The AGTA Spectrum Awards™, an annual natural colored gemstone & cultured pearl jewelry design competition launched in 1984, is considered the most respected and prestigious creative award for the jewelry design industry, honoring, recognizing and promoting designers, whose work utilizes natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design. The awards have become the benchmark for jewelry designers striving to gain recognition for their work
In the year 1991, AGTA inaugurated a second competition, to honor creativity in lapidary arts, including faceted gems and pearls, carvings, and objects of art, which was integrated with the AGTA Spectrum Awards and was known as the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards. Both these competitions organized by AGTA are a true contest of workmanship, creativity and innovation and the winners set the standards of excellence for the entire jewelry industry. Hence, the annual Spectrum Awards competition organized by AGTA launched new trends in jewelry designing, creating increased visibility for designer jewelry and inspiring great innovation in the use of colors and materials.
AGTA’s Spectrum Awards and Cutting Edge Awards having been organized successfully for 33 years, since 1984, is considered by many as the Oscars of the Gem and Jewelry World. In the year 2016 a Summer Edition of the Spectrum Awards was also held, and hence The AGTA Spectrum Awards 2017 held in New York on August 5 & 6, 2017 is the 35th Edition of the prestigious annual event.
While the AGTA SPECTRUM AWARDS are given under 8 or 9 categories, the AGTA CUTTING EDGE AWARDS are given under 7 categories, making 15 to 16 categories in all. However, for the awards of 2017, Platinum Honors and WJA Gem Diva Award was integrated with the other categories, reducing the AGTA Spectrum Awards Categories to six. Under each categories there are several sub-categories. The categories and sub-categories under which the awards are given are listed below :-
AGTA SPECTRUM AWARDS CATEGORIES
1. BEST OF AWARDS – Best of Show, Best Use of Color, Best Use of Pearls, Best Use of Platinum and Color, Fashon Forward, Editor’s Choice. –
2. BRIDAL WEAR – 1st Place Bridal Wear, 2nd Place Bridal Wear, 3rd Place Bridal Wear- Honorable Mention, Bridal Wear – Manufacturing Honors, Bridal Wear – Platinum Innovation , Bridal Wear – Platinum Honors, Bridal Wear – WJA Gem Diva Award
3. BUSINESS/DAY WEAR – Business/Day Wear – 1st Place, Business/Day Wear – 2nd Place, Business/Day Wear – 3rd Place , Business/Day Wear – Honorable Mention, Business/Day Wear -Manufacturing Honors, Business/Day Wear – Platinum Honors, Business/Day Wear – Platinum Innovation, Business/Day Wear – WJA Gem Diva Award.
4. CLASSICAL – Classical – 1st Place, Classical -2nd Place, Classical -3rd Place, Classical -Honorable Mention, Classical – Manufacturing Honors, Classical – Platinum Honors, Classical – Platinum Innovation, Classical – WJA Gem Diva Award.
5. EVENING WEAR – Evening Wear – 1st Place, Evening Wear – 2nd Place, Evening Wear – 3rd Place, Evening Wear – Honorable Mention, Evening Wear – Platinum Honors, Evening Wear – WJA Gem Diva Award
6. MEN’S WEAR – Men’s Wear – 1st Place, Men’s Wear – 2nd Place, Men’s Wear – 3rd Place, Men’s Wear – Honorable Mention, Men’s Wear – Platinum Honors, Men’s Wear – Manufacturing Honors
AGTA CUTTING EDGE AWARDS CATEGORIES
1. CLASSIC GEMSTONES – 1st Place Classic Gemstone, 2nd Place Classic Gemstone, 3rd Place Classic Gemstone
2. ALL OTHER FACETED – 1st Place All Other Faceted, 2nd Place All Other Faceted, 3rd Place All Other Faceted
3. PHENOMENAL – 1st Place Phenomenal, 2nd Place Phenomenal, 3rd Place Phenomenal
4. PAIRS & SUITES – 1st Place Pairs & Suites, 2nd Place Pairs & Suites, 3rd Place Pairs & Suites
5. INNOVATIVE FACETING – 1st Place Innovative Faceting, 2nd Place Innovative Faceting, 3rd Place Innovative Faceting
6. CARVING – 1st Place Carving, 2nd Place Carving, 3rd Place Carving, Honorable Mention Carving
7. OBJECTS OF ART – 1st Place Objects of Art, 2nd Place Objects of Art.
PANEL OF JUDGES
The prestigious panel of judges for the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards Competition were :-
1. Arun Bohra of Arunashi Inc. Beverly Hills, California.
2. Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers, Royersford, Pennsylvania.
