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    Industry News

    Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative

    Emerging Designers Diamond InitiativeIllustration by Alelli Tanghal
    Illustration by Alelli Tanghal

    ABOUT

    The Natural Diamond Council and U.S. jewelry designer, Lorraine Schwartz, are pleased to introduce the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative. With the allocation of $1 million dollars of diamond credit, this program will provide opportunities, remove barriers to entry, and offer unparalleled access to industry education and resources to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) jewelry designers. Designers who do not presently work with diamonds are encouraged to apply.

    Without a previous history with suppliers, or references in the industry, it can be challenging to purchase diamonds. Our program aims to help designers establish credit in their own names and understand the process of diamond financing, credit and memo terms.

    The one-year program will include:

    • Diamond education seminars
    • $20,000 line of credit with 24 month pay-back terms to purchase diamonds
    • Access to production, marketing, finance, legal, HR and supply chain resources
    • Retail and sales advice and support
    • Online learning platform and monthly webinars with industry experts
    • Individual mentors matched to each designer’s business needs
    • PR and social media opportunities
    • Promoted content on NDC channels
    • Monthly networking sessions with other participants

    DIAMOND CREDIT & SELECTION PROCESS

    Designers will be encouraged to utilize a variety of diamonds including those of differing colors and sizes, in order to celebrate the uniqueness of natural diamonds and a variety of price points.

    A diamond credit will offer designers access to diamonds with extended payment terms of up to 24 months to diamantaires. NDC will guarantee this timeframe with our partners to ensure that designers have time to create and sell their diamond jewelry.

    Applicants must be U.S. based and in business for at least one year and provide a brief business overview that outlines their operations to date and future goals. Sketches will be required along with a description of how diamonds will be incorporated into designs.

    A selection committee including Lorraine Schwartz, stylist and designer, Jason Rembert, fashion director of Vanity Fair, Nicole Chapoteau and NDC CEO, David Kellie will review designer applications until the $1 million diamond credit has been fully allocated.

    Please contact applications@naturaldiamond.com with any questions regarding the application process.


    APPLY HERE

    SELECTION COMMITTEE

    Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative

    Lorraine Schwartz
    Lorraine Schwartz Fine Jewelry

    Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative

    Jason Rembert
    Stylist & Designer, Aliette

    Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative

    David Kellie
    CEO, Natural Diamond Council

    Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative

    Nicole Chapoteau
    Fashion Director, Vanity Fair

     

    “The diamond industry can be an extremely difficult industry to break into as an emerging designer because it is a tight knit, generational business that is passed down through family members and close friends. It’s even more challenging for Black and other BIPOC community members that aspire to work as diamond dealers and fine jewelers because they don’t have those established generational industry relationships. Helping up-and-coming BIPOC designers gain entry to diamond vendors and credit financing as well as offer tools to expand their businesses is important to me and to the generations to come. This program is another opportunity to give back to those communities that have embraced me and have been a wonderful part of my journey as a designer over the last 20 years.”

     

    ~Lorraine Schwartz

    Only Natural Diamonds, brought to you by the Natural Diamond Council, is the definitive destination for all things natural diamonds. We provide inspiration, insights and information on the world of real, natural diamonds recovered from the earth, including a behind-the-scenes look into the natural diamond industry, as well as the latest trends in diamond jewelry design to education and tips about how to buy the perfect engagement ring and other diamond jewelry.
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