2013-01-26

千件玉雕精品亮相莆田

千件玉雕精品亮相莆田

“镇展之宝”《中华宝鼎》,重达5吨 “镇展之宝”《中华宝鼎》,重达5吨

  N本报记者 黄凌燕 文/图

  本报讯 昨日,为期3天的第二届中国·莆田上塘珠宝玉石雕刻文化艺术展开展,展会上1000多件玉石雕刻作品亮相上塘珠宝城.展会共分为银饰玉器展区、大件寿山石作品等展区.

  一件大型寿山石雕《中华宝鼎》,摆在展厅入口最显眼的位置.记者看到,作品雕刻了巨龙、中华裱、宝鼎、如意等中国元素.工作人员说,这件作品是展会的“镇展之宝”,展示龙腾盛事的局面,作品重达5吨.作品是由莆田本地一位玉石雕新秀和两位工艺美术大师合作完成的,历时3年.

  展会中,还有20件利用仙游特产的“七彩仙石”作为原材料雕刻的作品.而浙江的一家玉石行送来的作品《美好家园》,用整块硕大的上好端溪绿端石精心雕刻而成,作品上雕刻了一群追逐抢食嬉闹的小鸡,还有牵牛花缠绕栅栏,草丛里蝈蝈争斗等田园风光.





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:千件玉雕精品亮相莆田 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

2013-01-25

唐山珠宝玉器检测18%为不合格产品

唐山珠宝玉器检测18%为不合格产品

  从市宝玉石协会宝玉石产品质量监督检验站了解到,一年来,该站对珠宝玉器的检测结果显示,18%为不合格产品,而这些不合格的珠宝玉器多数都有假鉴定证书.

  珠宝商钟某从河南进货时看中了一批玉润色白而且价格便宜的和田玉.以他多年经营和田玉的经验,没发现和田玉的质量有什么问题,但过于便宜的价格又让他有点担心.这时,批发商提供了来自辽宁的鉴定证书,既有证书号,又有照片,他的顾虑烟消云散,觉得可以大赚一笔了,随即进货价值百万元的和田玉.

  回到唐山后,他没把和田玉送到检测站进行复检,而是直接上柜销售.卖出十几件和田玉后,一位消费者发现其所购买和田玉的鉴定证书与网上查询的内容不符,经检测发现,和田玉是岫玉冒充的.钟某将剩余的和田玉送去复检,检测结果显示,都是岫玉冒充的,而且鉴定证书也是假的.钟某对消费者进行了退一赔一,而卖出的那些和田玉也随时会让他陷于退货赔款的窘境.





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:唐山珠宝玉器检测18%为不合格产品 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

龙胜县整治矿山保护鸡血宝玉石

龙胜县整治矿山保护鸡血宝玉石

  平安广西网龙胜讯(通讯员 杨启祥)近年来,龙胜各族自治县三门镇境内的沙岭(地名)矿区发现有“鸡血宝玉石”矿产资源.一些不法之徒见有利可图,于今年1月10日动用挖机等大型机械非法进入该矿区进行爆破、挖掘、哄抢国家所有的矿产,造成了严重的混乱和安全隐患,时刻危及人民群众的生命安全.为了严厉打击违法行为、维护矿山秩序,确保龙胜“鸡血宝玉石”矿产资源依法、有序地开发利用,更好地造福龙胜人民,该县党委、政府高度重视对矿山的整治工作,于2013年1月21日由蒋伟宁副县长挂帅、亲自带队,组织国土资源局、公安局、司法局等部门的执法人员、干警和三门镇政府工作人员及镇派出所、司法所干警共20余人深入矿山实地现场执法,并将非法开采的矿石依法予以查封、没收生产工具,并对开采人进行严肃处置.

  通过这次联合执法,加大了对龙胜“鸡血宝玉石”矿产资源的保护力度,有效打击了违法开采活动,确保了国有矿产资源的安全,消除了安全隐患,保护了国家矿产资源的流失.





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:龙胜县整治矿山保护鸡血宝玉石 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

Qualcomm preps ARM server SoCs

Qualcomm preps ARM server SoCs


SAN JOSE, Calif. – Add Qualcomm to the list of ARM server SoC designers. The smartphone chip designer is advertising at least three software engineering jobs that clearly state its intentions.

Applicants will work on "architecture/design and system prototypes of Qualcomm's new ARMv8-based server SOC ASICs for the power optimized server market," the ads say. "Primary responsibilities include specification, development, porting, integration and shakeout of server platform management software and firmware on prototypes utilizing Qualcomm’s new SOC."

The ARMv8 is a reference to ARM's next-generation 64-bit capable instruction set architecture. The ability to handle 64-bit addresses is key for server processors.

Qualcomm is at least the eighth company now known to be working on ARM server SoCs. Others with announced or known plans include AMD, Applied Micro, Cavium, Calxeda, Marvell, Nvidia and Samsung.

Huawei posted job openings for ARM server engineers last year. However, it was not clear if the company is designing systems, SoCs or both.

The companies known to be preparing ARM server chips generally aim to start shipping 64-bit SoCs in 2014. Calxeda and Marvell are shipping 32-bit SoCs for servers today with limited traction, mainly in prototyping systems for Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Taiwan’s Mitac.

The Qualcomm software jobs appear to be mainly in Raliegh, N.C., although at least one also lists postings in Austin and San Diego, Qualcomm’s headquarters.


Related stories:

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ARM servers: Heavy lifting, big payoffs ahead

ARM backers jump on Facebook bandwagon

Slideshow: Facebook remakes the server

TAG:ARM Server SoCs ARM Servers Qualcomm ARM Servers SoCs AMD Nvidia Calxeda Samsung Huawei

Excess chip inventory set to hurt Q1

Excess chip inventory set to hurt Q1


LONDON – Semiconductor revenue is likely to decline sequentially by 3 percent in the first quarter of 2013 because chip inventory held by semiconductor suppliers reached high levels at the end of 2012, according to market analysis firm IHS.

IHS said that a 3 percent fall in Q1 would come on top of a sequential decline of 0.7 percent in 4Q12.

The market researcher said that the value of stockpiled chips at semiconductor suppliers reached 47.5 percent of revenue in 2Q12 and 49.3 percent of revenue in 3Q12, higher than at any point since the first quarter of 2006. This is the last quarter for which full figures are available.

IHS excludes memory from its measurement of the inventory situation.

The high levels of inventory are due to a reluctance to spend across multiple sectors due to general economic uncertainty. In particular the PC market, the largest user of semiconductors, performed poorly in 2012. High demand was only seen for smartphones and tablet computers, the firm said.

Performance in 2013 will depend on the global economy and consumer confidence. If the global economic forecasts perform according to positive expectations, semiconductor revenue could grow by 4 percent in the second quarter and by 9 percent in the third. However, if confidence sinks due to economic crises it could lead to a continuing oversupply situation and inventory write-downs throughout the year, IHS said.


Related links and articles:

www.isuppli.com

News articles:


Altera's results, forecast disappoint

Penn keeps predicting chip market growth

Semiconductor market upswing seen for 2013



TAG:IHS market analysis inventory chip semiconductor

Qualcomm preps ARM server SoCs

Qualcomm preps ARM server SoCs


SAN JOSE, Calif. – Add Qualcomm to the list of ARM server SoC designers. The smartphone chip designer is advertising at least three software engineering jobs that clearly state its intentions.

Applicants will work on "architecture/design and system prototypes of Qualcomm's new ARMv8-based server SOC ASICs for the power optimized server market," the ads say. "Primary responsibilities include specification, development, porting, integration and shakeout of server platform management software and firmware on prototypes utilizing Qualcomm’s new SOC."

The ARMv8 is a reference to ARM's next-generation 64-bit capable instruction set architecture. The ability to handle 64-bit addresses is key for server processors.

Qualcomm is at least the eighth company now known to be working on ARM server SoCs. Others with announced or known plans include AMD, Applied Micro, Cavium, Calxeda, Marvell, Nvidia and Samsung.

Huawei posted job openings for ARM server engineers last year. However, it was not clear if the company is designing systems, SoCs or both.

The companies known to be preparing ARM server chips generally aim to start shipping 64-bit SoCs in 2014. Calxeda and Marvell are shipping 32-bit SoCs for servers today with limited traction, mainly in prototyping systems for Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Taiwan’s Mitac.

The Qualcomm software jobs appear to be mainly in Raliegh, N.C., although at least one also lists postings in Austin and San Diego, Qualcomm’s headquarters.


Related stories:

Intel leapfrogs ARM (for now) with Atom server SoC

ARM servers: Heavy lifting, big payoffs ahead

ARM backers jump on Facebook bandwagon

Slideshow: Facebook remakes the server

TAG:ARM Server SoCs ARM Servers Qualcomm ARM Servers SoCs AMD Nvidia Calxeda Samsung Huawei

Excess chip inventory set to hurt Q1

Excess chip inventory set to hurt Q1


LONDON – Semiconductor revenue is likely to decline sequentially by 3 percent in the first quarter of 2013 because chip inventory held by semiconductor suppliers reached high levels at the end of 2012, according to market analysis firm IHS.

IHS said that a 3 percent fall in Q1 would come on top of a sequential decline of 0.7 percent in 4Q12.

The market researcher said that the value of stockpiled chips at semiconductor suppliers reached 47.5 percent of revenue in 2Q12 and 49.3 percent of revenue in 3Q12, higher than at any point since the first quarter of 2006. This is the last quarter for which full figures are available.

IHS excludes memory from its measurement of the inventory situation.

The high levels of inventory are due to a reluctance to spend across multiple sectors due to general economic uncertainty. In particular the PC market, the largest user of semiconductors, performed poorly in 2012. High demand was only seen for smartphones and tablet computers, the firm said.

Performance in 2013 will depend on the global economy and consumer confidence. If the global economic forecasts perform according to positive expectations, semiconductor revenue could grow by 4 percent in the second quarter and by 9 percent in the third. However, if confidence sinks due to economic crises it could lead to a continuing oversupply situation and inventory write-downs throughout the year, IHS said.


Related links and articles:

www.isuppli.com

News articles:


Altera's results, forecast disappoint

Penn keeps predicting chip market growth

Semiconductor market upswing seen for 2013



TAG:IHS market analysis inventory chip semiconductor

How HEVC could remake Internet video—or not

How HEVC could remake Internet video—or not

Amazon, Apple, Google or Netflix could reshape the market for high def movies and TV shows over the Internet by adopting the newly minted HEVC codec.

The high efficiency video coding standard, also known as H.265, promises to cut in half the size of an HD movie file or reduce the bandwidth needed to stream it. Imagine what that might mean to a future Apple iTV.

Andrew G. Setos (below) is already thinking about it. The veteran audio-visual engineer and Apple fan said Apple is one of the companies who could make a market with the help of HEVC.

“HEVC needs a patron, a big benefactor,” Setos told me in his Pacific Palisades office. “I would hazard a guess it could be something like iTunes, Amazon or other Internet distributors."

Historically, major advancements in video coding have had a company or product that turned the technology into dollars, Setos noted. DVD makers and satellite TV providers turned MPEG-2 into two huge video industries. The two forces also propelled today’s MPEG 4, Part 10 (aka H.264) with their Blu-ray disks and high def sports via satellite TV.

TAG:High Efficiency Video Coding Andy Setos HEVC H 265 H 264 MPEG Video Amazon Apple Google Netflix

How HEVC could remake Internet video—or not

How HEVC could remake Internet video—or not

Amazon, Apple, Google or Netflix could reshape the market for high def movies and TV shows over the Internet by adopting the newly minted HEVC codec.

The high efficiency video coding standard, also known as H.265, promises to cut in half the size of an HD movie file or reduce the bandwidth needed to stream it. Imagine what that might mean to a future Apple iTV.

Andrew G. Setos (below) is already thinking about it. The veteran audio-visual engineer and Apple fan said Apple is one of the companies who could make a market with the help of HEVC.

“HEVC needs a patron, a big benefactor,” Setos told me in his Pacific Palisades office. “I would hazard a guess it could be something like iTunes, Amazon or other Internet distributors."

Historically, major advancements in video coding have had a company or product that turned the technology into dollars, Setos noted. DVD makers and satellite TV providers turned MPEG-2 into two huge video industries. The two forces also propelled today’s MPEG 4, Part 10 (aka H.264) with their Blu-ray disks and high def sports via satellite TV.

