REENA AHLUWALIA | VISUAL ARTIST

Reena Ahluwalia is a Canadian visual artist. Her practice unifies monumental diamond and gemstone fine art paintings, jewelry artistry, and academic research. Focusing on human resilience, the body of work is notable for historical landmarks: the Legislative Mace of Ontario diamond setting, a Belgian postage stamp, and the GJEPC Hall of Fame induction. Her paintings are held in permanent museum collections, including the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum and the Coronet Diamond Museum. She is also the co-creator of a Guinness World Record watch.

Drawing from a lifetime of enquiry into the cultural, philosophical, and physical history of gemstones and jewelry arts, Ahluwalia uses gemstones as a philosophical prism to map the arc of human transformation and identity. Her ultra-magnified diamond paintings and sculptural jewelry artistry serve as a record of the intertwined history of gems and humanity.

Ahluwalia’s landmark projects originate from distinguished invitations by national institutions and commissions from global mining giants and luxury houses. Her artistic authority has been sought by the Legislature of Ontario, the City of Antwerp, and the Government of Madhya Pradesh, alongside major producers including De Beers Group, Rio Tinto, and Greenland Ruby. Her portfolio features collaborations with the heritage house Royal Asscher—notably a tribute Diamond Tiara for Catherine, Princess of Wales—and work showcased by Alexander McQueen during his New York runway debut.

A pioneer in art and technology, Ahluwalia was the first to integrate blockchain with diamond art to secure provenance and digital legacy. She is a strategist for world-class gemstone projects and serves as an Academic and Advisory Committee Member at George Brown Polytechnic and a Fellow of the Institute without Boundaries. Her work is featured in The New York Times, Financial Times, Forbes, and the CBC. She resides in Toronto.

Permanent Museum Collections

Reena Ahluwalia’s monumental diamond paintings and jewelry artistry are held in permanent museum collections.

• C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum – Bengaluru, India. [Museum Record]

• Coronet Diamond Museum – Hong Kong. [Museum Record]

Institutional Invitations & Features 

• The Louvre – Paris, France. (International Diamonds Award Feature).

• DIVA Museum – Antwerp, Belgium. (Exhibited: Diamond Constellation Fine Art Series).

• Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) – Toronto, Canada. (Public lectures).

Institutional Art & Landmark Projects

• Legislative Mace of Ontario – Invited creation of the historic diamond setting (Official Record: Legislative Assembly of Ontario).

• National Postage Stamp (Belgium) – Jewelry artistry featured on a national stamp (Bpost).

• Royal Tribute – Creation of a diamond tiara for HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales, in collaboration with Royal Asscher.

• Hall of Fame Distinction (GJEPC) – Highest lifetime achievement honor for jewelry artistry and fine art.

• Guinness World Record – Co-creation of a record-breaking horological art-piece.

• Rio Tinto Bunder – Inaugural artistic collection featuring the historic Bunder diamond discovery.

• World Gold Council Distinction – Recognized for establishing artistic standards and creative evaluation models.

Academic Research & Leadership

Academic Appointments

• Professor – Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD University). Toronto, Canada

• Professor – Jewellery & Gemmology Department, George Brown College. Toronto, Canada

• Vice Principal & Professor – Jewellery Design & Technology Institute (JDTI). India

• Visiting Professor – National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). India

Institutional Honors & Fellowships

• Fellowship – Institute without Boundaries (IwB). Canada

• Honorary Graduate Credential – International Fashion Management, George Brown College. Canada

Global Commissions & Collaborations

A record of project-based collaborations across national bodies, global organizations, and cultural landmarks.

National & Civic

• Legislature of Ontario (Canada)

• Government of Madhya Pradesh (India)

• City of Antwerp (Belgium)

Cultural Landmarks

• Alexander McQueen – Artistic collaboration for the Spring/Summer 2000 New York debut.

• Femina Miss India Organization – Official Crown Artistry.

Global Organizations & Trade Authorities

• World Gold Council

• Platinum Guild International

• De Beers

• Rio Tinto

• Greenland Ruby

Artistic Collaborations

• Forevermark, Royal Asscher, Diarough, Mahendra Brothers, Venus Jewels, HRA-Crossworks, Aaron Shum, Baggins Pearls, Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers.

Artistic Honors & Distinctions

A record of international recognition for artistry, technical innovation, and mastery within the medium of diamonds and precious metals.

• De Beers Diamonds International Award

• Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition

• Canadian Diamonds Master Craftsman Award

• HRD Design Awards (AWDC, Antwerp)

• Tahitian Pearl Trophy

• JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards

• Gold Virtuosi International Awards (WGC)

• Swarnanjali Awards (WGC)

• Samshin International Diamond Awards

• Agata Award

• Top 25 Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada

Global Symposia & Keynotes

An archive of invited lectures and keynote presentations on artistic practice, technical innovation, and conceptual development.

