TUCSON, ARIZ. Feb. 10, 2025. Recipients of the 2024 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Buyer’s Choice Awards were announced on Saturday night, Feb. 8, 2025, at the Spectrum Awards Gala held at the Tucson Convention Center.
Jewelry industry personality, trend watcher, and television personality Michael O’Connor served as the emcee for the Gala. Over the week of the fair, AGTA GemFair Tucson attendees voted for their favorite pieces from all the award winners, with one selected from the Spectrum division and another from Cutting Edge. Winners are as follows:
Spectrum Buyer’s Choice Award Winner
Matthew Tuggle, Tuggle Designs, contributors: Lauren Tuggle (co-designer & hand engraver), Ryan Anderson (lapidary artist), Kyle Forgey (supporting jeweler) – 18K rose and yellow gold and platinum “Whisper of the Ancestors” lapel pin featuring an 18.23 ct. fantasy-cut Sunstone accented by mixed teal Tourmaline (1.15 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.76 ctw.)
This design also took the Spectrum Best of Single Entries Award and Men’s Wear 2nd Place.
Cutting Edge Buyer’s Choice Award Winner
Ben Kho, Kho International – 12.88 ct. cushion Portuguese-cut Rhodochrosite from Colorado
This gem also took 2nd Place in the North American Mined Gemstones division of Cutting Edge.
AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. expressed gratitude for buyers momentarily pausing shopping trips to make their selections.
“AGTA buyers routinely make great decisions, so their choice of these two fine pieces was a delight to see,” said Ford after the Gala. “We know it was tough because there were so many great entries in this year’s competition. The next edition of Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards opens for entries at the end of June 2025.”
Questions about the awards can be directed to marketing@agta.org.
—
The American Gem Trade Association is a not‐for‐profit Association serving the natural colored gemstone and natural and cultured Pearl industry since 1981. The AGTA serves the industry as “The Authority in Color” and is headquartered in Dallas.
