Judging took place over the weekend for the 2014 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards hosted by the American Gem Trade Association, and names of winners have now been released. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the competition.

Judges included Jennifer McCurry, a fine jewelry and accessories buyer from Marissa Collections in Naples, Fla.; Jennie Ma, a fashion and beauty editor from TheKnot.com; Barbara Heinrich, designer at Barbara Heinrich Studio; and John Hatleberg, a lapidarist.

Winning entries will be displayed during the AGTA GemFair Tucson, Feb. 4–9 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz.; the AGTA Spectrum Awards Dinner Dance and Awards Gala takes place on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Spectrum entries are judged on overall beauty, wearability, design innovation, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones and workmanship, broad-base consumer appeal, and the potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones. Cutting Edge entries should honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings, and other gem materials.

Category sponsors include TheKnot.com for Bridal Wear, Platinum Guild International for Platinum Honors, and the Women’s Jewelry Association for the WJA Gem Diva Awards.

For more information about the awards or the Gala, call 800-972-1162 or log on to agta.org.

Winners are as follows. (All photos that were available at press time are courtesy of AGTA)

Spectrum Awards

Best of Category Winners

Best of Show

Tropical Storm ring in platinum with a 22.1 ct. emerald and 11.47 cts. t.w. diamonds by James Currens, J.W. Currens Inc.

Best Use of Color

Earrings in 18k yellow gold with 22.84 cts. t.w. boulder opals, 2.62 cts. t.w. fire opals, 1.75 cts. t.w. orange sapphires, and 0.7 ct. t.w. Paraiba tourmalines by Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney

Best Use of Platinum and Color

Coleman’s Smokey Blues earrings in platinum with 3.86 cts. t.w. cushion-cut blue spinel, 4.02 ct. t.w. lavender spinels, and multicolored sapphires, garnets, tourmalines, and diamonds by Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design

Best Use of Pearls

Earrings in 18k white gold with 32 Japanese akoya cultured pearls and 4.43 cts. t.w. round brilliant diamonds by Anil Maloo, Baggins Inc.

 

Category Winners

1st Place Fashion Forward

Robot Heart necklace that lights up in several patterns in sterling and 18k yellow gold with a 1363.96 ct. t.w. opal and 1.53 cts. t.w. diamonds by Katey Brunini, K. Brunini Jewels

2nd Place Fashion Forward

Seahorse cocktail ring in 18k oxidized white gold with opal, garnets, sapphires, and amethysts by Lydia Courteille, Meridian Jewelers

3rd Place Fashion Forward

Kryptonite Pyramid necklace in 18k yellow gold with chrysoprase and diamonds by Lauren Harper, Lauren Harper Collection

 

Bridal Wear Sponsored by The Knot

1st Place Bridal Wear

Earrings in 18k white gold with 32 Japanese akoya cultured pearls and 4.43 cts. t.w. round brilliant diamonds by Anil Maloo, Baggins Inc.

2nd Place Bridal Wear

Something Blue earrings in 18k yellow gold with 29.99 cts. t.w. blue opal drops, 5.03 cts. t.w. aquamarines, 0.43 ct. t.w. grey sapphires, and 1.1 cts. t.w. diamonds by Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney

3rd Place Bridal Wear

Aurora ring in platinum with a 5.4 ct. unheated lavender sapphire and 0.8 ct. t.w. diamonds by Caysie van Bebber, CvB Inspired Design

Bridal Wear Platinum Honors

Earrings in platinum with 6 cts. t.w. rubies and 1.05 cts. t.w. diamonds by Bella Campbell, Campbellian

Bridal Wear Entry Platinum Innovation

Ring in platinum with a 1.38 ct. t.w. cushion-cut yellow sapphire by William Travis, William Travis Jewelry

Bridal Wear Gem Diva Award

Eternity earrings in platinum with 6.33 cts. t.w. moonstones, 5.76 cts. t.w. brilliant-cut diamonds, and Tahitian pearls by Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design

Bridal Wear Manufacturing Honors

Halo ring in platinum with a 1.87 ct. sapphire and 0.35 ct. t.w. diamonds by Phillip Dismuke, Jewelsmith

Bridal Wear Honorable Mention

Drop earrings in platinum with 113.23 cts. t.w. blue marquise double-faceted aquamarines, seed pearls, and diamonds by Cynthia Bach, Cynthia Bach Inc.

 

Business/Day Wear

1st Place Business/Day Wear

Blue Waters necklace in 22k and 18k yellow gold with opal doublets and 1.86 cts. t.w. diamonds by Jonathan Lee Rutledge, Jonathan Lee Rutledge Inc.

