Ontario diamonds dazzle on TIFF red carpet

by eyetee | October 4, 2010 12:00 am

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SCORE: A Hockey Musical star Allie MacDonald brought a bit more Canadian razzle-dazzle to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with a $1-million necklace featuring 27 Ontario diamonds.

Weighing 75 carats and set in 18-karat gold, the rough diamond necklace is designed by Reena Ahluwalia and goldsmith Jeff Miller, both of whom are Canadian.

“When I was commissioned this necklace, I wanted to design a statement [piece] with an understated natural elegance,” said Ahluwalia.

“Rough diamonds were the perfect choice—understated, pure, and just the way nature intended them to be. I chose spirals for the beauty in their symmetry and what they conveyed—growth, advancement, energy, and evolution. The spiraling form secures the rough diamond gently and is intended to portray social responsibility, signifying the diamond mine and the natural riches of Ontario.”

Featuring rough from De Beers Canada’s Victor Mine in northern Ontario, the necklace is a collaboration between Vancouver-based Crossworks Manufacturing, which cuts and polishes Victor diamonds, and luxury retailer Birks.

The necklace now resides at Birks’ Toronto flagship store, where it is available for purchase.

“Canadian diamonds exemplify Birks’ dedication to sustainability and highlight our diamond and precious stone authority,” said Birks & Mayors president and chief executive officer (CEO) Tom Andruskevich.

The necklace’s debut was a celebration of all things Canadian, noted Crossworks marketing director Dylan Dix.

“A Canadian star wearing Ontario diamonds on the red carpet at the gala opening of the TIFF made all of us at Crossworks very proud,” Dix said. “Crossworks made this diamond necklace to show the world the natural and exceptional beauty of Ontario diamonds from the Victor Mine, which are of the finest quality and are the most sought after in the world. These diamonds, like Allie MacDonald, are a Canadian treasure.”

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/ontario-diamonds-dazzle-on-tiff-red-carpet/