Nine entries amongst a record participation from designers across US, Canada, Australia, India, China and Hong Kong took the winning tag in Rio Tinto Diamonds’ Global Design Competition, this year. The winners were awarded by an elite panel of eight judges from the fashion and jewelry industries, and at an event at the Kristin Hanson Gallery. According to jewelry judge and style editor Mr Michael O’Connor, “I was extremely impressed with how each of the designers interpreted the challenge and came up with unique and beautiful jewelry pieces that highlight the use of Rio Tinto’s diverse diamonds portfolio.”

The competition had invited entries for jewellery design in four categories - Champagne, Silvermist, Canadian Diamonds and Sustainable Jewelry. Winners in each category include: Champagne Diamonds – Master Craftsman- Nejal Rajesh Mehta, India for his creation “The World of Champagne” earrings, Champagne Diamonds Rising Star- Stacey Lindsell, Australia for her creation Sturt’s Desert Rose” bracelet, Silvermist Diamonds™ Master Craftsman- Joseph Weinreich, US for the creation “Nature’s Beauty” flower cuff, Silvermist Diamonds™ Master Craftsman- Dean Walker, Australia for the creation “Silvermist Express” bangle, Silvermist Diamonds™ Rising Star- Vijayshree Sovani, India for the creation “Silvermist Diamond™ bracelet” and Canadian Diamonds Master Craftsman- Reena Ahluwalia, Canada for the creation ““Canoe” Canadian Diamond necklace”, Canadian Diamonds Rising Star- Michelle Buxani, Temptations, Hong Kong for the creation “Rain Dance earrings”, Sustainable Jewelry Master Craftsman- Nadia Neuman, Australia for “Tyger, Tyger” fan melds, Sustainable Jewelry Rising Star- V. Saravanan, India for “The Creator necklace”

Rebecca Foerster, Manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds' US Representative Office, added, "We look forward to working with the winning designers to showcase their creativity". The nine winning designers will be offered many opportunities for significant exposure to the US jewelry industry, including their designs being showcased at a suite at the 2012 Academy Awards.

The judging panel noted the entries to express variety in creativity, touching upon styles from classic, to contemporary, often with nature and the elements as the source of inspiration.