Museums & Academic Institutions

• Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) – Invited Speaker (Canada)

• OCAD University – Invited Lecturer (Canada)

• National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) – Visiting Masterclass (India)

• George Brown College – Convocation Speaker (Canada)

• Jewellery Design & Technology Institute (JDTI) – Invited Authority (India)

Global Artistic Symposia

• Gemological Institute of America (GIA) – Global Speaker

• Gem-A Conference – The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (London, UK). Symposium Keynote Speaker.

• Tokyo Diamond Exchange – Invited Presentation (Japan)

• Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF) – Artistic Discourse (Belgium)

• American Gem Society (AGS) – Technical Innovation Keynote (USA)

• World Gold Council (WGC) – Creative Leadership Presentation

• Diamonds in Canada Symposium – Northern Miner (Canada)

• De Beers Shining Light Awards – Artistic Mentorship (Canada)

Professional Guilds & Organizations

• Spanish Jewelry Designer’s Guild (Spain)

• Women's Jewelry Association (USA)

• The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (India)

Artistic Chronology

A chronological record of institutional contributions, artistic distinctions, and innovations.

2025

• Inducted into the GJEPC Hall of Fame at IIJS Signature 2025, The highest lifetime honor for artistic mastery and historical contribution to the medium.

• Founded the Diamond Trails Project and launched the Diamond Trails Collective—an interdisciplinary, mission-driven initiative that unites industry writers, artists, and thought leaders to elevate the diamond sector. Through storytelling, visual art, and community engagement, the project amplifies the mystique of natural diamonds and the journeys they inspire.

2024

• One of the world’s foremost diamond painters and a recognized authority on the diamond as a medium of art, Reena Ahluwalia was featured in Deutsche Welle (DW) Documentary, Why Diamonds Are Such Objects of Desire (segment at 18:09).

• Koh-i-Noor Diamond Art NFT exhibited in Times Square at NFTNYC 2024.

2023

• Artworks acquired and added to the permanent collection of C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum, Bengaluru.

• Cosmic Craving diamond Art NFT exhibited in Times Square at NFTNYC 2023.

2022

• Collaborated with Greenland Ruby; donated Fire Under Ice painting and fundraised for the Pink Polar Bear Foundation.

• Jury member, The Artisan Awards by GJEPC, in collaboration with Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

• 'Physically Digital' NFT Art Exhibit by Goat Studio. Toronto, Canada.

2021

• Launched the first-ever diamond art NFTs in the jewelry and diamond world.

• Speaker & Moderator, De Beers Shining Light Awards, Toronto.

• Debuted Diamond Watch Collection featuring her diamond painting on the dial.

2020

• Jury, International HRD Design Awards, Antwerp.

• Jury, Children Drawing Competition by COLLECTION Magazine, Beirut.

2019

• Painting exhibition at the Mouawad ‘Simply Exceptional’ Private viewing, attended by six Royal families, dignitaries and VIPs. Bangkok, Thailand.

• Speaker, Diamonds in Canada Symposium by Northern Miner.

• Commissioned by MOUAWAD to paint historic diamonds.

• Guinness World Record for Most Diamonds on a Watch, co-created with Aaron Shum, featuring Reena’s diamond painting.

• Speaker, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) – Jewels of India.

• Artworks acquired and added to Coronet Diamond Museum’s permanent collection (Hong Kong & Dubai).

2018

• Advisory Committee Member, George Brown College Jewellery Program.

• Solo Exhibition ‘Diamond Dreams’, Visual Arts Centre, Singapore.

• Launched the 'Alyssum by Reena' jewelry collection at JCK Las Vegas.

• Diamond Paintings exhibited at Diva Diamond Museum, Antwerp.

• 'Diamonds For Hope' - a fundraising exhibition for Jewelers For Children (JFC) at Centurion Jewelry Show. Scottsdale, USA.

2017

• Speaker, Gem-A Conference, London.

• Keynote Speaker, George Brown College Convocation.

• Awarded Fellowship, Institute without Boundaries (IwB).

• Honorary Graduate Degree in International Fashion Management, George Brown College.

• Launched 'Inner Brilliance' collection from Coronet by Reena Ahluwalia jewelry line at Baselworld, Switzerland and at JCK Las Vegas.

• Speaker, OCAD University.

• Solo Exhibition. Whitefield Art Collective. Bengaluru, India. 

• C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons present 'DIAMONDS' painting exhibition by Reena Ahluwalia. Bengaluru, India.

2016

• Speaker, GJEPC’s Design Inspirations Seminar, Mumbai.

• Speaker, American Gem Society (AGS) Commonwealth Guild (Canada).

• Speaker, GIA-London.

• Speaker, the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery, IIGJ Mumbai.

• Speaker, GIA-India.

• Speaker,  Women's Jewelry Association, WJA India.

• Exhibited ‘Diamond Privé’ Portrait Series in Artscape. Toronto, Canada.

• Exhibited at Kara Ross New York. USA.

• Exhibition at Canadian Jewellery Expos Gallery (CJ Expos), Toronto. Canada.

2015

• Exhibited at Art Miami Fair (during Art Basel Miami Beach). USA. 

