Launching in January, this new ethically and sustainably sourced diamond collection draws its roots in Botswana’s rich resources and market. Through this project, Blue Nile, with the support of the De Beers Group, are using the opportunity to give back greatly in the Southern Africa country, creating jobs and long-lasting success. The collection is driven by ten women—three of which are popular jewelry designers Pamela Love, Bea Bongiasca, and ALMASIKA—all tasked with reimagining the timeless diamond engagement ring. And each version is just as beautiful as the next.
“Romance has been celebrated since the beginning of humanity,” Love says. “We wanted to reference things that are ancient, that are old.”
Love grew up in love—pun intended—with jewelry, one of her earliest memories being begging her parents for hanging earrings at the age of seven. She went on to amend pieces from household items, including plastic toothbrushes which took new life as bracelets. Those moments led to her now eclectic and romantic style.
Playing into the timelessness of the perfect diamond ring, Love’s version draws inspiration from notable periods in history, from the 18th century to Etruscan motifs circa 500 BC. With that in mind, she created a braided-band ring that, as she explains, is meant to symbolize the weaving of lives in matrimony.
Bongiasca also drew inspiration from the idea of lives — or vines, as she puts it — being intertwined, mixed with her exuberant and lively personal style. The Milanese jeweler has garnered much attention for this over the years, even being named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Her neon palette has allowed her to stick out within the jewelry world for being innovative and forward-thinking at all times.
This led to her two-rings-in-one design, “one funky, and the other more customary,” she explains. The ring features a removable white enamel casing against a classic gold.
And Catherine Sarr of ALMASIKA, on the other hand, derived inspiration from the cultural roots of jewelry in creating her diamond design. “Why did we wear jewelry before clothes?” she asks as part of her designing process.
Sarr was born in Paris, moving around from country to country before landing in Chicago. With no formal training in the industry, she began designing back in 2014 after falling in love with the language of jewels.
Sarr also looked to the human body in finding inspiration, specifically at its curves and natural lines that form across body types. With that front of mind, Sarr created a diamond that is held by a bezel flanked by four bands. “The ring represents a lyrical energy arising from love,” she says. “Gold streams evolve in a sinuous harmony.”
All designs created through Ten/Ten are giving back to Botswana, right where the diamonds are sourced. For starters, the partnership between the government and De Beers Group has ensured that over 80 cents of every dollar of profit made from Botswana's diamond mines stays in the country, helping to boost the economy which, in turn, creates positive long term effects. The project also increases jobs within the country, boosting the market exponentially. Botswana’s now thriving industrial industry has lifted the country out of difficult times, and diamond sourcing plays a large role in that.
But the effects go far beyond money. Because of this boost in economy, Botswana is able to offer children free schooling up until the age of 13. They’ve also been able to improve energy, water, and transportation in life-changing ways. It’s evident that the diamond industry has not only created thousands of new jobs in Botswana, but also helped stimulate and liven the country’s market, resources, and opportunities.
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but clearly, they’re much more than that.
The limited-edition collection will be available exclusively through Blue Nile beginning in January. All rings created — including those made by seven other designers — are priced between $3,000 and $4,500.