TAG:High Efficiency Video Coding Andy Setos HEVC H 265 H 264 MPEG Video Amazon Apple Google Netflix

探秘梦幻瑰宝月光石

探秘梦幻瑰宝月光石

  月光石一直被认为是月亮神赐给人类的礼物,带着神秘而不可抗拒的力量。月光石表面有点像雾玻璃般的细致、柔和,透光性颇强,由于内部结构中光反射造成夹层 中的钠长石发出诱人的色光,神秘浪漫的光泽,像月光般充满灵气。 传说中,月圆的时候,佩戴月光石能遇到好的情人;可招来美好如月光般的浪漫爱情。因此,月光石被称为“情人石”,也可让男女发掘出自己本身的阴阳两面,取 得平衡。月光石就是友谊和爱情的象征,是送给至爱的最佳礼物。

蒂芙尼月光石项链

  月光石的美丽传说

  传说中,月圆的时候,佩戴月光石能遇到好的情人;可招来美好如月光般的浪漫爱情。因此,月光石被称为“情人石”,也可让男女发掘出自己本身的阴阳两面,取得平衡。月光石就是友谊和爱情的象征,是送给至爱的最佳礼物。

  三百多年前,阿克巴大帝统一印度成就莫卧儿王朝的恢弘壮阔至今为人们津津乐道。堪称印度史诗级巨制的宝莱坞电影《帝国玫瑰》真实还原了十六世纪群雄争霸的别开生面,甚至细微末节均复刻盛世当年,即便帝王皇后的珠宝华服也不例外。不知细心的你有没有发现,剧中阿克巴大帝与他挚爱的珠妲公主佩戴的珠宝有多么 的与众不同,整串宝石排列得错落有致,华丽繁复的造型高贵却不奢丽,最为引人注目的是那些珠宝上宛若月亮光芒凝结的气息,成片成片氤氲着安静神秘的力量,营造出一股神圣不可侵犯的皇家气质。这就是在印度传说中具有月之神力的圣石,来自于瑞士亚达拉山脉的神圣灵物—月光石。它也被称为“情人石”,传说月圆之夜,佩戴月光石能遇到最完美的情人。情人完美与否无从考证,但它的确被认为是送给至爱的最佳礼物。

  月光石,如果你从未见过它,听到如此曼妙浪漫的名字,你一定无法想象这个闺名恰如其分的程度。当光线照射在宝石上,轻轻转动宝石便可在表面产生若隐若现如月光般的晕彩。轻薄如蝉翼的如水寒光惊为天人!啧啧称奇的你此时才会明白,它的名字:Moonstone 月光石,用最恰到好处的方式描述了宝石如何留驻一汪月光的自然之美。 钻石、翡翠、红蓝宝个个系出名门,月光石也不例外。作为七大宝石家族之一的长石族绝对是宝石族谱中声名显赫的名门望族。日光石、拉长石、天河石、月光石均是长石宗祠中的纯粹嫡出。而月光石无论品质抑或性格都毋庸置疑地成为长石家族最引以为傲的优秀子嗣。

  在美国,印第安人视月光石为“神圣的石头”,是结婚十三周年的纪念宝石。对于女孩子而言,长期佩戴月光石可以由内至外改善气质,使得举止优雅,态度从容。

  印度人将月光石当作圣石,而古希腊及罗马人更深信月光石在满月时又其充满强大的力量,据说将月光石以白K金作成戒指最能让其发挥最大能量。月光石也是所有宝石当中最可爱的其中一种,它可以增强的第六灵感。它亦称为“恋人之石”,可使二人幸福,快乐。有许多别称-因可加强预知未来的能力,称为“预言和透视之石”,因可保护出外旅行者,又称为“旅人之石”。

蒂芙尼月光石水母胸针

  月光石梦幻色彩

  为什么只有月光石方有这动人心魄的“ 月光之美”呢?它的秘密全在于它其实具有双重性格。月光石是长石的一种,是钠和钾的铝硅酸盐。是两种成分层状交互的矿物,两种成分层状交互对可见光可以发生散射,以及解理面对光产生干涉或衍射,综合结果可产生月光效应,所以称之为月光石,品位高的月光石具有漂游状蓝光,少数月光石可有猫眼效应。

  月光石有着美丽的银色及淡蓝色晕彩而被人们当作宝石。月光石英文名字为MOONSTONE,直译即月光石。由于它往往呈乳白色,半透明具有淡蓝色 的晕彩,仿佛3月雨后初晴朦胧的月色,故名月光石。几个世纪以来,月光石温柔的晕彩又称冰长石晕彩,它是由正长石内具有的一些微细钠长石双晶片,对光线漫反射产生干涉作用产生的。月光石就是人们喜爱的宝石之一,人们相信它能唤醒心上人温柔的热情,它和珍珠、变石一道同是6月诞生者的幸运石,象征富贵和长寿。同是天蝎座11月3日~11月13日的幸运石。

  月光石在短波紫外线照射下会发出粉色荧光;而在长波紫外线下则没有或者仅有很弱的荧光。在x射线下有蓝色或紫蓝色荧光。在自然界具有月光效应的宝石有很多,但是仅有当长石族矿物具有该效应时才能称为月光石,其他宝石即使有月光效应也不能使用月光石名称。

  原生月光石产于特殊的岩脉和伟晶岩脉中,但是有价值的来自砂矿和风化层中。重要产地:斯里兰卡、印度、缅甸、巴西、马达加斯加、美国、澳大利亚。中国内蒙古也有出产。

宝曼兰朵月光石戒指与耳环

  最美月光石的分类

  你心中最美的那抹月光是哪种颜色?忧郁深邃的蓝色?明快甜蜜的黄色?抑或是纯洁冰莹的白色?不管你爱的是哪一种,你都可以在月光石中找到心中所属。月 光石的底色最常见为无色透明到白色,还有黄色,绿色或者暗褐色,而其上月光晕彩的颜色有可能是青白光彩也有可能是银白色、浅黄色,根据月光石层理构造的长 石矿物不同而有所差异。

  静谧蓝月光,蓝色象征沉稳、理智、准确,氤氲出安静与广阔的气息。透明底色略带蓝色月光晕彩的蓝色月光是月光石中价值最高的品种。

  黄色代表智慧、想象力、创造力、欢乐、柔和。黄色月光石是带有温润且明快的意境,价值仅次于蓝色月光。

  白色是清纯、纯洁、神圣的代名词,总和圣洁的意境息息相关。虽然在月光晕彩的色调中价值不高,却是许多时刻保有美好之心的至善女人心中的最爱。

迪奥月光石指环

  月光石的功效与作用

  1.减肥、安眠、美容,吸引异性能改变人的饮食习惯,达到减肥效果。可助人安然入睡,改善皮肤,有美容功效,亦是爱情石的一种。有助吸引异性。增进情侣双方了解,使感情更加融洽、幸福、快乐。

  2.月光石称:新生宝石,顾名思义,与月亮直觉有密切的联系,月光石在满月时佩带效果最佳,能 提升人们的知觉与超自然力。在情感上,月光石据称具有深层的情感治疗功能,能提高情商,安抚情绪的波动,使内心恢复平静。月光石有助消化系统与生殖系统, 有助于营养吸收,化解毒素,消除流体滞留,缓和皮肤、头发、眼睛以及肝脏、胰腺等肉质器官的退化。它对于处于怀孕、生产、哺乳期间的女性尤其有益。

  3.月光石还能防止梦游。亦称“恋人之石”、月长石、月光石。月光石是因长石晶莹剔透,由于内 部结构中光反射造成夹层中的钠长石发出诱人的色光、闪出淡淡的蓝色,好似幽静夜幕下充满灵气的月光而得名。月光石多为乳白色,半透明具有淡蓝色晕彩,表面 有点象雾玻璃般的细致、柔和,透光性颇强。

  4.据说对癌症的预防有效,也能预防水肿等疾病,并对太阳轮所对应的太阳神经丛起作用,打通太阳轮时会引起疼痛,但却能使人更能看清自己,对女性的内分泌系统有平衡作用可提高生育能力,对生理痛有舒缓的作用,但平常戴就好,真正生理期就不要佩带。

  5.爱情宝石添柔和,缓刚烈,吸引爱情的宝石。散发着浪漫的情调,是定情的最好的信物。能使感情再度交融,吸引伴侣。

  6.清新思维有助于脑部的思考,通灵性,有助于清晰的思维。感受月光的美 。

  7.性格刚烈、暴躁、冲动,做事如拼命三郎型的朋友,应该佩带,以调和个性。

  8.如果有女性朋友个性太过直率,言语、行为、举止常常过于突兀,不合场合、气氛,建议佩带月光石首饰,改善由内而外的气质,以带来从容的举止,与优雅的态度。

  9.将月光石放在枕头底下,可以助人安然入眠,夜夜好梦,得到充分的休息。

  10.柔和的月光石,散发着罗曼蒂克的气氛,是情侣们最好的定情物、交换信物。



TAG:月光石 宝石 情人石 礼物 探秘梦幻瑰宝月光石

雏菊珐琅指环的个性标识

雏菊珐琅指环的个性标识

  罗马神话中,雏菊是森林之神贝尔蒂斯的化身,甜美而不俗,光亮而不奢华。FREYWILLE选用18K黄金,搭配珐琅彩独有的绚丽颜色,以灵动之美展现“雏菊”简单但不失光彩之精髓。纤细的指环任你自由组合,展露别样风情。静中的它是一件精美小巧的珠宝,但与衣服完美搭配之后即成为专属你的个性标识。

(上)纪念百水。街河系列18K金雏菊款戒指;(下)纪念百水.10002夜系列18K金雏菊款戒指
纪念克林姆特 水精灵系列18K金雏菊款戒指

  在FREYWILLE设计师的巧妙设计下,小巧丰满的花球如同向日葵般永远仰望最明亮的地方。手中的戒指像一簇簇五颜六色的花球纷纷绽放,它们彼此依偎,缠绕,任你在手中把玩。

生命欢乐颂 天堂欢乐系列18K金雏菊款戒指
(左)纪念克林姆特。希望系列18K金雏菊款戒指;(中)纪念克林姆特。鲍尔夫人系列18K金雏菊款戒指;(右)纪念克林姆特。水精灵系列18K金雏菊款戒指

  颜色绚丽的艺术风格珍贵珐琅珠宝,18K黄金,维也纳纯手工制造,6款设计均可选购,可单独或任意组合佩戴。



TAG:雏菊 FREYWILLE 指环 戒指 雏菊珐琅指环的个性标识

下岗工人别样人生:连城石雕艺术第一人

下岗工人别样人生:连城石雕艺术第一人

下岗工人李航旭:雕石雕出别样人生 下岗工人李航旭:雕石雕出别样人生

  东南网-海峡导报1月21日讯(记者 吴林增 通讯员 黄水林 李绍炜 文/图)今年44岁的李航旭是一名下岗职工,凭着对艺术的热爱,成为龙岩连城石雕艺术第一人.铁饭碗砸了 他迷恋上了石雕

  李航旭原本有份让人羡慕的工作,是个国企工人,捧着“铁饭碗”.后来,因为国企改制,李航旭下岗了.但他没有对自己失去信心,“铁饭碗没了,不是还有一双‘铁爪’嘛,可以自己创造人生”.

  2006年,李航旭迷上了石头收藏.一有空,他就和藏友们到处去寻找奇石,家中的各个角落都放满了他捡到的石头.

  除了藏石,从小喜欢画画的他还喜欢根雕艺术.他每天上下班都要经过县里的根雕一条街.一次偶然的机会,他在观察师傅雕刻根雕作品时,突然萌发了一个想法:既然木头可以雕刻,家中收藏的那些石头不也可以吗?从此,他迷上了石雕艺术.

  独自练雕刻 终成连城石雕第一人

  为了摸清石雕艺术的门路,李航旭每天都去县内雕刻石碑的店里了解如何在石头上进行雕刻.

  不久,店里的师傅了解他的想法后,非常赞赏,不但耐心向他讲解石雕的基本技艺,还借给了他几件石雕的刀具.

  后来,他又买来电钻,拿着家中的石头独自开始练习雕刻技艺.从最简单的刻字开始,慢慢到小动物的造型.

  李航旭说,石雕需要的是“因材施艺”,一块石头摆着,要经过构思、设计、画图样,反复修改“画活”,再根据原石颜色、柳裂、沙石的变化不断修改创意和造型.

  从开始雕刻创作到现在,李航旭已经创作了五六十件作品.他的那双 “铁爪”,依旧在奋力雕琢下岗后的新生活.





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:下岗工人别样人生:连城石雕艺术第一人 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

Yoshida in Japan: Second-coming of Steve Jobs

Yoshida in Japan: Second-coming of Steve Jobs


Despite my decades of faithful attendance at International CES, it strikes me odd in recent years to see the abundance of white goods--home appliances--at leading CE companies’ booths.

I found myself wondering why we’re suddenly talking about fridges, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Next thing you know, I’ll stumble into the Westinghouse booth and find Betty Furness in pearls and cocktail dress.

As far as I remember, CES was always a show about what was once known as “brown goods”--home entertainment systems--for parties. It was never about the vacuum cleaner you used to clean up after the party.

The transition to digital platforms; emerging format battles over the next-generation optical storage devices; standards for audio and video codecs; wired and wireless home networking technologies; mobile phones and tablets…there was always, and still is, so much to cover.

But beyond those home entertainment systems, we are now suddenly seeing home appliances masquerading as red hot new products at CES.

Why is that?

If you detected a touch of dismay in my tone, you’re right. I’ve been more than a little perplexed to see the 21st century revert to the 1950s. But then, it hit me.

I thought of how Colin Angle (left) and James Dyson (below) are treated in Japan.

These guys are rock stars in the Japanese media. Every high-end magazine in Japan carries an ad by Dyson or iRobot. In each ad, Dyson or Angle--each is a slender, good-looking, casually dressed CEO of his company--struts his job. Close your eyes a little and you might think you’re looking at Steve Jobs.

Beyond the personality factor, there was also ample evidence at CES as to why the once lowly home appliance is staging a comeback.

Scott Ahn, CTO of LG Electronics, talked about “Smart Control,” which allows users to manage appliances with voice commands via smartphone and to monitor LG's appliances from outside the home.