• Design talk and workshop in Madrid, Spain.

• Unveiled Diamond Portal painting Series in Artscape. Toronto, Canada.

• Exhibited Diamond painting series at Fringe Gallery. Toronto, Canada. 

2014

• Nurture by Reena – Integration of wearable technology and lab-grown diamonds within a conceptual collection.

2013

• Named one of Canada’s Top 25 Masters of Jewellery Design.

• Jury, Rebel Chique Design Competition (NYC). 

• Jury, Canadian Jeweller Excellence Awards.

• Keynote Speaker, Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF), by The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).

2012

• Collaboration with Forevermark (De Beers Group): unveiled 85-carat Eternal necklace at Promise Exhibition, Mumbai.

• Vogue India and Forevermark exhibit Reena's work in Mumbai. 

• Commissioned by Rio Tinto Diamonds for Courageous Spirit collection using Bunder Mine diamonds. Reena created the inaugural collection using the first diamonds from India’s Bunder Mine - discovered a century after the legendary Golconda Mines were depleted.

• Co-created Diamond Jubilee Stars with Royal Asscher Diamonds for Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee.

• Designed a tribute, 85-carat Royal Diamond Tiara in collaboration with Royal Asscher for HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales’ royal wedding.

• Winner, Canoe Canadian Diamond Necklace. International Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition. 

• Winner, JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards (multiple years). 

• Finalist, JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards.

2011

• Speaker, GIA-London.

2010

• Best in Show, JCK Las Vegas – Best Design Collaboration.

• The Belgian Postal Service released the Antverpia 2010 postage stamp featuring Reena’s award-winning Bel Canto diamond necklace. With only a handful of stamps worldwide featuring diamonds and even fewer showcasing diamond jewelry and its designer, this stamp is a rare tribute to both the artwork and its creator. Released on April 15, 2010, 5€ special edition postage stamps feature diamonds and celebrate the historical significance of diamonds in Antwerp and the crucial role Antwerp plays in the world of diamonds.

• Debuted the 'Stars of Africa' floating diamonds jewelry collection and innovation, in partnership with Royal Asscher Diamonds.

2009

• Upon invitation from the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, designed a historic diamond setting for the Legislative Mace of Ontario using De Beers Canada’s first mined diamonds.

2008

• Speaker, Royal Ontario Museum's (ROM) Nature of Diamonds Film Series.

• Contributor, Modern Jeweller Magazine.

• Multiple category winner, Tahitian Pearl Trophy – 5th Edition, including for her groundbreaking innovation, the 'Ethereal Rhapsody' necklace. An international pearl jewelry design competition organized by Perles de Tahiti GIE.

2007

• World tour of 'Bel Canto – A Homage to Maria Callas necklace' exhibited globally, including at the Diamond Museum of Province of Antwerp (now known as the DIVA Museum for Diamonds, Jewellery and Silver).

• HRD Design Award for Bel Canto necklace featuring 101 carats of diamonds. The HRD Design Awards is a prestigious international competition organized by HRD Antwerp (now part of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, AWDC) that promotes creativity and excellence in contemporary diamond jewelry design.

2006

• Winner, Samshin International Diamond Jewellery Design Awards. Seoul, Korea.

2001–2003

• Designed diamond tiaras for the Femina Miss India pageant, supported by Mont Blanc and Times Group.

2000

• Winner, De Beers Diamonds - International Awards – 'Sensuous' diamond necklace weighing 196.56 carats and featuring 2,409 diamonds. Louvre. Paris, France. The Diamonds-International Awards, sponsored by De Beers from 1953 to 2000, were among the most prestigious and fiercely competitive platforms for original, coveted, and influential diamond jewelry designs.

• 'Sensuous' diamond Necklace featured in Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2000 debut.

• Winner, Gold Virtuosi Awards, by the World Gold Council. The Gold Virtuosi Awards were the "Oscars" for creative innovation in gold jewelry, organized by the World Gold Council and Anglo Gold in partnership with the Vicenza fair authorities (Vicenza Oro, now) in Italy, starting in 2000. 

• Design expert and Consultant, Platinum Guild International (PGI) for its India market launch.

1999

• Jury Advisor, Swarnanjali National Awards, World Gold Council.

• Reena Ahluwalia pioneered a pan-regional jewelry design awards model in India, serving as Jury Advisor and Adjudicator for the Swarnanjali National Awards by the World Gold Council. Her leadership elevated evaluation standards through rigorous, fair assessments rooted in technical expertise and artistic merit, while fostering creativity, craftsmanship, and diversity of thought.

1998–2000

• Designer/Consultant, World Gold Council (WGC) Trend Book.

1998

• Winner, Swarnanjali National Awards, World Gold Council (WGC).

1997

• Scholarship recipient, World Gold Council (WGC), UK and Italy.

1996

• Overall Excellence in Design, Swarnanjali National Awards by World Gold Council (WGC). India

1994

• Agata Award for Jewelry Design and Overall Excellence, Italy.