AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Award Winners
AGTA’s Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards – Extraordinary!
Contest Draws More Entries
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced the winners of the 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards, and they are all spectacular!
This year’s competition took place Oct. 24–25 in Dallas, Texas, home of the AGTA. Judging took place over two days early in the week. Jewelry, fashion, and gem trade editors were invited for the final two days of the week to look over the entire collection including all of the award winning pieces.
Judges this year included Allan Koo, A. Koo & Co.; Brent Malgarin, Elegant Gems, Ltd.; Christina Gandia Gambale, Greenwich St. Jewelers; Lika Behar, Lika Behar Jewelry; and Clayton Bromberg, Underwood’s Jewelers (Jacksonville, Fla.).
“The 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards have a new home and a new vibe!” says Kimberly Collins, owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems and president of the AGTA board of directors. “Our judges were amazing and worked so well together. They seem to be extremely on the same page with the selections they made. As always, the integrity of the judging competition is of the upmost importance. I felt the winners had a classic, timeless aesthetic this year. I’m so proud to be part of a judging competition that holds itself to the most stringent standards.”
“It was an intense yet incredibly interesting experience,” says judge Lika Behar. “I think I just about used every single usable brain cell I have during the judging process. I savored every minute of analyzing beautifully cut gems, amazing colors, and exquisitely crafted pieces of jewelry. The time was limited which made me focus and work through the entries as efficiently as possible. (I work well under pressure and decide quickly so it worked out.)” And with five judges, one would expect several differences of opinion, yes? “As far as unanimity of opinions of the judges, in most cases our opinions were surprisingly similar. Beauty outshines!”
“It was an amazing experience being a judge,” says judge Christina Gandia Gambale. “To see the best of the best in one room was incredible.”
“I was very, very impressed with how the awards were run. John and Kim, as well as the rest of the board, went above and beyond to make the judging process thorough and impartial. There was zero influence from either the other judges, the AGTA team, or even the entries as everything was 100% anonymous with even jewelry stamps being carefully covered. The voting process was also done electronically which made it easy to get through so many amazing pieces.”
“The multiple rounds of judging and elimination made it near impossible for there to be a five way split, with us having to give final round entries grades in everything from rarity, to design to manufacturing, etc. The winners really stole the hearts and eyes of everyone and once they were announced, we were able to candidly discuss our opinions with our co-judges, which reinforced the results.”
“The most challenging part was when we had to pick Best in Show. It was very difficult to select one entry when each shined in their own right. While previously there was only one Best in Show, the judges requested that we have one Best in Show for each award: Spectrum and Cutting Edge. We felt that since each Award should have one winner which equally measured their strengths against their opponents. Thankfully we were granted our request and we do hope that this is a new tradition.”
Hundreds of entries filled the judging tables, 24% more pieces than last year, with a 28% increase in the Business/Day Wear category, and a 26% increase in the Evening Wear category.
“This year’s Awards are one of our best ever,” says CEO John W. Ford Sr. “We had an additional 100 entries this year over last, and many of them had stunning green and blue-green gems. The Omni Hotels are the new home of the Awards for the next few years, and we hope to take the competition national to other Omni venues.”
*Judging Guidelines below
All of the following winners should be available to see in Tucson at the AGTA GemFair, January 30th – February 4th.
At the Top of the Winners List – Best of the Best
Image by Jeff Mason
Top winners included Niveet Nagpal, from Omi Privé, who took First Place & Best of Show in Spectrum for his Platinum ring featuring a 15.22 ct. black Opal, accented with Paraiba Tourmalines, Tsavorite Garnets, and Diamonds in Evening Wear, along with a Second Place win in Bridal Wear, and a First Place win in Men’s Wear.
Image by Jeff Mason
In Cutting Edge, Best of Show & First Place, Best of Single Entries in Pairs & Suites, the awards went to Joseph Ambalu, from Amba Gem Corp for his magnificent matching suite of 4 oval Paraíba-type Tourmalines.