By simply scanning a smartphone with the NFC Tag-on symbol on LG's smart appliances, LG says users can register and control their refrigerator, washing machine, robotic vacuum cleaner or range remotely. Ahn gave the example of controlling a washing cycle on his smartphone. He also talked about the ability to monitor--remotely--how a robotic vacuum cleaner is doing its job.
Next: Home appliances: Playground for the engineer
TAG:Steve Jobs James Dyson Colin Angle iRobot Panasonic Second Coming

桑洋文化玉器研究略考

桑洋文化玉器研究略考

  韩同山

  一、简述桑洋文化玉器提出的依据

  所谓桑洋文化,即为桑干河及洋河区系文化.它地处冀西北的太行山脉和燕山山脉所环卫的大片的串珠状山间盆地,如怀安、万全、阳原、蔚县、涿鹿、怀来等盆地.这些盆地所形成的独特的地理环境、自然条件和地方性小气候,不仅给古生物的繁衍造成了良好的生存环境,而且为古猿向着古人类、现代人类的进化与发展提供了少有的优越条件,使得桑干河流域成为中国原始居民从原始社会形态不断向前发展、进步,并最终进入文明时代的重要区域.

  该地域是我国古代人类文化东西南北纵横并汇的重要舞台.

  从考古发现的泥河湾遗址,到桑干河南岸的小长梁遗址,都是比元谋人更早的我国目前发现最早的旧石器早期人类遗址,距今约250万年左右.中外考古学家在发掘中不断发现的以细石器为主要特征的砍砸器、刮削器、尖状器、雕刻器、石簇等,并一直延续到距今1万年以前的虎头梁遗址等,都有大量的细石器文化发现.在桑干河及洋河流域及其邻近地区的旧石器时代遗址和新石器文化遗址的考古发现充分证明了桑干河及其支流壶流河、洋河流域是中国古人类生态发展和进化上的一个重要区域.它的文化现象不仅对中国,而且对东亚、北亚、北美广大地区的历史发展和文化面貌,都产生了深远的影响.由考古发现表明,这一区域旧石器时代、新石器时期、仰韶或相当于仰韶文化、红山文化、龙山文化、夏家店下层文化及尚未确定的古文化遗址,商周文化乃至汉文化的考古遗址、遗存甚多,且文脉 延续,悠远流长,文化蕴涵明显带有山东、河南、山西、陕西、辽西等地的考古文化因素,但又强烈地呈现出当地自身发展的特点.

  桑洋文化玉器的提出即是中国玉器史上的新概念,也是玉器文化史上的新课题.为了进一步阐明这个问题,笔者以所能收集到的实物资料为依据,从桑洋文化玉器所具有的独特性、工艺及艺术特征、造型特征、文化内涵等方面给予充分的认真细致的考证.

  二、桑洋文化玉器具有的独特性

  桑洋文化玉器的存在和发展将对中国玉器文化史以及中国的文明史和民族史、宗教史、考古史、美学史等产生极其重要的具有历史意义的影响.

  桑洋文化玉器的出现同样是沿着旧石器时期细石文化的脉络而产生、发展、延续而来的.

  就目前笔者所搜集和发现的该流域的部分古玉器制品,进行详细的考证后初步认为,桑洋文化玉器与我国其他地域,如代表南方古玉文化的良渚文化和代表北方古玉文化的红山文化及其他如赵宝沟、河姆渡、马家窑文化玉器等,从玉器的材料、造型特征、社会功能、艺术特征等诸多方面有所不同.该地域的古玉器文化有着自己独特的工艺、造型特征及文化内涵.

  第一,该地域古玉器文化的产生时间早、跨度大、并且具有历史延续性.从旧石器时代简单打制的玉器,到新石器时代早期,距今约1万年左右,出现最初的磨制工艺的玉器如“玉髓羊头像”以及到中早期、距今约8千年左右加工工艺采用了“琢”、“磨”与砣碾相结合及“抛光”等较为先进的治玉工艺,制做的“祖先崇拜玉髓组合头像”,一直到中晚期,加工工艺更为细腻的“女神头像”等,即能说明这一问题.

  第二,就目前笔者和从事此项研究的其他同仁所征集到的古玉器,从所使用的材料来看,多为本地域所特有的一种美石“玉髓”,其颜色可见红、黄、绿、黄褐等多种颜色,其材质是一种非常润美的碧石,属于不透明玛脑类古玉,其莫氏硬度7级.

  第三,桑洋文化玉器,都具有相材施艺;不求形准,多取意似.经夸张变形、抽象组合处理的动物或人物、动物为一体的圆雕造型玉器.其雕刻手法简练古拙,刚劲雄浑,造型颇具“神似”的艺术感染力.

  第四,大多有涂朱渲染的痕迹.这与考古工作者在北京周口店发现的“山顶洞人”的遗迹有某种相近之处,山顶洞人把居住的洞穴分为上下两层,上层为活人的居室,下层是死者的墓地.山顶洞人以小石器、兽骨、鱼骨等作成装饰品,所有装饰品的穿孔,几乎都是红色,他们的穿戴好像都用赤铁矿染过,死者的身上和周围撒有红色的铁矿的粉末.这个重大的发现,在中国宗教史上有极其重要的意义.山顶洞人所撒的红粉应该有着某种“精神”领域的东西,表明红色之中寄寓了某种宗教巫术的性质.

  桑洋文化玉器,很多都有涂朱渲染的迹象,这说明红色粉末和涂朱渲染并不是孤立存在的,它们之间有着某种必然的联系.

  第五,研究桑洋文化玉器,可以从不同角度了解该地区早期的社会结构状况、生产方式、经济结构形式以及祖先崇拜、图腾崇拜等多个方面.它充分反映出我国北方地区多部族的多次融合、兼并及联盟发展壮大的过程.由此为证明一个由狩猎向游牧、农业经济发展的强大的北方民族集团的形成、发展与消融以及中华文明起源与中华民族的形成,提供了宝贵的实物资料.

  三、桑洋文化玉器的工艺及艺术特征

  根据目前研究桑洋文化玉器的同仁们所收集到的古玉器实物分析考证,该区域的古玉器其艺术范式和工艺特征,从旧石器时代晚期、新石器时代早期,距今约1万年左右出现的“玉髓羊头像”到新时器时代中早期距今约8千年左右出现的“祖先崇拜玉髓组合头像”,一直到新石器时代中晚期距今约6千年左右出现的“玉髓女神头像”等其艺术特征都有相同的共性,如相材施艺、不求形准、多取意似、抽象组合,并以“圆雕”造型为主体造型.巧妙用材,寥寥数“刀”便把物件形象刻画得栩栩如生,十分传神.而每个时期的玉器其工艺特点又存在的明显的差异,这是由于制做工艺以及制做工具不断进化而形成的.

  桑洋文化玉器的工艺及艺术特征不同于其他地区.为了详细地说明这一问题,我们以该区域的古玉器“祖先崇拜玉髓组合头像”为例给予进一步的考证.创作者以其独到的慧眼,巧妙用材,把握住物体的造型特点,相材施艺,寥寥数“刀”,把物体形象刻画的栩栩如生,十分传神.使其主体造型为一不求形准,多取意似,经夸张变形,抽象组合处理的玉人头侧面像及神羊头侧面像和神牛头侧面像合为一体的“圆雕”造型玉器.其整体制作,采用“琢”、“磨”,与砣碾相结合及“抛光”的远古治玉工艺.在技术处理上采取了粗琢细磨、起伏打洼、弧底凹纹刻、起砻、洼面、深雕及涂朱渲染等工艺技巧.

  该器型制作艺术特征为抽象与写实紧密结合,雕琢工艺简练古拙,刚劲雄浑,造型尤为古朴“传神”.该玉器颇具古人类祖先治玉文化所体现的粗犷、迭宕、明丽、挺拔、古拙浑厚、雄浑质朴,不以大取胜,而以精巧见长的工艺特征和艺术风格及古朴“神似”的艺术感染力.

  该玉器的工艺及艺术特征具有红山文化玉器的踪影,但又与红山文化玉器不尽相同,其整体造型比红山文化玉器更为古朴原始.从制作工艺上来讲红山文化玉器已采取了原始的切割工艺及钻孔工艺,而该区域的古玉器还没有出现此种工艺技巧.因此,笔者认为,桑洋文化古玉器,从人类的发展史、文明史、工艺史、美学史、民族史、宗教史及治玉史等众多方面综合分析,该区域的古玉器文化的出现及延续应早于红山文化玉器,并对红山文化玉器的产生发展有着深刻的影响,这首开了中国玉器雕刻艺术中对人物、动物头像的“巧雕”及“圆雕”技艺之先河,并对我国玉器史上肖生玉中玉人头像、动物头像的产生与发展情况的研究提供了珍贵的、最早的实物资料.

  四、桑洋文化玉器的造型特征与文化内涵

  玉器是人类文明的第一块基石.也是我们中华民族文化范围内的一个重要组成部分.玉器文化的发展经历了漫长的历史阶段.从它的孕育期距今约1万年至4千年直至玉器成长的鼎盛期,不同区域,其玉器的造型特征,社会功能是不尽相同的.距今7千年至6千年的新乐、赵宝沟、河姆渡、马家窑文化玉器和距今6500年至4500年红山文化玉器及距今5300年至4200年良渚文化玉器.从玉器造型上分析,这一时期玉器的种类非常丰富.概括起来可分为四个系列:以新乐、河姆渡、赵宝沟、马家窑文化玉器为代表.并在这一时期存在最早的“圆曲系”玉器“璧”、“环”、“璜”、“玦”,“直方系”玉器“斧”、“铲”、“锛”、“凿”等,以红山文化玉器为代表,并在这一时期出现的“肖生系”玉器,“玉人物”、“玉禽兽”等;以良渚文化玉器为代表的“圆方合体系”玉器“琮”等.这一时期,玉器造型带有明显的地方特征,并保持着各自的相对稳定性.从玉器的社会功能上分析,这一时期的玉器不仅具有用于生产、生活及美身的工具,用具及佩饰功能,其社会功能更加广泛,在相当大的范围内深刻地反映着部落社会的政治、经济、巫神信仰、祭祀形式、人际尊卑、玉殓葬习俗等广泛的社会生活内函.这时,大部分玉器已脱离了生活功能,而用于祭祀鬼神、殓葬尸体、美化装饰、表示权力及尊卑、充当礼仪用具等功能.尤其是那些有着与石器不同的新器型和装饰的玉器,如良渚文化玉器中象征王权的“钺”,巫觋祀神的“琮”,象征苍穹和货宝的“璧”等为代表的玉器.红山文化玉器中祭祀偶象神物“玉勾龙”,代表等级地位的“玉兽首玦”以及稀少的肖生系中殓尸用的“玉人”、“玉禽兽”等为代表的玉器,更是成了该部落社会中有权势的巫觋、酋长和军事首长等特殊人物不可缺少的生死伴侣,而被完全用于体现权力差别,沟通人与神灵的联系等功能.至此,玉器的神灵化、政治化已初步完成.

  下面,我们对桑洋文化玉器的造型特征及其文化内涵进行考证研究.我们以其典型器物“祖先崇拜玉髓组合头像”为例给予论证.

  该头像是由多种物像经抽象及示意性的简单变形琢为一器的圆雕“肖生系”玉器.仔细观察,它是由两种不同支点方式塑造了三种以上不同状态的物像造型.

  基于第一支点方式,创作者把握住物体的造型特点,巧妙构思,因材施艺,以不求形准,多取意似的艺术处理手法和雄浑刚劲、古拙简练的雕工,寥寥“数刀”雕琢出一栩栩如生,十分传神的人物侧面头像作为器物正面观察的主体造型.在该造型施艺过程中,其眼部作为精雕的部位,以其细腻精微的碾磨及弧线砣碾的技巧和即写实又夸张的艺术处理手法,雕出人类祖先的眼型,从而突出了人物的神韵;对其顶部及发型部位,创作者采用了独具风韵的起伏打洼,多有凹凸的面处理技术,利用光线性能使器物出现光线反差,玉色从而变化莫测,使其披发尤如起伏的波浪,充分展示了人物发式的粗犷飘逸美及其神情威严、深遂的神韵.由该支点方式转过来所呈现的又一物像“神羊头像”.创作者巧妙地利用玉材自身的边、棱、角、坑洼及材料本身的瑕疵,采用了细琢粗磨、粗琢细磨、深雕洼面、起砻、弧线凸起、凹面砣碾等工艺技巧处理方法,巧妙用材,把握住物体即“羊头”的相关特征,将其整面造型“羊头侧面像”刻画得栩栩如生,使该羊头像极富立体感,其造型艺术惟妙惟肖,充分体现了古人类祖先治玉文化所包含的古拙质朴的美学思想和艺术风格.至此第一支点方式的正反两面所呈现的“祖先头像”及“神羊头像”造型,均呈现在眼前.

  基于第二支点方式:正面观察为非常神似的“牛头侧面像”.创作者通过大面积的洼面,砣碾工艺处理,突出了嘴部及面部的艺术效果,充分体现了创作者抽象的艺术表现手法.该支点方式,使人们形象地看到一个“神牛头部侧面像”.该玉器除有涂朱渲染的痕迹外,另有某些造型特征及文化内涵令笔者费解,有待深入的加以考证.

  这种将人面像、神羊及神牛等多种物像,抽象化组合在一起,从而突出主题,人面像的玉器造型,充分展示了这位远古先人创作者,不仅具有高超的艺术表现能力,而且具备非凡的智慧,从而创作出了这深具文化内涵的艺术作品.

  创作者,通过这件艺术品向我们后人揭示了当时是一个以牛、羊为图腾物,且具有祖先崇拜的新石器时代,所形成的原始公社组织.该部族集团组织所崇拜的祖先,是一位具有无比威力和至高无尚权力的统治者,他以崇高的威信率领当时该部族的成员与大自然搏斗,为建立起一个由狩猎向游牧、农业经济发展的北方强大的民族集团的形成立下了不可磨灭的伟大历史功绩,从而深受其后人顶礼膜拜.