3. Sherris Cottier Shank of Gemscapes, Southfield, Michigan.
4. Alishan Halebian of Alishan, Jewelry designer and craftsman, Irvine, California.
5. Holly Wesche of Wesche Jewelers, Melbourne, Florida.
Commenting on the successful completion of the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards Competition Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of AGTA said, “The entire staff was immediately impressed as the entries started coming in; it seemed that the quality and artistry of the pieces has ascended to a new level. The number of entries increased and clearly the caliber of entries was exceptional. It is evident that the entrants take this competition very seriously and that the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ and the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards™ continue to be the premier design competition in the world. Of course, this also makes the work of the judges demonstratively more difficult. We were blessed with an outstanding group of judges that were consummate professionals, that demonstrated an amazing level of synergy, and this is apparent in the selections that they made.”
AGTA Spectrum Awards entries were judged on the basis of 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.
THE WINNERS OF THE 2017 AGTA SPECTRUM AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS :-
AGTA Spectrum Awards™
1. BEST OF ….AWARDS
a) BEST OF SHOW
Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s – Pair of neon blue Tourmalines, t.w. 53.56 cts.
b) BEST USE OF COLOR
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – 18K and 24K yellow and 18K white gold maple leaf earrings featuring multicolored Diamonds, Sapphires and Garnets.
c) BEST USE OF PEARLS
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – Freshwater cultured Pearls strung with Sunstone beads with an 18K yellow gold and black rhodium clasp set with white, pink and green Diamonds.
d) BEST USE OF PLATINUM AND COLOR
Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere in the Rainbow – Platinum “Dancing Waves” neck collar featuring a 57.0 ct. Aquamarine accented with Diamonds (8.0 cts t.w.)
e) FASHION FORWARD
Ardeshir Dabestani, Asha Gallery, Ltd. – 18K white and yellow gold “Solar Flare” back-drop necklace featuring a 436.0 ct. Citrine accented with Aquamarines (44.50 ct. t.w.), yellow Beryls (87.30 ct.t.w.) and Diamonds (23.54 ct.t.w.)
f) EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Mark Loren, Mark Loren Designs, Inc. – 14K yellow and white gold earrings featuring polyhedral Agate druzy slices and green Tourmalines (7.01 ct.t.w.), pink Topaz (8.51 ct.t.w.), Amethysts (2.24 ct.t.w.) and Diamonds (0.08 ct.t.w.)
2. BRIDAL WEAR
Bridal Wear – 1st Place.
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – 18K white gold and rhodium “Double the Love” ring featuring a 12.62 ct. heart-shaped blue Zircon accented with a 0.75 ct. heart-shaped Diamond and Diamond pave (1.53 ct. t.w.).
Bridal Wear – 2nd Place Bridal Wear and WJA Gem DIVA™ Award
Lindsay Jane, Lindsay Jane Designs – Platinum “Butterfly” earrings featuring detachable drops of boulder Opal (39.92 ctw.) accented with Zoisites (2.10 ctw.), Diamonds (1.02 ctw.) and Paraiba Tourmalines (.10 ctw.).
Bridal Wear – 3rd Place.
Judy Evans, Oliver and Espig Gallery of Fine Arts – Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 15.3 mm South Sea golden cultured Pearl accented with white Diamonds (1.17 ctw.) and yellow Diamonds (1.12 ctw.).
Bridal Wear – Honorable Mention
Zoltan David, Somewhere in the Rainbow – Knight steel, 18K and 24K yellow gold, platinum “Falling Waters” necklace featuring 1mm – 3.20mm keshi cultured Pearls accented with Diamonds (1.70 ctw.).
Bridal Wear – Manufacturing Honors
Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers – Platinum ring featuring a 4.42 ct. oval red Spinel accented with round red Spinels (1.41 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.27 ctw.).
Bridal Wear – Entry Platinum Innovation
Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. – Platinum “Bellflower” ring featuring a 3.28 ct. blue Sapphire cabochon accented with Diamonds (.80 ctw.) and a blue Sapphire (.03 ctw.).