Image by Jeff Mason
Top winners also included Jeffrey Bilgore, from Jeffrey Bilgore LLC, taking home six (yes, 6) Spectrum awards with Best Use of Color (1) & Platinum Innovation (2) for his platinum and sapphire bracelet, Best of Fashion Forward (3), a First Place win in Classical (4), Classical Platinum Honors (5) for his platinum and sapphire choker, and Platinum Innovation in Men’s Wear (6).
What does it feel like to win?
“I was introduced to this beautiful opal earlier this year,” says Niveet Nagpal, Best of Show Spectrum winner. “I immediately fell in love. It really spoke to me.” It obviously spoke to the judges. It is a fantastic piece! “I was particularly drawn to the ‘Caribbean Ocean blue’ within the opal. I knew right away it would be a special piece, and that the opal would be embellished with paraiba tourmaline.”
The tourmalines matched the opal’s blue, while the tsavorites matched the opal’s greens. And once everything was laid out, there it was. “I knew this would be a special piece, and we would have a chance to win an AGTA Spectrum Award.”
Getting the phone call from AGTA to tell you that your piece has won is one of the highlights of the competition. “I received a call from John Ford [AGTA CEO] and Kimberly Collins [AGTA President] that we had won 3 awards, and that the opal ring was Best of Show!! I was speechless!”
“Winning Best of Show is an incredible honor,” says a grateful Nagpal. Like many of us, he grew up in the gemstone business. “To do something you love and are so passionate about every day is already a blessing, but to receive the Best of Show is the ultimate validation! I am so happy and proud of my team who work hard every day to help turn my dreams into a reality.”
“It is humbling!” says Jeff Bilgore after winning six Spectrum Awards. Six! “I guess it’s kind of cliché to say that, but it’s really beyond belief!” Bilgore has been in the gem industry since 1980, working in many different capacities. And now it’s as if all the stars have aligned.
So what’s the secret to his latest wins? “I took the stones out of the safe and just started making my tweezers work,” says Bilgore. And work well, they did. But no one says it’s easy. “The biggest challenge today for designers is that people look at fine jewelry and say, ‘where am I going to wear it?’ So, you’ve got to come up with something that can be elegant and still wearable.”
Bilgore has now won two years in a row in the Fashion Forward category, this year for a piece that complements the one from last year. “It’s unimaginable!” exclaims Bilgore. “I still can’t believe it.” His six wins this year means he has won eleven awards over the past two years. Believe it, Jeff – It is truly remarkable!
And now, for the Big List of Winners!
Congratulations to all!
Best of Awards
Best of Show – Two Winners This Year!
Platinum ring featuring a 15.22 ct. black Opal
accented with Tourmaline (0.72 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (0.40 ctw.), and Diamonds (1.56 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
– Suite of 4 matching oval “Paraíba-type” Tourmalines (31.01 ctw.)
These also won Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge
Image by Jeff Mason
Platinum “Ocean & Grass Wave” bracelet featuring heated Sapphires (25.02 ctw.)
accented with Russian Demantoid Garnets (7.87 ctw.), yellow Diamonds (1.14 ctw.), and white Diamonds (7.32 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
22K yellow gold “Birds Eye View” hand-carved ring featuring a cultured South Sea baroque Pearl bird
And a winner in Classical – 3rd Place
and the winner of Classical – Gem DIVA!
Image by Jeff Mason
18K yellow gold and black ceramic “Greek Key Fancy Diamond Perfection” bracelet
featuring mixed fancy vivid Diamonds (14.82 ctw.)
accented with tsavorite Garnets (1.70 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Joseph Campanelli, Campanelli & Pear
18K white gold “Something Blue” earrings featuring blue Zircons (8.50 ctw.)
accented with Diamonds (0.77 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels, in collaboration with Tucson Todd’s Gems (gem cutter and supplier)
Platinum and 18K “GARANATAS: From Rough to Cut” two-piece necklace
featuring various species of Garnets (approx. 77.26 ctw.)
