Reena Ahluwalia’s Award-Winning Diamond Necklace to be Showcased in Oscars Celebrity Suite

Canoe diamond necklace

Toronto-based jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia was recently honored as a winner of the Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition for her “Canoe” diamond necklace. It will be among winning designs that will be showcased at the annual Academy Awards 2012 with a chance to be selected and worn on the red carpet by Hollywood’s elite.

Set in 18K white gold, with 28.96 carats of Canadian diamonds, Ahluwalia said the necklace was inspired by a poetic image of the magical Canadian landscape and its pristine white winters. It captures a snapshot of a snow covered canoe in a frozen crystalline lake.

“Celebrating the magic and beauty of Canada, my home, is the inspiration for my design,” she said. “Canoe is a carrier of Canadian myths, a symbol very unique to Canada that represents voyage, harmony with nature, discovery and courage. It is one of the greatest gifts the First Nations people gave to all those who came after.”

Reena Ahluwalia with her trophy.

After receiving a record number of entries from around the globe, a panel of judges from the U.S. jewelry and fashion industries gathered in New York to select nine winners in four categories: Ahluwalia, received the Master Craftsman award in the Canadian Diamonds category.  

The necklace comes together with two diamond-studded links embracing the neck that represent the fluidity of lake. Irregular intersecting lines, studded with Ideal Square cut diamonds depict the chunks of floating ice. The necklace culminates into a canoe shaped element. “Canoe” has an angled faceted interior,

“I wanted the diamonds to reflect on the opposite facets for a dramatic shine and create an icy crystalline look,” Ahluwalia said.

Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd., a manufacturer of branded Canadian diamonds, collaborated with Ahluwalia, sponsored manufacturing and provided Canadian diamonds for the necklace.