AGTA Announces the 2025 Spectrum & Cutting Edge Award WINNERS! … and the Roskin Gem News Report was there to see the sparkle up close

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On a Personal Note:
There was certainly a buzz in the room — well over 300 pieces to view, loose gems and gem-set jewelry stretched across three very long tables. This was AGTA’s Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards Press Day. Five members of the trade press were there to see and report, to interview and be interviewed, take pictures and have our pictures taken. In alphabetical order: Tracey Ellison (@TheDiamondsGirl), Jennifer Heebner (representing AGTA & Prism Magazine), Shawna Kulpa (representing the MJSA Journal), Grant Mobley (@TheGrantMobley), and myself, covering as much as I could for the Roskin Gem News Report.

Six hours of viewing time sounds generous, but when the competition is this strong, it becomes a marathon of concentration and camera work. Every table had multiple contenders, and every category pushed the bar higher.

And for the trade press, choosing our personal favorites within the first hour — in both Spectrum and Cutting Edge — quickly turned into a challenge of the best kind. Naturally, we rose to the occasion.

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According to AGTA CEO John Ford, this was one of “the strongest and most diverse fields in recent memory,” with more than 30 first-time entrants — a surge he attributes to the wide array of opportunities now offered to all contest participants, not just the winners.

There were numerous categories in which to win, including:
• Best of Show – Spectrum
• Best of Show – Cutting Edge
• Best Use of Color
• Best Use of Pearl
• Fashion Forward
• Best of Single Entries – Spectrum
• Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge
• Best Use of Platinum & Color
• Best Use of Platinum Crown

…and not only to win, but to place 2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention in these categories:
Spectrum Jewelry Categories
• Bridal Wear
• Business/Day Wear
• Classical
• Engagement Rings
• Evening Wear
• Men’s Wear

Cutting Edge Categories
• Classic Gemstones
• All Other Cut Gemstones
• Innovative Faceting
• North American Mined Gemstones
• Carving
• Objects of Art
• Pairs & Suites
• Phenomenal Gems

…and then, of course, there are the Editor’s Choice awards. (We’ll share what AGTA selected — and what we selected — as we move through the categories.)

The Judging

This year’s judging panel brought together respected perspectives from design, retail, lapidary, and metals. Craig Underwood of Underwood’s Jewelers, Donald Janson of Walters & Hogsett Jewelers, Blaine Lewis of the New Approach School for Jewelers, Clay Zava of Zava Mastercuts, and Erica Courtney of Erica Courtney, LLC. formed the core group, while Kevin Reilly of Platinum Guild International returned to judge the Platinum Honors, with awards given to one winner in each of the six Spectrum categories as well as Best Use of Platinum Crown and Best Use of Platinum and Color.

This year also marks the second time that winners were named in the new Alfie Norville Women in Excellence Awards (ANW), sponsored by Allan Norville and the Norville family. Patti Spector Norville, Billie Norville, and Cher Norville all served as judges. ANW honors were given
to one female entrant in each of the six Spectrum categories, and all women who entered the AGTA Spectrum Awards were eligible.

AGTA FaceBook Reels: Judges Judging the Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards

The Newcomers

By the time the judging was over, 32 first-time entrants had taken part — and six of them walked away with a total of seven awards.

“We tell participants that the Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards offer a ‘Lifetime of Opportunity,’ and they truly do!” said Ford. “We are thrilled to welcome all these talents into the esteemed circle of Spectrum Award winners and can’t wait to see how they reap the many benefits and opportunities that Spectrum creates.”

Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report Magazine Edition

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What Stood Out This Year

The overriding hue or color range of the competition in the Spectrum competition was probably red to pink, including purple pink, seen in rubies, spinels, garnets, and tourmalines. Following close by in second place, blues to greens, from light to dark, including sapphires, emeralds, demantoid garnets, peridots, and again – tourmalines.

There was also a noticeable return to cameos, a very strong showing of rainbow moonstone, and some unforgettable phenomenal stones, including a beautifully matched pair – 27.7 ctw. – of alexandrite cat’s-eyes.

The Cutting Edge competition showed a surge in carvings — three times as many entries as last year — from a Who’s Who list of award winning gem artists, including (in alphabetical order) Darryl Alexander, Meg Berry, Patrick Dreher, Dalan Hargrave, Gabi Klein, Philipp Munsteiner, Naomi Sarna, and Larry Woods.