2nd Place Business/Day Wear

Earrings in 18k yellow gold with 22.84 cts. t.w. boulder opals, 2.62 cts. t.w. fire opals, 1.75 cts. t.w. orange sapphires, and 0.7 ct. t.w. Paraiba tourmaline by Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney

3rd Place Business/Day Wear

Spring Time earrings in 18k white gold with 24.2 cts. t.w. jade, 17.8 cts. t.w. carved lemon chrysoprase, and 0.32 ct. t.w. diamonds by Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers

Platinum Honors Business/Day Wear

Venus ring in platinum with a 9.35 ct. rainbow moonstone cabochon and 0.26 ct. t.w. diamonds by Michael Endlich, Pavé Fine Jewelry

Entry Platinum Innovation Business/Day Wear

Earrings in platinum with 9.56 ct. t.w. agate, 4.83 cts. t.w. blue sapphire briolettes, and 1.18 cts. t.w. lapis lazuli by William Travis, William Travis Jewelry

Gem Diva Award Business/Day Wear

Locket in 22k yellow gold and 18k white, pink, and yellow gold with a boulder opal and 2.55 cts. t.w. white, pink and yellow diamonds by Annie Fensterstock, Annie Fensterstock

Manufacturing Honors Business/Day Wear

Ring in 18k rose and yellow gold with honeycomb ajour pierced detail and 3.97 cts. t.w. round brilliant rubies in a star-point setting by Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg Inc.

Honorable Mention Business/Day Wear

Swirling ring in 18k yellow and white gold with 41.18 ct. carved white jade, 3.94 cts. t.w. peridots, 1.61 cts. t.w. aquamarines, and 0.52 ct. t.w. brown and white diamonds by Marina Mellinas, Metal Kinetics

 

Classical

1st Place Classical

Tropical Storm ring in platinum with a 22.1 ct. emerald and 11.47 cts. t.w. diamonds by James Currens, J.W. Currens Inc.

2nd Place Classical

Butterfly brooch in sterling silver and 24k- and 18k-plated gold with agate, tourmalines, citrines, and cubic zirconia by Maurice Di Biaggio, Di Biaggio LLC

3rd Place Classical

Coleman’s Smokey Blues earrings in platinum with 3.86 cts. t.w. cushion-cut blue spinel, 4.02 ct. t.w. lavender spinels, and multicolored sapphires, garnets, tourmalines, and diamonds by Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design

Platinum Honors Classical

Ring in platinum with a 5.76 ct. black opal and 2.44 cts. t.w. diamonds by John Ford, John Ford Jewelers

Entry Platinum Innovation Classical

Pendant in platinum with a 6.80 ct. cushion- and brilliant-cut citrine with 0.03 ct. t.w. diamonds by Richard Nobrega, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry

Gem Diva Award Classical

Ring in 18k yellow gold with a 5.08 ct. alexandrite and 2.53 cts. t.w. round, marquise, and half-moon diamonds by Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney

Manufacturing Honors Classical

Stardust earrings in platinum and 18k gold with 14 mm black cultured pearls, 12 mm gold cultured pearls, 10 mm white cultured pearls, and 1.55 cts. t.w. diamonds by James Kaya, James Kaya

Honorable Mention Classical

Zen Snake earrings in 18k white gold with 34.94 cts. t.w. pear-shape kunzites and 1.08 cts. t.w. diamonds by Mark Patterson, Mark Patterson

 

Evening Wear

1st Place Evening Wear

Blue Fin ring in platinum and white gold with a 12.75 ct. Paraiba tourmaline cabochon and diamonds by Leon Megé, Leon Megé Inc.

2nd Place Evening Wear

Earrings in 18k white gold with 14.1 cts. t.w. Paraiba tourmalines, 13.7 cts. t.w. emeralds, 4.3 cts. t.w. tanzanites, and 6.02 cts. t.w. diamonds by Caroline Chartuni, Caroline C

3rd Place Evening Wear

Polar Bear Jumping Between Icebergs ring in 18k white gold with 33.77 cts. t.w. opal and 4.12 cts. t.w. diamonds by Gwennie by Michael John, Michael John Jewelry

Platinum Honors Evening Wear

Earrings in platinum with 48.08 cts. t.w. pear-shape tanzanite slabs, 11.44 cts. t.w. emerald slabs, 2.43 cts. t.w. moonstones, and 2.84 cts. t.w. diamonds by Howard Donsky, Jeffrey Howard Inc.

Gem Diva Award Evening Wear

Ring in 18k white gold with black ruthenium plating, carved olive jade and fire agate, 1.07 cts. t.w. green garnets, 0.33 ct. t.w. amethyst, and 0.32 ct. t.w diamonds by Jennifer Rabe Morin, Jennifer Joailliers

Manufacturing Honors Evening Wear

The Octopus necklace in 18k white gold with 12 mm–15 mm black Tahitian pearls and 11.22 cts. t.w. diamonds by Hector Hassey, Hector Hassey

Honorable Mention Evening Wear

Earrings in 18k white gold with black rhodium plating and 65.77 cts. t.w. pear-shape morganite and 4.69 cts. t.w. diamonds by Kerri Halpern, Madstone Design

 

