Treasure hunters are enjoying present gold prices. As few of us are involved in economics, there is limited awareness of unique economic factors of which we should be aware when making decisions to sell our gold finds, or hold for future appreciation.

Of course the traders have access to factors one should consider, however, too many individuals are unaware of the same aspects, putting them at a disadvantage when buying or selling gold. As a rule, only the quoted price determines our judgment.

The “trap” is not considering the value of the dollar in relationship to gold quotes. Presently gold futures for 2006 are up in the 23% range. At the same time, the value of your dollar has declined as much as 12% against the euro, for example. Gold trades internationally, and is valued accordingly. So, we should add the economic reality of what is the true value of both the cash received, as well as the true dollar-value of gold at the moment, regardless of what form of gold you hold, including the “scrap gold” from jewelry we tend to accumulate. The same for other commodities such as silver, platinum, and now, even copper.

After all, the more you know, the further you can go. In the world of commodities, the more you know, the further your margins of profit can grow.

TREA$URE! This is the world premiere of the exhibit that will explore the science, technology, history and excitement of treasure and treasure hunting!

TREA$URE! Has six themes exploring treasures in popular culture, treasure in the attic, sunken treasure, buried treasure, gold rushes and the modern treasure hunt.

TREA$URE! Features hands-on activities allowing visitors to use the tools of treasure hunters and view actual artifacts from shipwrecks and other treasure sites.

The Johnson City Medical Center staff discovered this and did an in-depth study in their ICU. Then did an article on it, had it published and incorporated into ACLS and CPR classes.

Let's say you're driving home alone. You start experiencing severe pain in your chest, perhaps radiating out into your arm, even up into your jaw. You don't know if you can make it to the hospital or even get someone's attention to help.

What can you do? Even if trained in CPR, it is not focused on what to do if needed by you, when alone and assistance in not readily available.

Too often, people are alone when they suffer a heart attack. Without help, if one's heart is beating improperly, and they feel faint, they may have as little as 10 precious seconds before losing consciousness.

Victims may help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough. The cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every very two seconds without let up, until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.

Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and aid in keeping blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart is to regain normal rhythm. The objective is limited to aiding the victim get to a hospital, or summons aid, not a treatment or “remedy.”

(Editor's own comments: Consult with your physician for any specifics related to your health profile, as well as his specific advisements, and without delay if at risk. Without exception, be conscientious and consult with your physician to be sure of the accuracy of your perception of this emergency procedure, before telling others. Then, and only then, tell as many people as possible, it may well save lives.)

An important heads-up, courtesy of me, The one and only “Treasure Geezer,” retired raconteur, all-around nice guy, good-looking, and yet, a humble soul.

It has been many moons since I posted anything, and I know some of you thought I had assumed “room temperature,” for sure; but retirees at my age just take longer naps. It is great to finally have something to post! And yes, it is true; I have not posted or wrote since last year. Some assumed I had assumed “room temperature” for sure; but old-time Bankers don't just pass away quietly: What we do “pass” may smell that way. Yet, when I pass, at last, my heirs say I will still be useful, and somewhat proactive to the other residents of our retirement complex: They threaten to bury me, out front, with my bony rear exposed for a dandy bike rack thieves would avoid.

Anyway, it seems that car thieves have found yet another way to steal your car without much effort. This especially concerns me as I drive a high-powered “muscle car” to impress the ladies and, as you can imagine I get attention when I power into the senior center, including thieves eyeing my 1988 Plymouth throwing flames from all four cylinders! I'm sort of slow getting out, and it's bad enough trying to get my joints to move getting out, much less position my cane to shield me from all those blue-haired “chicks” rumbling their wheelchairs towards me. So now I have to park my mean-machine where I can keep my one good eye on it!

It seems those dastardly motorcar thieves peer through the windshield, not to admire my motorcar, but to write down the VIN # from the label on the buggy-dash. Then amble over to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #.

