De Beers to Fund Designer in Producing Country

RAPAPORT... De Beers has pledged to donate GBP 10,000 ($13,641) to support skills development for a jewelry-design student in one of the four countries in which it operates.The Provenance Award, part of the De Beers Group Designers Initiative, will go to an up-and-coming designer in Botswana, Canada, Namibia or South Africa, the miner said Tuesday.The company will announce the winner at its Shining Lights Awards later this year.De Beers launched the award to celebrate the second iteration of ReSet, its initiative to highlight the positive impact of natural diamonds on mining communities. Named ReSet Forever Love, it will feature items by Kristina Ferenchuk, Ami Masamitsu and Louis Tamlyn, three recent graduates of London's Central Saint Martins design school.The miner asked those designers to create jewelry that represented the concepts of "love" and "forever" in the 21st century. The final collection includes rings, necklaces and a brooch using rough and polished De Beers diamonds ranging from 0.30 to 1.30 carats."Through challenging themselves with questions such as whether forever is possible in a rapidly changing world, or whether sustainability is the ultimate expression of love to our communities and planet, these three innovative designers have crafted an inspiring and thought-provoking collection featuring responsibly sourced diamonds," said Colby Shergalis, senior vice president of brand marketing at De Beers.De Beers launched the first partnership in the initiative, ReSet Collective, in October. That featured pieces by US jewelry designers Jade Trau, Jennie Kwon, Julez Bryant, Sara Weinstock and Zo?<< Chicco.Image: A ring designed by Ami Masamitsu for ReSet Forever Love. (De Beers)