Meet the Natural Diamond Council's New Emerging Jewelry Designers
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, after all.
Looking for some new diamonds to add to your collection? Look no further: 1stDibs, an online marketplace, is now selling collections from six Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) designers, who are a part of the second class of the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI).
The lucky designers include Casey Perez (Casey Perez Jewelry), Corey Anthony Jones (Gaudy Atelier), Halle Millien (Heart The Stones), Lana Ogilvie (Sabre Jewelry), Mckenzie Liautaud (Mckenzie Liautaud Jewelry), and Ruben Manuel (Ruben Manuel Designs).
The pieces vary from clean, simple mini cuffs and stud earrings to big, bold rings and chunky necklaces. But of course, most of them have some sort of sparkle.
The descriptions of the collections range from “a fine jewelry line that celebrates bravery in unexpected ways,” like in Millien’s collection, to “jewelry from molten liquid cuffs to origami-inspired rings, and bangles with the appearance of hand-rolled metal,” in Ogilvie’s collection, per a press release.
In partnership with Lorraine Schwartz— who is responsible for some of the most well-known jewelry accessories in the modern-day— and the National Diamond Council (NDC), the EDDI was created in 2021 to support BIPOC in the industry, by providing resources, education, and mentorship, and $1 million in diamond credit. Each recipient will receive a $20,000 diamond credit to use toward the creation of their own line.
“Following the success of the first class of our EDDI program, we are proud to be continuously evolving the initiative to meet the needs of designers of color and provide them the tools needed to create sustainable growth in the industry. As the leading purveyor of curated and extraordinary design, we are thrilled to have 1stDibs join us in launching the 2022 collections," says David Kellie, Natural Diamond Council CEO.
For 30 days, the collections will be available exclusively online. Following this period, the designers will dedicate virtual storefronts for a year, per the press release.
Sound like this program might benefit you? Good news: Applicants will continue to be accepted until the $1 million runs out. You can apply here.