Bridal Wear – Platinum Honors
Craig Slavens, Studio 247 Fine Jewelry – Platinum ring featuring a 4.15 ct. Paraiba Tourmaline accented with Diamonds (1.25 ctw.).
3. BUSINESS/DAY WEAR
Business/Day Wear – 1st Place
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry – 18K rose and 14K rose and white gold “Cosmos” pendant featuring a 24.06 ct. specialty-cut Morganite accented with Diamonds (3.14 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear – 2nd Place
Llyn Strong, llyn strong fine art jewelry – Lapis Lazuli necklace (155.0 ctw.) featuring an 18K yellow gold clasp and a 30.90 ct. boulder Opal accented with black Diamonds (0.75 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (0.20 ctw.), Rubies (0.12ctw.) and Sapphires (0.07 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear – 3rd Place
Mimi Favre, Mimi Favre Studio – Platinum “Waterdrop” earrings featuring detachable Tanzanite drops (25.50 ctw.) on Sapphire studs (1.75 ctw.) with white Sapphires (0.58 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear – Honorable Mention
Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers – 18K yellow and white gold “Desert Moon” ring featuring a 13.03 ct. Moonstone cabochon accented with blue Sapphires (0.90 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.95 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear – Honorable Mention
Omi Prive, Somewhere in The Rainbow – 18K rose gold “Le ‘Elegance'” ring featuring a red Tourmaline accented with Diamonds and tsavorite Garnets.
Business/Day Wear – Manufacturing Honors
Gregore Morin, Gregore & Jennifer- Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. – Platinum “La Petite” bracelet with nine ring charms featuring Rubies, Aquamarines, Garnets, Amethysts, Sapphires, Tourmalines and Spinels. Rabe Jewelers – 18K white gold and aluminum earrings featuring freshwater cultured Pearls (32.10 ctw.) accented with purple Garnets (12.98 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear – Platinum Honors
John Ford, Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford – Platinum bracelet featuring black Opals (24.02 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.72 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear – Entry Platinum Innovation
Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. – Platinum “La Petite” bracelet with nine ring charms featuring Rubies, Aquamarines, Garnets, Amethysts, Sapphires, Tourmalines and Spinels.
Business/Day Wear – WJA Gem DIVA™ Award
Pam Harris, Lost Bird Designs – 14K pink gold bracelet featuring an 8×15 mm peach Moonstone, oval and marquise-cut Coral, Turquoise and black Diamonds.
4, CLASSICAL
Classical – 1st Place.
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. – Platinum and 18K pink gold earrings featuring unheated oval pink Sapphires (36.65 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (5.09 ctw.).
Classical – 2nd Place
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive – Platinum and black rhodium ring featuring a 20.03 ct. cushion-cut blue Sapphire accented with blue Sapphires (.76 ctw.), baguette Diamonds (1.07 ctw.) and round Diamonds (.63 ctw.).
Classical – 3rd Place
Oscar Heyman, Oscar Heyman – Platinum ring featuring a 32.30 ct. Cat’s-Eye Chrysoberyl accented with Diamonds.
Classical – Honorable Mention
Varouj Tabakian, Jewellery by Varouj – 18K tricolored gold and platinum “Northern Lights” pendant featuring a 3.79 ct. specialty-cut rubellite Tourmaline accented with baguette Diamonds (.68 ctw.) and round Diamonds (1.61 ctw.).
Classical – Honorable Mention
Oscar Heyman, Oscar Heyman – Platinum ring featuring a 19.40 ct. bicolored Tourmaline accented with Diamonds.
Classical – Manufacturing Honors
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – 18K yellow and rhodium “Blue Lagoon” ring featuring a 13.99 ct. cushion-cut blue Zircon accented with Diamond melee (1.32 ctw.).
Classical – Platinum Honors
Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry – Platinum “Deep Lagoon” ring featuring an 8.33 ct. Tourmaline accented with Diamonds (.46 ctw.).
Classical – Entry Platinum Innovation
Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers – Platinum and 18K rose gold “Queen of Sheba” ring featuring a 2.59 ct. red Spinel accented with multi-cut Diamonds (1.57 ctw.).
