Shining light awards 2020/2021 announced

Shining Light Awards Entries open on January 30th

De Beers Group has recently launched the De Beers Group Designers Initiative (DBGDI)-Shining Light Awards 2020/2021 jewellery design competition.

DBGDI is a youth Beneficiation skills development initiative aimed at inspiring, igniting and enabling young jewellers (aged 18 – 35) with world-class jewellery design and manufacturing skills in each of the De Beers Group diamond producing countries – Botswana, Canada, Namibia, and South Africa.

Pat Dambe, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations, De Beers Global Sight holder Sales, said, “As a company, we are passionate about enabling and empowering youth with skills in jewellery design that can propel them into the enchanting world of the diamond value chain.

We are always awestruck by how these young jewellery enthusiasts interpret the theme to make gorgeous designs that are relevant to today’s consumer.

I urge all who meet the criteria, to apply and stand a chance to be awarded a once in a lifetime opportunity to enhance your jewellery design skills through a 12-month postgraduate programme at Politecnico di Milano in Milan Italy, the design and fashion capital of the world or a 12-month goldsmith training in South Africa or a 3- month exposure at a De Beers Group business unit”.

The success of the De Beers Group Designers Initiative over the past 23 years in South Africa, 11 years in Botswana and Namibia and 2 years in Canada are linked to the sustainable partnerships that have motivated aspiring designers, partnerships with producer country Governments, Universities, Technikons, incubators, Sight holders, media and Forevermark.

This is said to have resulted in over 30 beneficiaries of the Shining Light Awards going on to open jewellery stores, establish game-changing brands and work for world-renowned jewellery companies.

Shining Light Awards is regarded as a launch-pad for future diamantaires to the world of natural diamonds.