My diamond painting "The Portal of Eternity" pays tribute to the epic Asscher cut diamond, a cut of royalty...
Read moreThe Portal of Temptations - A painting by Reena Ahluwalia
It is unescapable if you are human. Temptation, that is...The Portal of Temptations Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia.
Read moreGreen Diamonds
In the world of fancy coloured diamonds, a green diamond may be the most mysterious and intriguing...
Read moreThe Portal of Mystery - a painting by Reena Ahluwalia
Life is a beautiful mystery! In my green diamond painting, "The Portal of Mystery", I explore the concept of mystery...
Read moreElizabeth Hurley Wears Royal Asscher Diamond Tiara on Season 2 of The Royals
Elizabeth Hurley is a queen! Seductive Queen Helena...
Read moreThe Portal of Journeys - a painting by Reena Ahluwalia
Journeys are constant in our lives. One of the biggest journey we take is the journey within...
Read moreFamous Heart-Shaped Diamonds
This blog post highlights a particular diamond shape. A symbol of love and romance - the heart-shaped diamond...
Read moreThe Portal of Dreams - a painting by Reena Ahluwalia
Dreams, are they coloured? Do they exist within the portals of our soul? What if we didn't have the capacity to dream, what would humanity be like...Portal of Dreams - a painting by Reena.
Read moreThe Portal of Quest - a painting by Reena ahluwalia
Our journeys are journeys of seekers and wanderers, a journey inwards. In quest of our being, of clarity and truth. I explore this notion in my work here. The Portal of Quest painting is from my 'Diamond Portal Series’.
Read moreIn the Name of Halloween - "Sorceress Diabolic"
All in the spirit of Halloween! I present to you...
"Sorceress Diabolic" - is a jewelry design concept by Reena Ahluwalia.
"On a fatal night, at the witching time, the starless sky laments black and unmoving. The shadowy moon floats above. In this forbidden depths of darkness, prowls a diabolic sorceress with magic spells and dangerous enchantments. In her mask-macabre, glimmering like countess diamonds are trapped hopeless enchanted souls."
Reena Ahluwalia Launches “Nurture By Reena,” the World's First Lab-Grown Diamond Designer Jewelry Brand
Milestone marks the first-ever designer jewelry brand that exclusively features lab-grown diamonds and merges it with wearable technology and fashion.
Toronto, Canada (May 5, 2014) -- Multi-award winning jewelry designer and longtime diamond industry insider, Reena Ahluwalia, today announced the launch of the world's first lab-grown diamond designer jewelry brand – “Nurture By Reena.” The brand is committed to proudly feature fully disclosed, certified lab-grown diamonds that are origin-guaranteed, conflict-free and environmentally sustainable.
“The Moments Collection” is the first offering from “Nurture By Reena.” It combines diamond jewelry with wearable technology and merges style and fashion with deep personal meaning. Using QR Code technology opens the door to a unique ecosystem that allows you to attach your most precious moments to your jewel. The lab-grown diamond pieces flip to discreetly reveal a QR code that is otherwise hidden from view while the jewelry is worn.
Each cutting-edge design unites the beauty of natural shapes with the precision of modern technology and brings to life Reena’s love of discovery. And while each piece embodies the unique vision of the artist, you’re invited to give it personal meaning through the stories you attach to it. Capturing an individual's unique moment and personal messages, the jewel can be effortlessly personalized with content that can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Like the eternal nature of a diamond, your jewel becomes a modern day digital talisman, a time capsule that captures and preserves your moment for eternity.
The Moments Collection is offered in colorless, pink and yellow lab-grown diamonds, with a starting carat weight of 0.40ct. and includes rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets. To date, there are 36 SKUs available in 18k gold, including white, yellow and rose gold. According to Reena Ahluwalia, “I looked at blooming flowers for inspiration and symbolism. For me, flowers are like moments – ephemeral, yet deeply memorable.
Reena said, “Let me take you on a journey one could only imagine before. I am proud to bring to you a collection that celebrates the changing consumer values of today, embodies what real love means and helps you express your deepest personal stories. For retailers, this also offers phenomenal value and choices through layers of differentiation, which is essential to stand out in retail space today.”
The “Moments Collection” from “Nurture By Reena” will be unveiled at the upcoming JCK Las Vegas Show 2014, in the Design Center, booth no. S10519.