Men’s Wear

1st Place Men’s Wear

Lapel pin in 14k white and 18k yellow gold with carved black jade, 0.28 ct. t.w. diamonds, 0.04 ct. t.w. rubies, and 0.99 ct. t.w. cognac and yellow diamonds by Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design

2nd Place Men’s Wear

HEXactly cufflinks in 18k yellow and 19k white gold with 11.8 cts. t.w. emerald slices, 1 ct. t.w. blue sapphires, and 0.25 ct. t.w. diamonds by Llyn Strelau, Jewels by Design

3rd Place Men’s Wear

Cufflinks in 18k yellow gold carved with 2 cts. t.w. coral Buddhas, 1.8 cts. t.w. color-change garnets, and 1.02 cts. t.w. diamonds by Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney

Platinum Honors Men’s Wear

 

Bloody Knuckles rings in platinum with 1 ct. t.w. mirror-set rubies by David Hines, Nvit Blanche

Honorable Mention Men’s Wear

Cufflinks in blackened sterling silver with 16 cts. t.w. tumbled tanzanite pebbles, 0.22 ct. t.w. black diamonds, and 0.06 ct. t.w. diamonds by Robin Rotenier, Rotenier Ltd.

Cutting Edge Awards

Classic Cut Gemstones

1st Place Classic Gemstone

20.98 ct. octagonal step-cut unheated yellow sapphire by Sailesh Lakhi, Sparkles and Colors USA Inc.

2nd Place Classic Gemstone

24.69 ct. cushion-cut pink sapphire by David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.

3rd Place Classic Gemstone

38.60 ct. sugarloaf cabochon-cut unheated sapphire by Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC

Honorable Mention Classic Gemstone

35.93 ct. octagonal step-cut unheated yellow sapphire by Sailesh Lakhi, Sparkles and Colors USA Inc.

 

All Other Faceted

1st Place All Other Faceted

20.42 ct. square cushion-cut natural tsavorite garnet by Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s

2nd Place All Other Faceted

14.44 ct. regal radiant-cut lilac pink topaz by John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.

3rd Place All Other Faceted

7.63 ct. starburst-cut sphalerite by Ben Kho, Kho International Inc.

Honorable Mention All Other Faceted

21.97 cushion-cut red spinel by David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.

Phenomenal Gemstones

1st Place Phenomenal

36.1 ct. cabochon-cut opal titled Aurora Borealis in the Night Sky by Robyn Dufty, DuftyWeis Opals Inc.

2nd Place Phenomenal

88.49 ct. color-change czarite by Ralph Wobito, The Courtney Collection

3rd Place Phenomenal

24.12 ct. color-change garnet by Jean-Noel Soni, Top Notch Faceting

 

Pairs and Suites

1st Place Pairs & Suites

114.15 cts. t.w. bicolor amethyst suite titled Purple Champagne by Ai Van Pham, Gem & Gold Creations

2nd Place Pairs & Suites

124.15 cts. t.w. graduated blue moonstone cabochon suite by Nandu Nichani, Temple Trading Co.

3rd Place Pairs & Suites

122.39 cts. t.w. suite of multicolored princess-cut beryl by Ben Kho, Kho International Inc.

Honorable Mention Pairs & Suites

106.35 cts. t.w. 16-piece suite of aquamarine by Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s

 

Innovative Faceting

1st Place Innovative Faceting

32.68 ct. aquamarine titled Tsunami by Stephen Avery, Stephen M. Avery

2nd Place Innovative Faceting

10.22 ct. custom-cut tanzanite with an inverse pavilion titled Tanzanian Royal By John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.

3rd Place Innovative Faceting

86.53 ct. star-brite cut citrine titled SunKissed2 by John Dyer, Somewhere in the Rainbow

 

Carving

1st Place Carving

Amethyst carving with silver base by Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs

2nd Place Carving

61 ct. t.w. carved sunstone titled Loves Flame by Darryl Alexander, Nirinjan

3rd Place Carving

93.5 ct. carved Sunstone titled Candy Twist by Darryl Alexander, Sunstone Butte Mining Co.

 

Objects of Art

1st Place Objects of Art

Friendship sculpture with 57 ct. t.w. sunstone, black jade, varasite, and black, yellow, and white diamonds by Dalan Hargrave, Dust Devil Mining

2nd Place Objects of Art

Maestro gramophone ring in 18k gold and sterling silver with interchangeable records made of ebony wood with yellow sapphires, rubies, and black and colorless diamonds by Leon Mege, Leon Mege Inc.

3rd Place Objects of Art

Sparkling Pagoda carving with 48.76 ct. t.w. quartz with mother-of-pearl, 45.97 ct. t.w. drusy agate, 40.27 ct. t.w. white jadeite, 2.46 cts. t.w. moonstones, 0.38 ct. t.w. diamonds, 0.21 ct. t.w. yellow diamonds, and 0.04 ct. t.w. emerald by John Caro, Jewelry by Design

Honorable Mention Objects of Art

Topaz carving with silver base by Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs

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