Classical – WJA Gem DIVA™ Award
Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels – 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 13.60 ct. Mandarin Garnet accented with square and baguette Diamonds (1.82 ctw.).
5. EVENING WEAR
Evening Wear – 1st Place and Best Use of Platinum and Color.
Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere in the Rainbow – Platinum “Dancing Waves” neck collar featuring a 57.0 ct. Aquamarine accented with Diamonds (8.0 ctw.).
Evening Wear – 2nd Place and Best Use of Color.
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – 18K and 24K yellow and 18K white gold maple leaf earrings featuring multicolored Diamonds, Sapphires and Garnets.
Evening Wear – 3rd Place.
Caroline Chartouni, Caroline C – Platinum ring featuring an 8.09 ct. oval pink Sapphire accented with round and pear pink Sapphires (9.84 ctw.) and Diamonds (8.67 ctw.).
Evening Wear – Honorable Mention
Victoria Tse, VTse, Inc. – 18K white gold ring featuring a 33.41 ct. harlequin Australian black Opal accented with baguette Diamond pave (6.54 ctw.) and Diamond melee (2.11 ctw.).
Evening Wear – Honorable Mention
Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Inc. – 18K yellow gold “Genie” earrings featuring a pair of mint grossular Garnets (5.22 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (5.69 ctw.) and mint grossular Garnets (1.90 ctw.).
Evening Wear – Honorable Mention
Zoltan David, Somewhere in the Rainbow – 24K yellow gold, palladium, purple steel and 18K yellow gold “Star Flower” necklace featuring a 28.14 ct. Tourmaline accented with gray Sapphires (.58 ctw.) and color change Garnets (.73 ctw.).
Evening Wear – Platinum Honors
John Ford, Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford – Platinum earrings featuring oval black Opals (11.70 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (2.0 ctw.).
Evening Wear – WJA Gem DIVA™ Award
Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince Designs – 14K white gold “Pink Peony” ring featuring multi-shades of pink Spinels (12.93 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.45 ctw.).
6. MEN’S WEAR
Men’s Wear – 1st Place
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – 18K yellow gold with black rhodium “Estrella” ring featuring a 7.50 ct. starburst trapiche Sapphire accented with black Diamonds (0.64 ctw.) and yellow Sapphire melee (0.52 ctw.).
Men’s Wear – 2nd Place
Peter Schmid, French Designer Jeweler – 18K rose gold and platinum ring featuring a 15.74 ct. Garnet accented with a pink Diamond, green Diamond and white Diamonds (.04 ctw.).
Men’s Wear – 3rd Place
Dawn Muscio, D. Muscio Designs – 18K yellow gold and stainless steel ring featuring a 4.39 ct. emerald-cut green Tourmaline accented with Amethysts (.06 ctw.) and Diamonds (.05 ctw.).
Men’s Wear – Honorable Mention
Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design – 18K yellow and 19K white gold “Man Cave” cufflinks featuring Octahedrite Meteorite carvings accented with blue Sapphires (1.55 ctw.), yellow Sapphires (1.46 ctw.) and yellow Diamonds (.75 ctw.).
Men’s Wear – Honorable Mention and Platinum Honors
Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers – Platinum ring featuring an 8.52 ct. cushion-cut violet Spinel accented with red Spinels (1.48 ctw.) and Diamonds (.27 ctw.) and inlaid with Gibeon Meteorite.
Men’s Wear – Manufacturing Honors
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive – 18K white gold with black rhodium ring featuring a 1.07 ct. emerald-cut Alexandrite accented with Diamonds (.60 ctw.) and Alexandrites (.08 ctw.).
AGTA Cutting Edge™ Awards
1. ALL OTHER FACETED
All Other Faceted – 1st Place
Brett Kosnar, Beija Flor Wholesale – 24.26 ct. round, Portuguese-cut Rhodochrosite.
All Other Faceted – 2nd Place
Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems – 6.49 ct. square East African natural tsavorite Garnet.
All Other Faceted – 3rd Place
Hemant Phophaliya, A G Color, Inc. – 22.15 ct. fancy-shaped Tanzanite, “Superman.”
All Other Faceted – Honorable Mention
Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems – 5.06 ct. triangular-cut natural Benitoite.
2. Carving
Carving – 1st Place
Meg Berry, Pala International – 625.0 ct. Chyrsocolla with druzy Quartz carving, titled “Metamorphosis.”
