Photo courtesy of De Beers Group

Almost two years after graduating from George Brown College’s Jewelry Arts program, designers Virginia Muralt and Valerie Lamiel reflected on their recognition as finalists at this year’s De Beers Groups Designers Initiative Shining Light Awards as an emotional moment.

The Shining Light Awards is an initiative held by the De Beers Group every two years, where talented graduates from Canada, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa are invited to showcase their 3D designs, which are centered around the diamond sourced from each country. This year’s theme, “The Evolution of Love and Life,” inspired both GBC finalists to pay tribute to the family members closest to their heart by creating beautiful diamond collections in their honour.

Muralt, who placed second overall, explained that the real highlight of the competition was the story and meaning put into the creation of the designs.

“I designed my collection after my dad,” she said. “He went to Afghanistan twice when I was a preteen and something I used to do to self-sooth during times of sadness was look up at the stars, because I knew he was looking up at the same ones.”

Muralt’s vision was to take this story and turn it into a diamond jewelry collection, which was comprised of a ring, bracelet, necklace and earrings. It was this vision and talent which ultimately granted her a 12-month internship in jewelry manufacturing with De Beers.  

“I’m hoping that this internship opens up a lot more opportunities to design so that I can get my name out and into the jewellery world,” she said.

Muralt reflected on her success at the competition as being extremely rewarding.

“It definitely validates all the hard work,” said Muralt. “No one really understands the hours spent behind the designs, so it was definitely a nice pat on the back.”

Lamiel, who placed first overall, took a similar approach when designing her collection. She found inspiration by connecting the evolution of turtles to her connection with her grandmother.

“I had a turtle motif consistent in all of the four pieces that I created,” Lamiel said. “The name of my collection was the ‘Marathon Collection,’ to suggest the ways that life is a marathon. Tortoises move slowly, but move through life with intention.”

Lamiel explained how she personified her grandmother within her diamond-encrusted tortoise.

“My grandmother’s journey represents the continuation of life that she has left for my family. Life’s marathon continues whether you finish first or last, and this collection symbolizes loving every step.”

Lamiel describes the moment where she was announced as the top finalist as dream-like.

“I poured myself into this project because it was a good thing to focus on at the time, so to have that moment of recognition finally come, it was very surreal—I was pinching myself.”

The winning design of the competition will be turned into real heirlooms, something that Lamiel is very excited about. Along with this, she has also been granted a scholarship to complete post-graduate studies in Milan.

Both GBC finalists paid credit to their professors in the Jewelry Arts program at GBC, with Muralt stating that it lives up to its reputation as the best jewelry school in Canada.

“The scope of knowledge the program has is amazing,” she said.

Lamiel concurred with Muralt. She gave thanks to her professors for instilling a sense of owning her work.

“One thing I take with me is the professionalism. Being able to stand by your work and really think deeply about why you’re making the design decisions that you are.”

Both graduates express immense gratitude for their recognition at the Shining Light Awards, and look forward to growing even more as jewelry designers.