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NEW YORK, NY (August, 8 2017) – The American Gem Trade Association is pleased to announce the winners of the prestigious 2017 AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM. The competition was held in New York on August 5th and 6th and is regarded as the world’s preeminent colored gemstone and cultured pearl design competition. The prestigious judges for the competition this year were the following: Arun Bohra, Arunashi; Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun Jewelers; Sherris Cottier Shank, Gemscapes; Alishan Halebian, Alishan; Holly Wesche, Wesche Jewelers.

“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,” said Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. “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.”

Winners of the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ are:

Best of…..

Best of Show

Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s – Pair of neon blue Tourmalines (53.56 ctw.).

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.

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.

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.).

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 ctw.), yellow Beryls (87.30 ctw.) and Diamonds (23.54 ctw.).

AGTA Spectrum Awards™

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 .75 ct. heart-shaped Diamond and Diamond pave (1.53 ctw.).

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 & Espig Gallery of Fine Arts – Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 15.3mm 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.).

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 (.75 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (.20 ctw.), Rubies (.12 ctw.) and Sapphires (.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 (.58 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear – Honorable Mention

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 – 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-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 8x15mm peach Moonstone, oval and marquise-cut Coral, Turquoise and black Diamonds.

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.

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.).

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 – Manufacturing Honors

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.).

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 (.64 ctw.) and yellow Sapphire melee (.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

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.

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.

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.

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. – 68.86 ct. specialty-cut Tourmaline.

Innovative Faceting – Honorable Mention

Dalan Hargrave, Jewels From The Woods – 32.98 ct. specialty-cut Kunzite.

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.

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.

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.).

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.

This year’s AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM will be presented during the 2018 AGTA GemFairTM Tucson to be held January 30 – February 4 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. Winning entries will be displayed during the show and the 2017 AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM recipients will be recognized during the 2017 AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM Gala, on Saturday, February 3. Tickets for the gala are $100 and cocktail attire is encouraged.

AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM 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 AwardsTM honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings and other gem materials.

Bridal Wear sponsored by The Knot – The Knot sponsored the Bridal Wear division of the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ for the fifth year. As the #1 wedding network in the U.S., reaching 80% of brides, The Knot represents an opportunity for unprecedented exposure for Spectrum entrants.Whether gracing the bridesmaids or donning the bride herself, this category captures all looks coming down the aisle. Engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and tiaras should be considered.

Platinum Honors™, sponsored by Platinum Guild International, recognizes outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or pearl jewelry in the five Spectrum Awards categories and for the Best Use of Color and Platinum. Platinum Honors™ Entry Platinum Honors – Bridal Wear under $2,500 (semi-mount only), Platinum Honors Innovation – Classical under $3,500 and Platinum Honors Innovation – Day Wear under $2,000.

WJA Gem DIVA TM Awards celebrated its sixth year of association with the competition. WJA GEM DIVATM Awards were presented in the Bridal Wear, Evening Wear, Classical and Business/Day Wear categories. All women who entered the AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM competition were eligible for this category.

Manufacturing Honors recognizes outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry appropriate to be manufactured in production quantities. 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 necklaces, earrings, bracelets or other jewelry that qualified for judging in the AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM competition automatically qualified for Fashion Forward Honors judging.

For further information regarding the 2017 AGTA GemFairTM Tucson or the AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM Gala, please call (800) 972-1162 or visit our website at www.agta.org. For more information regarding the AGTA Spectrum AwardsTM competition, please contact Megan Whitmire at megan@agta.org or (800) 972-1162.

The American Gem Trade Association is a not-for-profit Association serving the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl industry since 1981. The AGTA serves the industry as “The Authority in Color” and has its headquarter office in Dallas, Texas.

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