Top and Bottom
Image by Jeff Mason
Platinum “Fantasia” ring featuring a 12.24 ct. Aquamarine
accented with Akoya Pearls and Diamonds (1.00 ctw.)
And winning in Bridal Wear – 1st Place
Image by Jeff Mason
And in the Bridal Wear Category …
Bridal Wear – 1st Place and Best Use of Platinum Crown
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc.
Platinum “Fantasia” ring featuring a 12.24 ct. Aquamarine
accented with Akoya Pearls and Diamonds (1.00 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Platinum ring featuring a 3.02 ct. Ruby accented with Diamonds (1.39 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry
Platinum ring featuring a 4.60 ct. Emerald
accented with Emeralds (2.65 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.62 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation
Platinum “Euphoria” necklace featuring an 11.94 ct. heart-shape Colombian Emerald
accented with round Emeralds (0.62 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.68 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Bella Campbell, BHI/Campbellian Collection
18K white gold “Enchanting Moon” earrings featuring rainbow Moonstones (16.0 ctw.)
accented with heart-shape rainbow Moonstones (2.00 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.97 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince Designs
Platinum “Unity” wedding ring set featuring a 1.54 ct. pear-cut blue Sapphire
accented with Diamonds (1.93 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney LLC
Triple-drop earrings in 18K yellow gold featuring white Zircon (15.0 ctw.)
accented with Tourmalines (2.66 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.54 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
In Business/Day Wear
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation
18K yellow gold ring featuring a 2.39 ct. Colombian Emerald
accented with round Emeralds (0.18 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.52 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Wolfgang Vaatz, Earth Terra Erde, Inc.
Argentium and 22–22.35K placer yellow gold
“Aspen Duet Cuff in Turning Colors from Green to Red”
featuring tsavorite Garnet (0.38 ctw.) accented with orange Sapphire (0.61 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation
Platinum “Dance to Flamingo” ring featuring a 4.09 ct. cushion-cut purple pink Sapphire
accented with round Diamonds (1.95 ctw.) and baguette Diamonds (1.07 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewelers
Platinum ring featuring a 6.54 ct. color-change Zircon
accented with blue green Grandidierite, violet Sapphires, and colorless Diamonds
Image by Jeff Mason
Raja Mehta, AG Gems
Platinum earrings featuring lavender-blue star Sapphires (28.50 ctw.)
accented with heart-shape Diamonds (1.91 ctw.) and round brilliant-cut Diamonds (1.93 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Svetlana Kayton, Svetlana Lazar
“Wells of Wisdom” ring in 18K yellow gold featuring a subtle kinetic effect that creates the illusion of water moving beneath the gems
featuring cabochon Moonstones (6.22 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (0.32 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Classical Category
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC
Platinum “Moi et Toi Perfection in Green & White” ring
featuring a 3.49 ct. unenhanced Colombian Emerald and a 3.36 ct. Diamond accented with Diamonds (0.43 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation
Platinum ring featuring a 20.14 ct. oval Ceylon Sapphire
accented with pear-shape Diamonds (1.00 ctw.) and round Diamonds (1.74 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry
22K yellow gold “Birds Eye View” hand-carved ring featuring a cultured South Sea baroque Pearl bird
Image by Jeff Mason
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC
Platinum “Ocean & Grass Wave” bracelet featuring heated Sapphires (25.02 ctw.)
