2012 AGTA Spectrum Award Winners

Best of Show winner from Todd Reed. Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

The American Gem Trade Association unveiled its 2012 Spectrum Award winners Monday in Manhattan. Scores of jewelry and fashion journalists had the opportunity to view not only the winners, but the hundreds of entries to what is considered by many to be the most respected and prestigious creative award for the jewelry design industry.

Launched in 1984 by the American Gem Trade Association, the awards honor, recognize and promote designers whose work uses natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design. All of the jewelry designers in the competition used colored gemstones and cultured pearls in their work.

What follows is list of the winners along with photographs when available. The AGTA was able to get some professional quality photographs taken and some of the other photographs were taken by me (a few poorly done, I apologize in advance) at the event.

BEST OF CATEGORY WINNERS:

Best of Show

Todd Reed, Todd Reed, Inc.

Palladium and 22K yellow gold locket featuring blue Moonstones, grey Diamonds (24.51 ctw.), blue sapphires (17.34 ctw.) and white diamonds (5.10 ctw.) opening to reveal a 76.03 ct. Moldavite Buddha (top photo).

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

Best Use of Color

Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design

Platinum earrings featuring removable Opal enhancers (15.64 ctw.) accented with blue zircons (3.27 ctw.), tanzanites (3.53 ctw.), paraiba tourmalines (.40 ctw.) and diamonds (5.79 ctw.).

Best Use of Platinum and Color

Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry

Platinum ring featuring a 19.05 ct. cushion-cut aquamarine with pave-set diamonds (0.41 ctw.).

Best Use of Palladium and Color

Dennis de Jonghe - Dennis de Jonghe

Palladium pendant featuring a 16.39 ct. aquamarine accented with a 2.09 ct. Moonstone, diamonds (.26 ctw.) and pearls.

Best Use of Pearls

Anil Maloo, Baggins, Inc.

18K white gold and black rhodium plated earrings encrusted with light cognac diamonds (8.16 ctw.) and 13.3mm cultured South Seas pearls.

Fashion Forward

Belle Brooke Barer, Belle Brooke Designs, Inc.

Oxidized sterling necklace featuring an approximately 30 ct. blue chalcedony cabochon accented with diamonds (.55 ctw.).

Category Winners

Bridal Wear Category

Photography by Robert Weldon

First Place

Maria Canale, Richard Krementz Gemstones - Platinum "Lace" ring featuring a 4.10 ct. blue sapphire accented with diamonds (.77 ctw.).

Second Place

Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney – 18k yellow gold earrings featuring diaspore (2.99 ctw.), demantoid Garnets (2.71 ctw.) and Diamonds (2.81 ctw.).

Third Place

Craig Slavens, AuRTWORK Jewelry - Platinum and 18k yellow gold pendant featuring a 3.92 ct. rose-cut black diamond accented with black and white diamond melee (.52 ctw.) on an 18k white gold chain set with black and white Diamonds (0.71 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Platinum Honors

James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 16.80 ct. sugarloaf ruby accented with diamonds (4.54 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Entry Platinum Innovation

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum ring featuring a 1.81 ct. round blue sapphire accented with white diamonds (.14 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Mirjam Butz-Brown, Adorn Gallery - Palladium and 14k yellow gold earrings featuring quartz and mother-of-pearl accented with diamonds (.16 ctw.) with detachable mirror-cut amethyst drops (21.50 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum earrings featuring 12mm black Tahitian Pearls and 8mm cultured freshwater pearls accented with white diamonds (0.99 ctw.) and black Diamonds (.53 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Honorable Mention
Leonard McCue, L.A.M. Goldsmiths - Platinum "Hearts and Arrows" ring featuring a 19-ct. pear-shaped moonstone accented with diamonds (2.37 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Honorable Mention

Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs - 18K white gold "Baroness" earrings featuring trillion-cut tanzanites (10.15 ctw.) accented with diamonds (5.29 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear Category

First Place

Belle Brooke Barer, Belle Brooke Designs, Inc. - Oxidized sterling necklace featuring an approximately 30 ct. blue chalcedony cabochon accented with Diamonds (.55 ctw.).

