The Koh-i-Noor is a diamond of monumental stature. "As an artist, I want to preserve the legend and legacy of Koh-i-noor through my painting and imprint it on the blockchain as a digital artwork NFT. I want to give back the Koh-i-noor to people, back to all who think it belongs to them." ~ Reena Ahluwalia
Read moreThe Legendary Koh-i-Noor Diamond
The Koh-i-Noor is a diamond of monumental stature. No other diamond in history can lay claim to be more widely traveled, famous and controversial, all at once. Today, the Koh-i-Noor remains one of the most coveted and enigmatic jewels in the world. A story so deep that it began billions of years ago as the diamond formed beneath earth and continues to this date, spanning 750 years of human history.
Read moreReena Ahluwalia X Greenland Ruby Fundraiser benefits the Pink Polar Bear Foundation
Reena Ahluwalia X Greenland Ruby Fundraiser benefits the Pink Polar Bear Foundation. The ‘phygital’ fundraiser marked a first-of-its-kind within the gem and jewelry world, merging physical gemstones, a physical artwork to digital gemstone NFTs on the blockchain.
Read moreDiamonds on World Postage Stamps
Diamonds on postage stamps stand as symbols of growth and vision for countries, representing aspirations, stories as well as pride in their natural resources. What could communicate this shining vision better than diamonds?! One of the most unique ways that the socio-cultural impact of diamonds has been celebrated is in postage stamps.
Read moreThe Human Spirit Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia
I believe the Human Spirit is like a diamond - resilient and full of light. That’s why I painted this one. It’s my way of celebrating the power of humanity and hope that we stand for diversity, inclusivity, equality and empathy. Each of us is an example of what is possible. However many times we might fall, the human spirit gives us the strength to get back up with new resolve.
Read moreReena Ahluwalia's Diamond Paintings Adorn DIVA Diamond Museum in Antwerp
Paintings by award-winning artist Reena Ahluwalia celebrate diamonds and diamond stories.
For the past 500 years, Antwerp and diamonds are inextricably linked. The City and Province of Antwerp is all set to open, 'DIVA. Antwerp Home of Diamonds' museum in 2018. To mark the Antwerp 'Diamond Year', DIVA's Museum Shop opened its doors on December 7th, 2017. World-renowned artist Reena Ahluwalia's hyper-realistic diamond paintings were selected to be housed in the museum and now available for sale at its Museum shop.
“We have known Reena for a long time and always have been great admirers of her jewelry designs and paintings. We were thrilled when we could work with her for her paintings in the Museum shop. Her paintings are truly unique, beautiful from a distance and captivating from close by. We are really honored to have them hanging in our shop.” Stefan Leemans, owner of the DIVA Museum shop said.
Brilliant like diamonds, Reena's painting series is titled The Diamond Constellation and pays tribute to the “star-like quality and unlimited potential in each one of us”. The paintings feature highly nuanced, hyper-realistic diamonds with ultra-magnified facets and have taken over 200 hours each to complete. The provenance of Reena's diamond paintings is linked to her lifelong work as a diamond artist. Her paintings are known for their imagination and storytelling. Reena's ties to Antwerp go a long way back as an award-wining diamond jewelry designer, diamond painter and educator. Her work is featured on a special edition Belgian Postal Stamp, 'Antverpia 2010' that celebrates Antwerp as a world class diamond center. With only a handful of postage stamps in the world featuring diamonds, and even rarer featuring a diamond jewelry piece; this postage stamp is a rare honor for a diamond jewelry piece and a jewelry artist’s work. Besides working with some of the most prestigious diamond companies of Antwerp, Reena is also the past winner of the HRD Awards and speaker at various Antwerp events. Reena is an ambassador of 'Diamonds & Antwerp' (DnA).
"We want to bring the story of jewels and diamonds back to the Antwerp historic city center, where it all started 500 years ago," says Mr. Luk Lemmens, Provincial Deputy Minister for Culture, Antwerp. Diva museum will celebrate the illustrious diamond history of Antwerp, its pivotal role in shaping the world of diamond trade, craftsmanship and stories that make diamonds unmatchable. The museum will officially open in May 2018.
Reena Ahluwalia Speaks at the Gem-A Conference 2017
Reena Ahluwalia was invited by the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) to speak on 'Diamond Storytelling Through Design & Art'. A topic Reena has spoken extensively about. Reena highlighted need for diamond industry to tell diamond stories that can authentically connect to next generations and their aspirations.
