Reena Ahluwalia Unveils New Works in ‘Diamond Trails’ Anthology
The artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.
It is an anthology of visual art and written stories centered around natural diamonds and journeys.
The project was launched by India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and was on exhibition at the 2025 IIJS Signature Show, which took place Jan. 4-8 in Mumbai, India.
It features five fictional stories authored by Ahluwalia and industry journalists Avi Krawitz, Shanoo Bijlani, Grant Mobley, and Sonia Esther Soltani, together known as The International Diamond Trails Collective.
Each story is accompanied by one of Ahluwalia’s paintings depicting the essence of the narrative, and the works can be seen here.
Ahluwalia said “Diamond Trails” celebrates the unity of diverse perspectives, and it seeks to “ignite imagination and foster a deeper appreciation for the true value, beauty, and symbolism of diamonds that goes way beyond their appearance or price, in tune with today’s cultural shift.”
Her aim with the project, she said, is to inspire co-creation while also highlighting the need for and importance of individual and collective impact within the industry through “new age” messaging.
The five works are for sale, with proceeds supporting charities.
The project took more than a year to complete, with the paintings alone requiring 1,000 hours.
Ahluwalia said that every year, she makes time to create art that supports charities, but she was looking to do something more meaningful and enduring for the industry.
“By co-creating and highlighting the incredible people of our industry whose work should be celebrated, I founded the project to inspire our industry to embrace new ways to contribute to the greater good,” she said.
Ahluwalia said she sourced her collaborators from the industry’s pool of journalistic talent.
“I sought contributors who have proven their mettle through years of exceptional work, making immense contributions to our industry,” she said.
“They are not only respected but also have an ability to dig deep and understand the nuances of the diamond industry. Most importantly, they demonstrated the generosity of spirit and a willingness to always extend themselves in support of our industry. These are the traits that define the Diamond Trails Collective."
For Mobley, the jewelry and watch editor of Only Natural Diamonds, and Soltani, the former editor-in- chief at Rapaport, it was the first time they had the “challenge” of writing fiction.
Krawitz also said participating in the project pushed his creative boundaries.
“We constantly speak about the compelling story that diamonds can tell; their journey below and above ground, the lives they touch, and the joy they bring. That typically translates to a marketing script. What an exciting prospect this was then to tell the diamond story in such an innovative way,” Krawitz said.
The stories “illuminate the multifaceted journey of life,” said Ahluwalia, and each reflects a new angle of existence, much like diamonds themselves.
“The Diamond Trail initiative celebrates the unity of art, storytelling, and philanthropy of natural diamonds in a unique way,” said Vipul Shah, GJEPC chairman.
“The council is proud to support Reena Ahluwalia’s ‘Diamond Trails’ project, which highlights the timeless beauty of natural diamonds while supporting charitable causes. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to collaboration and creating positive change within the gem and jewelry industry.”
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