Covid-19 Shall Pass, But These Emerging Trends Will Drive The Jewelry Industry Ahead

[TORONTO, Canada] -- As I look out of my home-studio window, the daffodils and tulips are blooming, the cardinals are singing. It’s spring. It’s also 12 weeks into the lockdown. 

In end-February, I landed home in Toronto from an extensive Asia visit. The day I flew from Thailand, the media was reporting on Covid-19 cases, so I self-isolated myself. Canada soon announced a countrywide lockdown. The world is in a crisis management phase since.

Reena Ahluwalia

JEWELRY INDUSTRY TRENDS HERE TO STAY POST COVID-19

The manner in which this pandemic is impacting global businesses, people and shaping our mindscapes is quite stunning. All this in a matter of a few months. I will leave out the topics of online platforms, digital & social media strategies, webinars that have all been widely discussed and are of importance. What I want to share instead are my views on emerging cultural and consumer trends that will impact our business going forward. 

1. Post-pandemic Consumer Behaviour

The Covid-19 crisis has taught us the value of things, of what is necessary versus discretionary. In lockdown mode, people made use of what they already had or was essentially needed. Will that mean moving away from over-consumption to meaningful consumption? Possibly. If you notice closely this was an emerging trend, now fuelled further by the Covid-19 crisis. What does it mean for the global jewelry industry which relies on discretionary spending? One of the answers I feel is to look at how we can narrate jewelry with purpose driven, meaningful consumption and one that responds to consumer's overall mental, physical and financial wellbeing.

2. Nature & Sustainability

Our jewelry industry is closely linked to nature's bounty - metals, diamonds and gemstones. I believe this crisis is sending a strong signal to humanity. To prevent future climate catastrophe and spread of deadly diseases, we have to step up and refocus our energy in nurturing nature and in our sustainability efforts. For consumers the climate issue is going to resurface once the Covid-19 crisis starts becoming manageable. Can we as an industry urge action through meaningful engagement? One of the most effective ways to tackle climate change is through purpose-led actions coming from design thinking. People deeply care about climate and connection to the natural world. I am one of them. I bike and haven't owned a car in decades. I reuse, recycle and avoid waste. I am also conscious of companies I buy from. What we wear is a big part of our personal identity, and that's what jewelry does so well, it lets us show who we are to the world.

3. Value, Meaning and Purpose

Now, more than ever we need a connection to who we are, what we love and how we show it. Jewelry is about our personal identity, celebration and dreams. Consumers will return to jewelry, but with a changed perspective. They will return and look for jewelry with meaning, purpose, positivity, joy and deep personal connection to who they are and what they value. This must reflect in our jewelry designs. It must reflect how wearing jewelry makes us feel. 

The ‘Inner Brilliance’ spinning diamonds collection from ‘Coronet by Reena’. A pointer points to the true center, reminding what's most valuable to us; our family, values, goals and milestones. ©Design Copyright. Patented setting.

MY PERSONAL FOCUS

Like most of us, my first concern once the pandemic hit was the safety of my family, my team, friends and those experiencing dire situations amid this crisis around the world. I made early donations to some of the organizations that I support. Now that I look back, it was timely. 

Soon, I started reorganizing my days and priorities to tackle the many challenges that the lockdown has brought to my business. I am also helping a few emerging jewelry designers who are entering the world of jewelry on how to navigate this tough landscape. I am reading books that were on my 'To Read' list, cooking, and exercising. In this environment of digital overload, I am very careful of what I choose to watch, hear and consume digitally. I call those my 'essentials'. Social isolation is difficult, so I am constantly reminding myself to take care of my mental, physical and spiritual self. 

Being a jewelry designer and artist, I am used to very long studio hours and creating in isolation. That focus came in handy. The current crisis has made me think even deeper about my values, connection to nature and how I want to contribute in future. This thinking has guided me to create with a renewed purpose.

Check out my latest diamond paintings from the LIT Series. You will know what I mean. 