  该玉髓头像的出现其意义是深远而重大的.它从不同角度反映了“桑洋文化区”远古时期的社会结构状况,生产方式、经济结构形式,该氏族集团的社会生活习俗及文化的深刻内涵.它对于中国的民族史、宗教史及中华文明的起源之研究均提供了重要的科学依据及宝贵的历史资料.

  显而易见,桑洋文化玉器的出现及演化发展不仅在中国的玉器史上会产生深远而重要的影响,更为重要的是为研究史前我国多个民族集团的形成、发展、消融乃至中华民族的形成是经历了历史上多民族集团的多次融合、兼并及联盟最后才实现了多民族大统一的理论学说提供了珍贵的历史佐证和研究资料.

  五、研究桑洋文化玉器的意义

  通过研究桑洋文化玉器,使我们进一步了解和掌握人类祖先在同大自然的搏斗,从旧石器时代逐步走向新石器时代及文明时代的文化产生、演变、发展脉络.

  它从一个侧面反映了桑洋流域正是中华远古居民始终在此长期聚居、繁衍、发展并且社会进步最快的一个中心区域.也是中国原始居民从原始社会形态不断向前发展,进步并最终进入文明时代的重要区域.

  它的出现说明,在桑干河、洋河流域及其邻近地区的旧石器时代遗址和细石文化遗址中,人类文明史上第一块基石玉器及人类步入文明时期是从这里迈出了第一步,其文脉延续至今构成一个完整的系列.

  研究桑洋文化玉器,对现在正在发掘的泥河湾遗址及对该区域的古人类文明史,以及中华民族的文明史起源及发展都具有重大的现实意义及深远的历史意义.





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:桑洋文化玉器研究略考 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

Yoshida in Japan: Second-coming of Steve Jobs

Yoshida in Japan: Second-coming of Steve Jobs


Despite my decades of faithful attendance at International CES, it strikes me odd in recent years to see the abundance of white goods--home appliances--at leading CE companies’ booths.

I found myself wondering why we’re suddenly talking about fridges, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Next thing you know, I’ll stumble into the Westinghouse booth and find Betty Furness in pearls and cocktail dress.

As far as I remember, CES was always a show about what was once known as “brown goods”--home entertainment systems--for parties. It was never about the vacuum cleaner you used to clean up after the party.

The transition to digital platforms; emerging format battles over the next-generation optical storage devices; standards for audio and video codecs; wired and wireless home networking technologies; mobile phones and tablets…there was always, and still is, so much to cover.

But beyond those home entertainment systems, we are now suddenly seeing home appliances masquerading as red hot new products at CES.

Why is that?

If you detected a touch of dismay in my tone, you’re right. I’ve been more than a little perplexed to see the 21st century revert to the 1950s. But then, it hit me.

I thought of how Colin Angle (left) and James Dyson (below) are treated in Japan.

These guys are rock stars in the Japanese media. Every high-end magazine in Japan carries an ad by Dyson or iRobot. In each ad, Dyson or Angle--each is a slender, good-looking, casually dressed CEO of his company--struts his job. Close your eyes a little and you might think you’re looking at Steve Jobs.

Beyond the personality factor, there was also ample evidence at CES as to why the once lowly home appliance is staging a comeback.

Scott Ahn, CTO of LG Electronics, talked about “Smart Control,” which allows users to manage appliances with voice commands via smartphone and to monitor LG's appliances from outside the home.

By simply scanning a smartphone with the NFC Tag-on symbol on LG's smart appliances, LG says users can register and control their refrigerator, washing machine, robotic vacuum cleaner or range remotely. Ahn gave the example of controlling a washing cycle on his smartphone. He also talked about the ability to monitor--remotely--how a robotic vacuum cleaner is doing its job.
Next: Home appliances: Playground for the engineer
TAG:Steve Jobs James Dyson Colin Angle iRobot Panasonic Second Coming

乘客赶火车遗留放着古玩玉器的包

乘客赶火车遗留放着古玩玉器的包

  无锡铁路派出所16日晚帮旅客找回一只内有贵重物品的包.

  【记者调查】

  昨天一早,吕先生专程给无锡铁路派出所送去锦旗,感谢民警在16日晚上帮他找回价值20多万元的失物.家住山东临沂的吕先生是个古玩收藏爱好者,在朋友的介绍下,几天前来无锡市古玩市场淘宝,花20多万元购得数件古玩玉器.

  16日,满载而归的吕先生准备乘坐1342次列车从无锡回山东.由于行程安排紧,他到达火车站时已是下午6点半,距火车开车仅剩8分钟,吕先生拖着大包小包急急忙忙检票进站.上车后,吕先生整理行李,发现装有玉器的包不见了,而此时火车已开动,于是他拨打了“110”报警.当时是晚上7点20分,无锡铁路派出所民警接到指令后,立即通过对讲机通知各岗位的民警和保安,同时联系了车站客运值班站长,动员客运值班员、保洁员共同帮助寻找.半小时后传来了好消息,有民警在二号候车室的吸烟室里发现了一个与吕先生描述特征相符的背包.民警将包带回值班室,在客运值班员的见证下,打开背包核对检查,包内有古玩玉器若干件、相机两部,身份证、银行卡等物品,与吕先生本人所述完全符合,于是民警与吕先生取得了联系.得知自己的包已找到,吕先生悬着的心放了下来,立刻在南京站下车,换乘列车赶回无锡.晚上8时55分,吕先生赶到无锡站民警值班室,当他看到自己的包和分毫未损的物品时,紧握民警的手,激动不已.(容芊)





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:乘客赶火车遗留放着古玩玉器的包 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

瑞士名表玉器古玩都不在典当喜好收存之列

瑞士名表玉器古玩都不在典当喜好收存之列

  新商报记者 杨旭

  昨天晚上,大连23岁的乔先生和朋友吃饭,不承想这朋友一点都不见外,点了一瓶意大利进口的红酒,正是因这瓶红酒超出了预算,乔先生借口出去上厕所,跑到饭店旁边的典当行,把自己的手机当了1000元钱,约定5天内赎回.“典当行的负责人看到我一点都没意外,他告诉我,最近经常有我这样因为饭局买单钱不够来典当物品的.”

  而与乔先生的待遇不同,市民王先生想拿自己刚得到的奖品手机来“绝当”换钱,却被典当行拒绝了.

  按照几年前的惯例,年底到典当行里卖礼品套现的市民人数会比往年增加不少,但昨日,实际采访中,记者却发现,大连各大典当行里,绝当的业务量非常有限.

  销售渠道受限 典当行不愿接收绝当品

  “除了黄金外,我们民品部几乎没有其它种类的绝当品.”昨日上午,大连易光核典当有限公司民品部负责人孔凡告诉记者,因为处理绝当品风险很高,不但在估价的时候要对行情很有把握外,还需要有比较畅通的销售渠道,但是,现在大连市民对于到典当行里淘价格低的绝当品的意识比南方还差很多,而一旦收到了不好脱手的绝当品,会给典当公司带来很大压力,因此,对于绝当品,典当行在接收时会非常慎重.

  “我们这里也没有数码类和礼品类的民品绝当品,数码产品典当临时应急的倒是不少,不过多数一个月内都会赎回.”大连兴业典当有限责任公司民品部乔瑜告诉记者,“因为典当行要处理绝当品时,必须承担可能出现的销售不畅的风险,所以除了黄金外,给出的作价都不高,对于来绝当的市民也不划算.而我们也更愿意做那些用于临时周转资金的典当生意,而不是那些不再赎回的绝当品,这样可以收取固定的费用.”乔瑜介绍说,对于来典当的市民,典当行的工作人员甚至还劝他们不要绝当.

  此外,一家典当行的负责人透露说,以前他们曾收到过一些市民收到的玉器类礼品,但是,几年下来发现,这类艺术品的市场价格变化太大,一些典当公司在这类绝当品上吃了亏,因此,不少典当行都不愿意接收这样的绝当品.

  5万元新表 因无发票当了不到2万元

  “以前也有人拿朋友送的瑞士名表来典当,虽然市场上的价格要在5万元左右,但是因顾客手中没有购买凭证,绝当价格我们只能给出不到2万元,顾客觉得不划算,也就放弃了绝当.”大连一家从事民品典当的典当行负责人介绍说,“除了黄金不要发票外,我们接受的白金、瑞士名表类绝当品都要发票,否则这样礼品类绝当品的作价可能不到原价的一半.”

  因此,典当行的业内人士也提醒说,市民收到的礼品几乎都没有发票,从这个方面看,以这些数码产品、名表等礼品来典当行进行绝当,并不划算.同样,自己购买的瑞士名表、黄金、白金、钻石等商品,最好保留购买凭证,这样一旦要绝当,也可以得到一个更合理的价格.





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:瑞士名表玉器古玩都不在典当喜好收存之列 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

2013-01-24

8万祖母绿一月现裂纹:买家退货获支持

8万祖母绿一月现裂纹:买家退货获支持

  中新网上海1月23日电 (记者 陈静)杨女士花8万元买来的祖母绿戒指,佩戴一个月之后渐渐出现明显裂纹.杨女士认为上海某珠宝店有明显欺诈之嫌,而该店则认为杨女士在交易时对祖母绿宝石存在裂痕是明知的.

  双方争执不下,杨女士遂诉至法院,要求珠宝店退货并赔偿8万元.上海杨浦区法院今日透露,该院做出判决,上海某珠宝店应为杨女士办理退货.

  2012年3月,杨女士在上海市某珠宝店挑中一枚标价8万元的祖母绿镶嵌戒指.当时店员介绍戒指镶嵌的是天然祖母绿宝石,价廉物美,属收藏级别宝石,并未提到是否有缺陷或经过加工处理.

  在杨女士付款购后,店员在交付戒指的同时还交付鉴定报告,其中注释“局部充填处理”.

  在佩戴该戒指近一个月后,杨女士透过阳光发现祖母绿宝石内存细微裂纹,继续佩戴一段时间后,竟发现祖母绿内的裂纹越来越多,而且非常明显,便将该祖母绿戒指送往第三方检测,检测结果为“曾浸油处理”.据专业人士称,油浸掩盖了祖母绿原有裂纹,待时间一长油脂挥发,裂纹便显现.

  杨女士认为上海某珠宝店存在欺诈,于是前往协商要求退货.而上海某珠宝店则认为,将宝石浸在树脂油和油脂中的做法并不违法,是行业允许的一种优化处理方式.该店称如杨女士加价两万元,可为其更换一颗祖母绿,不同意杨女士退货的要求.杨女士遂提起诉讼.

  法院审理后认为,杨女士在向上海某珠宝店购买祖母绿宝石之前,店员对宝石进行了推介,但未就该祖母绿宝石存在的瑕疵以及优化处理情况向消费者披露,仅在交付的鉴定报告中注释“局部充填处理”.珠宝店对该买卖合同存在缔约过失责任.据此,沈女士依据商品现状,认为自己购买完美珠宝首饰的合同目的不能实现,要求上海某珠宝店承担民事责任,请求予以退货,应予支持.至于她要求上海某珠宝店另行赔偿8万元,法院不予支持.

  (原标题:8万祖母绿一月现裂纹 买家退货获支持)





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:8万祖母绿一月现裂纹:买家退货获支持 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

Top 10 startup articles of 2012

Top 10 startup articles of 2012


LONDON – I have always been as interested in the smaller companies that are starting out on their journeys as I am in the semiconductor industry majors. As consolidation takes place at the top of the industry there has always been a constant flow of nimble startup companies being formed at the bottom eager to become the stars of the future.

Not all can make it of course but it is interesting to chart some companies' progress. Which is why I thought it would be interesting to list the most-viewed startup related articles from 2012.

I have omitted a couple of stories, 10 top startups to watch in 2013 and EE Times' Silicon 60: Hot startups to watch, which are themselves lists and the result is the following "top 10" articles, presented in reverse order from #10 to #1 based on the number of times they were viewed in 2012.

Next: #10. ARM's first CEO sees startups hustling
TAG:EE Times startups semiconductor electronics business

Top 10 startup articles of 2012

Top 10 startup articles of 2012


LONDON – I have always been as interested in the smaller companies that are starting out on their journeys as I am in the semiconductor industry majors. As consolidation takes place at the top of the industry there has always been a constant flow of nimble startup companies being formed at the bottom eager to become the stars of the future.

Not all can make it of course but it is interesting to chart some companies' progress. Which is why I thought it would be interesting to list the most-viewed startup related articles from 2012.

I have omitted a couple of stories, 10 top startups to watch in 2013 and EE Times' Silicon 60: Hot startups to watch, which are themselves lists and the result is the following "top 10" articles, presented in reverse order from #10 to #1 based on the number of times they were viewed in 2012.

Next: #10. ARM's first CEO sees startups hustling
TAG:EE Times startups semiconductor electronics business

Apple's stock nosedives after forecasted sales decline

Apple's stock nosedives after forecasted sales decline

SAN FRANCISCO—Apple Inc.'s stock price declined nearly 10 percent in after hours trading Wednesday (Jan. 23) after the firm projected sales would decline by more than 20 percent sequentially in the current quarter.

Apple (Cupertino, Calif.) reported its highest ever quarterly sales, $54.5 billion, for the quarter ended Dec. 29. Even so, sales were slightly below consensus analysts' expectations.

"No technology company has ever reported these kind of results," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, in a conference call with analysts following the financial report. "Apple is in one of the most prolific periods of innovation in new products in its history."

But Apple's stock price sank to $463.49 in after hours trading after closing at $514.01 earlier in the day, prior to the quarterly report.

