GIA India hosted its very first graduation ceremony in India, for its Jewellery Design Batch of 2009. Celebrity jewellery designer Queenie was present as Chief Guest, and Avinash Mahtani of Lalchand Dhalamal Sons as Guest of Honour. The Design programme of nine weeks saw students learn every aspect of jewellery design, including jewellery artistry, illustration, rendering, and application of traditional drafting techniques. Nirupa Bhatt, GIA managing director for India and the Middle East, said, “Jewellery design is critical for the growth of the gem and jewellery industry. Design is the imagination’s spark made visible, and from which any jewellery piece is made. The work done by this group of graduating students is impressive and each one of them has potential to be successful. GIA strives to bring this caliber of trained talent to the industry.”

Graduating students received their diplomas at the hands of Mahtani. Mahtani, a GIA Graduate, said, “The students’ designs were aligned with the jewellery trends of today, which are unique yet still very wearable. Most of the designs showed a good understanding of the use of large and small diamonds at appropriate places. I am confident these students will go far and their GIA Education will help them achieve their goals.” Both Queenie and Mahtani gave personal, career and marketing advice to the students at the event.

Along with celebrating the graduation of its students, GIA India also announced winners of its in-house jewellery design contest which was recently held. Students created and displayed designs based on various themes including bridal, earrings, Oscar red-carpet earrings, rings, bangles, bracelets, and pearls. The contest was judged by over 250 GIA staff members.

The winners for the best design in each category were - Niyati Mehta: for Best Design/Overall, Best Design/Pearl and Best Design/Earrings. Laxmi Sruthi V. for Best Design/Bridal, Ridhi Gala for Best Design/Ring, Sapna Ishrani for Best Design in the Bangle and Bracelet category, Anju Jadhwani for Best Design/Oscar Red Carpet. Jury choice for Best Design was awarded to Muskaan Malhotra for her neckpiece creation. The jewellery designs will be published in a catalogue.