Carving – 2nd Place
Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry – Freestyle carved Sunstone chameleon named “Henry.”
Carving – 3rd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co. – 115.71 ct. Morganite carving, titled “Joyful Morganite.”
Carving – Honorable Mention
Bernie Benavidez, Master Jewelers – Opal freeform carving (72.07 ctw.), titled “Aussie Crystal Anenome.”
Carving – Honorable Mention
Larry Woods, Jewels From The Woods – 17.60 ct. black Opal carving.
3. Classic Gemstone
Classic Gemstone – 1st Place
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. – 15.30 ct. unheated Ceylon pink Sapphire.
Classic Gemstone – 2nd Place
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. – 38.48 ct. unheated oval Madagascan blue Sapphire.
Classic Gemstone – 3rd Place
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. – 5.80 ct. untreated Colombian step-cut Emerald
Classic Gemstone – Honorable Mention
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. – 12.56 ct. unheated Ceylon oval Padparadscha Sapphire.
4. Innovative Faceting
Innovative Faceting – 1st Place
Christopher Wolfsberg, Chris Wolfsberg – 32.75 ct. specialty-cut Quartz with Chrysoprase and Opal.
Innovative Faceting – 2nd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co. – 21.58 ct. red Spinel hexagon.
Innovative Faceting – 3rd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co. – 63.86 ct. specialty-cut Tourmaline.
Innovative Faceting – Honorable Mention
Dalan Hargrave, Jewels From The Woods – 32.98 ct. specialty-cut Kunzite.
5. Objects of Art
Objects of Art – 1st Place
Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs –”Colors of Maine” kaleidoscope featuring multicolored Maine Tourmalines (71.74 ctw.) and Maine Quartz lenses (24.92 ctw.) set in 18K yellow and white gold.
A view inside the “Colors of Maine” kaleidoscope by Derek Katzenbach of Katzenbach Designs with the images made of multicolored Maine tourmalines and Maine quartz lenses
Objects of Art – 2nd Place
Susan Helmich, Somewhere in the Rainbow – “Straight on to Neverland” pendulum and brooch featuring a 14.01 ct. rubellite Tourmaline, an 8.94 ct. rubellite Tourmaline, a 4.08 ct. indicolite Tourmaline, a 13.8mm golden cultured Pearl and Diamonds (5.24 ctw.) on a carved frosted Quartz base.
Objects of Art – 3rd Place
Liam Powers, Liam Powers Jewelry, LLC – Sterling silver and multi-karat gold chalice featuring Diamonds, Alexandrites, Sapphires, Moldavites and Phenakites.
6. Pairs & Suites
Pairs & Suites – 1st Place and Best of Show
Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s – Pair of neon blue Tourmalines (53.56 ctw.)
Pairs & Suites – 2nd Place
Hemant Phophaliya, A G Color, Inc. – Pair of fancy pear-shaped Tanzanites (49.38 ctw.).
Pairs & Suites – 3rd Place
Robyn Dufty, DuftyWeis Opals, Inc. – Pair of black Opals (17.61 ctw.), titled “Tears of the Gods.”
Pairs & Suites – Honorable Mention
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. – Pair of unheated Pigeon Blood Burmese oval Rubies (4.08 ctw.).
Pairs & Suites – Honorable Mention
Phillip Youngman, Phillip Youngman – Suite of 36 specialty-cut Zircons (140.27 ctw.).
7. Phenomenal
Phenomenal – 1st Place
Joel Price, Joel Price – 100.66 ct. harlequin pattern black Opal.
Phenomenal – 2nd Place
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. – 7.31 ct. emerald-cut Brazilian Alexandrite.
Phenomenal – 3rd Place
Robert Shapiro, Robert Shapiro – 7.60 ct. boulder Opal.
Phenomenal – Honorable Mention
Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems – 16.08 ct. round Sri Lankan unheated Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl.
Phenomenal – Honorable Mention
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. – 21.56 ct. oval Opal.
According to the American Gem Trade Association, the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards will be presented during the 2018 AGTA GemFair Tucson to be held January 30 to February 4 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. The winning entries will be displayed during the show and the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards recipients will be recognized during the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards Gala, on Saturday, February 3. Tickets for the gala are $100 and cocktail attire is encouraged.
