could find, simply labeled and is now one of the most prized Australian wines.
7. $33,781 – 1947 Cheval Blanc
A wine so legendary it’s name has become a subtle joke so pervasive it was uttered by the animated mouse in “Ratatouille,” the 1947 Cheval Blanc is considered a “happy accident of nature,” and is likely the most celebrated wine in the 20th century. The wine has a notoriously thick consistency, smells of leather, coffee and chocolate and tastes of sweet fruit.
8. $23,929 – 1978 Montrachet Domaine de la Romanée Conti
Among the most expensive bottles of wine ever sold in America, a seven-bottle lot of 1978 Montrachet Domaine was bought at auction for $167,500 — $23,929 per bottle. The chardonnay is bright and lively and said to taste of honey and grilled almonds.
9. $20,145 – 1934 DRC Romanée Conti
A burgundy with “sensational” aromatics, tasters have been overwhelmed by this wine’s bouquet. Wisps of menthol blend with the scent of “sexy sausage” and the wine’s reportedly perfect pinot texture.
10. $24,675 – 1941 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
10. $24,675 – 1941 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Citing its dark, deep and “vibrant” flavors, Wine Spectator in 2001 lauded Inglenook’s 1941 cabernet sauvignon, a batch considered by many the best ever produced in Napa Valley.
10 Bottles Of Wine You Can’t Afford To Uncork
No liquid beyond water is more storied than wine. It’s the subject of literature and art, legend and myth. Good batches are part science: climate, grape genetics, yeast growth, water impurities and otherwise. The best wines are an almost indefinable art, an essence, feeling or quality that many try to bottle, but few ever uncork. To celebrate those wines that have become legendary to collectors around the world, here are the 10 most expensive bottles of wine in the world.
Which painting is your favorite?
Of these top 15, you’ve seen Vincent Van Gogh mentioned quite a bit. Van Gogh leads this list with $418.1 million worth of art, followed by Pablo Picasso with $389.6 million. Note also that Gustav Klimt’s painting Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I should have placed twice on this list, as a second version painted by Klimt also sold for $94 million. In the interest of completeness, we excluded the second version.
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Thanks for reading, StyleCravers, Diggers, Stumblers and otherwise. What do you think about this list? Do you think these paintings merit these prices? Let us know in the comments, and let us know which painting is your favorite from this list.
Which painting is your favorite?
digg
The_15_Most_Expensive_Paintings_in_the_World_w_pics';
Thanks for reading, StyleCravers, Diggers, Stumblers and otherwise. What do you think about this list? Do you think these paintings merit these prices? Let us know in the comments, and let us know which painting is your favorite from this list.
Which painting is your favorite?
Which painting is your favorite?
Of these top 15, you’ve seen Vincent Van Gogh mentioned quite a bit. Van Gogh leads this list with $418.1 million worth of art, followed by Pablo Picasso with $389.6 million. Note also that Gustav Klimt’s painting Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I should have placed twice on this list, as a second version painted by Klimt also sold for $94 million. In the interest of completeness, we excluded the second version.
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/arts_culture/The_15_Most_Expensive_Paintings_in_the_World_w_pics';
Thanks for reading, StyleCravers, Diggers, Stumblers and otherwise. What do you think about this list? Do you think these paintings merit these prices? Let us know in the comments, and let us know which painting is your favorite from this list.
Which painting is your favorite?
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/arts_culture/The_15_Most_Expensive_Paintings_in_the_World_w_pics';
Thanks for reading, StyleCravers, Diggers, Stumblers and otherwise. What do you think about this list? Do you think these paintings merit these prices? Let us know in the comments, and let us know which painting is your favorite from this list.
Which painting is your favorite?
Number One: No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock’s 1948 painting entitled No. 5 1948 was arguably his greatest masterwork, the most vivid expression of the painter’s unique style. When it was sold by David Geffen in 2006, it became the world’s most expensive painting in history at a price-adjusted $149.70 million dollars.Artist: Jackson Pollock
Year: 1948
Year of Sale: 2006
Sale Price: $140 million
Currency Adjusted: $149.70 million
Once the world’s most expensive painting, Gustav Klimt’s portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer took three years to create in oil and gold. The painting was c
This, the second most-expensive painting in the world was among the collection sold by David Geffen in 2006. Woman III by Willem de Kooning was among six painted by the artist between 1951 and 1953, with this version ending up at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art– where it would be later hid from the public due to its inadherence to the government’s rules of morality.Artist: Willem de Kooning
Year: 1953
Year of Sale: 2006
Sale Price: $137.5 million
Currency Adjusted: $147 million
Number Three: Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt
Once the world’s most expensive painting, Gustav Klimt’s portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer took three years to create in oil and gold. The painting was commissioned by a Swiss sugar magnate, a fan of Klimt and the husband of the painting’s subject.Artist: Gustav Klimt
Year: 1907
Year of Sale: 2006
Sale Price: $135 million
Currency Adjusted: $144.4 million
Number Four: Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent Van Gogh
This and the last painting were at one point the two most expensive paintings in the world, sold together to Ryoei Saito in 1990. This would become Van Gogh’s most expensive painting to date, selling for an impressive $82.5 million ($136.1 million today).Artist: Vincent Van Gogh
Year: 1890
Year of Sale: 1990
Sale Price: $82.5 million
Currency Adjusted: $136.1 million
Number Five: Bal au moulin de la Galette, Montmartre by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Renoir’s sole entry in the top 15 most expensive paintings is his work Bal au moulin de la Galette. This painting was sold in 1990 to Ryoei Saito, the chairman of a Japanese paper company and a collector of fine art.Artist: Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Year: 1876
Year of Sale: 1990
Sale Price: $78.1 million
Currency Adjusted: $128.8 million
Number Six: Garçon à la pipe by Pablo Picasso
The “boy at the pipe” is Picasso’s most highly priced painting on this list, having sold for $104.2 million in 2004 (currency adjusted to $118.9 million). The boy in the painting was among the community of entertainers living in the Montmartre section of Paris, many of which were the subjects of Picasso’s red period.Artist: Pablo Picasso
Year: 1905
Year of Sale: 2004
Sale Price: $104.2 million
Currency Adjusted: $118.9 million
Number Eight: Dora Maar au Chat by Pablo Picasso
One of Picasso’s greatest works was a portrait of his then-mistress Dora Maar. Miss Maar was 29-years-old at the time, 26 years younger than Picasso. The subject was seated with a black cat perched on her shoulder.