Apple sold a record 47.8 million iPhones in the quarter, up 78 percent from the previous quarter and up 30 percent from the year-ago quarter. The company sold 22.9 million iPads, up from 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Mac sales declined to 4.1 million, down from 5.2 million in the year ago quarter, while iPod sales declined to 12.7 million compared to 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter, Apple said.

Paul McWilliams, editor of technology investment newsletter Next Inning Technology Research, was disappointed by Apple's quarterly report and the presentation by executives that followed. In a report circulated late Wednesday, McWilliams said he planned to sell his Apple shares in the near future after being "an Apple bull" for nearly 10 years.

"Apple was built on vision, innovation and a near perfect execution of design that delivered products that redefined some markets, and in other cases (many other cases) created entirely new markets," McWilliams wrote. "Today I view Apple as a huge ship that lacks not only a rudder, but also the forward vision needed to set the direction of the rudder."


Next: CFO defends forecast
TAG:Apple Cook Stock Declines Quarter

Apple's stock nosedives after forecasted sales decline

Apple's stock nosedives after forecasted sales decline

SAN FRANCISCO—Apple Inc.'s stock price declined nearly 10 percent in after hours trading Wednesday (Jan. 23) after the firm projected sales would decline by more than 20 percent sequentially in the current quarter.

Apple (Cupertino, Calif.) reported its highest ever quarterly sales, $54.5 billion, for the quarter ended Dec. 29. Even so, sales were slightly below consensus analysts' expectations.

"No technology company has ever reported these kind of results," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, in a conference call with analysts following the financial report. "Apple is in one of the most prolific periods of innovation in new products in its history."

But Apple's stock price sank to $463.49 in after hours trading after closing at $514.01 earlier in the day, prior to the quarterly report.

Apple sold a record 47.8 million iPhones in the quarter, up 78 percent from the previous quarter and up 30 percent from the year-ago quarter. The company sold 22.9 million iPads, up from 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Mac sales declined to 4.1 million, down from 5.2 million in the year ago quarter, while iPod sales declined to 12.7 million compared to 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter, Apple said.

Paul McWilliams, editor of technology investment newsletter Next Inning Technology Research, was disappointed by Apple's quarterly report and the presentation by executives that followed. In a report circulated late Wednesday, McWilliams said he planned to sell his Apple shares in the near future after being "an Apple bull" for nearly 10 years.

"Apple was built on vision, innovation and a near perfect execution of design that delivered products that redefined some markets, and in other cases (many other cases) created entirely new markets," McWilliams wrote. "Today I view Apple as a huge ship that lacks not only a rudder, but also the forward vision needed to set the direction of the rudder."


Next: CFO defends forecast
TAG:Apple Cook Stock Declines Quarter

翡翠知识汇总 玉观音_玉貔貅_价格_图片_收藏_鉴赏—妙瑞可翡翠网

翡翠知识汇总 玉观音_玉貔貅_价格_图片_收藏_鉴赏—妙瑞可翡翠网


一、翡翠摔坏了,是不是有不好的预兆?

答:当你佩戴的翡翠首饰品摔坏的时候,你就要这样想1、它带走了你的灾难。2、不多想就没有不好的意寓3、小裂纹肉眼可见吗,可以去珠宝店检查一下裂纹的走向与大小,大于镯子半径以后佩带要小心,表面的痕迹就不要紧,天长日久会好的,不要随便修复,痕迹就是阅历,玉也有生命、有故事,我也是对翡翠情不自禁的,所以能理解大家的心境。

二、汗水会腐蚀翡翠吗?

这个是毋庸置疑的,汗水是肯定会腐蚀翡翠首饰品的,只是腐蚀的作用很微弱,翡翠越带越透,就是因为汗液的侵蚀作用,翡翠B货的酸洗步骤模仿的就是这个,不过那个腐蚀的程度太厉害了。戴在身上原来是A的,其由汗液的腐蚀再厉害他还是A的,不会影响其价格。其由腐蚀起的负面效果,基本上可以完全无视,至于说翡翠表面影响其光洁度,一般是由是有污渍造成的,与汗液的腐蚀无关。

妙瑞可 冰种飘花玉佛天然翡翠吊坠

冰种飘花玉佛天然翡翠吊坠

三、怎么鉴别翡翠A、B、C货?

A货为纯天然翡翠,只经过雕刻打磨。没有经过任何化学处理,没有经过高热、高压等人工伪作。是天然色泽,未经染色或电色,人称“正色”或“真色”。肉眼观察质地细腻,颜色柔和,石纹明显;轻微撞击,声音清脆悦耳;手掂有沉重感,明显区别于其它石质。其特征为密度应在3.32-3.34g/cm3之间,折射率应为1.66,显玻璃光泽,放大观察呈纤维交织结构,紫外灯下不起荧光。鉴定证书标明:“翡翠”或“天然翡翠”。

B货将有黑斑俗称“脏”的翡翠,用强酸浸泡、腐蚀,破坏玉石的分子结构,去掉“脏”、“绵”增加透明度,再用高压将环氧树脂或替代充填物注入因强酸腐蚀而产生的微裂隙中,起到充填、固结裂隙、增加透明度作用。轻微撞击,声音发闷,没有A货的清脆声。B货初看颜色不错,但仔细观察,颜色发呆发邪,灯下观察,色泽透明度减弱。由于强酸对翡翠原有品质的破坏,B货在两三年内会逐渐失去光泽,出现裂纹,长期佩戴对人体有害。鉴定证书标明:“翡翠(处理)”。

C货完全人工注色。颜色不正,发邪,仔细观察,颜色不是自然地存在于硬玉的内部,而是充填在矿物的裂隙中,呈现网状分布,没有色根。用查尔斯滤镜观察,绿色变红或无色。用强力褪字灵擦拭,表面颜色能够去掉或变为褐色。因注入染色剂,长期佩戴不利于健康。鉴定证书标明:“翡翠(处理)”。

B+C货用强酸浸泡、腐蚀后,在注入充填物的同时,还加入颜色,即同时做了B货处理与C货处理。鉴定证书标明:“翡翠(处理)”。

D货用其他品种冒充翡翠,分为玉石类和玻璃、塑料类。玉石类。即其它玉质冒充翡翠。主要有泰国翠玉和马来西亚翠玉、南阳独山玉、青海翠玉、密玉和澳洲绿玉及东陵石等。这些玉石与翡翠的区别:一是硬度低,二是密度小、光泽较弱。玻璃、塑料类。这些替代品大部分颜色发呆难看,光泽很弱。相对密度很轻,硬度低(用钉子可以刻动),无凉感。由此我们可以得知,只有A货翡翠才是天然翡翠,具有佩带意义与收藏价值,B、C、D货都可以称为假货。

妙瑞可 糯冰种癣加绿马到成功天然翡翠吊坠

糯冰种癣加绿马到成功天然翡翠吊坠

四、对于翡翠检测鉴定证书的解读

关于翡翠证书

1、 有完全假的,出具证书的人自己没有鉴定师资质,或者甚至是查无此人的;2 、有厂商自己出的,这类比较缺乏公信力;3 、有假冒鉴定机构出的,骗子的障眼法,哈哈,电视上面比较多;4、 信誉较差的有资质的鉴定机构出的,由南方某些鉴定机构出具的,TB上面这类证书非常多,其鉴定收费也极为低廉;5、 有国家认可的鉴定资质,同时把关较严的鉴定机构出的,这类这书一般收费相对较高,对个人收费每件翡翠至少在100元以内。

翡翠证书的看法

1、在证书的下方,可以看到网站,在线查询,填入编码,序号就可以查到了。

2、还应有一些翡翠的基本物理、化学、光学特征标明在证书上:

折射率:1.66(这是翡翠本身特有的与其他宝石不同的折射率);

密度:3.33(也是翡翠与其他宝石区分的特性);

放大检测:纤维交织结构(这是翡翠特有的一种结构);

吸收光谱:437nm 吸收线(是翡翠特有的吸收光谱);

滤色镜检查:无反应(有些染色翡翠在滤色镜下会变成红色);

光性:集合体(翡翠是微矿物集合体);

荧光性:无(有些B货在注胶后会有荧光反应);

外观特征:玻璃光泽(有些B货会呈现蜡状光泽)。

最后,要有检测人员的签字,还有最重要的一点是:证书上要有钢印或防伪标志。

妙瑞可 糯冰种春带彩灵猴献寿天然翡翠吊坠

糯冰种春带彩灵猴献寿天然翡翠吊坠

关于翡翠保养方法

翡翠具有较强的韧性,但不要把这一特性误解为不怕摔打,殊不知翡翠同样需精心保养。在佩戴翡翠首饰时,应尽量避免使它从高处坠落或撞击硬物,尤其是有少量裂纹的翡翠首饰,否则很容易破裂或损伤。翡翠首饰是高雅圣洁的象征,若长期使它接触油污,油污则易沾在表面,影响光彩。有时污浊的油垢沿翡翠首饰的裂纹充填,很不雅观。因此在佩戴翡翠首饰时,要保持翡翠首饰的清洁,得经常在中性洗涤剂中用软布清洗,抹干后再用绸布擦亮。翡翠首饰在雕琢之后,往往都上有川蜡以增加其美艳程度。所以翡翠首饰不能与酸、碱和有机溶剂接触。即使是未上蜡的翡翠首饰,因为它们是多矿物的集合体,也应切忌与酸、碱长期接触。这些化学试剂都会对翡翠首饰表面产生腐蚀作用。另外也不要将翡翠首饰长期放在箱里,时间久了翡翠首饰也会“失水”变干。

妙瑞可 冰种晴水黄翡自在观音天然翡翠吊坠

冰种晴水黄翡自在观音天然翡翠吊坠

本文由妙瑞可翡翠商城的钟潇云编写,任何公司或个人不得转载,转载必究。

本文主要介绍了:翡翠知识汇总    文章来源:妙瑞可翡翠商城


TAG:翡翠知识汇总

极致女人当佩戴精致翡翠 玉观音_玉貔貅_价格_图片_收藏_鉴赏—妙瑞可翡翠网

极致女人当佩戴精致翡翠 玉观音_玉貔貅_价格_图片_收藏_鉴赏—妙瑞可翡翠网


    以前,都说美玉配佳人,因此提起翡翠,总能让人联想到美人,而且是黑头发黄皮肤的东方美人,否则无以映衬出翡翠的高贵典雅之气。端庄俊秀洁净的翡翠安静如斯,让我们忍不住心生敬畏感激。当这份安静与在东方化身为女性的观音融合在一起的时候,翡翠首饰品便在冰润中透出丝丝的祥和。

妙瑞可 冰种阳绿银镀金天然翡翠耳坠(水钻)

冰种阳绿银镀金天然翡翠耳坠    ¥3680元

    看着这一款冰种翡翠观音吊坠,那闭眼遐思、合手端坐,在自然光的照射下呈现出一种半透明的状态,恍如发出一缕缕佛光,大师级的雕刻工艺,将挂件通体雕刻得自然流畅无一丝一毫造作之感,上等好料配以高超技艺注定了她不同反响的收藏价值。而“冰飘花翡翠观音”在阳光的照射下呈现出絮花状的蓝颜色,因而被很多翡翠知识不足的顾客朋友误认为是次品,其实不然,此乃玻璃种翡翠中一个重要的分种“蓝冰花”,是货真价实的缅甸A货翡翠,不但不会使挂件打折,反而因其成因特殊性可遇不可求,有大幅度的价值提升空间。

妙瑞可 冰玻种飘花坐莲观音天然翡翠吊坠

冰玻种飘花坐莲观音天然翡翠吊坠

    春,最为和煦的阳光,最为绚烂的春光,最为精彩的季节,在靠近太阳的地方漫步云端,尽览穹苍之美、尽享华彩之春。春之云端的艳阳、春色是设计师最为原始的设计灵感,三彩翡翠种地温润细腻,色艳唯美。犹如漫天云朵精湛、细致,细腻的凸显出来。俏色运用巧妙,明艳的翠色与绚丽的翡色巧妙流畅中、仿若吹拂的春风清新自然、灵动诱人。设计中采用古法花镀,“绵云”为设计元素.云朵在风中摇曳,繁简有致、浑然天成、曼妙焉然。春带彩的翡翠首饰品,是作为现代知性女性、极致女人的首选。就让雍容华贵的紫罗兰色、伴着生机灵动的绿色,给你不朽的美丽吧。

妙瑞可 糯冰种春带彩镶金扣喜上眉梢天然翡翠吊坠

糯冰种春带彩镶金扣喜上眉梢天然翡翠吊坠

     每个女人都渴望成为天使,洁白无瑕而自然灵动。正如翡翠饰品般纯净恒久,婉约精致、含蓄内敛,通过翡翠所传达的爱意,能使你的心在甜蜜中沉醉。爱是一种赞美,女人的卓约风姿因为爱而更加迷人,用翡翠打造的饰品精致而百变,无论是质朴厚实的耳环,还是无比时尚的项链,都将女人的魅力光芒绽放的淋漓尽致。精品翡翠品质纯净,自然天成,佩戴起来轻盈自在,妙不可言,似一朵骤然绽放的鲜花,在美妙的时光里,翡翠灵动闪耀,撩拨起无限的遐想。

妙瑞可 冰种飘花镶玫瑰金天然翡翠胸坠

冰种飘花胸坠     ¥4980元

本文由妙瑞可翡翠商城的钟潇云编写,任何公司或个人不得转载,转载必究。

本文主要介绍了:极致知性女性  当佩戴精致翡翠    文章来源:妙瑞可翡翠商城

钟潇云,原名钟尊宽,国家级珠宝玉石检测鉴定证师,鉴定咨询师。其所推荐的任何一款翡翠,都是具有高收藏和投资的潜力及价值,欢迎访问咨询鉴定、购买体验佩戴。钟尊宽:15368682834   QQ:1711584169   QQ:331025535