For more information, please visit: www.nurturebyreena.com
Profile: Reena Ahluwalia - featured in Rapaport
Rapaport discusses jewelry design and relevant diamond industry topics with designer Reena Ahluwalia. The profile can be seen at the news section.
Diamonds.net at http://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=46253
Reena Ahluwalia recognized as Top 25 "Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada"
"It's a great privilege to be recognized as a Master Canadian Jewellery Designer. I am delighted at this recognition of my ongoing journey of creating meaningful jewelry with narratives that promote socially-conscious values."
-- Reena Ahluwalia
November, 2013. Toronto — The first-ever books about fine jewellery in Canada highlight a talented group of designers who have won every major international award, and have earned prestigious jewellery commissions from people ranging from Pope John II to Uma Thurman. The two-volume, 50-year retrospective on jewellery in Canada was written and produced by Cora Golden, who also co-authored the award-winning book, Design in Canada. Produced in collaboration with Birks, Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada (Volume 1 and 2) include over 450 photographs of rarely seen Canadian-designed jewellery. Together, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the makers of the most beautiful objects in the world.
Volume 1: Post-War Pioneers profiles 25 early designers and ateliers.
Volume 2: Contemporary Artists features 25 current designers; many of whom were trained or influenced by the previous generation. Worldly and peripatetic, John de Jong caters to upscale clients across Europe and North America; while Reena Ahluwalia, also of Toronto, often uses Canadian diamonds in her extravagant creations.
Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada (Volume 1 and Volume 2) are now available on Apple iTunes for purchase. Don't forget to get your copy!
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/masters-jewellery-design-in/id727835668?mt=11
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/masters-jewellery-design-in/id621630295?mt=11
Author Cora Golden: http://www.goldene-books.com/
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.
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.
Tangents
“Today’s tangents will become tomorrow’s arcs, and unforeseen connections will tie up your loose ends in a way that will make you want to slap your head and holler at your accidental brilliance.” -- Chris Baty
Creativity. Ah, that splendid thing! Where does it happen?
I believe it happens not in the loops of circular thinking, but rather, on those magnificent tangents. That's were the real creative stuff lurks. Go off on a tangent, suspend judgement, and disrupt known patterns of thinking.
Go on! :-)
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.
LEGACY
Here's a special piece that I want to share with you, it's titled "Legacy".
LEGACY vintage-inspired platinum engagement ring by Reena Ahluwalia, takes it's inspiration from the fabled jewelry-vault of Royal Asscher from 1920s-1930s, conjuring the old Hollywood glamour and romanticism.
Marquise shape buds form the shank of the ring, center Royal Asscher Cut diamond represents a bloom with promise of new future and creation of lasting legacy together. Stylized and warmly organic!
Type IIa Diamonds
Type IIa diamonds are the most valued and the purest type of diamonds. They contain either very little or no nitrogen atoms in the crystal structure. White stones are exceptionally colorless and fancy colored diamonds are often found with a brown, purple, blue, or pink tone. They represent only 1% - 2% of all mined diamonds in the world.
What makes the Type IIa diamonds even more special is that they are “super-deep” diamonds. Most Type IIa diamonds originate from extreme depths in Earth’s mantle, a depth between 360 and 750 km. To put it in context, most diamonds are formed between 150 to 230 kilometers below the Earth's crust.
In the world of mined diamonds, Type IIa are so rare that they command a 5% to 15% premium, when they can be found.
One of the most well-known examples is the “Elizabeth Taylor Diamond” (formerly known as the “Krupp Diamond”), a 33.19-carat Type IIA diamond.
Purchased for $300,000 in 1968 by Richard Burton, the ring became one Elizabeth Taylor’s most cherished white diamonds; one she wore nearly every day. Of the ring, she once said, “[It] gives me the strangest feeling for beauty. With its sparks of red and white and blue and purple, and on and on, really, it sort of hums with its own beatific life.” The Asscher-cut diamond ring recently sold at auction for a whopping $8.8 million.
Other iconic historic Type IIa diamonds include the Cullinan, the Lesedi La Rona, the Koh-I-Noor, the Darya-I-Noor, the Archduke Joseph, the Regent, the Agra, The Star of the South, The Winston legacy and the Beau Sancy. Type IIa diamonds also have a famous historic connection with Golconda diamonds mined from the historic Kingdom of Golconda in India.
