Culture & Style

The Natural Diamond Council and Lorraine Schwartz Unveil the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative Collection on Moda Operandi

The collection is available on Moda Operandi and features new diamond jewelry by the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative’s first group of designers.

By Shontel Horne | October 15, 2021

jam + rico Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative Jewelry Collections moda operandi — Jam + Rico 18K Yellow Gold Tropical Trees Earrings. Photo Credit: Madison Voelkel/BFA.com

Get a head start on holiday shopping and support new and emerging designers in the process! On October 15, the Natural Diamond Council and legendary jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz unveiled the inaugural collection of diamond jewelry designed as part of the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative with a trunk show on Moda Operandi.

The first group of participants— Jameel Mohammed of KHIRY, Dorian Webb, Constance Polamalu of Birthright Foundry, Marvin Linares of Marvin Douglas Jewelry, Malyia McNaughton of Made by Malyia, and Lisette Scott of Jam + Rico—were the inaugural grantees of the EDDI program, and received $20,000 diamond credit at cost, retail opportunities and selling support, press opportunities, diamond education, funding for production, CADs, and sampling as well as in-depth mentorship alongside industry experts as part of the program.

eddi — Jameel Mohammed (KHIRY), Marvin Linares (Marvin Douglas), Constance Polamalu (Birthright Foundry), Lorraine Schwartz, Lisette Scott (Jam + Rico), Dorian Webb, Malyia McNaughton (Made by Malyia), David Kellie (Natural Diamond Council)
Photo Credit: Madison Voelkel/BFA.com

The Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative was launched to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) jewelry designers who all have a passion about incorporating natural diamonds into their jewelry designs.

“My pride for the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative and the work of the Natural Diamond Council continues with today’s announcement. The EDDI initiative has provided new opportunities and valuable resources to help open the door for BIPOC designers within fine jewelry which can take years to gain access to. Their hard work and passion, paired with EDDI’s mentorship, is helping to prepare and position these talented designers to be at the forefront of today’s jewelry market. I hope to see each of the designers pay it forward by educating their communities about the industry and its opportunities,” said Lorraine Schwartz.

See just a few of the pieces from the collection below and visit Moda Operandi to view the entire collection and pre-order.