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A Celebration of Color & Craft – Best of Show Highlights

Among the standouts:

• Best of Show, Cutting Edge went to Oren Nhaissi of EMCO Gem, Inc., in collaboration with Yaron Nhaissi, for a suite of emerald-cut, no-oil Colombian emeralds (12.91 ctw) that stopped nearly everyone in their tracks.

• Best of Show, Spectrum was awarded to Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection in collaboration with Mark Höllmüller for an 18K yellow gold, platinum, and cocobolo wood “Elements” bracelet showcasing a 14.16-ct deep pink tourmaline surrounded by peridot, spinel, demantoid garnet, and diamonds.

These weren’t just winning designs — they were statements of precision, proportion, and imagination.

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New Names, New Honors

The excitement of discovery ran deep this year. Cindy Zhang of Cindy Lu Jewelry took 1st Place in the Evening Wear category for her 18K white gold “Fuchsia Bloom” necklace — a dazzling arrangement of rubellite tourmaline, tsavorite garnet, rubies, pink sapphires, diamonds, and pearls.

And in the same category, Valaree Wahler of Elyzian earned the Alfie Norville Women in Excellence title for her 18K yellow gold “Parure d’Aurore” necklace, glowing with pink tourmaline, peridot, aquamarine, and heliodor.

Now in its second year, the Alfie Norville Women in Excellence Awards continue to grow in prestige, honoring one female entrant in each of the six Spectrum categories. This year’s judging panel — Patti Spector Norville, Billie Norville, and Cher Norville — brought a personal touch to the selection process, celebrating not only artistry but also mentorship and opportunity within the trade.

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And the Winners Are:

Winners of the 2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards are:
Best of Show
Best of Show – Spectrum
Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection, in collaboration with Mark Höllmüller –
18K yellow gold, platinum, and cocobolo wood “Elements” bracelet featuring a 14.16 ct. pink
Tourmaline accented with Peridot (12.77 ctw.), Spinel (1.134 ctw.), demantoid Garnet (1.115
ctw.), and Diamonds (4.80 ctw.)

Best of Show – Cutting Edge
Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem, Inc., in collaboration with Yaron Nhaissi – Suite of emerald-cut, no-oil
Colombian Emeralds (12.91 ctw.)

Best Use of Color
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc. – 18K yellow gold ring featuring an 8.48 ct. Opal accented with
trapezoid tsavorite Garnets (1.50 ctw.), round tsavorite Garnets (0.58 ctw.), and round Hauyne
(0.22 ctw.)

Best Use of Pearl
Richard B. Berberian, Elyse Fine Jewelers – Gemologist, in collaboration with Anna Maria
Cammilli (manufacturing) – 18K white gold “Midnight Aurora” pendant featuring a 14 mm black
South Sea Pearl accented by Sapphires (20.18 ctw.) and Diamonds (2.36 ctw.)

Fashion Forward
Mark Loren, Mark Loren Designs, in collaboration with Jesus Marquez, Andrea Canzanella – 18K
& 14K yellow, white, and ombré gradient gold “I’ll Always Be Attracted to You” earrings
featuring black Tahitian Pearls and golden South Sea Pearls accented by marquise purple
Sapphires (0.80 ctw.), mixed Sapphires (3.69 ctw.), and Diamonds

Best of Single Entries – Spectrum
Heath London, Heath London Jewelry – 18K yellow gold “My Point of View” earrings featuring
fancy-cut London blue Topaz (54.67 ctw.) accented by shield-cut Tanzanites (5.40 ctw.) and
cushion-cut tsavorite Garnets (1.45 ctw.)

Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge
Philip Louer, North American Gem Carvers, LLC, in collaboration with Michael Christie and
Susan Allen – 18K yellow gold essence bottle featuring a 190.0 ct. Aquamarine, a 103.0 ct.
Tahitian Pearl, a 470.0 ct. Chrysoprase, and Diamonds (0.62 ctw.) titled “Love at First Sight”

Best Use of Platinum & Color
Lauryn Volovar, Earth’s Treasury, Inc., in collaboration with Caroline Patterson, Colleen
Schwarz, and Jeffrey Hapeman – Platinum “Garnet Supernova” necklace featuring a 4.43 ct.
tsavorite Garnet accented by tsavorite Garnets (5.46 ctw.), Diamonds (7.31 ctw.), and colorchange
Garnets (12.40 ctw.)

Best use of Platinum Crown
Michael Endlich, Pavé Fine Jewelry Design – Platinum “Blue Ice” ring featuring a 5.95 ct. oval
pale bluish white Sapphire accented by epaulette Diamonds (0.77 ctw.)