We have only one senior with right-good hearing, so we had him call round the dealerships. Now this feller is a voting member of that “other party,” so you just know he's a natural-born liar; anyway, he fibbed about using his key for picking prune skins out of his store-bought teeth, then cleaning it, by soaking with his dentures. Only next morning mistakenly dumped it down the drain with the used Denture-Bright.

All them dealer-folks up and said just bring in the VIN #, and they would “cut one” or order a keyless device. So them-their car bandits go to your car, no need to break in and cause a ruckus to draw attention, just use the key and it's off to a “chop shop.”

To avoid this, consider putting some electrical tape across the metal VIN label, which is located on the dashboard. By law, you CANNOT REMOVE the VIN #, but you can cover it, so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car crook.

Well it's good to be useful, even needed, but now I need to take a nap. Pushing these heavy verbs up against nouns has me tuckered. Write me sometime, or post to the just-started forum; though sending me funds would be even better. Take your choice, but be quick, while I'm a geezer, that's still a breather! I'll be in this chair rocking, waiting for my browser to start knocking."

Unlike other precious items, the value of diamonds tends to remain steady. A scandal involving the GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA over improper grading threatens to send all levels of value related to diamonds into question. A “shock wave, not just through the jewelry and insurance industry” is but one description, one that was given in the Wall Street Journal, which states the problem best.

This is the time of year when most treasure finders sell their diamond finds, both recovered loose stones and those salvaged from jewelry finds. With the highs gold is experiencing, more salvaging of diamonds is taking place than normal. This is the result of freeing the stones to sell the gold separately and take advantage of the current high precious metal prices.

The dilemma relates to the market for diamonds, rather than gold (more on gold further on) as the gem market is no place for sellers at this time. I suggest you track prices at Diamondhelps.com until you see prices stabilize. This is ALSO the preferred source for determining values when you find gems. This is not a seller, but a place where you can enter information and get a good idea of value, rather than depend entirely on the lapidary shop, investor, or jewelry shop where treasure hunters typically sell their finds.

Understand that this is not just a “minor” scandal, but also one of unprecedented scale, as it brings into question the GIA, which is the leading rater of diamonds in the world. No one can say how long the market will be in flux, however, when resolved, chances are good there will be more opportunities for you than before the fallout. I will issue a low-level Insider alert when this issue is resolved.

AS TO GOLD: Anemic gold-production, the potential for Asian central banks to increase the gold portion of their required reserves, the strong demand for gold jewelry from India and China's expanding middle classes and Asian electronics companies, have all been part of the equation driving gold prices to over $600 an ounce.

On the other hand, this run seems unique, as the general public is not buying into gold as a legitimate asset class, (as during the previous balloon) which is a contrary indicator to a continued bull market for gold. This may, just may, be offset should investors bet the dollar would fall and see no advantage in the euro or yen. Then investors would likely opt for the shiny metal - heavy on the “likely.”

So far, the 2005 climb for gold has been in the 17% range and it is time to assess your position and consider whether to sell at a “sure” high value, or gamble on a further increase, that appears uncertain, at best.

Richard Cookson, a strategist at HSBC, was quoted through the Dow Jones press regarding the current reality, when he contended that much of the purported case for gold is delusional. Apart from the 1970's and early 1980's when gold offered protection for galloping inflation, “There is almost no link between gold and inflation,” he advised, preferring other investments offering more liquidity, deeper markets and much more accurate information to make investment decisions.

The bottom line seems to be, if you cannot afford to gamble at this critical juncture, perhaps, unlike the case for gems, selling gold at this high point is something to consider.

Do check back often for critical Public Alerts given as a gratis service of The Insiders' Treasure Association They are promptly published here on the public page, courtesy of our professionals to return the help they received while mastering their craft, and to give something back to the entire treasure hunting community. This is especially critical to those unallied with an association, or professional group, and lack network access to news of forewarnings and dangers that portent harm to one and all, as well as unusual opportunities.

Whereas, confidential Insider trade-secret notifications and news are still sent via first class mail in our newsletter, The Insiders' edition of THE UNCOMMON SEN$E. Digests of same are made available only after Insiders have received their newsletter, at which time they are posted on the member's side of the Treasure Secrets site.