Artist: Pablo Picasso
Year: 1941
Year of Sale: 2006
Sale Price: $95.2 million
Currency Adjusted: $101.8 million
Artist: Pablo Picasso
Year: 1941
Year of Sale: 2006
Sale Price: $95.2 million
Currency Adjusted: $101.8 million
Number Nine: Portrait de l’artiste sans barbe by Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh’s beardless self-portrait shows the artist hiding something– namely a nasty, Absinthe-fueled shaving accident. In the year of this portrait, Van Gogh cut off part of his ear amidst a bout of severe depression that would later lead to his suicide.
Number Ten: Massacre of the Innocents by Peter Paul Rubens
Peter Paul Rubens’ Massacre of the Innocents is both the earliest work on this list as well as its only religious-inspired painting. Painted in 1611, Massacre represents a scene from the Bible’s Gospel According to Matthew.Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
Year: 1611
Year of Sale: 2002
Sale Price: $76.7 million
Currency Adjusted: $91.9 million
Number Eleven: Triptych by Francis Bacon
As one of the premier artists of the surrealist period, Irish painter Francis Bacon explored the tri-panel format of painting called the Triptych. His work of the same name is the most recent sale on this list, going for $86.3 million.Artist: Francis Bacon
Year: 1976
Year of Sale: 2008
Sale Price: $86.3 million
Currency Adjusted: $86.3 million
Number Twelve: Les Noces de Pierrette by Pablo Picasso
Picasso’s Les Noces de Pierrette is among the artist’s blue period, including some of his most famous works. At the time, Picasso was facing poverty and the loss of a close friend who had recently committed suicide. It was works like this that would prove cathartic for the artist- and lead him to wealth later in life.Artist: Pablo Picasso
Year: 1905
Year of Sale: 1989
Sale Price: $49.3 million
Currency Adjusted: $85.7 million
Number Thirteen: False Start by Jasper Johns
The lone contemporary piece in the top 15 was among a large collection of art sold by media mogul David Geffen in 2006. If you’re like us, you might just be scratching your head about the pricetag on this one…Artist: Jasper Johns
Year: 1959
Year of Sale: 2006
Sale Price: $80 million
Currency Adjusted: $85.6 million
Number Fourteen: A Wheatfield with Cypresses by Vincent Van Gogh
One of two Van Gogh landscapes in the top 15 is A Wheatfield by Cypresses, an idyllic nature scene with the artist’s signature swirling skies. Wheatfield was owned by philanthropist/diplomat Walter Annenberg until his death in 2002, and is now a part of his estate.Artist: Vincent Van Gogh
Year: 1889
Year of Sale: 1993
Sale Price: $57 million
Currency Adjusted: $85.1 million
Number Fifteen: Yo, Picasso by Pablo Picasso
Picasso’s 1901 self-portrait may not be his most instantly recognizable, but it certainly did capture a hefty price on the fine art market. Long before Picasso began experimenting with cubism and surrealism, his early oil works were equally as stunning. An interesting anecdote about Picasso– his full name is “Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Martyr Patricio Clito Ruíz y Picasso”. No joke.Artist: Pablo Picasso
Year: 1901
Year of Sale: 1989
Sale Price: $47.85 million
Currency Adjusted: $83.2 million
The 15 Most Expensive Paintings in the World
In 2006, media mogul David Geffen sold Jackson Pollock’s masterwork, No. 5 1948, for $140 million. This made Pollock’s work the most expensive painting in modern history, leading a list of the world’s most highly acclaimed artists. From Pollock to Picasso, Renoir to Van Gogh, famouse fine art fetches an other-wordly price on today’s market. In celebration of their masterworks and the riches now behind them, here is a list of the 15 most expensive paintings in the world.
To round out this list, we’ve arranged these paintings by an adjusted price in 2008 dollars. The U.S. dollar has inflated quite a bit since 1987, when Van Gogh’s Irises sold for $53.9 million. Today, that $53.9 million is worth roughly $102.3 million.
LET WATCH THE PICS IN POST
To round out this list, we’ve arranged these paintings by an adjusted price in 2008 dollars. The U.S. dollar has inflated quite a bit since 1987, when Van Gogh’s Irises sold for $53.9 million. Today, that $53.9 million is worth roughly $102.3 million.
LET WATCH THE PICS IN POST
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