Spectrum Awards
Bridal Wear
Bridal Wear – 1st Place
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation – Platinum ring featuring an 8.83 ct. oval cabochon
Australian Lightning Ridge black Opal accented by Emeralds (0.62 ctw.), Diamonds (1.53 ctw.),
Sapphires (0.80 ctw.), and Tourmalines (0.44 ctw.)

Bridal Wear – 2nd Place and Bridal Wear – Fashion Forward
Mark Loren, Mark Loren Designs, in collaboration with Jesus Marquez, Andrea Canzanella – 18K
& 14K yellow, white, and ombré gradient gold “I’ll Always be Attracted to You” earrings
featuring black Tahitian Pearls and golden South Sea Pearls accented by marquise purple
Sapphires (0.80 ctw.), mixed Sapphires (3.69 ctw.), and Diamonds

Bridal Wear – 3rd Place and Bridal Wear – Platinum Honors
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc. – Platinum “Regina” pendant featuring a 68.14
ct. blue/green Aquamarine accented by Diamonds (0.90 ctw.) and white akoya Pearls

Bridal Wear – Alfie Norville Women in Excellence
Ellinor Stenroos, E.V. Stenroos – 18K yellow gold “Ivory Bloom” earrings featuring pear-shape
white Topaz accented by Diamonds

Bridal Wear – Honorable Mention
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc. – Platinum pendant featuring a 9.20 ct. heart-shape rainbow
Moonstone accented with a 1.01 ct. Tourmaline, Tourmalines (0.79 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.49
ctw.)

Business/Day Wear
Business/Day Wear – 1st Place and Best of Show
Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection, in collaboration with Mark Höllmüller –
18K yellow gold, platinum, and cocobolo wood “Elements” bracelet featuring a 14.16 ct. pink
Tourmaline accented with Peridot (12.77 ctw.), Spinel (1.134 ctw.), demantoid Garnet (1.115
ctw.), and Diamonds (4.80 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – 2nd Place
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc. – 18K/14K yellow and white SpectraGold™
“Amaris” earrings featuring tsavorite Garnets (16.0 ctw.) and Diamonds (3.64 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – 3rd Place
Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection, in collaboration with Jutta Munsteiner
(designer) and Phillip Munsteiner (gem cutter) – 18K yellow gold “Rise of the Phoenix” ring
featuring a 27.34 ct. custom-cut fire Opal

Business/Day Wear – Platinum Honors
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – Platinum “Spinel Perfection” bracelet featuring 33 Spinels
(40.85 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – Alfie Norville Women in Excellence
Susan Eisen, Susan Eisen, Inc. – 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 12.0 ct. fantasy-cut blue Topaz
accented by Diamonds (0.25 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – Honorable Mention
Wolfgang Vaatz, Wolfgang Vaatz – 22K yellow gold, 14K white gold, and 18K yellow gold sheet
fused to sterling silver “Expanding” cuff featuring a 4.85 ct. Opal accented by Diamonds (0.614
ctw.)

Classical – First Place
Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers – 18K yellow gold and platinum “Face in the Mirror”
pendant with a removable bail featuring a hand-carved banded Agate cameo accented with a
custom-cut “mirror” Quartz, Diamonds (4.15 ctw.), spessartite Garnets (1.69 ctw.), and orange
Spinel (1.27 ctw.)

Classical – 2nd Place
Jackson Krisky, Youthful Peoples – 18K green gold “Bell’s Orchard Earwig” pin/brooch featuring
Emeralds, fancy brown Diamonds, and Moonstones with removable earwig

Classical – 3rd Place
Jeremy Dunn, Dunn & Co. – Platinum “Autumn Deco” ring featuring a 9.63 ct. color change from
orange-brown to pink-orange Pyrope-Spessartine Garnet accented with Diamonds (0.62 ctw.)

Classical – Platinum Honors
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – Platinum “Drop Dead Ruby Earrings” featuring two oval
Mozambique Rubies (6.16 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (2.42 ctw.)

Classical – Alfie Norville Women in Excellence
Robin Callahan, Robin Callahan Designs, LLC, in collaboration with Palm Beach Gems by Nicole
(commissioned for them and is for sale through them) – 18K white gold “Exuma” ring featuring a
25.85 ct. blue-green color-shift Tourmaline accented with Diamonds and blue-green Sapphires

Classical – Honorable Mention
Roland Krainz, Krainz Creations – Platinum bracelet featuring green to white tsavorite Garnets
(18.30 ctw)

Classical – Honorable Mention
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc. – Platinum ring featuring a 6.02 ct. pink Sapphire accented with
epaulette-cut Diamonds (0.60 ctw.), pink Sapphires (0.46 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.74 ctw.)