Second Place

Michele Mercaldo, Michele Mercaldo Contemporary Jewelry - Palladium ring featuring a 2.64 ct. pink sapphire accented with diamonds (.17 ctw.).

Third Place

Heather Moore, Heather B. Moore, Inc. – 14k yellow gold "I Love You More than the Moon, the Stars and theSun" necklace featuring a 54.70 ct. rubellite tourmaline cabochon accented with Diamonds (3.50 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Platinum Honors

Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 16.76 ct. paraiba tourmaline cabochon accented with antique cushion-cut diamonds and diamond melee (3.10 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Entry Platinum Innovation

Susan Drake, Spectrum Art & Jewelry - Platinum and yellow gold ring featuring a 1.08 ct. emerald-cut red spinel accented with diamonds (.18 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Dawn Muscio, D. Muscio Designs - Palladium and 14K rose gold "Isis" ring featuring a 19.98 ct. buff-top chrysocolla accented with peridots (.36 ctw.) and diamonds (.11 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Norman Turgeon, Turgeon-Raine Jewellers – 18k rose gold earrings featuring "passion-flower"-cut amethysts (6.92 ctw.) accented with chrome tourmalines (.34 ctw.) and diamonds (.40 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Honorable Mention

Pamela Froman - Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry – 18k yellow and pink gold "Crushed Frame" ring featuring a 14.11 ct. opal accented with diamond pave (.32 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Honorable Mention

Sylva Yepremian, Sylva & Cie. - 18K yellow gold necklace featuring a cross pendant of trapiche emeralds (54.65 ctw.) accented with diamonds (2.5 ctw.).

Classical Category:

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

First Place

James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 14.25 ct. unheated ruby cabochon accented with diamonds (7.97 ctw.).

Second Place

Ashok Sancheti, Pioneer Gems - Platinum earrings featuring emerald cabochon drops (18.45 ctw.) accented with emeralds (18.21 ctw.) and diamonds (4.81 ctw.).

Third Place

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - Platinum pendant featuring an 11.80 ct. pear-shaped morganite accented with fancy-colored and white Diamonds (7.09 ctw.).

Classical - Platinum Honors

Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney - Platinum ring featuring an 11.19 ct. imperial pink topaz accented with diamonds.

Classical - Entry Platinum Innovation

Steph Farber, LeRoy Jewelers - Platinum "Waterfall" pendant featuring a 16.9 ct. carved rutilated quartz and three rainbow moonstones accented with diamonds (.25 ctw.).

Classical - Palladium Prestige Award

Dennis de Jonghe, Dennis de Jonghe - Palladium ring featuring a 16.5mm white South Seas pearl accented with round diamonds (.71 ctw.).

Classical - Manufacturing Honors

Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – 18k yellow gold and platinum tri-color eternity set bands featuring rubies (0.34 ctw.), tsavorite garnets (0.28 ctw.) and sapphires (0.21 ctw.).

Classical - Honorable Mention

Frank Caballero, Frank Caballero – 18k white and yellow gold ring featuring a 9.11 ct. round madeira citrine accented with white round diamonds (.62 ctw.).

Classical - Honorable Mention
Christo Kiffer, Sissy's Log Cabin - Platinum art-deco ring featuring a 4.84 ct. oval black opal cabochon accented with Emeralds (1.0 ctw.), blue sapphire melee (.88 ctw.) and diamonds (.93 ctw.).


Evening Wear Category

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

First Place

Ion Ionescu, Ionescu Design, Inc. - Palladium and black rhodium "Pillow for Dreaming" ring featuring a 36 ct. carved labradorite accented with paraiba tourmalines (1.50 ctw.).

Second Place

Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry – 14k black rhodium-plated white gold ring featuring an 11.54 ct. peridot accented with blue sapphires (12.01 ctw.).