accented with Russian demantoid Garnets (7.87 ctw.), yellow Diamonds (1.14 ctw.), and white Diamonds (7.32 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Kim Nel, Alpha Inc. /DBA Brian Gavin Diamonds
18K rose gold and platinum “Malaya Majesty” ring featuring a 6.32 ct. peach Malaya Garnet
accented with Sapphire (0.20 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.94 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Jenn Breznen, Mined + Found
14K yellow gold “Aurora in Orbit” double-sided pendant featuring
a 2.91 ct. cabochon Moonstone and a 6.95 ct. cabochon spessartine Garnet
accented with Sapphires (0.30 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.50 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC
Platinum “Something New & Something Blue Wave” choker featuring an unheated 11.03 ct. cushion-cut Sri Lankan Sapphire
accented with unheated Sapphires (5.13 ctw.), Russian demantoid Garnets (3.29 ctw.),
heated Sapphires (1.36 ctw.), yellow Diamonds (0.39 ctw.), and white Diamonds (4.10 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry
“Birds Eye View” hand-carved ring in 22K yellow gold featuring a South Sea baroque
Pearl bird
Image by Jeff Mason
Fashion Forward
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC
18K yellow gold and black ceramic “Greek Key Fancy Diamond Perfection” bracelet
featuring mixed fancy vivid Diamonds (14.82 ctw.)
accented with tsavorite Garnets (1.70 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Evening Wear Category …
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Platinum ring featuring a 15.22 ct. black Opal
accented with Tourmaline (0.72 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (0.40 ctw.), and Diamonds (1.56 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels
Platinum ring featuring a 2.69 ct. triangular no-enhancement Colombian Emerald
accented with Diamonds (3.39 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc.
14K gradient SpectraGold “Dono della Valle” earrings featuring green Tourmalines (47.47 ctw.)
accented with Tanzanites (12.58 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.30 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Shawndria Aghjayan, Harout R LLC
Platinum “A Woman’s Delightful Chaotic Life!” necklace featuring Diamonds (11.27 ctw.) and Emeralds (5.72 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Shawndria Aghjayan, Harout R LLC
Platinum “Ignore the Sound of Chaos” earrings featuring Diamond (1.78 ctw.) and Emerald (0.30 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera
18K yellow gold “A Kaleidoscope of Green” ring featuring a 2.15 ct. Australian black Opal
accented with tsavorite Garnets (0.99 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.23 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Marcia Budet, Marcia Budet
18K yellow and white gold earrings featuring Colombian Emeralds (8.21 ctw.)
accented with Diamonds (1.74 ctw.) have removable extensions that can be worn in three different looks
Image by Jeff Mason
Helen Kim Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc.
Platinum “The American Queen 2023” brooch featuring a 6.47 ct. pear-shape Tanzanite
accented with colored Diamonds (1.08 ctw.), white Diamonds (2.3 ctw.), and tsavorite Garnets (0.36 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels
Platinum and 18K “GARANATAS: From Rough to Cut” two-piece necklace
featuring various species of Garnets (approx. 77.26 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Anita Agrawal, Jewels 4 Ever/Vartanian Jewellers
“I Dream in Pink” 3-in-1 pendant and ring(s) set in 14K rose gold
featuring a 3.52 ct. unheated, untreated Sri Lankan heart-shape pink Sapphire
accented with pear-shape pink Sapphires (6.52 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Men’s Wear Category …
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Platinum ring featuring a 2.35 ct. oval cabochon Alexandrite
accented with Alexandrite (3.07 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Carl Larson, AntiHero
18K white gold “Captain Mayer’s Revenge” brooch/pendant
featuring red Spinels (6.30 ctw.) on a hand-struck cob piece of eight accented with Diamonds (3.42 ctw.)