TAG:翡翠佩戴

麒麟12生肖蛇年开运珠宝

麒麟12生肖蛇年开运珠宝

  十二生肖,也称十二属相,源自于古代中国人的图腾崇拜,自秦代成形,至唐代广为流传,以历法的形式之一成为“地支”的形像代表,在民间被用作记忆和推算年份与时辰的参考物。十二生肖动物自古就是人们心目中的神奇动物,也是我国传统装饰艺术创作的重要内容,在长期的流传过程中凝聚了丰富的文化内涵和神秘色彩。

12生肖开运珠宝LUCKY 12吊坠

  Qeelin[微博]一向以巡礼中国传统文化为主旨。Qeelin创意总监陈瑞麟先生在一次偶然造访故宫的过程中,被故宫御花园甬道上石子铺成的十二生肖图案深深吸引。联想到十二生肖唯美生动的视觉印像和辟邪迎祥的精神力量,他决定以此作为灵感,设计一套融合珠宝美感与福善寓意的生肖珠宝,由此诞生出Qeelin崭新的珠宝系列“LUCKY 12”。Qeelin希望,将这些富有深意和美好祝福的灵动杰作,呈献于心怀梦想的世人。

LUCKY 12项链系列

  “LUCKY 12 ”的造型主体取材于“十二生肖”中的十二只神兽:鼠、牛、虎、兔、龙、蛇、马、羊、猴、鸡、狗、猪。该系列共包含美妙灵致的项链系列和华彩盈动的手链系列,材质为白金镶钻或玫瑰金镶钻。陈瑞麟先生利用“金”这一中国自古以来作为财富像征的贵金属材质,精心打造出与“十二生肖”形像相符的配饰造型,生动灵巧的形像极富活力,搭配光彩夺目的美钻,作为日常服装造型的装饰品,吸睛力十足的同时还展现了对中国吉祥文化的睿智解读。

蛇造型戒指

  Qeelin相信同时集历法纪年、能量平衡、精神信仰于一体的“十二生肖”,可以为珠宝配饰带来与单纯的动物造型珠宝截然不同的潜藏力量。Qeelin特别度身订做了一个与系列同名为“LUCKY 12 ”的iPhone及iPad程序。随着输入自己阳历生日日期便可以轻易找到所属生肖之2013生肖运程及流年幸运配饰。无论是佩戴与当年主灵相同的生肖配饰,还是选择能与自己属相互相辅佐以助长幸福运势的多个生肖配饰,都能助长无论是事业、财运、感情或健康的福运。“LUCKY 12”系列是对中国文化的又一次提炼和升华,也是对珠宝设计的再一次创新与修行,更是Qeelin这一尊贵珠宝品牌对客人的全心礼赞:璀璨珠宝,随身开运;能量平衡,福慧双增。



TAG:Qeelin 珠宝 十二生肖 开运 麒麟12生肖蛇年开运珠宝

2013-01-23

Penn keeps predicting chip market growth

Penn keeps predicting chip market growth


LONDON – The global chip market will grow by 8 percent in 2013, as long as the major economic regions can avoid recession and other negative shocks, Malcolm Penn, CEO of market analysis firm Future Horizons Ltd. told a gathering of industry executives here.

However, Penn conceded that he had predicted the same growth figure for the chip market in 2012 at the beginning of the year and the market had ended up contracting by 2.4 percent.

"We got killed by the economy. First the euro crisis, then the U.S. election, finally the fiscal cliff," said Penn. The boring nature of the PC upgrades such as Windows 8 operating system and over-frequent Apple mobile phone upgrades had not helped, he added.

Penn said the same semiconductor market fundamentals existed now as at the beginning of 2012 so if economic gloom continues or a crisis develops, it could be a flat or low-growth year. However, lengthy underinvestment in chip manufacturing equipment would eventually start to manifest itself as chip shortages and escalating average selling prices for chips, he said.

Penn pointed out that the book-to-bill ratio for front-end chip-making equipment has been below unity for 21 out of the 24 months of 2011 and 2012. "The indications are that memory prices are starting to get some traction but Windows 8 isn't going to revitalize the PC market," he said.

"But if 2013 is a market turn then 2014 will go ballistic because it's already starved of capacity," said Penn. He added that the market boom would take a couple of years to play out once it starts and indicated that 2014 could be a 25 percent growth year followed by an 18 percent growth year in 2015.

Penn said that near-term confidence is still wretched 2012 as the year of unresolved crises and that industry is still cutting back. "From investment to inventories it is still management by numbers," he said.

Penn said the chip market will recover dramatically once confidence returns but annual forecasts were highly sensitive to when in the year such recoveries begin to take place.


Related links and articles:

www.futurehorizons.com


News articles:


Bullish Penn sees chip market growth of 8 percent in 2012

Analyst lowers 2012 chip market growth forecast

Europe plots three pilot wafer fabs

Europe asks if it is time for an 'Airbus of chips'

London Calling; EuroFab450 is an ambitious dream

TAG:Malcolm Penn Future Horizons semiconductor market forecast memory processors manufacturing capacity

Penn keeps predicting chip market growth

Penn keeps predicting chip market growth


LONDON – The global chip market will grow by 8 percent in 2013, as long as the major economic regions can avoid recession and other negative shocks, Malcolm Penn, CEO of market analysis firm Future Horizons Ltd. told a gathering of industry executives here.

However, Penn conceded that he had predicted the same growth figure for the chip market in 2012 at the beginning of the year and the market had ended up contracting by 2.4 percent.

"We got killed by the economy. First the euro crisis, then the U.S. election, finally the fiscal cliff," said Penn. The boring nature of the PC upgrades such as Windows 8 operating system and over-frequent Apple mobile phone upgrades had not helped, he added.

Penn said the same semiconductor market fundamentals existed now as at the beginning of 2012 so if economic gloom continues or a crisis develops, it could be a flat or low-growth year. However, lengthy underinvestment in chip manufacturing equipment would eventually start to manifest itself as chip shortages and escalating average selling prices for chips, he said.

Penn pointed out that the book-to-bill ratio for front-end chip-making equipment has been below unity for 21 out of the 24 months of 2011 and 2012. "The indications are that memory prices are starting to get some traction but Windows 8 isn't going to revitalize the PC market," he said.

"But if 2013 is a market turn then 2014 will go ballistic because it's already starved of capacity," said Penn. He added that the market boom would take a couple of years to play out once it starts and indicated that 2014 could be a 25 percent growth year followed by an 18 percent growth year in 2015.

Penn said that near-term confidence is still wretched 2012 as the year of unresolved crises and that industry is still cutting back. "From investment to inventories it is still management by numbers," he said.

Penn said the chip market will recover dramatically once confidence returns but annual forecasts were highly sensitive to when in the year such recoveries begin to take place.


Related links and articles:

www.futurehorizons.com


News articles:


Bullish Penn sees chip market growth of 8 percent in 2012

Analyst lowers 2012 chip market growth forecast

Europe plots three pilot wafer fabs

Europe asks if it is time for an 'Airbus of chips'

London Calling; EuroFab450 is an ambitious dream

TAG:Malcolm Penn Future Horizons semiconductor market forecast memory processors manufacturing capacity

郭颖:翡翠收藏四要素

郭颖:翡翠收藏四要素

  对于翡翠藏品来讲,在保证了其天然性的前提下,必须要有值得收藏的“藏点”.如果详细分类,主要有原料优、创意新、雕工精与货品奇四大要素.

  原料优

  翡翠的原料无外乎首先要种老、水好,这也是评价玉石之“首德次符”之标准要求的.其次就是要色多、色艳,毕竟翡翠是用来美化生活、陶冶收藏者情操的大自然之精华,所以颜色种类越丰富、越鲜艳就越好.再次就是要肉细、块大,因为只有质地细腻的翡翠才能给人以美感,而且同样质量的块度越大也就越稀少、越珍贵.当然如果翡翠原料能有自己独特的味道就更值得收藏了.

  创意新

  对于一件真正的翡翠藏品来说,雕琢的寓意是否美好、是否深刻、能够引起收藏者的共鸣是很关键的,这要求藏品要有与众不同的创意,也许在不经意中已经深深地打动收藏者的心了.归结起来进行雕琢创意时首先要量料取材,之后再因材施艺,最后选用适合的雕刻题材以体现美好的祝愿.知名的玉雕大师可以挖掘出很不起眼的翡翠原料的内在美,通过自己独到的创意,完成出一件件神来之作.

  雕工精

  雕工的精细除在于精雕细刻外,也还在于巧色、俏色、分色、描金、嵌宝、压金银丝等特殊工艺的运用上,如果能最终达到“无工不细,无巧不施”的境界才可谓是雕刻工艺的最高境界.

  补注:切忌“厚古玉,薄新玉,看表不看里,重料不重工”.

  货品奇

  翡翠市场的怪桩很多,虽然它们不是主流,但对于收藏者来说,这些怪桩翡翠的收藏价值是很高的,不亚于那些名正言顺的老坑玻璃种翡翠.比如颜色怪异的“非正桩”货、雕刻技法借用叶蜡石等印章雕制方法的、雕刻题材别出新样而又惹人喜爱的、能成组或成套出现的等都可以成为翡翠收藏者趋之若骛的原因.





来源:新浪收藏


TAG:郭颖:翡翠收藏四要素 翡翠 翡翠手镯 中国翡翠网 翡翠新闻

有色宝石的逆袭:传统珠宝的重生

有色宝石的逆袭:传统珠宝的重生

  一直以来,高端珠宝的流行趋势变化都不大。直到1990年代中后期,经典的有色宝石,如祖母绿、红宝石、蓝宝石等,开始让道于让人眼花缭乱的亮色彩石。与当时的女装相比,高端珠宝似乎已脱轨于潮流。事实上,无论是蓝宝石、红宝石,还是祖母绿,最致命的一点在于宝石周围永远用一圈钻石做陪衬,这样的款式稳重却毫无新意。

有色宝石

  作者: Vivienne Becker 编译:FT中文网实习生 陈亦珈

  然而最近,以红、绿、蓝三基色宝石为主打的高端珠宝,又重新成为女士们的宠儿。究其原因:首先,珠宝的极端稀缺性迎合了人们对独一无二的追求;其次,鉴定技术的进步,让人们重拾信心;最后,珠宝的投资潜力是人们最大的源动力。

  简言之,高端珠宝已东山再起,这些久经岁月的稀有宝石再次成为焦点。譬如宝格丽最近推出的一款高端珠宝项链,就大量运用蓝宝石以重塑光辉,用总量为165.81克拉的蓝宝石珠子与深红色、黄褐色电气石组成颈链,另外用一颗180.98克拉完整的蓝宝石与总量为278克拉的绿宝石珠子镶嵌在一起,做成项坠。

  传统珠宝的重生,标志着产业和消费者需求的回流。由于大颗有色宝石非常稀缺,它们作为可移动资产,具有很高的潜在投资价值。同等质地的绿宝石往往要比钻石稀缺20倍。

  Bayco是一家美国珠宝首饰品牌网站,在经营稀有宝石制成的高端珠宝方面,非常专业。其合伙人Moris Hadjibay谈到,质地好、无瑕疵、切割精致的珠宝,价格已在过去的三四年间翻了一番,而仅仅在过去的六个月间,上等祖母绿的价格已上涨了50%。在都柏林工作的Guy Clutterbuck,是一个大胆的老派宝石猎人,他看上去并不像什么显要人物,而像是刚刚在手工矿井里完成交易。在他看来,过去的两年间,宝石的价格总体上涨了30%到40%,同时他认为,蓝宝石的价值仍然被低估了。

  溢价的幕后推手

  影响价格最重要的因素,显然是人们对于有色宝石的青睐,而溢价的两个重要推手之一就是稀缺性。既要有无与伦比的色彩,还要尺寸大,天然有色宝石已非常罕见。Hadjibay举了一个例子,现在仅有1%的缅甸红宝石算得了上品,毫无瑕疵的宝石几乎不可能找到。

  另一个推手,是祖传宝石,或是很久之前从那些著名矿井里挖出的宝石,而这些位于克什米尔、缅甸、哥伦比亚的矿井现在已经停产,或是无法再产出同等质量的宝石。于是,珠宝商们热衷于从“老宅子”中搜寻古董或顶尖珠宝,然后在拍卖会上出售,或是作为个人收藏。作为全球最有影响力的珠宝买家之一,Alisa Moussaieff甚至从自己的顾客手中回购珠宝。David Bennett是苏富比拍卖行欧洲和中东珠宝部的总监,负责苏富比位于瑞士的业务,他非常看好那对1921年的耳环,不但曾是皇室所有物,还镶嵌着11克拉的顶级缅甸红宝石,于11月14日在日内瓦拍卖。根据估计,这对耳环的价值远远超过3,330,500瑞士法郎,约合2,239,931英镑。他说:“宝石的出产地仍然是影响价格的重要因素。”

  另一个参杂其中的因素在于,一直以来,钻石因其夺目的光彩而大出风头,虽然在2008年有小幅下降,随后又一路狂飙,如今已达到了天文数字。狡猾的买家们为了获利,早已在保险箱中收藏了不少完美无缺的D级巨型钻石。而现在,他们将目光转向了有色宝石。随着了解的加深,他们意识到,这些有色宝石的升值空间巨大。

