Diamond miner De Beers Group on December 1 announced the entry dates for its De Beers Group Designers Initiative (DBGDI)-Shining Light Awards 2020/21 jewellery design competition, which is aimed at helping young jewellery designers grow.

DBGDI is a youth beneficiation skills development initiative aimed at inspiring, igniting and enabling young jewellers, aged 18 to 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.

The Shining Light Awards is a launchpad for future diamantaires to access the world of natural diamonds.

Entries for the 2020/21 competition will open on January 30 and close on March 31.

Through the awards initiative, De Beers invites youth jewellery designers to showcase their talent by designing a diamond jewellery line that embodies this years’ theme – The Evolution of Love and Life.

De Beers Global Sightholder Sales corporate affairs and government relations VP Pat Dambe says De Beers is “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.”

She adds that the designs are unique, thought provoking and celebrate the rarity and timelessness of Forevermark diamonds.

“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 [programme] in South Africa or a three-month exposure at a De Beers Group business unit.”

The success of the DBGDI over the past 23 years in South Africa, 11 years in Botswana and Namibia and two years in Canada is owing to the sustainable partnerships that have motivated aspiring designers, according to De Beers.

As such, partnerships with producer country governments, universities, technikons, incubators, sightholders, media and Forevermark have resulted in over 30 beneficiaries of the Shining Light Awards over the years who have gone on to open jewellery stores, establish brands and work for renowned jewellery companies.