Image by Gary Roskin
Marc Hollmuller, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Steel and 18K rose gold “Iron Man” ring featuring an 8.19 ct. faceted-edge Garnet
accented with Diamonds
Image by Jeff Mason
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC
Platinum “Ocean & Grass Wave” ring featuring a 3.18 ct. Russian demantoid Garnet and unheated Sapphires (4.72 ctw.)
accented by heated Sapphires (1.25 ctw.), Russian demantoid Garnets (2.66 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.41 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry
22K “Sail Away” ring featuring a 10.33 ct. boulder Opal
accented with Diamonds (0.06 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Inken Krause, Enhoerning Jewelry
Platinum “Zaniglas” ring featuring a 4.46 ct. oval unheated Ceylon Sapphire
accented with French-cut gray Spinels (2.93 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Robin Callahan, Robin Callahan Designs, LLC
“Hageshi” cufflinks in 14K white gold featuring faceted Tahitian South Sea Pearls
accented with white Diamonds (1.48 ctw.) and black Diamonds (1.02 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Editor’s Choice Category
Business/Day Wear
Ai Van Pham, Gem & Gold Creations
“Pendulum/I Spy” pendant necklace in 14K yellow gold with Black Jade
and a 13.88 ct. fantasy-cut pink Tourmaline with Opal inlay
Image by Jeff Mason
All Other Cut Gemstones
Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC
12.85 ct. emerald-cut bi-color blue and green untreated Zoisite
Image by Jeff Mason
Winners of the 2023 AGTA Cutting Edge Awards are:
All Other Cut Gemstones
Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International
9.49 ct. peach Mahenge Malaya Garnet
“The Sparkle in Her Eye”
Image by Jeff Mason
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd.
12.02 ct. modified cushion Mahenge red Spinel
Image by Jeff Mason
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd.
14.07 ct. modified cushion “Paraíba-type” Tourmaline
Image by Jeff Mason
Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC
12.85 ct. emerald-cut bicolor blue and green untreated Zoisite
Image by Jeff Mason
Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA
6.47 ct. emerald-cut pink Tanzanite
Image by Jeff Mason
Carving
Patrick Dreher, Dreher Carvings LLC
515 ct. Heliodor carving titled “The Green Jewel – Frog on Heliodor”
Image by Jeff Mason
Meg Berry, Milstead Gems LLC
228.25 ct. Morganite double-sided carving titled “Cock-a-doodle-do”
Brandon Messing, BM Gems
145.49 ct. portal-cut optical Quartz inlaid with Opal
Image by Jeff Mason
Meg Berry, Megagem
74.15 ct. particolored Sapphire “Sugar Magnolia” two-sided carved pendant featuring a variety of flowers
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Classic Gemstone Category…
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
20.21 ct. unheated royal blue cushion-cut Sapphire
Image by Jeff Mason
Intercolor USA
10.34 ct. cushion-cut Ruby from Madagascar
Image by Jeff Mason
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
5.04 ct. unheated pink cushion-cut Sapphire
Image by Jeff Mason
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
13.60 unheated yellow pear-shape Sapphire
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Innovative Faceting Category …
Bryan D. Drummond, Drummond Gems & Jewelry
17.13 ct. indigo precision carved Tanzanite titled “Nine of Diamonds”
Image by Jeff Mason
Lee Haynes, LWH Gems
121 ct. mix-cut spiral crown and twisted pavilion Amethyst titled “Multiverse”
Image by Jeff Mason
Christopher Wolfsberg, Fossilium/Roy Leggitt
68.93 ct. micro concave-cut Morganite
Image by Jeff Mason
Larry Woods, Gem Arts International
33.26 ct. Tanzanite titled “Compass Rose Tanzanite”
Image by Jeff Mason
In the North American Mined Gemstones Category …
Ben Kho, Kho International
10.42 ct. oval Portuguese-cut Rhodochrosite from Colorado
Image by Jeff Mason
Dalan Hargrave, Somewhere In The Rainbow
295.15 ct. “Dazed & Dazzled” carved colorless Quartz from Arkansas
Image by Jeff Mason
Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs Inc.
31.45 ct. green Tourmaline from Newry, Maine, titled “The Maine Event”
Image by Jeff Mason
Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs Inc.