Engagement Rings
Engagement Rings – 1st Place
Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera – Platinum “Love Struck” ring featuring a 1.74 ct. unheated
Mozambique heart-shaped Ruby accented with baguette Diamonds (0.78 ctw.), round
Diamonds (0.80 ctw), and Rubies (1.22 ctw.)

Engagement Rings – 2nd Place
Craig Slavens, Luxe Fine Jewelry, in collaboration with Nancy Rice and David Palazyan (stone
setting) – Platinum “A STAR is Born” ring featuring a 9.64 ct. cabochon Burmese star Ruby
accented with white Diamonds (0.69 ctw.) and pink Diamonds (0.08 ctw.)

Engagement Rings – 3rd Place
Raja Mehta, AG Gems & Jewelry – Platinum “Twilight – Whisper” ring featuring a 5.38 ct. oval
Zoisite accented by bullet-cut Diamonds (0.41 ctw.) and carré-cut Diamonds (0.36 ctw.)

Engagement Rings – Platinum Honors and Best Use of Platinum Crown
Michael Endlich, Pavé Fine Jewelry Design – Platinum “Blue Ice” ring featuring a 5.95 ct. oval
pale bluish white Sapphire accented by epaulette Diamonds (0.77 ctw.)

Engagement Rings – Alfie Norville Women in Excellence
Lindsay Jane Chatham, K. Jons Jewelry Co. – 18K white gold “Tropical Honeymoon” ring
featuring a 5.22 ct. teal Sapphire accented with French-cut Diamonds (1.42 ctw.)

Evening Wear
Evening Wear – 1st Place
Cindy Zhang, Cindy Lu Jewelry – 18K white gold “Fuchsia Bloom” necklace featuring a 5.50 ct.
rubellite Tourmaline accented by tsavorite Garnets (1.28 ctw.), Rubies (0.705 ctw.), pink
Sapphires (2.29 ctw.), Diamonds (1.88 ctw.), and Pearls

Evening Wear – 2nd Place
Richard B. Berberian, Elyse Fine Jewelers – Gemologist, in collaboration with Anna Maria
Cammilli (manufacturing) – 18K white gold “Midnight Aurora” pendant featuring a 14 mm black
South Seas Pearl accented by Sapphires (20.18 ctw.) and Diamonds (2.36 ctw.)

Evening Wear – 3rd Place
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc. – 18K yellow gold ring featuring an 8.48 ct. Opal accented with
trapezoid tsavorite Garnets (1.50 ctw.), round tsavorite Garnets (0.58 ctw.), and round Hauyne
(0.22 ctw.)

Evening Wear – Alfie Norville Women in Excellence
Valaree Wahler, Elyzian – 18K yellow gold “Parure d’Aurore” necklace featuring a 62.79 ct. pink
Tourmaline, 32.41 ct. Peridot, 25.35 ct. Aquamarine, and a 26.18 ct. Heliodor accented by
Diamonds (8.36 ctw.)

Evening Wear – Platinum Honors and Best Use of Platinum and Color
Lauryn Volovar, Earth’s Treasury, Inc., in collaboration with Caroline Patterson, Colleen
Schwarz, and Jeffrey Hapeman – Platinum “Garnet Supernova” necklace featuring a 4.43 ct.
tsavorite Garnet accented by tsavorite Garnets (5.46 ctw.), Diamonds (7.31 ctw.), and colorchange
Garnets (12.40 ctw.)

Evening Wear – Honorable Mention
Mimi So, Mimi So – 18K rose gold “Cotton Candy” necklace featuring a 16.71 ct. pear-shape
Kunzite, a 4.05 ct. vivid pink Spinel, and a 5.65 ct. Imperial Topaz accented with Sapphires
(18.71 ctw.), Spinels (14.99 ctw.), Tourmalines (41.70 ctw.), and Diamonds (8.71 ctw.)

Evening Wear – Honorable Mention and Best of Single Entries Spectrum
Heath London, Heath London Jewelry – 18K yellow gold “My Point of View” earrings featuring
fancy-cut London blue Topaz (54.67 ctw.) accented by shield-cut Tanzanites (5.40 ctw.) and
cushion-cut tsavorite Garnets (1.45 ctw.)