Diamonds already start as nature's art-forms. One thing we have learnt in the diamond and jewellery business is that each generation brings their own challenges and opportunities. Collectively as an industry we must have the vision to not only seek to understand the Millennials, but also the generation that will exert their market power after them. According to Reena, trends may come and go, but stories are truly cross-generational. Stories never go out of fashion. Stories, live on.
Established in 1908, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, or Gem-A, is the world’s longest established provider of gem and jewellery education.
Reena Ahluwalia Speaks At The Tokyo Diamond Exchange
Reena Ahluwalia was invited to speak at the Tokyo Diamond Exchange on 'Diamonds And The Power Of Storytelling'. President of The Tokyo Diamond Exchange, Michio Iwasaki graciously welcomed Reena on her visit to the Exchange and shared insights about the market. The event was well attended by the leading diamantaires and jewelers from Japan. Honorary Dean, Hidetaka Kato was present and appreciated Reena's body of work in diamonds, her jewelry designs and her diamond paintings. Event was beautifully organized by Secretary-General, Yoshiaki Yamaka. Here are some of the highlights from Reena's talk at the Tokyo Diamond Exchange.
Reena Ahluwalia Receives Fellow Award, Delivers Keynote Address At The George Brown College Convocation 2017
After an extensive vetting process, Toronto’s George Brown College chose jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia to serve as their keynote speaker at Convocation 2017. According to Dean Luigi Ferrara, “Reena’s influential work in the global diamond and jewelry industry, her achievements in the world of Fashion and Visual Art and service as Faculty and mentor to so many of our students, made her the ideal choice for inspiring our graduates and sending them off into this exciting new phase of their lives.”
Drawing from some of the pivotal lessons from her life, Reena Ahluwalia, jewelry designer, painter, professor and community builder, urged students to nurture and value their unbounded mind, their unique inner compass and the passion to persevere. During the ceremony Reena received an honorary degree in International Fashion Management and an Institute without Boundaries (IwB) Fellow Award for leaving an indelible mark on industry, country, community and for her contributions to the areas of study offered at George Brown for being an exceptional role model for the students. Reena’s full Keynote Speech can be seen here: https://youtu.be/jnuiYuxtLtI
Anne Sado, President of the George Brown College, said, “Our Academic Management Committee made up of all college Deans, were unanimous in recommending Reena Ahluwalia. Our criteria for granting an honorary degree is for people who have made an exceptional contribution to the country, world, with relevance to the College. As a person worthy of this recognition, Reena Ahluwalia exemplifies the qualities that George Brown College staff and students strive for – perseverance, passion and excellence.”
The George Brown College convocation ceremony for the Centre of Arts, Design & Information Technology was held on June 12th, 2017 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada.
Reena's Glorious, Luminous Diamonds - JNA (Jewellery News Asia)
Feature interview of Reena Ahluwalia and her diamonds.
Editor Marie Feliciano interviews Reena Ahluwalia in May 2017 issue of JNA (Jewellery News Asia).
Diamonds & Millennials: Understand The WHY & The WHAT Will Be Answered
By Reena Ahluwalia. Blog appeared in GEMKonnect
What are the diamond jewellery trends that are shaping up the North American Millennial market in 2017?
The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotional Council of India (GJEPC) recently invited me to speak and share my observations on this specific question at their design and trend forecasting annual seminar, Design Inspirations. This year’s topic focused on the challenges and opportunities around designing for the Millennials.
A great deal has already been written about the Millennials, their buying power and behaviour. Rightly so, Millennials now make the largest consumer market for diamond jewellery. According to a report by the De Beers Group, Millennials in the US alone account for over 60 per cent of this generation’s diamond jewellery purchases in the top four markets, namely – the US, China, India and Japan.
I’ll summarize what I said at the GJEPC seminar. Since the diamond jewellery market is too wide a spectrum, I decided to focus on a specific area — the non-bridal diamond trends, a rising star segment for Millennials in the US. The premise of my talk was to question why things trend, what influences and shapes them to become market forces. Truly understanding the why will help answer the what that is needed to appeal to the Millennials and the generation beyond.
One thing we have learnt in the diamond and jewellery business is that each generation brings it’s own challenges and opportunities. Collectively as an industry we must have the vision to not only seek to understand the Millennials, but also the generation that will exert their market power after them...