  Robert Procop是在洛杉矶工作的宝石猎人,他同样认为蓝宝石最具潜力。一颗质地上乘的未加工蓝宝石,售价在20万到40万英镑之间,而一颗同规格的钻石却需要150万英镑。在最近他接到的订单中,10克拉以上、质地上乘的古董有色宝石的需求翻番,同时,购入和卖出这样的宝石已成为他的主要工作。“可能是因为这些宝石的价格比钻石低,当然也有部分原因是鉴定技术的进步,使得认证结果的一致性更高。”

  产业链的信用和规范

  在过去十年中,Robert见证了产业链的发展,矿主、切割师、宝石猎人、商人和珠宝收藏者之间的联系,比美国西部淘金时代更为紧密,而这也在敦促珠宝产业更为规范化。他每天都要和矿主、切割师交流:“如今有色宝石的销售更为连贯,能与钻石交易的模式相媲美。”

  Tiffany曾和稀有有色宝石的出产地直接交易。在20世纪初,其知名宝石学家George Frederick Kunz,就致力于新珠宝类型的鉴别、命名和引进,譬如在美国加州发现的紫粉色锂辉石,就用他的名字命名为Kunzite;还有在马达加斯加发现的桃色摩根石,是以著名的银行家和稀有宝石收藏家JP Morgan的名字来命名。Kunz是一位当之无愧的宝石猎人,他怀揣着一腔热情和冒险精神,越过高山、穿越沙漠,从俄罗斯矿藏丰富的乌拉尔山脉到南非丛林,只为寻找隐藏于世间的珍宝。

  Melvyn Kirtley曾是Tiffany的首席宝石学家,现任欧洲区副总裁。他向我们解释了宝石采购团队与矿主、交易商和切割师之间关系的重要性。“这项工作中的相互合作很重要。人们很难明白,我们需要花多少工夫才能找到顶级宝石。有色宝石的产业没有聚合起来,数千名开采工和切割师都是分散的。这里只能靠关系,这关乎谁能第一个挑选宝石。”人工开采的矿井规模都不大,但能出产上品翡翠的,主要分布于越南、柬埔寨、俄罗斯的乌拉尔山脉,和阿富汗的帕尼希尔。

  Gemfields是全球顶尖的有色宝石生产商,曾向市场推出过著名的赞比亚祖母绿和紫水晶,现在已将触角伸向了莫桑比克红宝石,并希望在原本分散的有色宝石市场中建立信用和规范,使得整个产业链中的下游商家都能从这套规则中获利,市场信心的增加也正促进行业的增长。大约在十年前,珠宝染色技术的出现,使得很长一段时间内,市场信心不足,而现在,这些都过去了,超过一定重量的顶级珠宝都会配上证书,包括原产地、加工方式和身份证号码。Procop说,由于二级市场的蓬勃发展,顾客们非常乐意购入这些珠宝。

  选珠宝需要“火眼金睛”

  有色宝石还必须考虑出产地。如今,一些闻名世界的宝石矿都已枯竭,譬如缅甸的抹谷;不过另一些仍有产出,譬如哥伦比亚的Muzo,它于2009年凭借着珠宝品牌Muzo International重燃生机。最令人瞠目结舌的案例也是关于抹谷红宝石的,Graff Diamonds于1987年花费超过350万美元,买入一颗15.97克拉的鸽血红宝石,这是当时全世界最好的红宝石。根据总裁Francois Graff的说法,他们曾先后三次买入和卖出这颗红宝石,最近一次的成交价格已是最初价格的5倍。

  Graff涉足有色宝石行业的信号已非常强烈。虽然在历史上,品牌创立者Laurence Graff曾因购买温莎公爵的祖母绿戒指而名声大噪,但Graff珠宝向来以钻石闻名,而这一次,他们决定进军有色宝石行业。克什米尔蓝宝石、红宝石以及切割好的莫卧尔风格祖母绿,都是珠宝首饰的主角。谈到最近亚洲市场快速上升的需求,Francois Graff认为:“他们开始欣赏有色宝石了,也意识到这些宝石的稀缺性和投资价值。”Graff品牌的宝石猎人,同样在寻找古董宝石。最近,他们在一枚古董胸针上找到一颗46.81克拉的顶级蓝宝石,其造型、色泽和透明度都在一定程度上提升了它的价格。

  Laurence Graff将有色宝石形容为“犹抱琵琶半遮面”,因为只有具备相关知识、鉴别能力和艺术品味的精英买家才会被它们吸引,同时收藏这些宝石本身也是一种身份的象征。有见识的珠宝买家能够感受到每颗宝石的独一无二,他们沉醉于色彩和光泽的细微差别、鲜艳和透明之间的巧妙平衡。正如苏富比亚洲钻石部的总监Patti Wong所说:“挑选一颗上等有色宝石是非常微妙的,就像品红酒一样,你必须理解那些非常抽象的概念,回忆起色彩、光泽和透明度的级别。每个买家都得接受这种挑战,看看他们是否具备这样的‘火眼金睛’。”

  谁是宝石猎人?

  在当代众多的宝石收藏者、鉴定师和设计师中,Alexandre Reza似乎拥有与生俱来的天赋。他早年就是国际知名的珠宝大师,介入宝石行业多年。他的儿子Olivier是一名银行家,现在已不做珠宝生意,而在巴黎的凡登广场开了一家私人沙龙,我至今仍记得其中星空灿烂般的宝石和雄伟的王室装潢。

  Olivier从小在宝石的世界中长大,小时候的假期就是和父母一起去看矿井。在他看来,和五年前相比,现在到处能看到有色宝石。同时他也感觉到,人们越来越看重宝石的出产地,克什米尔、缅甸和哥伦比亚的宝石将被重新估价,因为非洲也开始出产宝石,譬如莫桑比克和坦桑尼亚的红宝石,马达加斯加的蓝宝石,以及赞比亚的祖母绿。但与那些历史悠久的矿井相比,非洲的宝石虽然质量好,却没有设计品牌和价格标签。“其实,宝石从哪来不应该成为影响价格的因素。我经常能发现,一颗锡兰蓝宝石,远比克什米尔出产的宝石漂亮。买家应该相信他们自己的品味,并抓住机会。”

  四年前,Nadine Barbey就抓住这样的机会,开始她自己的珠宝生意。由于之前在Van Cleef & Arpels做高端定制珠宝的工作,Nadine很了解精英层顾客的需求。她向顾客提供建议,代理珠宝买卖,并为他们搜寻藏品,其中很多人都是皇室。

  作为一名专业的宝石买手、设计师和珠宝商,她创造了一种不同寻常的商业模式,与矿主、供应商建立合伙制,从亚洲的红宝石、斯里兰卡的蓝宝石,到哥伦比亚的祖母绿、澳大利亚的黑蛋白石,合伙制能确保宝石的质量。在她看来,黑蛋白石的增值潜力和非洲的投资潜力巨大。她尤其看好出产红宝石和尖晶石的非洲中部,因为那里的自然环境非常好:“这里出产的红宝石,和缅甸的相比,不含浅棕色杂质,颜色非常漂亮。”根据她的说法,缅甸的宝石出口禁令对欧洲影响不大,对美国却有负面影响,因为价格的确被推高了。不过中国总是个例外,中国人一直很青睐红宝石,似乎要把所有新出产的宝石都收入囊中。

  Claudio Ribeiro是一名杰出的宝石猎人,他出生在葡萄牙,后在香港工作,只做稀有钻石和红宝石的生意,直接与矿井、裸钻商和切割工打交道,然后再专售给私人收藏者。由于他之前是一名投资银行家,因此他非常清楚顶级珠宝的投资潜力。他很享受寻找宝石的激情,经常要花很多时间“趴在缅甸”,分析矿井中泥沙的成分,等待抹谷地区出产的“小石头”。

  他认为莫桑比克的红宝石很有潜力,“去年它们价格暴涨。”不过缅甸仍然是他工作的重心,在过去的四年间,他已收藏了11颗罕见的天然鸽血红宝石,包括一颗缅甸最大鸽血红宝石,超过20克拉。最近,他打算出售这些收藏,将在私人巡回展中寻找有潜力的买家。

  毫无疑问,最近将价格推至天文数字的就是中国买家。5月,一颗6.04克拉的缅甸红宝石在香港佳士得拍卖会上创下了每克拉551,500美元的价格纪录。不过,根据佳士得亚洲总裁François Curiel的说法,价格仍有提升空间,他解释道:“从长远来看,顶尖的无色钻石价格将达到每克拉20万美元,而有色的将达到200万美元。当全世界的收藏者都开始寻找质量上乘、能保值的稀有宝石时,有色宝石显然将更有吸引力。”

  (本文根据FT旗下奢侈品杂志《如何消费》(How To Spend It)2012年11月刊文章 “Hues in Power”编译。)



TAG:有色宝石 蓝宝石 碧玺 珠宝 有色宝石的逆袭:传统珠宝的重生

Check out TI's MCU BoosterPack design challenge

Check out TI's MCU BoosterPack design challenge

Developers can now give their TI microcontroller (MCU) LaunchPad Evaluation Kits an extra boost – and showcase it at one of the largest technology trade shows in the world!

Texas Instruments (TI), in collaboration with Mouser Electronics, is inviting engineers, university students, and hobbyists in the United States to enter the TI MCU BoosterPack Design Challenge.

TI MCU BoosterPacks are plug-in modules that enable developers, students and hobbyists to add greater functionality and peripherals to one of three TI MCU LaunchPad evaluation platforms. Up to three winners will be flown to San Jose, California, to demonstrate their winning designs in the TI booth (#1607) at DESIGN West 2013.

Winners may also have the opportunity to have their original BoosterPack plug-in module designs considered for manufacture by CircuitCo Electronics. (For the avoidance of doubt, TI will not be under any obligation to manufacture any BoosterPack plug-in module designs.) For more information on BoosterPack plug-in modules and to see previous examples, designers can go to www.ti.com/bpdc-pr-lp7

The MCU BoosterPack Design Challenge is an opportunity for innovators to design a creative BoosterPack that exhibits a unique feature or compelling functionality that is not currently offered in the market today. Makers can design a BoosterPack leveraging the differentiated features of any of the three TI MCU LaunchPad evaluation kits: MSP430 LaunchPad, C2000 LaunchPad and Stellaris LM4F120 LaunchPad.

The TI MCU LaunchPad ecosystem allows engineers to design easy-to-use, modular boards targeted at low-power, real-time control and connectivity applications. BoosterPack plug-in modules enable greater functionality, flexibility, peripherals and scalability to easily extend LaunchPad's capabilities with LCD, LED lighting, capacitive touch, motor control, Bluetooth and more.

TI MCU BoosterPack Design Challenge guidelines
Challenge participants will have until March 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. CST, to submit an original BoosterPack design online at www.ti.com/bpdc-pr-ep. Some of the requirements include:
  • Providing a schematic and a brief, written description of the BoosterPack design.
  • Designing a BoosterPack with bill of materials (BOM) not exceeding $40 USD and conforming to the BoosterPack pinout standard.
  • Uploading the project to either Google Drive or Github online file sharing systems.
  • Recording a video describing the BoosterPack idea and uploading it to YouTube.

Go to www.ti.com/byob-bpdc-pr-rules to read the full contest rules applicable to this contest.

After the challenge deadline, a judging panel consisting of individuals from TI, Mouser and CircuitCo will determine the three contest winners. Winners will be announced March 22, 2013 on ti.com/byob. Entities affiliated with this contest include TI, Mouser, CircuitCo, Total Phase, Anaren, 43oh.com and Olimex LTD.

Join other LaunchPad enthusiasts and BYOB (Build Your Own BoosterPack)
Since their introduction in 2010, MCU LaunchPads have quickly become a popular evaluation platform within the design community, selling close to half a million kits to date. Many have already built their own BoosterPack plug-in module and shared them with the online community. The best-selling C5000 Audio Capacitive Touch BoosterPack and the C2000 LED BoosterPack as well as the new CC2530 ZigBee BoosterPack are examples of BoosterPack plug-in modules, but they are just the beginning. Join the LaunchPad community, build your own BoosterPack and see how far your designs can take you!

For more information about this contest and to submit an original BoosterPack design, visit ti.com/byob. To find out more about BoosterPacks plug-in modules, visit ti.com/boosterpack


If you found this article to be interest, visit Microcontroller / MCU Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs on all sorts of "stuff" – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to all aspects of designing and using microcontrollers.

Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).

Last but certainly not least, make sure you check out all of the discussions and other information resources at All Programmable Planet. For example, in addition to blogs by yours truly, microcontroller expert Duane Benson is learning how to use FPGAs to augment (sometimes replace) the MCUs in his robot (and other) projects.
TAG:TI MCU BoosterPack design challenge

Check out TI's MCU BoosterPack design challenge

Check out TI's MCU BoosterPack design challenge

Developers can now give their TI microcontroller (MCU) LaunchPad Evaluation Kits an extra boost – and showcase it at one of the largest technology trade shows in the world!

Texas Instruments (TI), in collaboration with Mouser Electronics, is inviting engineers, university students, and hobbyists in the United States to enter the TI MCU BoosterPack Design Challenge.

TI MCU BoosterPacks are plug-in modules that enable developers, students and hobbyists to add greater functionality and peripherals to one of three TI MCU LaunchPad evaluation platforms. Up to three winners will be flown to San Jose, California, to demonstrate their winning designs in the TI booth (#1607) at DESIGN West 2013.