No amount of darkness can hide sparks of light. The LIT Series of diamond paintings by Reena were painted during the Covid-19 crisis. Dedicated to all heroes, the paintings celebrate our shining human spirit. ©Copyright.

Finally, I hope you are not pushing for hyper-productivity and forcing unrealistic goals causing performance anxiety. I can only share my experience and what works for me and hope you will consider it. I feel this crisis is a time to attune yourself to what's happening around you. Feel it, think about it and explore your ideas. The best creative solutions are when all these elements interconnect and harmonize. 

We will come out of this crisis altered, but with true inner light, sense of purpose and clarity of direction. 

I wouldn't wish anything less for you. 

Reena Ahluwalia Solo Diamond Paintings & Jewelry Exhibition | Singapore

Diamond is a powerful symbol of eternal love, beauty, power and prestige. Reena Ahluwalia presented 'Diamond Dreams’ - a dazzling exhibition of her incredibly detailed diamond paintings and her 'Coronet By Reena' signature spinning jewelry collection, Soul Carousel. Reena's solo exhibition took place at the Visual Arts Centre, in Singapore.

Reena meticulously paints hyper-realistic diamonds with ultra-magnified facets. Reena believes we all are like diamonds - brilliant, beautiful, radiant, luminous, full of potential and so much more. These incredible paintings take time, anywhere from 200 to over 700 hours each. Each painting is Reena's labor of love, intimately capturing the play of light and color.

Reena Ahluwalia Exhibition. Singapore.

Reena Ahluwalia Receives Fellow Award, Delivers Keynote Address At The George Brown College Convocation 2017

Full Keynote Speech by Reena Ahluwalia. Drawing from some of the pivotal lessons from her life, Reena Ahluwalia urged students to nurture and value their unbounded mind, their unique inner compass and passion to persevere.

After an extensive vetting process, Toronto’s George Brown College chose jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia to serve as their keynote speaker at Convocation 2017. According to Dean Luigi Ferrara, “Reena’s influential work in the global diamond and jewelry industry, her achievements in the world of Fashion and Visual Art and service as Faculty and mentor to so many of our students, made her the ideal choice for inspiring our graduates and sending them off into this exciting new phase of their lives.” 

Drawing from some of the pivotal lessons from her life, Reena Ahluwalia, jewelry designer, painter, professor and community builder, urged students to nurture and value their unbounded mind, their unique inner compass and the passion to persevere. During the ceremony Reena received an honorary degree in International Fashion Management and an Institute without Boundaries (IwB) Fellow Award for leaving an indelible mark on industry, country, community and for her contributions to the areas of study offered at George Brown for being an exceptional role model for the students. Reena’s full Keynote Speech can be seen here: https://youtu.be/jnuiYuxtLtI

Anne Sado, President of the George Brown College, said, “Our Academic Management Committee made up of all college Deans, were unanimous in recommending Reena Ahluwalia. Our criteria for granting an honorary degree is for people who have made an exceptional contribution to the country, world, with relevance to the College. As a person worthy of this recognition, Reena Ahluwalia exemplifies the qualities that George Brown College staff and students strive for – perseverance, passion and excellence.”

The George Brown College convocation ceremony for the Centre of Arts, Design & Information Technology was held on June 12th, 2017 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada.

Reena's Glorious, Luminous Diamonds - JNA (Jewellery News Asia)

Feature interview of Reena Ahluwalia and her diamonds.

Editor Marie Feliciano interviews Reena Ahluwalia in May 2017 issue of JNA (Jewellery News Asia). 

Heart of Gold - A Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia

It’s that heart of gold, and stardust soul that make you beautiful!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. Isn't a heart of gold the best treasure of all? Capturing the warm glow of sun rays, 'Heart of Gold' is my yellow heart-shaped diamond painting, one of three heart-shaped diamond painting from the Diamond Portrait Series. I went ahead and added real natural diamond dust with paint in the painting, the diamond dust sparkles when it catches light.