CONTINUE TO READ MORE: https://www.gemkonnect.com/blog/diamonds-millennials-understand-why-what-will-be-answered
The Art And The Artist | Reena Ahluwalia Featured by Adorn Magazine
Reena Ahluwalia was recently featured in ADORN Magazine - India's First Luxury Jewellery Magazine (Nov. - Dec. 2016). In an exclusive interview, editor Shanoo Bijlani finds out more about artist Reena Ahluwalia, her art and what drives her to create her diamond paintings.
The Portrait of Innovation - Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia
"Shine like the whole universe is yours." -- Rumi
This universe is truly ours! You and I are brilliant specks of consciousness in this vast universe. I love this simple idea that has the power to liberate and empower us. To dream freely, to reach within and share our thoughts uninhibited with the universe is a beautiful thing.
A dream with courage is innovation. Innovation is exactly what Aaron Shum of Aaron Shum Jewelry created in his patented diamond setting. Coronet Solitaire has accomplished what centuries of master jewelers have tried - creating a luminous grand solitaire effect - with only 30 points of diamond (and 1/10th the price of its solitaire equivalent). So when Aaron asked me to custom create a diamond painting of the 'Coronet', we both knew instantaneously that it would not just be a copy of the diamond setting. We knew that undertaking this commission will mean that I will be painting not a specimen of the diamond setting but rather a portrait of innovation and telling the story of a diamond dream.
The 'Coronet' diamond painting was a true joy to create and took 45 days and nights. The painting belongs to my 'Diamond Portrait Series'. At 48 x 48 inches (4x4 feet), it's an extremely detailed and precise portrait of innovation. The Coronet setting ensembles seven round brilliants with an elevated center diamond set without prongs, creating effect of one grand solitaire.
The Coronet® Diamond Painting was unveiled on 15 September 2016 in a special exhibition at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016. The response was overwhelming! In addition to the Coronet® portrait painting, the exhibition featured seven of my diamond paintings in Hong Kong for the very first time.
Aaron Shum Jewelry and I also announced our upcoming jewelry design collaboration which we launched in Baselworld 2017 - the spectacular CORONET BY REENA AHLUWALIA diamond jewelry collection.
Below is a look at the making of the 'Coronet' Diamond Painting. Enjoy!
Making of the 'Coronet' Diamond Painting:
Heart of Gold - A Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia
It’s that heart of gold, and stardust soul that make you beautiful!
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. Isn't a heart of gold the best treasure of all? Capturing the warm glow of sun rays, 'Heart of Gold' is my yellow heart-shaped diamond painting, one of three heart-shaped diamond painting from the Diamond Portrait Series. I went ahead and added real natural diamond dust with paint in the painting, the diamond dust sparkles when it catches light.
The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I wrote about most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds in history.
Here are a few images of the painting and process...
Passionate Heart - A Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia
Life is short. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
Celebrating a heart full of passion, 'Passionate Heart' is my pink heart-shaped diamond painting, one of three heart-shaped diamond painting from the 'Diamond Portrait Series'. Pink diamonds are extremely rare diamonds and are the hot favorite of collectors and connoisseurs. The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I wrote about the most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds in history.
Here are a few images of the painting and process...
Live with passion, follow your heart!
Connect with Reena
Pure Heart - A White Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia
Beauty of a pure heart shines brighter than any star!
Nothing can stop us to radiate our inner brilliance. A pure heart is pure light! It's that essence I set out to capture in my painting. After all, what is heart without story?
From the 'Diamond Portrait Series', this painting is a portrait of 'Pure Heart'. A D-flawless white heart-shaped diamond full of light and brilliance. The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I have written about the most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds.
Here are a few images of the painting and process! Enjoy...!
Connect with Reena
Reena Ahluwalia Diamond Painting on the cover of World Diamond Magazine
Apart from the cover, Reena's opinion piece on 'Art and building relationships from the outside in' is also featured inside the magazine...
Read moreReena Ahluwalia speaks at GJEPC's 'Design Inspirations 2016'
How to stay inspired and how to continue to trigger inspiration in our thinking to sustain creativity. Reena at the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) conference in Mumabi...
Read moreThe Portrait of Perfection - A Pear Shaped Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia
From the "Diamond Portrait Series", here is "The Portrait of Perfection" - a flawless and perfect pear shaped diamond...
Read moreThe Portal of Decisions - A Painting by Reena Ahluwalia
The biggest adventure we can take is to live the life of our dreams. Come and experience the Portal of Decisions...
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