Men’s Wear
Men’s Wear – 1st Place
Craig Slavens, Luxe Fine Jewelry, in collaboration with Larry Rice – Platinum “Rock Star” ring
featuring a 24.62 ct. bezel-set cabochon unheated star Ruby from Sri Lanka accented with
Diamonds (2.50 ctw.)

Men’s Wear – 2nd Place and Men’s Wear – Alfie Norville Women in Excellence
Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry, in collaboration with Darryl Alexander – Platinum “Aqua
Celeste” brooch featuring a carved cameo made of Agate accented by an 8mm cultured
Tahitian Pearl and Sapphires (0.38 ctw.)

Men’s Wear – 3rd Place
Cindy Zhang, Cindy Lu Jewelry – 18K white gold “Lagoon Shieldfire” ring featuring a 6.10 ct.
green-blue cushion-cut Tourmaline accented by yellow shield-shape Sapphires (2.30 ctw.) and
Diamonds (2.42 ctw.)

Men’s Wear – Platinum Honors
Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa Iconic Jewels, in collaboration with Tucson Todd’s Gems
(gemstone cutter) – Platinum “Solaris Sunset” pendant featuring a 15.08 ct. Portuguese-cut,
pyrope-spessartine Garnet on a platinum diamond-cut cable chain

Men’s Wear – Honorable Mention
Robin Callahan, Robin Callahan Designs, LLC – 14K yellow gold “Twisted” cufflinks featuring
faceted white South Sea Pearls accented with black Diamonds (2.74 ctw.) and white Diamonds
(0.44 ctw.)

Cutting Edge Awards
All Other Cut Gemstones
All Other Cut Gemstones – 1st Place
Ben Kho, Kho International Ltd. – 35.25 ct. pink-purple octagonal-cut Kunzite

All Other Cut Gemstones – 2nd Place
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. – 32.61 ct. Paraíba Tourmaline

All Other Cut Gemstones – 3rd Place
Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s – 7.44 ct. modified brilliant kite-cut Tourmaline

All Other Cut Gemstones – Honorable Mention
Jeffrey R. Hapeman, Earth’s Treasury, Inc. – 40.58 ct. “Stella” square cushion-cut Tanzanite

Carving
Carving 1st Place
Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection in collaboration with Gabi Klein
11.8 cm “Sunny Boy” dark gray Obsidian from base to top of trunk, Rhodonite tongue,
Cacholong tusks, black Onyx eyes

Carving – 2nd Place
Robin Callahan, Robin Callahan Designs, LLC, in collaboration with Dalan Hargrave (lapidary) –
120.05 ct. zoned yellow fantasy carving Citrine titled “Lion Family”

Carving – 3rd Place
Meg Berry, Megagem, in collaboration with Meline Gianini (owner) – 88.0 ct. “Grandi Corsage”
hand carved Grandidierite

Classic Gemstones
Classic Gemstone – 1st Place
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem – 2.09 ct. pigeon blood red Ruby from Mozambique

Classic Gemstone – 2nd Place
Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem, Inc., in collaboration with Yaron Nhaissi – 25.5 ct. emerald-cut
Colombian Emerald

Classic Gemstone – 3rd Place
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem – 6.09 ct. pigeon blood red Ruby from Mozambique

Classic Gemstone – Honorable Mention
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem – 9.33 ct. royal blue cushion-cut Sapphire

Classic Gemstone – Honorable Mention
Robert Knupfer, Knupfer International Gems, Inc. – 12.33 ct. yellow emerald-cut unheated Sri
Lankan Sapphire

Innovative Faceting
Innovative Faceting – 1st Place
Ian Loska, Ian Loska Gems, 3.67 ct. “Grassbright and Gilded Light” oval concave-cut, color-zoned
tsavorite Garnet

Innovative Faceting – 2nd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co. – 34.43 ct. StarBrite®-cut blue-green Tourmaline

Innovative Faceting – 3rd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co. – 63.67 ct. kite-shape Morganite

Innovative Faceting – Honorable Mention
Rodney Rahmani, Brilliant Stars – 145.79 ct. round Amethyst

Innovative Faceting – Honorable Mention
Dalan Hargrave, Geogem-USA, in collaboration with Robert Glenn and Connie Dixon – 79.75 ct.
Ametrine

North American Mined Gemstones
North American Mined Gemstones – 1st Place
Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem & Jewelry Collection in collaboration with Brad Payne and Jay
Medici (lapidarist) 19.34 ct. Rhodochrosite titled “Rocky Mountain Jolly Rancher”

