April 2009
Award winning jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia has designed a diamond setting for the first two mined diamonds from Ontario, Canada.
The diamonds have been set in the historic Mace of Ontario, a scepter-like object that held a symbolic place in the regalia of the British Parliament during the 14th century.
Today, the Mace is associated with the authority of Ontario's Speaker of the House and represents the richness of Canada's parliamentary tradition.
After the Legislative Assembly of Ontario invited Ahluwalia to design the Mace's diamond setting, she presented 18 design proposals.
The final mounting crafted in platinum features a quatrefoil-shaped base with equal sections representing symmetry and balance.
The design's spiraling form secures the rough diamond and is intended to portray social responsibility, signifying the diamond mine and the natural riches of Ontario, Ahluwalia said.
Finally, the spiral leads up to the polished diamond that represents the outcome of the value-added processes.
"This design represents growth, continual change and evolution," Ahluwalia said.
"My ultimate design challenge consisted of determining a persuasive final design that not only worked in visual and symbolic symmetry with the existing historic Mace, but one that could stand the test of time."
The two diamonds - one cut and polished, and the other in its natural rough form - come from the De Beers Canada Victor Mine, Ontario's first diamond mine.
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