Beyond magnificence and splendor, world of diamonds evolves on stirred grounds. When stake is so important, interests collide. But technology develops following its onward course. Here are some interesting off-stage events in diamond industry and innovations in technology.

De Beers sued by head of Diamond Bourse

Derek Parsons, president of Diamond Bourse of Southeast United States has filed a lawsuit against De Beers, on charge of company's disregard of American competition law. Their Supplier of Choice policy puts American dealers at a disadvantage. The suit was not launched on behalf of Miami bourse but on behalf of diamond dealers in America, condemning criteria on which De Beers makes sales – they would sell only to their sightholders, discouraging non-sightholders and keeping prices artificially high at a non-competitive level.

Diamond mining expands

De Beers holds control of only 50% of roughs market

Diamond rising prices have stimulated exploration and mining in more countries such as Canada, Russia, Angola, India, Brazil. Nevertheless, about 40% of diamonds still come from Botswana and South Africa. De Beers' control on rough diamond market was declared to have decreased from 70% to about 50%. Canada, Russia and West and Central Africa are considered by specialists an important potential diamond source. India and Brazil are prospected by geologists also due to fact that they are known to have been a diamond source in past.

The largest diamond reserve of Africa lives in extreme poverty

Although fourth largest producer in world by value and holder of largest diamond reserves in Africa. Angola's per capita gross national income GNI is estimated at $650 per annum. People' s main means of subsistence is agriculture. The diamond sector has been seriously affected by long war and by gem smuggling. Yet it still represents a very important potential driver of economic development. Since 2002, when conflict between government and UNITA rebel movement ended, developing sector has become a national priority and government has already made changes to diamond sector regulations. Serious redevelopment and investment is needed in this area. At present, artisanal mining operates in Angola and it brings very little economic benefit to local communities.

Increasing conflict in Russia between diamond cutters and miners

By…Ronni Rhodes

Streaming Media…now a well accepted Internet technology. Yet streaming is still not being widely utilized by members of corporate training staffs. Why is this? I would venture to guess that lack of direct experience, hesitation to try new methods, and fears about costly "TV type stuff" have all contributed to make streaming seem like something too difficult to attempt successfully.

Granted, streaming media still has its limitations especially in area of delivering full- screen, full-quality video. But most of big players on Internet, even those in head-to-head competition for fast-growing streaming audience, agree that as bandwidth continues to improve, streaming provides a value added service to Web. Live and on-demand streaming has definitely arrived on Internet and on corporate intranets as part of a multimedia mix for all kinds of applications including sales, marketing, and training. (I think that entertainment value need not be disputed.)

Streaming is economical and extremely affordable. Once training production has been completed, there is no need for expensive tape, or CD-ROM, duplication and shipping charges. The stream is available 24 hours a day without human intervention and can remain on company site for an indeterminate time. Streams can also be archived for easy access by new employees, customers and visitors. The cost of hosting and archiving these streams is minuscule compared with costs associated with tape duplication, storage, mailing, and personnel required to perform these tasks

What is streaming exactly? Streaming promises quick access to meaningful content without aggravating wait for files to download. Downloading requires that files be sent to user's PC in their entirety before they can be played; MP3 is a perfect example of this. The files then remain on user's machine until they are deleted. Streaming continuously sends these same files, which have already been digitized, to user's PC while user is listening or watching. When stream is ended, no data is left behind on user's machine. Streams can also be password protected for additional security.