BIOGRAPHY - REENA AHLUWALIA
Reena Ahluwalia loves diamonds. Reena is an award-winning Canadian jewelry designer, painter, professor, and digital artist. Believing that these jewels reflect the strength, resilience, and inner brilliance of the human race itself, Reena’s works evoke precision, geometry, fluidity, and movement. Reena paints highly-nuanced, hyper-realistic diamonds and gemstones, their ultra-magnified facets revealing each’s sparkle, power, and symbolism.
Though Reena has been featured in The New York Times, Financial Times, Forbes, Vogue, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, Elle, The Miami Herald, Toronto Star, The Hindu, Indian Express, some of her proudest accomplishments include:
- Being one of only a handful of living jewelry artists whose work is featured on a nation's (Belgium) postage stamp;
- As a tribute to the British Royal Wedding, designing a Royal Diamond Tiara for HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales with Royal Asscher Diamond Company;
- Co-creating a watch alongside Aaron Shum that was awarded the Guinness World Record for Most Diamonds set on a watch;
- Designing a historic diamond piece for the Legislature of Ontario in collaboration with De Beers Canada;
- Creating the inaugural collection for Rio Tinto Bunder Mine — diamonds found 100 years after the fabled Indian Golconda Mines depleted;
Reena’s pieces appear in the collection of royalties, celebrities and distinguished collectors worldwide, including legendary diamantaire MOUAWAD, who commissioned her to paint a series of historic diamonds and the Mouawad Miss Universe Crown. Reena's artworks are in the permanent collection of the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum in India, Coronet Diamond Museum in Hong Kong and Dubai and displayed at the Diva Diamond Museum in Antwerp.
Currently residing in Toronto, Reena is a professor and a member of the George Brown College Jewelry Program Advisory Committee, as well as a Fellow of (IwB) Institute without Boundaries. She was conferred a honorary degree in International Fashion Management by the George Brown College.
[Bio by Max Cohen, Writer]
MUSEUMS
C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum, India
Coronet Diamond Museum, Hong Kong and Dubai
Diva Diamond Museum, Antwerp
PROFESSOR & EDUCATOR
Professor / Jewellery & Gemmology Department / George Brown College. Toronto, Canada
Professor / Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD University). 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
EXHIBITIONS
'Cosmic Craving' NFT exhibit at NFTNYC 2023. Artist Village & Times Square Billboards. April 12-14, 2023. New York, USA.
'Physically Digital' NFT Art Exhibit by Goat Studio. May 5 -15, 2022. Toronto, Canada.
Paintings exhibited at the Mouawad ‘Simply Exceptional’ Private viewing, attended by six Royal families, dignitaries and VIPS. Sept. 12-14, 2019. Bangkok, Thailand.
'Diamonds Dreams'- Paintings & Jewelry Exhibition. Sept. 27 - 28, 2018. Visual Arts Centre, Singapore.
'Diamonds For Hope' - a fundraising exhibition for Jewellers For Children (JFC) at Centurion Jewelry Show. Jan 28-30, 2018. Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
Whitefield Art Collective, VR Bengaluru, India. Feb. 24 - March 24, 2017.
C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons present, 'DIAMONDS' - An exhibition of rare collectible diamond paintings by Reena Ahluwalia in Bangalore, India. Feb. 17 - March 30, 2017.
Painting exhibition at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. September 15-19, 2016. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Exhibition | August 23 - November 4, 2016. KARA ROSS, New York. USA
Solo Exhibition | DIAMONDS | August 7 - 9 2016. Canadian Jewellery Expos Gallery (CJ Expos), Toronto. Canada
Solo Exhibition | DIAMOND Privé | June 2016. Artscape, Toronto. Canada
Exhibition | ART MIAMI FAIR | December 1 - 6, 2015. Miami, USA
Solo Exhibition | DIAMOND PORTAL SERIES | August 30 - October 30, 2015 | Fringe Gallery, Toronto. Canada
AWARDS, RECOGNITION & HIGHLIGHTS
2024
‘Koh-i-Noor Diamond’ Art NFT by Reena selected and displayed at the Times Square at NFT NYC 2024. New York City.
2023
Reena’s artworks added to the permanent collection, C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum in Bengaluru, India.
‘Cosmic Craving’ Art NFT by Reena selected and displayed at the Times Square at NFT NYC 2023. New York City.
2022
Reena collaborates with Greenland Ruby. Donates ‘Fire Under Ice’ Ruby Painting and fundraises for the Pink Polar Bear Foundation. A special-edition Ruby NFT by Reena is awarded to all donors who redeem, for their contribution to the fundraiser.
Jury. The Artisan Awards by GJEPC, powered by GIA
2021
Reena launches Diamond art NFTs - first historic NFTs from the world of diamonds and jewelry.
Speaker & Moderator, De Beers Shining Light Awards. De Beers Designer Initiative. Toronto
Reena Debuts Diamond Watch Collection with her diamond painting on the watch dial.
2020
Jury. International HRD Design Awards. Antwerp, Belgium
Jury. Children Drawing Competition by COLLECTION Magazine. Beirut, Lebanon
2019
Speaker, 2019 Diamonds In Canada Symposium by Northern Miner. Canada
Legendary diamantaire MOUAWAD commission Reena to paint a series of historic diamonds
Awarded Guinness World Record for Most Diamonds set on a watch. The watch dial is adorned with Reena's meticulous painting of a diamond and is a co-creation between Aaron Shum and Reena. Basel, Switzerland.
