by Action Advisor on February 22, 2012
The world’s largest pink diamond a 12.76 carat gem to be known as the Argyle Pink Jubilee was found at Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in the remote east Kimberley region of Western Australia. (1)
The pink diamond is the world’s most rare and valuable diamond. The Argyle mine is the world’s foremost source of unrivalled intense pink diamonds, producing 95% of the world’s supply. However, an extremely small proportion of Argyle Diamonds production is Pink colour, in fact less than one tenth of 1% is classified Pink. (2)
The legend of Argyle pink diamond has grown over the past ten years. At the 1989 Christie’s auction in New York a 3.14 carat Argyle pink sold for $1,510,000. Privately, Argyle has sold pink diamonds for up to $1 million a carat. (2)
Cleaning is expected to take up-to ten days, thereafter the diamond will be shown at international exhibitions around the world before being sold. Pink diamonds attract, on average, twenty times the price of an equivalent white diamond – the Argyle if sold for as much as one million dollars per carat will fetch close to 13 million dollars.
Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson said a diamond of its calibre was unprecedented.
“It has taken 26 years of Argyle production to unearth this stone and we may never see one like this again,” Ms Johnson said.
Science Insight – How Diamonds Form in Nature
References: (1) AAP News ‘Rio’s Biggest Pink Diamond Gets the Cut’. (2) Costello’s ‘Types of Diamonds’.
by Action Advisor on February 19, 2012
From the journals of Hilton Pond a beautiful collection of photos illustrating the diversity of ‘butterflies’ found roadside in Costa Rica.
On a field trip to Tropical Paradise, the citizen scientists at Hilton Pond Center discovered a rich ecosystem filled with colourful characters. Against a backdrop of iridescent botanicals the group captured a delightful selection of natural species – of colours varied in shade and intensity.
You can view the images and read about the expedition here.
Established in 1982, Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History provides is a non-profit research & education organization in York, South Carolina USA; phone (803) 684-5852. Directed by Bill Hilton Jr., aka The Piedmont Naturalist, it is the parent organization for Operation RubyThroat (The Hummingbird Project).
YOU can help support the work of Hilton Pond, allowing them to continue writing and photographing the secrets of nature – for all to share!
by Action Advisor on February 17, 2012
The Experience Freedom Journey will take you through the world of skydiving and Base Jumping in some of the most amazing and scenic locations in the world.
Filmmakers INFINITY LIST open the doors for other athletes and filmmakers and provide opportunities for greater exposure – by showcasing the talent of some of the world’s best athletes in eight adventure sports categories.
by Action Advisor on February 16, 2012
In this weeks edition of Nature, Jeff Tollefson investigates the ancient discoveries being unearthed in South Africa’s Southern Cape, which reveal how climate change shaped culture.
At nearby Blombos cave, archaeologist Chris Henshilwood has found some of the oldest evidence of symbolic thought by humans. The remains reflecting insight that relates to climate change and human development.
Tollefson’s account provides readers with an in-depth look at the project, investigating the relevance of ancient remains with detailed images of the site and some of the more significant findings. Noted historical references adjacent inferences from the remains found at the dig which suggest climate change played an important part in the demise of Stone Bay. (See Crucible of Culture)
Read the Full Story
by Action Advisor on February 10, 2012
Back in 2004, a flip on skis gone tragically wrong broke Josh Dueck’s back and left him as a T11 – full paraplegic. For the past 8 years one of his dreams has been to do a flip on snow again. On February 3, 2012, Josh became the first person to perform a backflip on snow in a Sit Ski!
Also, see Josh in the Salomon Freeski TV THE FREEDOM CHAIR webisode with the full documentary to be available for download on iTunes soon.
