The Lonmin Design Innovation Award (DIA), organised by Blue Inc, aims to recognise and reward outstanding design in platinum. Sponsored by Lonmin, one of the world’s largest producers of platinum, and supported by Johnson Matthey and IJL, the awards have over the years played a major role in pushing the design standards of jewellery to greater heights.
The competition is divided into two categories. “Emerging Designers” (supported by IJL) recognises designers with less than five years’ commercial experience, and “Established Designers” gives its attention to those who have been in the business for more than five years. 
To celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2012, the theme was “Red Carpet Glamour”. Plus, the monetary prize for each of the eight winners increased to £1,000!
Special 10th Anniversary Theme: Red Carpet Glamour
Platinum redefined the benchmark for precious jewellery at the beginning of the 20th century with the magical creations by jewellery houses such as Cartier, Tiffany and Bulgari. It allowed new designs, and a new light for diamonds as well as a richer feel and flattering colour for its wearers. Platinum brought a new light of glamour to jewellery, and was worn accordingly. As Wallace Simpson was famously reported to have said; “in the evening; for those in the know, platinum is the only metal to be seen in.”
2012 Brief : To create an original platinum jewellery design for the red carpet that channels the glamour of the 1920’s and 30’s into a creation that confidently belongs in the 21st Century. The application deadline has now closed for 2012 but will be opening soon for 2013.
Prestigious Award Ceremony
In 2012 there was a party on the first evening of IJL, Sunday 2 September to celebrate and showcase the winners.
Visit the DIA website
2012 Winners
In the “Emerging Designers” category, the winners were:
- Natasha Bagnall, Domino
- Mark Hampson, Hampson Fine Jewels
- Edward Slater, Stephen Webster Ltd
- Laura Strand, PureJewels
In the “Established Designers” category, the winners were:
- Leyla Abdollahi
- Alexander Davis
- Sarah Jordan, Sarah Jordan Ltd
- Mandy Morris, Werk@TCJ Designs
The winning designs were unveiled on a special Red Carpet Glamour feature stand at International Jewellery London (2 – 5 September, Earls Court Two).
2012 Judges
- Lesley Craze, Lesley Craze Gallery
- Ruth Donaldson, Platinum Guild International
- Nick Fitch, Nicholas James
- Albert Jamieson, Lonmin
- Sarah Kitley, International Jewellery London
- Laura McCreddie, Retail Jeweller
- Martyn Pugh, Martyn Pugh
- Jay Raniga, Pure Jewels
- Jos Skeates, EC One
- Wilma Swarts, Lonmin
- Jo Trivedi, Johnson Matthey