Diamond mining giant De Beers Group’s Designers Initiative is inviting jewellery designers to participate in its 2018/19 Shining Light Awards.

The competition has run for over 22 years in South Africa and almost 10 years in Botswana and Namibia, and is open to Canadian participants for the first time this year. Jewellery designers in the four countries – where De Beers mines diamonds – are eligible to participate.

The theme for 2018/19 is ‘Heroines and Heritage’ and includes feminine elements that speak to women, evoke national pride and are symbols of strength, heritage, wisdom and beauty.

“The Shining Light Awards have proven to be a valuable design platform to showcase talent and open opportunities for young people in the diamond sector and in international markets. This is in line with De Beers’ objectives on beneficiation through skills development of the youth,” says, De Beers executive VP and Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier.

Says De Beers Global Sightholder Sales corporate affairs and government relations VP Pat Dambe “We have just concluded roadshows to all the four De Beers producer countries, during which we visited various universities to present to design students on the project and [explain] how they can become part of it. Reception has been great. Over the years, we have seen high-quality submissions and we anticipate that, this year, the response will be even greater.”

Winners of the Shining Light Awards will participate in a 12-month apprenticeship programme in Milan, Italy, and runners-up will participate in a three-month internship programme at Forevermark or a design programme at a local design school.

“Over the years, we have seen how the Shining Light Awards have presented students with a great opportunity to develop their skills in jewellery manufacturing. We are looking forward to seeing the journey they take in interpreting the theme and bringing it to life. It is most gratifying that, as a result of this competition, we will now see winners enrolled through the Forevermark Design School, in Milan, signifying the growth of the programme since its inception,” says De Beers Forevermark head of brand strategy and innovation Constantino Papadimitriou.

Entries are now open and will close on January 31.