The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I wrote about most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds in history. 

Here are a few images of the painting and process...

'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond
36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Close-up detail of the 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

When you shine, the world shines with you! In progress, 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Be the light in someone's life! In progress, 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

It’s that heart of gold, and stardust soul that make you beautiful! Making of the 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Unlocking the heart of gold, one brush stroke at a time! Making of the 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Let's follow our heart, it leads to our dreams! 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Setting heart on fire, one facet at a time! Progress of 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Real diamond dust, a signature of Reena Ahluwalia paintings. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Reena Ahluwalia with her trio of diamond paintings. To see the other paintings of this series, please check out the 'Diamond Portrait Series' by Reena.

Passionate Heart - A Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia

Life is short. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

Celebrating a heart full of passion, 'Passionate Heart' is my pink heart-shaped diamond painting, one of three heart-shaped diamond painting from the 'Diamond Portrait Series'. Pink diamonds are extremely rare diamonds and are the hot favorite of collectors and connoisseurs. The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I wrote about the most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds in history. 

Here are a few images of the painting and process...

Live with passion, follow your heart!

'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond
36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Close up detail. 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Preparing color palette for my pink 'Passionate Heart' diamond painting. Coloration within a pink diamond is highly nuanced. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Life full of passion is a beautiful one! Reena Ahluwalia in her studio working on the 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Do it with passion or not at all! In progress, 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Diamond facets are so beautiful and detailed, don't you think? Just like a heart ... you look into its depths, you find so much more to love. Facet details of 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Reena Ahluwalia at her studio working on the 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Reena Ahluwalia at her studio working on the 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Completed and signed! 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Connect with Reena

Pure Heart - A White Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia

Beauty of a pure heart shines brighter than any star!

Nothing can stop us to radiate our inner brilliance. A pure heart is pure light! It's that essence I set out to capture in my painting. After all, what is heart without story?

From the 'Diamond Portrait Series', this painting is a portrait of 'Pure Heart'. A D-flawless white heart-shaped diamond full of light and brilliance. The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I have written about the most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds. 

Here are a few images of the painting and process! Enjoy...!

'Pure Heart' - Portrait of a White Heart-Shaped Diamond
36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Shining through a 'Pure Heart'! Close up detail. 'Pure Heart' - Portrait of a White Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Trio of heart-shaped diamond paintings belong to the 'Diamond Portrait Series' by Reena Ahluwalia. 'Pure Heart' is one of the three heart-shaped diamond painting. ©Reena Ahluwalia

So meditative! Preparing palette for my 'Pure Heart' diamond painting. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Polished diamonds are pure precision! If you know your diamonds, you totally know this! My paintings, just like my jewelry pieces capture precision and pay tribute to this poetry in geometry. Progress of 'Pure Heart', my white heart-shaped diamond painting from 'Diamond Portrait Series'. ©Reena Ahluwalia

A pure heart is pure light! It's that essence I want to capture in my painting. After all, what is heart without story? Reena Ahluwalia in her studio working on the painting. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Dazzle & shine B R I G H T, because you can! Detail of 'Pure Heart', my white heart-shaped diamond painting in progress. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Making of the 'Pure Heart' diamond painting. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Close up detail. 'Pure Heart' - Portrait of a White Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia

When your heart is in the right place. 'Pure Heart' white heart-shaped diamond painting in progress. Reena Ahluwalia in her studio. ©Reena Ahluwalia

Connect with Reena

In 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."

"Sorceress Diabolic" - a contemporary face-mask, designed to exaggerate and intensify the dark Sorceress’s legend. Concept drawing by Reena Ahluwalia.

Mask components are angular and pointed, recalling the sharp teeth of howling wolves and outstretched wings of ravens. Like a visual warning, a separate mouthpiece mimics teeth and fangs. Concept drawing by Reena Ahluwalia.

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/

Designer Reena Ahluwalia. Excerpt from Masters of Jewellery Design in Canada. Vol. 2.