Speaker, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). ROM Speaks. Jewels of India - Designs for a Contemporary World. Canada
Reena’s artwork featured in the permanent collection of The AMAZING Museum & Gallery, Hong Kong & Dubai
2018
Member of the George Brown College Jewellery Program Advisory Committee. Toronto
'Diamonds Dreams'- Paintings & Jewelry Exhibition. Visual Arts Centre, Singapore
Reena's Diamond Paintings adorn 'DIVA. Antwerp Home of Diamonds' museum. Antwerp
2017
Speaker, Gem-A Conference 2017. Gem-A (The Gemmological Association of Great Britain). London, UK
Convocation 2017, Keynote Speaker at the George Brown College. Toronto, Canada
Awarded Fellowship of Institute without Boundaries (IwB)
Awarded Honorary graduate degree in International Fashion Management, George Brown College. Toronto, Canada.
Launched, 'Coronet By Reena Ahluwalia' Line, in partnership with Aaron Shum Jewelry Ltd., Baselworld 2017
Speaker at Ontario College of Art and Design, (OCAD University) Toronto, Canada
Speaker at 'Design Inspirations 2017' Seminar by GJEPC, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Mumbai, India
2016
Speaker at American Gem Society (AGS) Commonwealth Guild. Canada
Speaker at GIA-London (The Gemological Institute of America). London, UK
Speaker at the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ). A Project of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Mumbai, India
Speaker at GIA-India (The Gemological Institute of America). Mumbai, India
Speaker at WJA, Women's Jewelry Association (India Chapter), Mumbai, India
Reena Ahluwalia reveals the 'Diamond Portrait Series' of diamond paintings and artwork. Toronto, Canada
Speaker at 'Design Inspirations 2016' Seminar by GJEPC, The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Mumbai, India
2015
Speaker and workshop. Invited by top Spanish jewelry designer to give a design talk. Madrid, Spain
Reena Ahluwalia unveils the 'Diamond Portal Series' of diamond paintings and artwork. Toronto, Canada
2014
Reena Ahluwalia launches 'Nurture by Reena' - The world’s first lab-grown diamond designer jewelry line that exclusively features lab-grown diamonds and merges it with wearable technology, style and fashion.
2013
Reena Ahluwalia recognized as Top 25 "Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada". Toronto, Canada
Judging panel for the lab-grown diamonds '2013 Rebel Chique Design Competition'. New York, USA
Judging panel for the 'Canadian Jeweller 2013 Excellence in Design Awards'. Toronto, Canada
Speaker. At the 4th Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair. Antwerp, Belgium
2012
Reena Ahluwalia unveils her collaboration with Forevermark, a De Beers Group diamond brand. Reena Ahluwalia introduces her 85-carat ‘Eternal’ diamond necklace at The Forevermark Promise Exhibition launch in Mumbai, India
Rio Tinto Diamonds unveils Bunder diamond jewelry. Reena Ahluwalia is commissioned to create an inaugural collection, titled ‘Courageous Spirit’ with the very first diamonds of the Bunder Mine, located in Madhya Pradesh, India
Introduction of the limited edition, colored diamonds 'Diamond Jubilee Stars' collection by Royal Asscher Diamonds in collaboration with designer Reena Ahluwalia. Released in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s yearlong Diamond Jubilee celebration. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Judging panel for the 'Canadian Jeweller 2012 Excellence in Design Awards'. Toronto, Canada
Unveiling of the 85-carat Royal Asscher Diamond Tiara, designed by Reena Ahluwalia as a tribute to the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The tiara was amongst few that Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge, considered wearing for her royal wedding to Prince William. Las Vegas, USA
Winner, JCK Jewelers' Choice Awards 2012. New York, USA
Finalist, JCK Jewelers' Choice Awards 2012. New York, USA
2011
Speaker at GIA-London (The Gemological Institute of America). London, UK
International winner. Canadian Diamonds Master Craftsman Award. Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition. New York, USA
2010
Best in Show, ‘Best Design Collaboration’ by JCK Magazine - JCK Las Vegas Show 2010. Las Vegas, USA
‘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
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
Contributing writer for Modern Jeweller Magazine, USA
First prize winner - North America / Necklace category, Tahitian Pearl Trophy – 5th Edition, New York, USA
Second prize winner - North America / Bracelet category, Tahitian Pearl Trophy – 5th Edition, New York, USA
Second prize winner - North America / Brooch category, Tahitian Pearl Trophy – 5th Edition, New York, USA
2007
‘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
HRD Awards 2007. ‘Bel Canto - A Homage to Maria Callas’ necklace featured 101.0 carats of white diamonds. Contemporary diamond jewelry 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
De Beers Diamonds - International Awards 2000. Necklace features 2,409 diamonds weighing 196.56 carats. Paris, France
Diamond necklace featured by late fashion icon Alexander McQueen in Spring/Summer 2000 collection debut in New York, USA
Gold Virtuosi International Awards, World Gold Council, India & Italy
Design Consultant, Platinum Guild International (PGI) for platinum introduction to the Indian Market, India
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