Jewellery design competition celebrates heroines, heritage

The De Beers Group Designers Initiative invites jewellery designers to participate in the 2018/19 Shining Light Awards guided by the theme ‘Heroines and Heritage’.
It was learnt that the competition involves feminine elements that speak to women, evoke national pride as well as symbols of strength, heritage, wisdom and beauty. According to information provided by De Beer Senior Communications Manager Jackie Mapiloko, the challenge is open to designers in the four countries in which De Beers Group mines diamonds being South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and has been launched this year in Canada.
Entries are now open and will close on Thursday, 31 January 2019. Mapiloko emphasised that the winners will participate in a 12-month apprenticeship programme in Milan, Italy and runners-up will win a 3-month internship programme at a local design school.
De Beers Group Executive Vice President and CEO of Forevermark, Stephen Lussier reportedly said the awards have proven to be a valuable design platform to showcase talent and open opportunities for young people within the diamond sector and international markets. This is in-line with De Beers Group objectives on beneficiation through skills development of the youth, he added.
Forevermark Head of Brand Strategy and Innovation, Constantino Papadimitriou was quoted to have said “Over the years, we have seen how the Shining Light Awards have presented students with a great opportunity to develop their skills in jewellery manufacturing. We are looking forward to seeing the journey they take in interpreting the theme and bringing it to life. It is most gratifying that as a result of this competition, we will now see winners enrolled through the Forevermark Design School in Milan, signifying the growth of the programme since inception.”
Jewellery designers who are interested in the competition can visit De Beers’ website for more information, www.debeersgroupdesignersinitiative.com.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za