Third Place

Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers – 18k white gold dangle earrings featuring natural blue jade accented with sapphires (6.76 ctw.) and diamonds (1.18 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Platinum Honors

Evelyn Clothier, Evelyn Clothier Jewelry - Platinum butterfly brooch featuring brown diamond slices (104.42 ctw.) accented with a 5.06 ct. brown diamond and white diamonds (3.04 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs - Palladium ring featuring a 35.0 ct. carved topaz accented with diamonds (.63 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs – 18k white gold "Lave" ring featuring a 5.49 ct. Mexican fire opal accented with diamonds (0.90 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention

Colette Steckel, Colette Jewelry – 18k blackened yellow gold pendant featuring a 6.03 ct. blue checkerboard moonstone accented with diamonds (3.59 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention

Michael Hezar, Michael John IMAGE - 18K white gold bracelet featuring aquamarines (37.0 ctw.) and diamonds (9.75 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention

Lawrence Gordon, Aspire Designs, Ltd. - 18K white gold ring featuring a 17.62 ct. moonstone cabochon accented with blue sapphires (2.28 ctw.) and diamonds (1.59 ctw.).

Men's Wear Category

Photography by Sandro Art & Photography

First Place

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum engraved ring featuring channel-set ruby melee (0.59 ctw.) and yellow Diamonds (0.115 ctw.).

Second Place

Ryan Roberts, Ryan Roberts, Ltd. – 18k yellow gold and platinum ring featuring a 6.42 ct. indicolite tourmaline and a 0.59 ct. tsavorite garnet accented with diamonds (.19 ctw.).

Third Place

Llyn Strelau, Jewels by Design – 19k white gold "Green Arrow" cufflinks featuring bezel-set black onyx and Gibeon meteorite carvings centered by tsavorite garnets (.90 ctw.) and accented with black Diamonds (0.15 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Platinum Honors

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum ring featuring a 15 ct. shield-cut rubellite tourmaline accented with white diamonds (0.90 ctw.) and yellow diamonds (0.22 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Palladium Prestige Award

Evelyn Huang, evelynH. Jewelry, Inc. - Palladium "Zultan" ring featuring a 12.54 ct. color-change diaspore accented with radiant-cut diamonds (.43 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Manufacturing Honors

Ashleigh Branstetter, Ashleigh Branstetter - Sterling silver cufflinks featuring 10mm grey Tahitian pearls and round blue sapphires (1.34 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Honorable Mention

Link Wachler, Link Wachler Designs - Silver and 14k rose gold "Eye to Eye" ring featuring the fish versus the worm. The ring has a 4.5mm Pearl and is accented with sapphires (.38 ctw.), rubies (.22 ctw.) and emeralds (.07 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Honorable Mention

Matt Conable, William Henry - Pocketknife with wave damascus blade. Frame is carved 22K yellow gold over sterling silver inlaid with fossil walrus Ivory accented with rubies on the button lock and thumb stud.

AGTA's 2011 Spectrum Award Winners

The 27th annual AGTA Spectrum Awards competition, sponsored by the American Gem Trade Association was held October 23-24, in New York. Judges for the 2011 competition included magazine editors, jewelry designers and gemstone cutters. The annual AGTA Spectrum Awards Media Day was held Monday and featured all of the jewelry and gemstone submissions. Attendees included top fashion/accessory editors from the trade and consumer press, stylists and bloggers.

AGTA SPECTRUM AWARDS
BEST OF CATEGORY WINNERS

Best of Show
Todd Reed, Todd Reed, Inc. (opening photo)
Palladium cuff bracelet featuring a 22.40 ct. Aquamarine accented with gray diamonds (6.90 ctw.) and white diamonds (2.20 ctw.).

Best Use of Color
Martin Key, Martin Key Co. 

22K yellow gold "Frame" ring featuring a 1.50 ct. blue tourmaline accented with four Mexican fire opal baguettes (1.82 ctw.).

Best Use of Platinum and Color
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc.
Platinum "Princess of Ratnapura" bracelet featuring nine round sapphires (14.0 ctw.) and round diamonds (8.48 ctw.).

Best Use of Pearls
Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design
Sculpture titled "Who Are You" featuring two-tone gold and silver with freshwater baroque Pearls, South Sea keshi Pearls, akoya seed Pearls, demantoid garnets (.25 ctw.), .20 ct. ruby and cognac diamonds (.03 ctw.) on a crystal quartz base (242 ctw.).

