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.  

Miss Switzerland, Kerstin Cook radiates in the 'Inner Brilliance' spinning diamonds jewelry from 'Coronet By Reena Ahluwalia'. VIEW THE COLLECTION. Image credit: Abdou HILALI | Baselworld

Below is a look at the making of the 'Coronet' Diamond Painting. Enjoy!

'Coronet' Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia for Aaron Shum Jewelry. 48 x 48 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Close up details. 'Coronet' Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia for Aaron Shum Jewelry. 48 x 48 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

VIDEO: Making of the Coronet Diamond painting by Reena Ahluwalia.

The CORONET Diamond painting by artist and jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia for Aaron Shum Jewelry Ltd. was unveiled at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016. The painting is a 4x4 feet, extremely detailed and precise portrait of innovation. The guests of honour at the unveiling were Jimee Essink, General Manager of UBM Asia, the show organiser; Vicky Chan, deputy General Manager of Chow Tai Fook; and Alex Popov, Chairman of the World Diamond Mark.

The Coronet Diamond painting was unveiled at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016.

The Coronet Diamond painting was unveiled at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016. L to R: Kent Wong, Chow Tai Fook, artist Reena Ahluwalia, Alice Trinh & Aaron Shum, Aaron Shum Jewelry.

Tremendous response! Press Conference and the unveiling of the Coronet Diamond painting at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016.

Making of the 'Coronet' Diamond Painting:

Ever wondered how I create the under-drawing of my paintings? Here's the layout of the Coronet Diamond. Although it takes a long time, I thoroughly enjoy the precision and geometry involved. Being a jewelry designer and professor of technical drawing helps too. Making of the Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Symmetry, precision and balance! Working on my canvas backgound. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Close up detail of one of the seven round brilliant diamonds. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Symmetrically beautiful. Seven round brilliant cut diamonds make the Coronet several times brilliant! Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Magnificent Seven (diamonds) in this painting! To me it looked like a dazzling Kaleidoscope. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia

The sheer brilliance of the Coronet diamond is inspiring. At all stages during the creation of this painting, I was mindful to tease out its powerful positive essence and present it through each of my brush strokes. There, within these magnificent magnified facets lie stories that each of us can individually interpret. That's what makes diamonds special to me, because they are carrier of stories, yours and mine. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia.

Ode to Fall

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree” - Emily Brontë

I love the splendor and crispness of Fall! Do you as well?

My ‘Autumn’ creation was inspired by the golden, graceful falling dry leaves of Fall. The leaves of this necklace can be detached. Once separated, the leaves can be worn individually as pendants, necklaces and multiple brooches.  

The ‘Autumn’ necklace won the National Design Award in Jewelry - ‘Swarnanjali’ by the World Gold Council and was my first design award ever.

Ode to Fall - 'Autumn' necklace by Reena Ahluwalia. 22 K yellow gold.

Canadian Jeweller Magazine's annual 'Excellence in Design Awards 2013'

Last week I had the privilege to once again judge the Canadian Jeweller Magazine's annual 'Excellence in Design Awards 2013' along with an esteemed panel of judges. Always a big supporter of Canadian talent. It was a true pleasure!

This was the first ever round of submissions and judging for the Awards of Excellence contest, launched by Canadian Jeweller Magazine this year. Winners for both competitions will be officially announced on November 16 at The Jewellers’ Ball.

From left to right: Linda Penwarden of Penwarden Fine Jewellery, Luxury Retail Executive Andrea Hopson, Paul Mcfarlane of Chanel Canada, award winning jewellery designer Reena Ahluwalia, and jewellery designer Lisanne Skeoch.

JNA Interview - Reena Ahluwalia

Jewellery News Asia features an interview with designer Reena Ahluwalia in their July 2013 Issue 347. Interview by Marie Feliciano, Editor, JNA.

About JNA Magazine: Jewellery News Asia is a leading monthly news magazine for the world's jewellery trade; diamond, pearl, gemstone and jewellery-making equipment and supplies sectors in Asia. Every month Jewellery News Asia features original reports by experienced journalists.

Cover - Jewellery News Asia, July 2013 Issue 347

The Art Of Spontaneity

Freshness, immediacy of moment and an impulse - I love spontaneity.

As a designer, what I have uncovered about spontaneous discoveries is very special. These unscripted moments have a tendency to come back to me, sometimes years later and manifest themselves into ideas. They some how connect and expand and become tangible. I don't over think these moments, I just let them fill me.

One day strolling on the streets of Santiago, Chile, this is what I unexpectedly found. No, I didn't come back and make a piece of jewelry that exactly resembles this seed bulb, nor did I name a jewelry collection after the city. Not as yet. What instead I did was this - nothing! I will let this spontaneous moment float somewhere in my mind and hope when the time is right it will come back.

Well, at least that's how spontaneous things work for me.