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RAPAPORT... De Beers announced the winners of the 18th annual Shining Light Awards, selecting Lilja Pesanka Hastie, from the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria to receive the highest accolade: The Forevermark Promise Award. Hastie was also offered the opportunity for one year training scholarship with De Beers Group’s Forevermark design team in Milan, Italy. Louise Kriek and Madeli Viljoen, both from the Tshwane University of Technology, received The Cursor Sursum Award as runners-up for the top prize. They will be offered three-month training scholarships in Milan. Julius Brettschneider of Adrian & Meyer Jewellers in Windhoek, Namibia, Mpho Mokgatle of the Oodi College of Applied Arts & Technology in Gaborone, Botswana and Omphile Sibanda of Tshwane University of Technology, were all given The Shining Light Development Award. The competition is designed to showcase talent from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Twelve finalists in all will receive The De Beers 2015 Shining Light Recognition Award and each producer country finalist also received a two-year scholarship with the Keith White School of Jewellery Design and Manufacturing in South Africa. This year's entrants designed a commercial diamond collection including a ring, a bracelet, a pendant and earrings under the theme "The Promise" and submitted designs in either 2D or 3D technical drawings. Hastie said, “My collection is inspired by the romance of marriage and the promise that binds the union of true love -- that their hearts will forever be intertwined. “The twisted shank symbolizes two lives intertwined and tied by a diamond infinity band. The band serves as a bezel for the hero diamond, and the ultimate meaning for the diamond is eternity and love bonding the commitment of two people. All this is symbolized in the ring design and it is carried through the entire collection -- a pendant, earrings and a bangle,” she said. Kevin Goodrem, the vice president of beneficiation for De Beers global sightholder sales, said, “This opportunity will undoubtedly enhance Lilja’s skills and talent in jewelry design. We couldn’t be prouder of what she has achieved; I think everyone will agree that Lilja is an incredibly deserving winner among one of the strongest top 12 teams we have ever encountered." Philippe Mellier, De Beers CEO, told the finalists at a special ceremony, “You truly are the shining lights of southern Africa and I look forward to watching you light up the diamond industry in years to come. As the modern diamond jewelry designer needs a head for business, just as much as they need an artistic eye and a skilled hand, this year’s awards have sought to identify those that have the commercial acumen to match their creative flair.”
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