liveBID! Africa's Hope Diamond & Emerald Earrings by Evelyn Huang

Description

Includes: Africa's Hope earrings by Evelyn Huang - 18k white gold with 4.89 cts of diamonds,and 3.54 carats of African Emeralds. Approximate measurements are 80mm in length and 35mm at it's widest.

These earrings by Evelyn Huang were the winner in the red carpet category of the DIVA design competition 2009, which is held annually by the Women's Jewelry Association.

In Evelyn Huang's words:

"I want to make a difference...I want to take the greater love that exists within me, and impress it onto these earrings… to give it some lady luck….and I wish in my heart that these good thoughts will create a positive energy that will be the beginning of a catalyst that will one day alter someone’s life and take that person down a different path full of opportunities and promise...I will name it Africa’s Hope and wish upon it goodness and change and the spirit of giving back..."

For me, every project I approach is always centered upon the client that I am designing the piece for. I meet with them and try to get a feel for the individual so that I will be able to create something special that is a reflection of their individuality. This mindset is no different when I enter a design competition. I work at channeling my ideas to focus on specific guidelines working within them while still staying true to creating something unique that does not sacrifice artistry, beauty, craftsmanship, or originality. Most competitions rarely call for anything beyond these four standards. However, for this year’s DIVA design competition (held annually by the Women’s Jewelry Association) my work as a designer was challenged to go beyond the norm to dream up a design with a lot of heart and meaning behind it.

The theme for this year’s competition is “DIVA GIVES BACK to D.E.F.” in which the WJA partnered with the Diamond Empowerment Fund to provide women in the Jewelry Industry not only the chance to showcase their talent, but the additional opportunity of making a difference. The D.E.F. is a non-profit organization that works to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

The competition had three categories; the “Canadian Diamond DIVA”, the “Red Carpet DIVA”, and the “DIVA gives back” categories. Winning designs would be donated to the D.E.F. to be auctioned off at the Dallas Rocks Diamond Dinner and After Party.

I knew immediately I wanted to enter the “Red Carpet DIVA” category. I guess I like to do things in a big way and I yearned to put my heart into something that can help another person. I contemplated about what this design would mean and how I would properly express it. I also considered how it would fit in with the mission of the Diamond Empowerment Fund. I looked through their website many times to try to better understand the fundamental core of the organization. After a few days of reflection, I knew I wanted the design to be in the shape of a tear drop, with strands of diamonds stretching from the top towards the bottom suggesting an angel’s harp. This idea sprang from the title for the ambassador’s of the Diamond Empowerment Fund called Africa’s Angels. Once I solidified the design concept I turned to the use of color. I knew I wanted to use the color green, because to the D.E.F., green is intended to symbolize prosperity, well-being, and care for the planet Earth and its entire people, with the color also being the embodiment for the continent of Africa and its natural and human resources, coincidentally it is also the color that I use to represent my company. Not, only did I want the design to have meaning, I wanted the materials to be symbolic too. I decided early on that the green stones I would utilize in my design had to come from Africa. That led me to only a few options, in which I chose African Emeralds as the stones that I would use to complement and enhance the diamonds in the design. Upon completion of my design I christened it “Africa’s Hope” to signify the dedication and perseverance of the individuals that work to make a difference in this world, and the hope that exists because there are people who do care. A few weeks later, I received a call from Cindy Edelstein the DIVA chair informing me that my design had won.

I have just completed Africa’s Hope and they measure approximately 80 mm in length, and 35mm in width. The earrings have a total weight of 4.89 carats in diamonds, and 3.54 carats in African Emeralds, They are comprised of 18k white gold with 2 pear shape diamonds, one at the top of each earring. As a designer, I hope they will do me proud, but more importantly, as a human being, I hope they will find their way into the home and heart of someone who cares sincerely about the mission of the D.E.F. and the special individuals that the proceeds raised from these earrings will inevitably touch.

-evelyn H.

Click here to read Evelyn H.'s blog about DEF and the creativity behind these precious earrings.

Please note: this lot will close early on November 13th to be part of the live auction on November 14th in Dallas, TX. We will close the online bidding mid-day, and then contact the highest bidders by phone to see if they want us to continue bidding on their behalf at the live auction. Please see the liveBID information below for a more detailed description.

The proceeds for this item benefit Diamond Empowerment Fund

Donated by: Evelyn Huang

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