BIOGRAPHY - REENA AHLUWALIA

Reena Ahluwalia is a globally acclaimed, multi-awarded Canadian jewelry designer, artist and professor. She turns diamonds into art. She is a Hall of Fame inductee, the highest honor in the gem and jewelry industry, awarded by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). She is known for her dual mastery in jewelry design and diamond and gemstone paintings. She creates storied jewelry rich in symbolism, blending precision, technological innovation and kinetic movement - alongside canvas paintings that feature ultra-magnified diamonds and gemstones as central motifs. Her work in both mediums explores inner brilliance, resilience, and the intertwined history of gems and humanity - tracing arcs of transformation, identity, symbolism, and the human experience.

Reena Ahluwalia has led landmark collaborations with national and civic institutions, global luxury brands, diamond mining groups, and international trade organizations. Her partners include the Legislature of Ontario in Canada, the Government of Madhya Pradesh in India, the City of Antwerp in Belgium, De Beers, Rio Tinto, Greenland Ruby, the World Gold Council, and the Platinum Guild International. She has also collaborated with prestigious global luxury and diamond jewelry brands such as Forevermark, Royal Asscher, Diarough, and Aaron Shum Jewelry. Her award-winning diamond piece was showcased by iconic British fashion designer Alexander McQueen during his Spring/Summer 2000 New York runway debut. Her jewelry creations include a tribute Diamond Tiara for Catherine, Princess of Wales, a Guinness World Record-winning watch, a diamond setting for the Legislative Mace of Ontario, and a Belgian postage stamp celebrating diamonds.

Her paintings have been exhibited and acquired by museums recognized for their curatorial rigor and institutional credibility. Notably, her pieces are held in the permanent collections of the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum in India and the Coronet Diamond Museums in Hong Kong.

Reena is a professor and advisory committee member at George Brown College’s Jewellery Program, and a Fellow of the Institute without Boundaries (IwB). She is an internationally respected design authority, jewelry historian, blockchain innovator, and sought-after speaker.

She has been featured extensively, including in The New York Times, Financial Times, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation CBC, Forbes, Vogue, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, Elle, The Miami Herald, Toronto Star, DW Documentary, The Hindu, and Indian Express. Reena resides in Toronto, Canada.

Global Recognition & Records

Celebrated for impact, innovation, and achievement on the world stage:

• Hall of Fame – Highest honor in India’s gem and jewelry industry awarded by GJEPC 

• Guinness World Record – Co-created the world’s most diamond-set watch with Aaron Shum

• National Postage Stamp (Belgium) – One of the few living jewelry artists featured on a national stamp, honoring her Bel Canto diamond necklace

• Royal Diamond Tiara – Designed a tribute tiara for HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales, in collaboration with Royal Asscher

• Legislative Mace of Ontario – Designed a historic diamond setting for the Legislature of Ontario using De Beers Canada’s first mined diamonds

• Rio Tinto Bunder Mine – Created the inaugural jewelry collection using diamonds discovered 100 years after the depletion of India’s legendary Golconda Mines

• World Gold Council – Recognized for pioneering a pan-regional jewelry design awards model in India, elevating evaluation standards and championing diversity, creativity, and craftsmanship

Museums Featuring Reena Ahluwalia’s Art

Reena Ahluwalia’s diamond paintings and jewelry are part of museum collections worldwide, institutions recognized for their curatorial rigor and institutional credibility.

• C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum – Bengaluru, India

• Coronet Diamond Museum – Hong Kong and Dubai

• Diva Museum for Diamonds, Jewellery and Silver – Antwerp, Belgium

Collaborations & Partnerships

Reena Ahluwalia’s career is defined by landmark collaborations that span nations, diamond mining groups, international trade associations, and luxury jewelry brands. Her ability to blend artistry with influence and leadership has earned her invitations to contribute to historic cultural and governmental projects.

She has partnered with:

• National & Civic Institutions

  • Legislature of Ontario (Canada)

  • Government of Madhya Pradesh (India)

  • City of Antwerp (Belgium)

• Leading Diamond & Gemstones Mining Groups:

  • De Beers

  • Rio Tinto

  • Greenland Ruby

• International Trade Authorities:

  • World Gold Council

  • Platinum Guild International

• Luxury and Diamond Jewelry Brands:

  • Forevermark

  • Royal Asscher

  • Diarough

  • Mahendra Brothers

  • Venus Jewels

  • HRA-Crossworks

  • Aaron Shum

  • Baggins Pearls

  • Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers

• Cultural & Fashion Collaborations:

  • Femina Miss India Organization

  • Alexander McQueen – featured her award-winning diamond piece in his Spring/Summer 2000 New York debut

Jewelry Design Awards & Distinctions

Recognized for creativity, artistry, craftsmanship, and technical innovation in global jewelry design competitions:

• De Beers Diamonds International Award – Global recognition for diamond artistry

• Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition – Celebrating innovation in diamond jewelry

• Canadian Diamonds Master Craftsman Award – Honoring technical mastery

• HRD Design Awards – Presented by Antwerp World Diamond Council (AWDC)

• Tahitian Pearl Trophy – Excellence in pearl jewelry design

• JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards – Multiple wins, voted by industry professionals

• Gold Virtuosi International Awards – Organized by World Gold Council for gold jewelry excellence

• Swarnanjali Awards – By World Gold Council, for design excellence in India

• Samshin International Diamond Jewelry Design Awards – International recognition

• Agata Award – For overall design excellence

• Top 25 Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada – National distinction

Institutional Honors

Acknowledged for leadership and authority in education, design thinking, and technological innovation:

• Fellowship – Institute without Boundaries (IwB), Canada

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

Academic Appointments & Teaching Leadership

Reena Ahluwalia has held influential teaching and leadership positions at top jewelry design institutions:

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

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

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

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

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

Global Speaking Engagements

Reena Ahluwalia is an international speaker and recognized expert in jewelry design and innovation, jewelry history, gemology, art practice, and the diamond and gold industry - presenting at leading museums, academic institutions, and international conferences such as:

• Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canada

• De Beers Shining Light Awards & Designer Initiative, Canada

• Diamonds in Canada Symposium by Northern Miner, Canada

• Gem-A Conference – The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, London, UK

• The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Worldwide

• Tokyo Diamond Exchange, Japan

• Keynote Speaker, Convocation 2017 – George Brown College, Toronto

• Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair (ADTF), Belgium

• American Gem Society (AGS), USA

• Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Mumbai

• Women's Jewelry Association (WJA), USA

• World Gold Council (WGC)

• The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC)

• Spanish Jewelry Designer’s Guild, Spain

• The International Institute of Gemology (IIG), Mumbai

• National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), India

• Jewellery Design & Technology Institute (JDTI), India

• George Brown College (GBC), Canada

• Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD University), Canada

CHRONOLOGICAL TIMELINE

This timeline chronicles Reena Ahluwalia’s career milestones, global recognitions, and pioneering contributions to the diamond and jewelry industry - from award-winning designs to groundbreaking innovations in art and technology.

2025

• Inducted into the GJEPC Hall of Fame at IIJS Signature 2025, the highest honor in the gem and jewelry industry.

• 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 diamond expert, 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

• Launched Nurture by Reena, the world’s first lab-grown diamond designer jewelry line integrating wearable tech.

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.