AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards — The IMAGES: We now have them all – and then some!

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The American Gem Trade Association has graciously shared the professional images by Jeff Mason of Jeff Mason Photography, capturing every winning entry from the 2025 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. This includes not only the first-place winners, but the second-place, third-place, and Honorable Mention pieces that showcase the full depth and creativity of this year’s competition.

Because we were on-site for Press Day, we’re also including a handful of pieces that, while not officially awarded, stood out as exceptionally well-crafted, innovative, or simply too compelling to leave out. We photographed a wide range of entries during Press Day, though not every image translated well under the available lighting and display conditions. To give each designer and cutter their due, we’ve included only those photos that met our editorial standards and truly represent the work as it deserves to be seen.

*Some entries won multiple awards, so you will see them more than once.

So settle in, grab your favorite beverage, enjoy the pictorial, and take in some of the finest artistry, lapidary skill, and gemstone creativity on display in the trade today.

◈ first the award recipients, and then the additional entries

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Categories and Awards

Here are the Overall Winners Categories:
◈ Best of Show – Spectrum (Mounted)
◈ Best of Show – Cutting Edge (Loose)
◈ Best Use of Color (Mounted)
◈ Best Use of Pearl (Mounted)
◈ Fashion Forward (Mounted)
◈ Best of Single Entries – Spectrum (Mounted)
◈ Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge (Loose)
◈ Best Use of Platinum & Color (Mounted)
◈ Best Use of Platinum Crown (Mounted)

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

And in Loose Colored Gemstones
Cutting Edge Categories – Loose Gem Materials
◈ Classic Gemstones
◈ All Other Cut Gemstones
◈ Innovative Faceting
◈ North American Mined Gemstones
◈ Carving
◈ Objects of Art
◈ Pairs & Suites
◈ Phenomenal Gems

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A Pictorial of the Award Winners!

Best of Show, Cutting Edge

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.

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Best of Show, Spectrum

Best of Show, Spectrum was awarded to Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection in collaboration with Marc Höllmüller for an 18K yellow gold, platinum, and cocobolo wood “Elements” bracelet showcasing a 14.16-ct deep pink tourmaline surrounded by peridot (12.77 ctw.), spinel (1.134 ctw.), demantoid garnet (1.115 ctw.), and diamonds (4.80 ctw.).

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

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Best Use of Color

Best Use of Color was presented to 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.)

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Best Use of Pearl

Best Use of Pearl went to 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.)

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Fashion Forward

Fashion Forward was awarded to 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

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Best of Single Entries – Spectrum

Heath London, Heath London Jewelry took Best of Single Entries – Spectrum, for 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.)

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Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge

Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge was awarded to 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”

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Best Use of Platinum & Color

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

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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.)

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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.)

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Bridal Wear – 2nd Place
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.

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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

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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

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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.)

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Business/Day Wear

Business/Day Wear – 1st Place and Best of Show
Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection, in collaboration with Marc Hollmuller – 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.)

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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.)

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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

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

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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.)

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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.)

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Classical

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.)

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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

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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.)

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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.)

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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

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

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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.)

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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.)

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Engagement Rings – 2nd Place
Lezlie 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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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 color change
Garnets (12.40 ctw.)

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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.)

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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.)

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Men’s Wear

Men’s Wear – 1st Place
Lezlie 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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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

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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.)

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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

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

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

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

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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

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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”

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

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Classic Gemstones

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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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”

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

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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

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

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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

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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”

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

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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.)

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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.)

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

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

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

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Phenomenal Gems

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

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

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

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

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

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Editor’s Choice

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.)

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

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Too compelling to leave out… 

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From the Somewhere In The Rainbow Collection (SITR), there were several entries, and we are able to share just a few you have not yet seen.

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Ready for more?

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and SO many more wonderful entries.
Our Congratulations to you all!

Tap here to go to AGTA’s website where you can find our more about how to enter next year!

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