Reena Ahluwalia designs historic setting for Ontario’s first mined diamonds
R E E N A A H L U W A L I A
From Mine to Mace – a diamond’s journey
Diamond Earrings By Reena Ahluwalia
In early 2009, De Beers Canada donated three diamonds from the Victor Mine’s first production to the people of Ontario. Victor mine is the first diamond mine of Ontario and is located north of Toronto in the James Bay Lowlands. The area is home to the Attawapiskat First Nation and they are an integral part of the mining project. To date, the De Beers Canada Victor Mine has generated approximately $200 million in Joint Venture partnerships with local First Nation communities. Over 95% of the diamonds mined at Victor are of superior gem quality. The Victor Diamond Mine is expected to contribute $6.7 billion to the Ontario economy over its estimated 12-year life span.
Ontario’s Chief Gemmologist, Ron Gashinski, handpicked the three De Beers diamonds. Two were cut and polished by Crossworks Manufacturing and the other one was cleaned, but remain in rough form. The ‘Girdle’ or middle of the polished diamonds is numbered ‘ONT-1-00001’ and ‘ONT-1-00002’, certifying that these were the first Ontario mined diamonds to be cut, and polished in the province’s history. The girdle of stones also bears the inscription of Ontario’s Legislative Assembly motto: Audi Alteram Partem – “Hear the other side”. Corona Jewellers using platinum mined in Ontario and donated by Vale Inco. repaired the Mace, set diamonds and installed the setting.
One for the history books
The placement of the diamonds in the Mace combines the uniqueness and wealth of Ontario’s mineral resources with the most powerful symbol of the province’s system of parliamentary democracy.
De Beers Canada President & CEO Jim Gowans said the company is honoured to be a part of Canadian history. “The De Beers Canada Victor Mine is extremely proud of the superior quality diamonds we produce and equally proud to be able to share them with the people of Ontario is this historic way,” said Gowans. Adding further Gowans said “As Ontario’s first diamond mine, we will continue to set high goals for our team to ensure we maximize the benefits of this world class operation for our employees, our community partners and the people of Ontario.”
Ontario’s first Mace was introduced in 1792 for the first sitting of parliament in Newark, Niagara-on-the-Lake today. It was captured by the Americans in the War of 1812 – it was later returned in 1934. Second Mace of Ontario was lost to fire in 1916 after being sent to Ottawa in 1867. Current Mace is the third Mace of Ontario and was created in 1867. The current Mace was last refurbished over 100 years ago to recognize the ascension of King Edward VII to the throne when Queen Victoria died in 1901. The modification saw the royal monogram on the cup changed from VR to ER.
All materials and services for the Mine to Mace project were donated to the people of Ontario by the companies and individuals involved.
Source: Legislative Assembly of Ontario and De Beers Canada
Toronto, Canada, March 24, 2009 – In an official unveiling, the newly updated diamond-set Mace of Ontario was welcomed into service in the Ontario Legislature. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario gathered for a historical event that will be recorded in perpetuity as a key milestone in celebrating Ontario’s emerging status as a diamond-producing jurisdiction within Canada.
Toronto jewellery designer Reena Ahluwalia was invited by the Ontario Legislature to design a diamond-setting to mount Ontario’s first diamonds in the historic Legislative Mace of Ontario. She presented 18 design proposals to the Speaker, Hon. Steve Peters and the Clerk of the House, Hon. Deborah Deller, who approved the final blueprint for the diamond-setting from her 18 proposals.
Ahluwalia was responsible for identifying and defining the conceptual, symbolic and physical elements of the Mine to Mace project that became imperative to her design process. “The base of the diamond-mount has a quatrefoil shape with its equal sections representing symmetry and balance. The spiralling form of the design secures the rough diamond, that signifies the diamond mine and natural riches of Ontario,” Ahluwalia said. It leads up to the polished square-Ideal-cut diamond that rises above and represents the outcome of “the value-added processes that promise prosperity”.
“This design represents growth, continual change and evolution,” Ahluwalia added. “My ultimate design challenge consisted of determining a persuasive final design that not only worked in visual and symbolic symmetry with the existing historic Mace, but one that could stand the test of time”.
2010 – Best in Show, ‘Best Design Collaboration’ by JCK Magazine – JCK Las Vegas Show 2010.
2008-2010 – ‘Antverpia 2010’ postage stamp released by the Belgian Postal Service to celebrate Antwerp as a world’s diamond capital. It features Reena Ahluwalia’s diamond necklace. Antwerp, Belgium
2008-2009 – Reena Ahluwalia designs historic setting for Ontario’s first mined diamonds. Ahluwalia was invited by the Ontario Legislature and De Beers Canada to design a diamond-setting to mount Ontario’s first diamonds in the historic Legislative Mace of Ontario. Toronto, Canada
2006-2008 – Recognized as top 25 influential professors at George Brown College, Toronto, Canada
2008 – Guest Speaker / Royal Ontario Museum, Nature of Diamonds exhibition – Film Series ‘Icons & Ice’. Toronto, Canada
2008 – Contributing writer for Modern Jeweller Magazine, USA
2007-2008 – First prize winner – North America / Necklace category, Tahitian Pearl Trophy – 5th Edition, New York, USA
2007-2008 – Second prize winner – North America / Bracelet category, Tahitian Pearl Trophy – 5th Edition, New York, USA
2007-2008 – Second prize winner – North America / Brooch category, Tahitian Pearl Trophy – 5th Edition, New York, USA
2007-2008 – ‘Bel Canto – A Homage to Maria Callas’ diamond necklace embarks on world tour and is exhibited at the Diamond Museum of Province of Antwerp (Diamantmuseum Provincie Antwerpen). Belgium / World Tour
2007 – HRD Awards 2007. ‘Bel Canto – A Homage to Maria Callas’ necklace featured 101.0 carats of white diamonds. Contemporary diamond jewellery design awards by HRD & Antwerp World Diamonds Center (AWDC). Antwerp, Belgium
2006 – 11th Samshin International Diamond Jewellery Design Awards. Seoul, Korea
2001-2003 – Tiaras for the ‘Femina Miss India’ beauty pageant, supported by Mont Blanc and the Times Group, India
2000 – Design Consultant, Platinum Guild International (PGI) for platinum introduction to the Indian Market, India
2000 – Diamond necklace featured by late fashion icon Alexander McQueen in Spring/Summer 2000 collection debut in New York, USA
1999-2000 – De Beers Diamonds – International Awards 2000. Necklace features 2,409 diamonds weighing 196.56 carats. Paris, France
2000 – Gold Virtuosi International Awards, World Gold Council, India & Italy
1999 – Jury Advisor and Adjudicator, ‘Swarnanjali National Awards’, World Gold Council, India
1998-1999 – Designer / Consultant, World Gold Council Trend book, India
1998 – Winner, Swarnanjali National Awards by World Gold Council, India
1997 – Scholarship / Sponsored by the World Gold Council, UK & Italy
1996 – Overall Excellence in Design, Swarnanjali National Awards by World Gold Council, India
1994 – Agata Award for Design and Overall Excellence, Italy
EDUCATOR
Part Time Professor / Jewellery & Gemmology Department / George Brown College, Toronto, Canada
Vice Principal, Professor / Jewellery Design & Technology Institute (JDTI), India
Visiting Professor / Jewellery Design & Technology Institute (JDTI), India
Visiting Professor / National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), India
To learn more about this necklace, visit Reena Ahluwalia.