Fashion Forward
Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers
18K white and yellow gold earrings featuring lemon chrysoprase (22.0 ctw.) accented with garnets (2.38 ctw.).


BRIDAL WEAR

 

Bridal Wear - 1st Place
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc.

Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 5.55 ct. oval tsavorite garnet accented with fancy yellow diamonds (.71 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - 2nd Place
Guilherme Ferreira, Vielle Jewelers, LLC

18K yellow gold, palladium and titanium ring featuring a 3.14 ct. yellow tourmaline accented with fancy-colored diamonds (.74 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - 3rd Place
Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry

Platinum ring featuring a 10.08 ct. cushion-cut spinel accented with diamond baguettes (1.09 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Honorable Mention
Ryan Roberts, Ryan Roberts, Ltd.

18K white gold ring featuring a 3.02 ct. pink diamond, white diamonds (29.5 ctw.) and pink and brown diamonds (24.5 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Platinum Honors
Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs

Platinum "Triad" ring featuring a 6.34 ct. unheated blue sapphire accented with white diamonds (1.03 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Entry Platinum Honors
Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers

Platinum ring featuring a 1.37 ct. round blue sapphire accented with diamonds (.46 ctw.) and blue sapphires (.28 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Manufacturing Honors
Neda Benham, Diamonds For A Cure: 18K rose gold ring with a 3.80 ct. emerald-shaped, rough-cut pink diamond and round diamonds (0.88 ctw.).

BUSINESS/DAY WEAR

Business/Day Wear - 1st Place and Best of Show
Todd Reed, Todd Reed, Inc.: 

Palladium cuff bracelet featuring a 22.40 ct. aquamarine accented with grey diamonds (6.90 ctw.) and white diamonds (2.20 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - 2nd Place and Fashion Forward
Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers

18K white and yellow gold earrings featuring lemon Chrysoprase (22.0 ctw.) accented with garnets (2.38 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - 3rd Place and Best Use of Color
Martin Key, Martin Key Co.

22K yellow gold "Frame" ring featuring a 1.50 ct. blue tourmaline accented with four Mexican fire opal baguettes (1.82 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Honorable Mention
Eva Cheng, Elite Import

18K rose gold pendant/brooch featuring a freeform rose Quartz set with a .70 ct. round diamond and accented with 178 diamonds (1.20 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Platinum Honors
Maria Canale, Richard Krementz Gemstones

Platinum "Wave" pendant featuring a 2.18 ct. Paraiba tourmaline accented with diamonds (3.72 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Platinum Honors
Ron Lodholz, Stonehaven Jewelry Gallery: Platinum ring featuring a 1.41 ct. aquamarine accented with Diamonds (.06 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Manufacturing Honors
Alan Friedman, Alan Friedman

14K white and rose gold ring featuring a 12.59 ct. emerald-cut aquamarine.

CLASSICAL

Classical - 1st Place
Samuel Getz, Samuel Getz Designs

Platinum and 18K yellow gold necklace featuring yellow sapphires (68.77 ctw.), blue sapphires (24.34 ctw.), red spinels (24.20 ctw.) and diamonds (22.38 ctw.).

Classical - 2nd Place
Sean Ryan, Schmitt Jewelers

18K white and rose gold "Just Peachy" ring featuring a 4.50 ct. oval padparadscha sapphire accented with white micropave diamonds (1.13 ctw.).

Classical - 3rd Place
Patricia Van Wagoner, Beija Flor

22K yellow gold necklace featuring a 17.17 ct. rhodochrosite briolette and a 3.58 ct. rhodochrosite kite accented with Paraiba tourmalines (.45 ctw.).

Classical - Honorable Mention
Frederic Sage, Frederic Sage

18K white gold "Modern Deco" cufflinks featuring “seafoam” green tourmalines (4.48 ctw.) and diamonds (.56 ctw.).

Classical - Platinum Honors
Christopher Olson, Molina Fine Jewelers

Platinum "Temple of the Sacred Heart" ring featuring a 10.05 ct. oval untreated ruby accented with white diamonds (7.18 ctw.) and rubies (.22 ctw.).

