Diversity in Diamond Jewellery

Increasing the diversity of creative talent within the diamond jewellery sector

Recognising the structural inequalities existing within the diamond jewellery design sector, at De Beers we’ve set in motion a portfolio of initiatives to create opportunities for under-represented designers around the world.

Ranging from supporting aspiring designers to enter the sector, to co-creating opportunities for those at the height of their careers, we’re trialling multiple routes for designers to select what works best for them. Key to our approach is engaging as we go to share experiences, learn and evolve.

We’ve summarised some of the initiatives that we are working on below. We are continuing to look for new opportunities in this space and our approach will evolve as we gain more learnings.

Education/ Early Career

De Beers Group Designers Initiative (DBGDI), Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa

DBGDI is open to young and aspiring designers from our partner countries, providing an opportunity to showcase their talents, and through the prestigious Shining Lights Awards, win world class training opportunities to develop jewellery design skills. Through a two-year process, roadshows are held to engage students and raise awareness of the initiative, with the process culminating in the Shining Lights Awards Finale, where the very best talent is selected from each country. All finalists receive opportunities to further their design skills and access jewellery design education at leading design schools. Discover more here.

MasterPeace Academy, Birmingham, UK

The MasterPeace Academy aims to provide opportunity and bring equality to the jewellery trade by offering community, connections, creativity and craftmanship through training courses to students from all walks of life and often previously out of work. We’ve provided financial support for six month part-time jewellery apprenticeship courses, with both design and employability training, as well as connections to local employers for further work experience. We’ve also provided business development funding to enable the Academy to expand including a new website, exhibition and a potential new brand for the student’s jewellery.

"It's nice to get help and support from such a wide range of professional tutors. I feel at home in this culturally relevant setting. This has been a great opportunity to develop my artistic skills. I would love to have a career in the jewellery trade in the near future."

Tinaye Makuyana, student on the apprenticeship course at the MasterPeace Academy

Photo credit: Tinaye Makuyana, MasterPeace Academy

Morley College, London, UK

Through our De Beers Group: Jewellery Scholarships at Morley, we’re supporting one year, part time scholarships for underrepresented starter and intermediate jewellery designers, over the age of 19. The Starters Scholarships are designed for those wanting to start a career in jewellery making and includes a materials grant, while the Intermediate Level Scholarships are for those wishing to expand their jewellery and business skills and includes mentoring from a professional jeweller.

Photo credit: Morley College

The 92nd Street Y, New York, USA

We’ve provided funding for the ‘Teen Gems’ program at the Jewellery Centre at New York based institution The 92nd Street Y. A 12-week jewellery-making course offered free to Title 1 Art & Design high school students, Teen Gems fills a void of limited access to jewellery studios for teens in New York City. The curriculum mixes skill-building techniques such as soldering and design and conversations with artists in the field, offering teens the opportunity to see a path forward into a career in jewellery. The investment supports a goal to double Teen Gems to two cohorts in January 2023 and provides support to ongoing program development including supplies, class space and staff time to provide students with a safe, engaging and productive learning environment.

Photos courtesy of 92NY

Photos courtesy of 92NY

Photos courtesy of 92NY

Photos courtesy of 92NY

“There is little to no access to jewellery studios for teens in NYC with or without resources. Learning the skills of soldering and fabrication, learning to master fire – these are life-changing experiences. With a mix of skill-building and conversations with jewellers in the field, this program will build bridges to foster personal growth and perhaps a life in the arts, an avenue that a teen might not have the access to dream about outside of this experience.”

Jonathan Wahl, Director The 92nd Street Y, New York

Mid to Height of Career

Black is Brilliant

#BlackisBrilliant - a partnership between De Beers and RAD Red Carpet Advocacy – to bring together exceptional Black jewellery designers with top celebrity stylists. Through these powerful pairings, the partnership offers meaningful opportunities for Black designers to create jewellery to be showcased by celebrities on the red carpet, featuring our ethically sourced diamonds from Botswana. Discover more here.

Hatton Garden, London, UK

We’ve supported British designer Kassandra Lauren-Gordon to run networking events in London’s jewellery district: Hatton Garden. The events were for jewellery freelancers and suppliers to meet one another or strengthen existing relationships through informal networking.

“Even after 20 years, I find the industry is hidden behind closed doors so to speak, and runs on an if-you-know basis, so these events allow for the opening of those doors to meet with people and their business that maybe you didn't know existed."

Participant at Kassandra Lauren-Gordon’s networking event

Photo credit : @HeyMonwar

Jewellery Futures Fund, UK

We provided start-up funding for the establishment of the Jewellery Futures Fund – a UK based group whose aim is to address underrepresentation and systemic challenges in the jewellery industry. This charitable body aims to support scholarships, internships, grants and mentorships for future students at a variety of UK institutions. We’re also grateful to have the Jewellery Futures Fund as advisors who help us shape our strategy in this space.

RRH Academy, UK

In conjunction with the Goldsmiths Centre and the Natural Diamond Council, and with financial support from De Beers, British designer Roxanne Rajcoomar-Hadden ran a 2 week jewellery academy course with a vision to bridge the diversity gap in fine jewellery in London, with virtual attendance from our partner countries. Called the RRH Academy, this aimed to discover and support the very best up-and-coming designers from diverse backgrounds. The course offered access to responsible suppliers, press, jewellery buyers and business advisors, as well as training in relation to jewellery production, branding, PR & marketing, pricing and design.

“As an aspiring jewellery designer and gemmologist, I found the information offered on the course absolutely essential for my personal growth and development. It provided me with an opportunity of a lifetime to get advice from key individuals within the jewellery industry and gain an insight into parts of the industry that previously have remained inaccessible to me.”

RRH Academy Course attendee

The Radiance by COUTURE

We supported The Radiance by COUTURE, a showcase of fine jewellery capsule collections created by 13 designers. The initiative is the culmination of the COUTURE Diversity Action Council’s (DAC) inaugural mentorship program, and has been supported by De Beers, having provided the designers with De Beers Code of Origin diamonds and budget to create their unique capsule collections. Discover more here.