Winners may also have the opportunity to have their original BoosterPack plug-in module designs considered for manufacture by CircuitCo Electronics. (For the avoidance of doubt, TI will not be under any obligation to manufacture any BoosterPack plug-in module designs.) For more information on BoosterPack plug-in modules and to see previous examples, designers can go to www.ti.com/bpdc-pr-lp7

The MCU BoosterPack Design Challenge is an opportunity for innovators to design a creative BoosterPack that exhibits a unique feature or compelling functionality that is not currently offered in the market today. Makers can design a BoosterPack leveraging the differentiated features of any of the three TI MCU LaunchPad evaluation kits: MSP430 LaunchPad, C2000 LaunchPad and Stellaris LM4F120 LaunchPad.

The TI MCU LaunchPad ecosystem allows engineers to design easy-to-use, modular boards targeted at low-power, real-time control and connectivity applications. BoosterPack plug-in modules enable greater functionality, flexibility, peripherals and scalability to easily extend LaunchPad's capabilities with LCD, LED lighting, capacitive touch, motor control, Bluetooth and more.

TI MCU BoosterPack Design Challenge guidelines
Challenge participants will have until March 1, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. CST, to submit an original BoosterPack design online at www.ti.com/bpdc-pr-ep. Some of the requirements include:
  • Providing a schematic and a brief, written description of the BoosterPack design.
  • Designing a BoosterPack with bill of materials (BOM) not exceeding $40 USD and conforming to the BoosterPack pinout standard.
  • Uploading the project to either Google Drive or Github online file sharing systems.
  • Recording a video describing the BoosterPack idea and uploading it to YouTube.

Go to www.ti.com/byob-bpdc-pr-rules to read the full contest rules applicable to this contest.

After the challenge deadline, a judging panel consisting of individuals from TI, Mouser and CircuitCo will determine the three contest winners. Winners will be announced March 22, 2013 on ti.com/byob. Entities affiliated with this contest include TI, Mouser, CircuitCo, Total Phase, Anaren, 43oh.com and Olimex LTD.

Join other LaunchPad enthusiasts and BYOB (Build Your Own BoosterPack)
Since their introduction in 2010, MCU LaunchPads have quickly become a popular evaluation platform within the design community, selling close to half a million kits to date. Many have already built their own BoosterPack plug-in module and shared them with the online community. The best-selling C5000 Audio Capacitive Touch BoosterPack and the C2000 LED BoosterPack as well as the new CC2530 ZigBee BoosterPack are examples of BoosterPack plug-in modules, but they are just the beginning. Join the LaunchPad community, build your own BoosterPack and see how far your designs can take you!

For more information about this contest and to submit an original BoosterPack design, visit ti.com/byob. To find out more about BoosterPacks plug-in modules, visit ti.com/boosterpack


If you found this article to be interest, visit Microcontroller / MCU Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs on all sorts of "stuff" – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to all aspects of designing and using microcontrollers.

Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).

Last but certainly not least, make sure you check out all of the discussions and other information resources at All Programmable Planet. For example, in addition to blogs by yours truly, microcontroller expert Duane Benson is learning how to use FPGAs to augment (sometimes replace) the MCUs in his robot (and other) projects.
TAG:TI MCU BoosterPack design challenge

VITA sets optical component specs for 25G boards

VITA sets optical component specs for 25G boards

LONG BEACH, Calif. – The VITA trade association kicked off an effort to set standards for opto-electronic components suitable for its military and other users requiring high reliability. The VITA 79 specifications aim to lay a foundation for the next-generation of VMX single-board computers with optical backplanes carrying data at 10 to 25 Gbits/second.

Vendors including Avago, Finisar and others met with VITA officials here to define specifications for components such as pin diodes, emitters and detectors. The specs aim to more narrowly characterize component performance across the broad spectrum of frequencies, operating temperatures, shock and vibration posed by military and aerospace users.

“The optical guys are all over the map writing their own specs [for these apps] so we will tighten them up,” said Ray Alderman, executive director for the VITA group that defines boards for military and other embedded markets. Standards bodies such as IEEE and Jedec “don’t have the expertise or interest to do this,” said Alderman.

“To get to the next backplanes, we have to do the fundamental component work first,” he said.

The moves comes at a time of increasing interest in the long-discussed transition from copper to optical board-level interconnects. Last week, Intel showed a 100G optical module using its silicon photonics technology and aimed at big data centers.

Embedded systems vendors are shipping products based on VITA 66, the group’s first standard for mainly 5 Gbits/s optical backplanes used in high-end military radar systems and other applications. They cost as much as $1 million each, but only a few units ship each month.

In an annual press briefing here, Alderman related a story about radar operators in Turkey using such systems to detect a Russian commercial plane that was carrying munitions bound for Syria. The Turkish air force stopped the plane and removed the weapons, he said.

The VITA 79 component standards aim to open the door to a next-gen standard for backplanes that carry traffic 10 to 25 Gbits/s. Such systems could be ready to ship within two years, generally to radar users pushing the boundaries Alderman said.

The next generation boards likely will replace the embedded fibre optics in today’s VITA 66 boards with polymer coated waveguides. The new technology aims to carry photonic signals through channels inside the printed circuit boards thanks to a new generation of board materials, Alderman said.

“Once you get to cost-effective wave guides the volumes [of these high-end radar systems] will go up,” he said. “Military is the only sector really demanding this technology--telecom wants it, but they want it for free,” he said.

Related stories:
  • Slideshow: Intel Lights 100G Interconnects at Facebook Summit
  • Mil/aero group foresees shift to optical in 2012
  • Teardown slideshow: Inside the third-generation iPad
  • Analyst: Graphics war heating up in mobile
  • ARM, Intel Target Military Electronics

TAG:Pin Diodes VITA VMX VME Optical Boards Emitters Detectors Copper

VITA sets optical component specs for 25G boards

VITA sets optical component specs for 25G boards

LONG BEACH, Calif. – The VITA trade association kicked off an effort to set standards for opto-electronic components suitable for its military and other users requiring high reliability. The VITA 79 specifications aim to lay a foundation for the next-generation of VMX single-board computers with optical backplanes carrying data at 10 to 25 Gbits/second.

Vendors including Avago, Finisar and others met with VITA officials here to define specifications for components such as pin diodes, emitters and detectors. The specs aim to more narrowly characterize component performance across the broad spectrum of frequencies, operating temperatures, shock and vibration posed by military and aerospace users.

“The optical guys are all over the map writing their own specs [for these apps] so we will tighten them up,” said Ray Alderman, executive director for the VITA group that defines boards for military and other embedded markets. Standards bodies such as IEEE and Jedec “don’t have the expertise or interest to do this,” said Alderman.

“To get to the next backplanes, we have to do the fundamental component work first,” he said.

The moves comes at a time of increasing interest in the long-discussed transition from copper to optical board-level interconnects. Last week, Intel showed a 100G optical module using its silicon photonics technology and aimed at big data centers.

Embedded systems vendors are shipping products based on VITA 66, the group’s first standard for mainly 5 Gbits/s optical backplanes used in high-end military radar systems and other applications. They cost as much as $1 million each, but only a few units ship each month.

In an annual press briefing here, Alderman related a story about radar operators in Turkey using such systems to detect a Russian commercial plane that was carrying munitions bound for Syria. The Turkish air force stopped the plane and removed the weapons, he said.

The VITA 79 component standards aim to open the door to a next-gen standard for backplanes that carry traffic 10 to 25 Gbits/s. Such systems could be ready to ship within two years, generally to radar users pushing the boundaries Alderman said.

The next generation boards likely will replace the embedded fibre optics in today’s VITA 66 boards with polymer coated waveguides. The new technology aims to carry photonic signals through channels inside the printed circuit boards thanks to a new generation of board materials, Alderman said.

“Once you get to cost-effective wave guides the volumes [of these high-end radar systems] will go up,” he said. “Military is the only sector really demanding this technology--telecom wants it, but they want it for free,” he said.

Related stories:
  • Slideshow: Intel Lights 100G Interconnects at Facebook Summit
  • Mil/aero group foresees shift to optical in 2012
  • Teardown slideshow: Inside the third-generation iPad
  • Analyst: Graphics war heating up in mobile
  • ARM, Intel Target Military Electronics

TAG:Pin Diodes VITA VMX VME Optical Boards Emitters Detectors Copper

2013-01-22

Electronics, photovoltaics pioneer Eric Lidow dies at 100

Electronics, photovoltaics pioneer Eric Lidow dies at 100

Eric Lidow, a photovoltaics whiz kid who fled Nazi Germany with $14in his pocket and went on to become a power-electronics pioneer andmultimillionaire philanthropist in the United States, died Jan. 18at the age of 100.

Lidow, in the course of a remarkable, storied life, roomed with LeonTrotsky's son, started two major companies--Selenium Corp. andInternational Rectifier Corp.-- built a solar-powered vehicle riddenin by Vice President Nixon and was a major arts benefactor inSouthern California. In 2007, EE Times honoredLidow with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

At the time, Lidow, then 94, still ventured into his modestcinder block office near LAX almost every day, driving his own hybridToyota Highlander, and wearing a suit, tie and ever-present broadsmile.

During a luncheon Q&A then at a favorite seaside Italianrestaurant, he ranged over the major electronics achievements he'dseen his life:
"The most practical one is the cellular telephone.It's made communication so easy. I'm very impressed by theadvances in computers, but there's a tremendous danger to oureducation because of the availability of computers and the placethey take in children's lives. They're spending too much time infront of the screen and not enough time with other people. Youdon't want Internet kids growing up to be antisocial, becausethat's what happening, I pity those people who try to getmarried on the Internet."
Lidow's career was remarkable not only because he worked every dayin it -- more than 60 years at IR alone -- but that he entered intoit in the first place.

Fleeing Germany
Lidow was born Dec. 22, 1912 in Vilnius, Lithuania. As a young Jew, hemoved to Berlin in the 1930s, where the leading minds in mathmaticsand engineering were teaching and where Lidow would studyphotovoltaics and room with Trotsky's son. In 1937, he received hisEE from the Technical University of Berlin--his diploma studded withNazi swastikas. Shortly thereafter, he fled Germany with $14 in hispocket, a Leica camera and not a single word of English in hisvocabulary, arriving in New York in October of that year. In 1939,he moved across county to Los Angeles, where he founded SeleniumCorp., in 1940. At first the company made selenium cells forexposure meters, but when the business turned sour, the companyswitched to making novel rectifiers. Thanks to the company'sadvanced power electronics and some defense contracts, SeleniumCorp. prospered during World War II. Lidow sold it to Sperry Corp.in 1946.

The newly minted millionaire could have been content to retire youngand hob-nob with Hollywood stars and starlets, but instead he spentthe year working with the Red Cross to find his parents, Holocaustsurvivors, in Europe and bring them to America. The next year, heand his father, Leon, an ex-banker, started International Rectifier,which began by making selenium photoelectric cells and seleniumrectifiers. Lidow was CEO until 1995 and Chairman of the Board until2008.
Next: Power electronics innovation
TAG:Electronics photovoltaics selenium International Rectifier rectifiers semiconductors electronics Eric Lidow

Electronics, photovoltaics pioneer Eric Lidow dies at 100

Electronics, photovoltaics pioneer Eric Lidow dies at 100

Eric Lidow, a photovoltaics whiz kid who fled Nazi Germany with $14in his pocket and went on to become a power-electronics pioneer andmultimillionaire philanthropist in the United States, died Jan. 18at the age of 100.

Lidow, in the course of a remarkable, storied life, roomed with LeonTrotsky's son, started two major companies--Selenium Corp. andInternational Rectifier Corp.-- built a solar-powered vehicle riddenin by Vice President Nixon and was a major arts benefactor inSouthern California. In 2007, EE Times honoredLidow with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

At the time, Lidow, then 94, still ventured into his modestcinder block office near LAX almost every day, driving his own hybridToyota Highlander, and wearing a suit, tie and ever-present broadsmile.

During a luncheon Q&A then at a favorite seaside Italianrestaurant, he ranged over the major electronics achievements he'dseen his life:
"The most practical one is the cellular telephone.It's made communication so easy. I'm very impressed by theadvances in computers, but there's a tremendous danger to oureducation because of the availability of computers and the placethey take in children's lives. They're spending too much time infront of the screen and not enough time with other people. Youdon't want Internet kids growing up to be antisocial, becausethat's what happening, I pity those people who try to getmarried on the Internet."
Lidow's career was remarkable not only because he worked every dayin it -- more than 60 years at IR alone -- but that he entered intoit in the first place.

Fleeing Germany
Lidow was born Dec. 22, 1912 in Vilnius, Lithuania. As a young Jew, hemoved to Berlin in the 1930s, where the leading minds in mathmaticsand engineering were teaching and where Lidow would studyphotovoltaics and room with Trotsky's son. In 1937, he received hisEE from the Technical University of Berlin--his diploma studded withNazi swastikas. Shortly thereafter, he fled Germany with $14 in hispocket, a Leica camera and not a single word of English in hisvocabulary, arriving in New York in October of that year. In 1939,he moved across county to Los Angeles, where he founded SeleniumCorp., in 1940. At first the company made selenium cells forexposure meters, but when the business turned sour, the companyswitched to making novel rectifiers. Thanks to the company'sadvanced power electronics and some defense contracts, SeleniumCorp. prospered during World War II. Lidow sold it to Sperry Corp.in 1946.

The newly minted millionaire could have been content to retire youngand hob-nob with Hollywood stars and starlets, but instead he spentthe year working with the Red Cross to find his parents, Holocaustsurvivors, in Europe and bring them to America. The next year, heand his father, Leon, an ex-banker, started International Rectifier,which began by making selenium photoelectric cells and seleniumrectifiers. Lidow was CEO until 1995 and Chairman of the Board until2008.
Next: Power electronics innovation
TAG:Electronics photovoltaics selenium International Rectifier rectifiers semiconductors electronics Eric Lidow