Classical - Manufacturing Honors
Christopher Duquet, Christopher Duquet Fine Jewelry Design

14K white gold ring featuring a 12.5mm South Sea black pearl.

EVENING WEAR

Evening Wear - 1st Place
Cynthia Renee Zava, Cynthia Renee Zava

Palladium necklace featuring a suite of green tourmalines (75.89 ctw.).

Evening Wear - 2nd Place
Evelyn Clothier, Evelyn Clothier Jewelry

18K yellow gold earrings featuring aquamarine briolettes (50.95 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (9.29 ctw.).

Evening Wear - 3rd Place
Samuel Getz, Samuel Getz Designs

18K white gold ring featuring a 43.05 ct. spherical black opal accented with tsavorite garnets (2.70 ctw.), blue sapphires (2.51 ctw.), iolites (1.53 ctw.), Paraiba Tourmalines (.71 ctw.) and Diamonds (.63 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention
Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney

18K yellow gold earrings featuring tanzanites (77.99 ctw.) and diamonds (3.38 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Platinum Honors
Ralph Wobito, Zultanite Gems, LLC

Platinum earrings featuring zultanite (diaspore) briolettes (25.15 ctw.) accented with white diamonds (0.95 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Manufacturing Honors
Laura Jackowski-Dickson, LJD Designs

18K white gold cuff featuring two South Sea cultured Pearls (14.8mm and 11.3mm) and four freshwater pink cultured Pearls accented with Diamonds.

MEN'S WEAR

Men's Wear - 1st Place
Mark Lauer, Mark Michael Designs

18K yellow gold cufflinks featuring Jasper agate and lapis lazuli composite accented with 2mm spessartite garnets and sapphires.

Men's Wear – 2nd Place
Eddie Sakamoto, Schmitt Jewelers

Platinum "Suspense" ring featuring a 14.49 ct. blue star sapphire accented with diamond baguettes (3.60 ctw.).

Men's Wear - 3rd Place
Ron Lodholz, Stonehaven Jewelry Gallery

18K yellow and rose gold cufflinks featuring cone-cut garnets (10.96 ctw.) with platinum suspensions.

Men's Wear - Honorable Mention
Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry

22K yellow gold ring featuring an 8.01 ct. purple star sapphire cabochon.

Men's Wear - Platinum Honors
Alan Friedman, Alan Friedman

Platinum ring with a cushion-cut purple spinel (6.62 ct.).

Men's Wear - Manufacturing Honors
Oliver Smith, Oliver Smith Jeweler

Sterling silver and rose gold ring featuring Madagascar Ocean Jasper.

CUTTING EDGE AWARDS

CLASSIC CUT GEMSTONES

A1 - Open Category Classic Gemstone - 1st Place
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.

8.04 ct. pigeon blood ruby.

A1 - Open Category Classic Gemstone -2nd Place
Sailesh Lakhi, Lakhi Impex, Inc.

43.42 ct. cushion-shape, step-cut blue sapphire.

A1 - Open Category Classic Gemstone - 3rd Place
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.

6.66 ct. cushion-cut pink sapphire.

A1 - Open Category Classic Gemstone - Honorable Mention
Gonen Abrahami, ABC Gems

4.93 ct. emerald-cut emerald.

A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted - 1st Place
Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems

9.59 ct. trillion-cut red spinel.

A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted - 2nd Place
Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems

32.58 ct. oval-shape tsavorite garnet.

A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted - 3rd Place
Ben Kho, Kho International, Inc.

12.91 ct. princess-cut rhodochrosite.

A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted - Honorable Mention
Ben Kho, Kho International, Inc.

15.28 ct. ct. oval-cut Imperial topaz.

A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted - Honorable Mention
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC

49.24 ct. Asscher-cut aquamarine.

PHENOMENAL GEMSTONES

A3 - Open Category Phenomenal - 1st Place
Robyn Dufty, DuftyWeis Opals, Inc.

36.73 ct. Mexican fire opal cabochon.