12.50 ct. precision faceted oval blue Tourmaline from Maine, USA
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Objects of Art Category …
Patrick Dreher, Dreher Carvings LLC
457 gram Agate “Playtime” fish accented by 18K yellow gold, Jasper, and rock crystal Quartz
Image by Jeff Mason
Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International
200.05 ct. Jadeite dragonhead carving titled “The Protector”
Image by Gary Roskin
Kent Raible, Raible Studios LLC
18K yellow gold and platinum “Crystal Sky City” with Diamonds, Emeralds, Spinel, Aquamarine,
Tanzanite, Chalcedony, Rose Quartz, Rainbow Moonstone, Sugilite, Agate, Tourmaline, Lapis, Chrysoprase, Sapphires, Gem Silica, Topaz, and Opal
Image by Jeff Mason
Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
Sterling silver “The Painted Bunting Bird” featuring a Lapis base
accented with Carnelians, black Diamonds (1.0 ctw.), cognac Diamonds (15.15 ctw.),
tsavorite Garnets (6.50 ctw.), Sapphires (43.53 ctw.), and Tanzanites (18.25 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
In the Pairs & Suites Category …
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Suite of 4 oval “Paraíba-type” Tourmalines (31.01ctw.) from Mozambique
Image by Jeff Mason
Justin Zaroovabeli, The Rare Gem LLC
Pair of oval Alexandrites (6.97 ctw.) from Mozambique
Image by Jeff Mason
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
Pair of royal blue cushion-cut unheated Sapphires (10.35 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
Stephen M. Avery, Stephen M. Avery
Pair of Morganites and Tanzanites (69.68 ctw.)
Image by Jeff Mason
And in the Phenomenal Category …
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd.
28.41 ct. oval black Opal
Image by Jeff Mason
Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC
14.55 ct. cushion-cut color-change gray violet green Zircon
Image by Jeff Mason
Bruce Furst, The Cutter’s Bench
29.22 ct. modified Portuguese-cut tsavorite Garnet titled “The Green Envy”
Image by Jeff Mason
Neal Hurni, Lewis and Clark Sapphires LLC
5.09 ct. unheated color-change modified brilliant-cut Sapphire from Montana
Image by Jeff Mason
Editors covering the awards were, Left to Right: Jennifer Heebner, ePrism Editor-in-Chief,Amy Elliott, JCK contributing editor, Brecken Branstrator, G.G. (GIA) the GemGuide Editor-in-Chief, Benjamin Guttery, G.G. (GIA) freelance writer, Becky Stone, jewelry writer, Darshan Gress, personal stylist, Kyle Roderick, Bijoux Review, Gary Roskin, G.G. (GIA), FGA, Roskin Gem News Report Editor-in-Chief, and David Brough, Jewellery Outlook founder & editor.
*Judging Guidelines
AGTA Spectrum Awards entries are judged on overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad‐based consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones.
AGTA Cutting Edge Awards honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings and other gem materials.
Platinum Honors, sponsored by Platinum Guild International (PGI), recognizes the outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl jewelry in 11 Spectrum Awards categories and for the Platinum Honors Innovation Awards in Bridal Wear, Business/Day Wear, Evening Wear, Classical, and Men’s. Platinum Innovation. PGI also awards two “Best of” awards – Best Use of Platinum and Color and Best Use of Platinum Crown.
WJA Gem DIVA Awards, sponsored by the Women’s Jewelry Association, grants awards in the Bridal Wear, Evening Wear, Classical and Business/Day Wear categories. All women who enter the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition are eligible for this category.
Manufacturing Honors recognizes outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls along with exceptional design in jewelry that can be readily manufactured for high volume (repeatable) distribution and sale. All designs that qualify for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition will also automatically be qualified for Manufacturing Honors judging.
Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl in artful, trend‐setting jewelry. All designs that qualify for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition are eligible for Fashion Forward Honors judging.
AGTA would like to thank their sponsors this year, including the Omni Hotels, Platinum Guild International, and the Women’s Jewelry Association.