Type IIa and connection with Golconda Diamonds.
A Golconda diamond is a diamond from a specific geographic area within the historic Kingdom of Golconda in India. Diamonds with proven Golconda provenance are of a specific type of rare, pure carbon diamond known as Type IIa. Less than 1-2% of the world's diamonds are Type IIa.
The kingdom of Golconda is situated in India's Deccan plateau. Golconda was a region located between the lower reaches of the Godavari, Wainganga, Wardha and Krishna-Venva rivers, in the present-day states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, central India.
Golconda Diamonds: Rahul Kadakia, Department Head, Jewelry, Christie's Americas, describes these very special and rare diamonds. (2005) (RT 3:13)
In the past I have authored posts on, Bejeweled Maharaja & Maharani of Mysore, Koh-i-Noor Diamond, Diamonds on World Postage Stamps, Top Ten - Largest Diamonds Discovered In The World, Splendors of Mughal India, The Magnificent Maharajas Of India, Mystery & History Of Marquise Diamond Cut, Ór - Ireland's Gold, The Legendary Cullinan Diamond, Bejeweled Persia - Historic Jewelry From The Qajar Dynasty, Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds, Type II Diamonds, Green Diamonds, Red Diamonds and more. Over years, I have spent countless hours in self-driven studies on diamond, jewelry history and research. I wrote these blogs for a simple reason - to share my collected knowledge with all who are interested, so that more can benefit from it. Take a look and enjoy! -- Reena
Ór - Ireland's Gold
May the rocks in your field turn to gold. -- Irish blessing
Glorious gold! It dazzled me on my recent visit to Dublin, Ireland. I was awestruck! The gold-work history is fascinating and so are the forms and textures. Hope you enjoy this blog post as much as I enjoyed learning about the history of gold in Ireland!
The National Museum of Ireland's collection of prehistoric gold-work, ranging in date between 2200 BC and 500 BC, is one of the largest and most important in western Europe. Most are pieces of jewellery but the precise function of some is unknown.
During the Early Bronze Age the principal products were made from sheet gold, and include sundiscs and the crescentic gold collars called lunulae. Around 1200 BC new gold working techniques were developed. During this time a great variety of torcs were made by twisting bars or strips of gold.
Styles changed again around 900 BC and the goldwork of this period can be divided into two main types. Solid objects such as bracelets and dress-fasteners contrast dramatically with large sheet gold collars and delicate ear-spools.
Although gold has been found in Ireland at a number of locations, particularly in Co. Wicklow and Co. Tyrone, it has not yet been possible to identify the ancient sources where gold was found. The sites most likely to have been recognized and exploited by prehistoric people are alluvial deposits from rivers and streams. This ‘placer’ gold is weathered out from parent rock and can be recovered using simple techniques such as panning.
In Europe, the earliest evidence for gold-working dates to the fifth millennium BC. By the end of the third millennium gold-working had become well established in Ireland and Britain together with a highly productive copper and bronze working industry. While we do not know precisely how the late Neolithic people of Ireland became familiar with metalworking, it is clear that it was introduced as a fully developed technique. Essential metalworking skills must have been introduced by people already experienced at all levels of production, from ore identification and recovery through all stages of the manufacturing process.
Source: National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
Photographs shown below are taken by Reena Ahluwalia at the National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology, unless otherwise stated.
In the past I have authored posts on, Bejeweled Maharaja & Maharani of Mysore, Koh-i-Noor Diamond, Diamonds on World Postage Stamps, Top Ten - Largest Diamonds Discovered In The World, Splendors of Mughal India, The Magnificent Maharajas Of India, Mystery & History Of Marquise Diamond Cut, Ór - Ireland's Gold, The Legendary Cullinan Diamond, Bejeweled Persia - Historic Jewelry From The Qajar Dynasty, Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds, Type II Diamonds, Green Diamonds, Red Diamonds and more. Over years, I have spent countless hours in self-driven studies on diamond, jewelry history and research. I wrote these blogs for a simple reason - to share my collected knowledge with all who are interested, so that more can benefit from it. Take a look and enjoy! -- Reena