A3 - Open Category Phenomenal - 2nd Place
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.

Pair of oval alexandrites (3.25 ctw.).

A3 - Open Category Phenomenal – 3rd Place
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC

15.0 ct. oval cat's eye chrysoberyl.

PAIRS & SUITES

B - Pairs & Suites - 1st Place
Clay Zava, Zava Mastercuts

Suite of pastel cuprian tourmalines (127.40 ctw.).

B - Pairs & Suites - 2nd Place
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.

15-piece round blue Sapphire necklace layout (68.75 ctw.).

B - Pairs & Suites - 3rd Place
Hemant Phophaliya, AG Color, Inc.

Pair of pear-shaped cabochon tanzanites (41.62 ctw.).

B - Pairs & Suites - Honorable Mention
Darrell Jang, Darrell Jang

Aspen-shaped leaves cut from a 15.09 ct. peridot and a 11.15 ct. heliodor

FACETING

C – Faceting - 1st Place
Jeff L. White, J.L. White Fine Gemstones

48.83 ct. square, cushion-cut morganite.

C – Faceting - 2nd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.

14.43 ct. cushion-cut pink tourmaline (left).

C – Faceting - 3rd Place
Ben Kho, Kho International, Inc.

13.78 ct. sunburst-cut sphalerite.

C – Faceting - Honorable Mention
Ben Kho, Kho International, Inc.

50.20 ct. kaleidoscope-cut kunzite.

CARVING

D – Carving - 1st Place
Joseph August Voss, Joseph August Voss

220.30 ct. crystal quartz carving.

D – Carving - 2nd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.

62.64 ct. "Golden Reflections" beryl (left).

 D – Carving - 3rd Place
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs

Carved white opal sculpture (149 grams).

COMBINATION

E – Combination - 1st Place
Thomas Trozzo, Trozzo

66.48 ct. square, dimple, concaved, scissor-cut aquamarine.

E – Combination - 2nd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.

50.92 ct. trillion custom-cut morganite (left).



 E – Combination - 3rd Place
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.

9.50 ct. Umbalite Garnet (left).

OBJECTS OF ART 
F - Objects of Art - 1st Place

Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers

Kokeshi Princess featuring white Opal (83.98 ctw.), basinite (36.29 ctw.), rubellite tourmalines (2.91 ctw.) and diamonds (.72 ctw.) with 18K white gold and platinum on a base of silver, brass and wood.

F - Objects of Art - 2nd Place and Best Use of Pearls
Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design

Sculpture titled "Who Are You" featuring two-tone gold and silver with freshwater baroque Pearls, South Sea keshi Pearls, akoya seed pearls, demantoid Garnets (.25 ctw.), .20 ct. ruby and cognac diamonds (.03 ctw.) on a crystal quartz base (242 ctw.).

F - Objects of Art - 3rd Place
Tigran Lementsyan, Repair Restoration Center

"Dandelion" featuring quartz and diamonds (.36 ctw.) with silver, 18K yellow gold and gold-plated leaves.

F - Objects of Art - Honorable Mention
Darryl Alexander, Alexander's Jewelers

"Got Paint?"- opalized wood with a sterling frame in a black marble base. The paint is sugalite, mookite, turquoise and onyx, with quartz dish & sterling tube with coral. The brushes are onyx, Agate, hematite, quartz and multiple woods.

This year's AGTA Spectrum Award will be presented during the 2011 AGTA GemFair Tucson, February 1 – 6, 2011, at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz. Winning entries will be displayed during the show and AGTA Spectrum Awards recipients will be recognized during the AGTA Dinner Dance and Awards Gala on February 5.

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-base 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, other gem materials and objects of art.

Platinum Honors were once again awarded with the support of Platinum Guild International. All entries whose primary metal was platinum were eligible in this category.

All designs that qualified for the Spectrum Awards competition were considered for Manufacturing Honors. This award celebrates outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry appropriate to be manufactured in production quantities.

Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl beads in artful, trend-setting jewelry. All necklaces, earrings, bracelets or other jewelry that qualified for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition automatically qualified for Fashion Forward Honors judging.