DALLAS. July 16, 2024 – The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is pleased to reveal the judges for the 2024 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. Five judges were selected for the panel, which comprises experts from different disciplines within the jewelry industry. Judges are tasked with assessing hundreds of entries based on the criteria of beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, consumer appeal, and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones and cultured Pearls. Each piece is examined by hand with an eye for craftsmanship and quality of the materials used.
“Once again, AGTA is fortunate to have an incredible group of judges for this year’s Awards,” says John W. Ford Sr., CEO of AGTA. “Our team and our judges look forward to seeing all the entries and the choices that are made. Winning pieces are talked about, written up in the press, images are shared on social media, remembered for years, and most importantly, are treasured by their owners! We hope to cast another wide spotlight on both new entrants and seasoned artists alike.”
AGTA Board President Kimberly Collins, Owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, also looks forward to meeting with another outstanding panel of judges.
“The selection process for judges is a meticulous one in which every candidate’s skill set and talents are taken into consideration,” she explains. “When you enter Spectrum, you’re automatically a winner even if you do not place with an award due to the amount of media coverage garnered through industry journalists, bloggers, and influencers. That alone is worth the entry price! Spectrum generates more long-term recognition and exposure than any other jewelry contest.”
Judging will take place in Dallas in late October. Judges for this year include:
Jean Francois Bibet, a native of France, embarked on his journey in the jewelry manufacturing field in 1989 as an apprentice. With a strong foundation in manufacturing high jewelry, stone setting, design, CAD, and management, Jean Francois honed his craft in the rich traditions of French jewelry making. In 2001, he moved to the United States, bringing his expertise to a new market. By 2004, Jean Francois joined the esteemed Richemont group at Van Cleef & Arpels, where he further developed his skills and industry knowledge. In 2008, he transitioned to Cartier, where he took on the role of directing the New York City jewelry workshop for after-sales service and production. His extensive experience and dedication have made him a key figure in maintaining the high standards of Cartier’s renowned craftsmanship.
Peggy Grosz, Assael Inc., Manufacturing Judge
Peggy Grosz is Senior Vice President and Creative Director at Assael, a legendary 75-year-old Pearl and Coral company located in New York City. She began her jewelry journey in her hometown of New Orleans, working summers and holidays for family with retail stores. A love of colored gemstones led her to the wholesale side and a move to New York. Peggy regularly attended international jewelry fairs where she met one of her mentors, Stefan Hafner of Italy. She both distributed his collection in the U.S. and participated in design and product development. Innovative, relevant design was clearly her path. Since 2017, she has designed and overseen production for most of Assael’s collections, as well as the marketing and business strategy.
One of Sherry’s earliest jobs was engraving jewelry, which gave her a glimpse into the dazzling world of jewelry. From there, she moved to The Goldsmith Ltd., a jewelry store known for creative work. There, she found her niche—sketching and visualizing was second nature. She learned the basics from jewelers at their benches and was so intrigued that she took jewelry design classes. Today, some of her most rewarding moments are when customers tell her that one of their favorite pieces is one Sherry designed years ago, along with referrals from family and friends. Through the years, Sherry has won a De Beers Diamond Award and Spectrum Awards, as well as crafting pieces for 20th Century Studios movies. Currently, several of her jewels are on display at The Richard R. Driehaus Museum. Sherry eventually purchased The Goldsmith—about 25 years ago—and never looked back. Someone once told her, “Doing what you love is one of the greatest joys in life,” a point she knows firsthand is true!
Susan M. Jacques was appointed GIA’s President and CEO in January 2014. Before joining GIA, she served as President and CEO of Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts in Omaha, Neb., for 20 years and reported directly to Warren Buffett. She served as the honorary chair of the Friends of the Diamond Development Initiative, as a trustee of the Ethical Alliance, a member of the board of advisors to the Black In Jewelry Coalition, and on the boards of Jewelers of America, Jewelers for Children, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York and Jewelers of America. She received the 2024 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement, the 2023 Robert M. Shipley Award from the American Gem Society, the 2023 Jewelers’ Security Alliance’s 17th annual Industry Service Award, the 2020 Stanley Schechter Award from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. She was inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame in 1997. Susan joined the GIA Board of Governors in May 1996 and served as Chair from 2008 to 2013.
Suzy grew up in Los Angeles with a passion for making pretty things out of just about anything. A craft closet in her childhood home was packed with everything imaginable, from colorful ribbons, buttons, beads, paint, and wire to glitter, all of which could become a new piece of wearable art in her creative hands. Suzy turned her childhood passion for making pretty objects into a business at the end of 2003, leaving a career in the movie industry. She studied metalsmithing and debuted a small collection that earned her the label Rising Star at her first trade show, JCK Las Vegas in 2004. Her design DNA originates from minimalism and a love of mid-century design, art and architecture, and bold colors from her youth in the 1960s-70s. Symmetrically placed soft shapes, clean lines, and satin finishes pop with a wide variety of colored gemstones (she is a self-proclaimed “stone junkie”). Confident women who love bold looks and timeless statement pieces are the among the clientele for Suzy’s handcrafted, elegant, and fun-to-wear gemstone jewelry and Diamond designs in 18K gold.
The Early Bird mail-in deadline for Spectrum & Cutting Edge entries is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. The final mail-in deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Click here to enter. Also be sure to Save the Date for the newly imagined Spectrum Awards Gala to be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz.
For more information, contact AGTA at marketing@agta.org.
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The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is a not‐for‐profit association serving the natural colored gemstone and natural and cultured Pearl industry since 1981. Headquartered in Dallas, members are trade professionals based in the U.S. and Canada, and AGTA is widely regarded as “The Authority in Color.” AGTA’s activities include organizing educational programs, trade shows, and printed materials and maintaining strong relationships with government officials and other jewelry trade groups. AGTA is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and practices.