North American Mined Gemstones – 2nd Place
Ben Kho, Kho International Ltd. – 12.07 ct. fancy trillion-cut Fluorite

North American Mined Gemstones – 3rd Place
Anthony Ritchie, Anthony P. Ritchie Gemworks – 1.70 ct. “The Heart of El Dorado” square
radiant-cut unheated Montana Ruby

North American Mined Gemstones – Honorable Mention
Jeffrey R. Hapeman, Earth’s Treasury, Inc. – 3.54 ct. peachy-pink unheated Montana Sapphire

Objects of Art
Objects of Art – 1st Place
Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International, in collaboration with Yan Ge (carver) – 1,423 grams
“Mastermind on the Rocks” clear/blue Topaz

Objects of Art – 2nd Place and Best of Single Entries Cutting Edge
Philip Louer, North American Gem Carvers, LLC, in collaboration with Michael Christie and
Susan Allen – 18K yellow gold essence bottle featuring a 190.0 ct. Aquamarine, a 103.0 ct.
Tahitian Pearl, a 470.0 ct. Chrysoprase, and Diamonds (0.62 ctw.) titled “Love at First Sight”

Objects of Art – 3rd Place
Patrick Dreher, Dreher Carvings, LLC – 3.05 kg “His Majesty” silver sheen Obsidian with eyes
made of Agate

Pairs & Suites
Pairs & Suites – 1st Place
Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem, Inc., in collaboration with Yaron Nhaissi – Suite of emerald-cut no oil
Colombian Emeralds (12.91 ctw.)

Pairs & Suites – 2nd Place
Stephen M. Avery, Stephen M. Avery – “Viridi Ad Caeruleum” suite of Peridot (13.09 ctw.),
Aquamarine (33.05 ctw.), and Tanzanite (7.81 ctw.)

Pairs & Suites – 3rd Place
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. – Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines (31.89 ctw.)

Pairs & Suites – Honorable Mention
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem – Suite of royal blue Sapphires (10.60 ctw.) from Sri Lanka

Pairs & Suites – Honorable Mention
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. – Suite of round blue Sri Lankan Sapphires (46.77 ctw.)

Phenomenal Gems
Phenomenal – 1st Place
Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems
12.91 ct. cushion-cut color-change greenish-to-blue Zircon

Phenomenal – 2nd Place
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. – Suite of pear-shape rainbow Moonstones (116.40 ctw.)

Phenomenal – 3rd Place
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc. – 9.09 ct. no heat color-change cushion-cut Sapphire from Sri
Lanka

Phenomenal – Honorable Mention
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – 15.32 ct. oval cat’s eye Chrysoberyl

Phenomenal – Honorable Mention
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc. – 12.8 ct. pinkish-purple star Sapphire

Editor’s Choice
Spectrum
Joseph Dardashti, Joseph Dardashti Ltd. / Sophia D, in collaboration with Sophia D. Karmel –
Platinum and 18K yellow gold “Japanese Motif” bracelet featuring Coral (5.41 ctw.), Onyx (9.49
ctw.), and Diamonds (11.61 ctw.)

Editor’s Choice
Cutting Edge
Phenomenal – 2nd Place and Phenomenal – Editors’ Choice
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. – Suite of pear-shape rainbow Moonstones (116.40 ctw.)

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Looking Ahead

AGTA President Bruce Bridges summed it up best:

“The American Gem Trade Association extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, the AGTA team, our distinguished panel of judges, and this year’s award winners for their exceptional dedication, artistry and commitment to excellence. We are immensely proud of the extraordinary quality, innovation, and craftsmanship reflected in the winning pieces—creations that exemplify the very best of our industry and will take their place among the finest examples of modern jewelry excellence.”

And from Spectrum Chairman Jonathan J. Gad, a forward-looking note:

“This year’s AGTA Spectrum Awards marked an extraordinary celebration of innovation and artistry. I extend my warmest congratulations to all our winners, and a special acknowledgment to the record number of first-time honorees who joined the ranks of Spectrum awardees this year. Your creativity and dedication continue to inspire and elevate the standards of excellence in our industry.”

Many of the winning pieces will be showcased during the 2026 AGTA GemFair Tucson, culminating in the AGTA Spectrum Gala on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

As always, the Spectrum Awards remind us that color isn’t just something we sell — it’s something we celebrate. And this year, that celebration felt especially bright.

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More Video Reels on AGTA’s FaceBook Page HERE!

Watch for our continuing coverage of the AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards!

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