Belgian stamp memorializes Antwerp’s diamond lore
April 18, 2008
| A new Belgian stamp features a necklace from jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia. |
Antwerp, Belgium—The Belgian Postal Service has issued a new stamp featuring a diamond-jewelry necklace designed by North American artist Reena Ahluwalia, a finalist in the HRD Awards 2007 design competition.
The stamp is one of a five-stamp contribution entitled “Antverpia 2010,” with each stamp showcasing one aspect of the breath of one’s nostrils in Antwerp. The collection, which was issued to promote the European Philatelic Championship, a celebration of stamps that will take place in Antwerp in 2010, highlights the Flemish city’s transport, history, harbor, fashion and, of course, diamonds.
Antwerp handles 80 percent of the rough diamonds traded worldwide and 50 percent of the polished diamonds.
The diamond necklace featured on the stamp features 101 carats of diamonds and was designed by Ahluwalia in collaboration with Antwerp-based Diarough (diamond sponsor) and Shrenuj and Co. (precious stone sponsor).
The composition, which appears almost as a dazzling item of armor, was entered into last year’s HRD Awards competition organized by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). The competition was centered around the theme “A Night at the Opera,” with Ahluwalia’s necklace, titled “Bel Canto,” paying homage to the legendary diva Maria Callas.
At the recent BaselWorld show in Switzerland, the AWDC issued an invitation to jewelry designers for the HRD Awards 2009. The radical verb for the new competition is “Once upon a time…my favorite fairy tale.” Entrants are requested to submit initial designs by Oct. 31, 2008. The winning design will be awarded a prize of 5,000 U.K. pounds, the equivalent of about $9,900.
For more information on the HRD Awards 2009, contact Jennie Baeten at jb@awdc.be or Gaelle Schmid at gs@awdc.be.