Described as a design platform which showcases student talent and provides global opportunities for youth skills development in jewellery design, the Shining Light Awards have been a beacon of hope for many a young, aspiring jewellery designer. The Award was first launched in South Africa in 1996 and subsequently in Botswana and Namibia in 2008.  

“Designed to propel the growth of jewellery design in De Beers Group producing countries, the initiative was expanded to Canada in 2018/2019, generating more than 100 entries from the four participating countries,” De Beers announced.

Canadian students accounted for the second highest number of entries submitted to this year’s competition, De Beers revealed.

The Gala, at which the winners will be announced and the awards distributed to final winners, is scheduled to be held in November this year in Botswana.

“This competition has evolved over the years and to be able to see Canadian design students participate with such interest and high numbers is a testament to the excellent programmes being offered at the college and university level here in Canada,” said Tom Ormsby of De Beers Group Managed Operations in Canada. “The work the students are submitting is approaching commercial quality and getting the attention of the judges and the jewellery and fashion industry. We look forward to the announcement of the winning designs.”

This year’s theme is “Heroines & Heritage” and participants were asked to interpret the theme with reference to their own country and culture.

The judges for the Competition included experts in fashion and jewellery from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Italy. They spent over two days in Gaborone, Botswana, reviewing designs from talent across all four participating countries. The panel of judges included International Judge Professor Alba Cappellieri, Professor of Design of Jewellery and Fashion Accessories at the Politecnico di Milano (POLI.design), who said the Canadian students were well up to the task, considering it is their first time in the competition.  

"I was very impressed by the variety of applications received; some countries expressed an arts and crafts approach while for others there has been a scientific approach. I appreciated the Canadian consideration for manufacturing, which was an important aspect requested by the competition guidelines and which they developed very well," said Professor Alba Cappellieri.

The judges selected one winning design and two runners-up per country. The three winners   selected from each country will be awarded the following prizes at various internationally recognised jewellery design institutions: 

First prize: 1 year scholarship at Politecnico di Milano (POLI.design) in Milan, Italy

Second prize: 3 month internship with Forevermark in Milan, Italy

Third prize: 1 year scholarship at Akapo Jewellers, South Africa

“The three finalists from Canada will be flown to the event for the announcement,” the Company said. “They will also have the opportunity to visit the De Beers Diamond Trading global sorting and sales facility in Gaborone, along with other events being planned for the students.” 

Pic Cap: The De Beers Group Designers Initiative Shining Light Awards is open to Canadian participants for the first time (Pic released at time the 2019 Awards were announced in November 2018)

Pic Courtesy: De Beers Group