2023 Spectrum & Cutting Edge Archive
Delve into our prestigious collection of past Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. Explore the timeless beauty, innovative designs, and groundbreaking trends that have shaped the colored gemstone and cultured pearl industries over the years. Images Courtesy of AGTA, Photographer Jeff Mason, Jeff Mason Photography.
2023 Competition Judges
Best of & Fashion Forward
Only the most brilliant, breathtaking pieces are worthy of the Best of Show trophy. Winning designs must possess beauty, mastery, and imagination beyond compare. Consideration for the Best of Show award is limited to first place winners in each category.
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé - Platinum ring featuring a 15.22 ct. black Opal accented with Tourmaline (0.72 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (0.40 ctw.), and Diamonds (1.56 ctw.)
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. - Suite of 4 oval Mozambizan Paraiba Tourmalines (31.01ctw.)
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - Platinum "Ocean & Grass Wave" bracelet featuring Sapphires (25.02 ctw.) accented with demantoid Garnets (7.87 ctw.), yellow Diamonds (1.14 ctw.), and white Diamonds (7.32 ctw.)
Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry - 22K yellow gold “Birds Eye View” hand-carved ring featuring a South Sea baroque Pearl bird
Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels - Platinum and 18K "GARANATAS: From Rough to Cut" two-piece necklace featuring a various species of Garnets (approx. 77.26 ctw.)
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc. - Platinum "Fantasia" ring featuring a 12.24 ct. Aquamarine accented with Akoya Pearls and Diamonds (1.00 ctw.)
Joseph Campanelli, Campanelli & Pear - 18K white gold "Something Blue" earrings featuring blue Zircons (8.50 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (0.77 ctw.)
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. - Suite of 4 oval Mozambizan Paraiba Tourmalines (31.01ctw.)
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - 18K yellow gold and black ceramic “Greek Key Fancy Diamond Perfection” bracelet featuring mixed fancy vivid Diamonds (14.82 ctw.) accented with tsavorite Garnets (1.70 ctw.)
Ai Van Pham, Gem & Gold Creations - Black Jade and 14K yellow gold "Pendulum / I Spy" pendant featuring a 13.88 ct. fantasy-cut pink Tourmaline with Opal inlay
Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC - 12.85 ct. emerald-cut bi-color blue and green untreated Zoisite
Anita Agrawal, Jewels 4 Ever/ Vartanian Jewellers - 14K rose gold "I Dream in Pink" 3-in-1 pendant and ring(s) set featuring a 3.52 ct. unheated, untreated Sri Lankan heart-shaped pink Sapphire accented with pear-shaped pink Sapphires (6.52 ctw.)
Ben Kho, Kho International - 10.42 ct. oval Portuguese-cut Rhodochrosite from Colorado
Spectrum Awards
Bridal Wear
Whether gracing the bridesmaids or donning the bride herself, this category captures every look for walking down the aisle.
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc. - Platinum "Fantasia" ring featuring a 12.24 ct. Aquamarine accented with Akoya Pearls and Diamonds (1.00 ctw.)
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé - Platinum ring featuring a 3.02 ct. Ruby accented with Diamonds (1.39 ctw.)
Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry - Platinum ring featuring a 4.60 ct. Emerald accented with Emeralds (2.65 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.62 ctw.)
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation - Platinum "Euphoria" necklace featuring an 11.94 ct. heart-shaped Colombian Emerald accented with round Emeralds (0.62 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.68 ctw.)
Bella Campbell, BHI/Campbellian Collection - 18K white gold "Enchanting Moon” earrings featuring rainbow Moonstones (16.0 ctw.) accented with heart-shaped rainbow Moonstones (2.00 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.97 ctw.)
Business / Day Wear
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation - 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 2.39 ct. Colombian Emerald accented with round Emeralds (0.18 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.52 ctw.)
Wolfgang Vaatz, Earth Terra Erde, Inc. - Argentium and 22-22.35K placer yellow gold “Aspen Duet Cuff in turning Colors from Green to Red” featuring tsavorite Garnet (0.38 ctw.) accented with orange Sapphire (0.61 ctw.)
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation - Platinum "Dance to Flamingo" ring featuring a 4.09 ct. cushion-cut purple pink Sapphire accented with round Diamonds (1.95 ctw.) and baguette Diamonds (1.07 ctw.)
Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers - Platinum ring featuring a 6.54 ct. color-change Zircon accented with blue green Grandidierite, violet Sapphires, and colorless Diamonds
Classical
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - Platinum “Moi et Toi Perfection in Green & White” ring featuring a 3.49 ct. unenhanced Colombian Emerald and a 3.36 ct. Diamond accented with Diamonds (0.43 ctw.)
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation - Platinum ring featuring a 20.14 ct. oval Ceylon Sapphire accented with pear-shaped Diamonds (1.00 ctw.) and round Diamonds (1.74 ctw.)
Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry - 22K yellow gold “Birds Eye View” hand-carved ring featuring a South Sea baroque Pearl bird
Kim Nel, Alpha Inc /DBA Brian Gavin Diamonds - 18K rose gold and platinum "Malaya Majesty" ring featuring a 6.32 ct. peach Malaya Garnet accented with Sapphire (0.20 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.94 ctw.)
Jenn Breznen, Mined + Found - 14K yellow gold "Aurora in Orbit" double-sided pendant featuring a 2.91 ct. cabochon Moonstone and a 6.95 ct. cabochon spessartine Garnet accented with Sapphires (0.30 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.50 ctw.)
Evening Wear
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé - Platinum ring featuring a 15.22 ct. black Opal accented with Tourmaline (0.72 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (0.40 ctw.), and Diamonds (1.56 ctw.)
Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels - Platinum ring featuring a 2.69 ct. triangular no enhancement Colombian Emerald accented with Diamonds (3.39 ctw.)
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc., in collaboration with Stephen Avery (Gem cutter) - 14K gradient SpectraGold "Dono della Valle" earrings featuring green Tourmalines (47.47 ctw.) accented with Tanzanites (12.58 ctw.), and Diamonds (1.30 ctw.)
Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera - 18K yellow gold "A Kaleidoscope of Green" ring featuring a 2.15 ct. Australian black Opal accented with tsavorite Garnets (0.99 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.23 ctw.)
Marcia Budet, Marcia Budet - 18K yellow and white gold earrings with removable extensions that can be worn in three different looks featuring a Colombian Emerald (8.21 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.74 ctw.)
Men’s Wear
Fine jewelry is the quintessence of the modern man. Entries in this category, ranging from rings to bracelets, cufflinks to belt buckles, express the myriad ways a gentleman can express himself.
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé - Platinum ring featuring a 2.35 ct. oval cabochon Alexandrite accented with Alexandrite (3.07 ctw.)
Carl Larson, AntiHero - 18K white gold "Captain Mayer's Revenge" brooch/pendant featuring red Spinels (6.30 ctw.) on a hand-struck cob piece of eight accented with Diamonds (3.42 ctw.)
Marc Hollmuller, Somewhere In The Rainbow - Iron and 18K rose gold "Iron Man" ring featuring an 8.19 ct. faceted-edge Garnet accented with Diamonds
Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry - 22K "Sail Away" ring featuring a 10.33 ct. boulder Opal accented with Diamonds (0.06 ctw.)
Cutting Edge Awards
All Other Cut Gemstones
Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International, in collaboration with Joyce Wang (Cutter) and Scott Laborie (Gem Diagram Designer) - 9.49 ct. peach Mahenge Malaya Garnet titled “The Sparkle in Her Eye”
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. - 12.02 ct. no heat modified cushion Mahenge red Spinel
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. - 14.07 ct. modified cushion "Paraiba-type" Tourmaline
Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA - 6.47 ct. emerald-cut pink Tanzanite
Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC - 12.85 ct. emerald-cut bi-color blue and green untreated Zoisite
Carving
Open to any natural gem material carved in any style.
Patrick Dreher, Dreher Carvings LLC - 515 ct. Heliodor carving titled "The Green Jewel - Frog on Heliodor"
Meg Berry, Milstead Gems LLC - 228.25 ct. Morganite double-sided carving titled "Cock-a-doodle-do"
Brandon Messing, BM Gems - 145.49 ct. portal-cut optical Quartz inlaid with Opals
Meg Berry, Megagem - 74.15 ct. parti-colored Sapphire "Sugar Magnolia" two-sided carved pendant featuring a variety of flowers
Classic Gemstones
Open to outstanding examples of Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem - 20.21 ct. no heat royal blue cushion-cut Sapphire
Intercolor USA - 10.34 ct. cushion-cut Ruby
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem - 5.04 ct. no heat pink cushion-cut Sapphire
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem - 13.60 no heat yellow pear-cut Sapphire
Innovative Faceting
Bryan D. Drummond, Drummond Gems & Jewelry - 17.13 ct. indigo precision carved Tanzanite titled "Nine of Diamonds"
Lee Haynes, LWH Gems - 121 ct. mix-cut spiral crown and twisted pavilion Amethyst titled "Multiverse"
Christopher Wolfsberg, Fossilium - 68.93 ct. micro concave-cut Morganite
Larry Woods, Gem Arts International - 33.26 ct. Tanzanite titled "Compass Rose Tanzanite"
North American Mined Gemstones
Ben Kho, Kho International - 10.42 ct. oval Portuguese-cut Rhodochrosite from Colorado
Dalan Hargrave, Somewhere In The Rainbow - 295.15 ct. "Dazed & Dazzled" carved colorless Quartz from Arkansas
Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs Inc - 31.45 ct. green Tourmaline from Newry, Maine titled "The Maine Event"
Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs Inc - 12.50 ct. precision faceted oval blue Tourmaline from Maine, USA
Objects of Art
Patrick Dreher, Dreher Carvings LLC - 457 gram Agate "Playtime" fish accented by 18K yellow gold, Jasper and rock crystal Quartz
Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International, in collaboration with Yan Ge (Carver) - 200.05 ct. Jadeite dragonhead carving titled “The Protector”
Kent Raible, Raible Studios LLC - 18K yellow gold and platinum "Crystal Sky City" with Diamonds, Emeralds, Spinel, Aquamarine, Tanzanite, Chalcedony, rose Quartz, rainbow Moonstone, Sugilite, Agate, Tourmaline, Lapis, Chrysoprase, Sapphires, gem silica, Topaz, and Opal
Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers - Sterling silver "The Painted Bunting Bird" featuring a Lapis base accented with Carnelians, black Diamonds (1.0 ctw.), cognac Diamonds (15.15 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (6.50 ctw.), Sapphires (43.53 ctw.), and Tanzanites (18.25 ctw.)
Pairs and Suites
Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. - Suite of 4 oval Mozambizan Paraiba Tourmalines (31.01ctw.)
Justin Zaroovabeli, The Rare Gem LLC - Pair of oval Alexandrites (6.97 ctw.) from Tanzania
Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem - Pair of royal blue cushion-cut Sapphires (10.35 ctw.)
Stephen M. Avery, Stephen M. Avery - Pair of Morganites and Tanzanites (69.68 ctw.)
Phenomenal Gemstones
Open to any phenomenal gemstone featuring an optical gemological effect, such as asterism, chatoyance, play of color, adularescence, aventurescence or color change.
David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. - 28.41 ct. oval Black Opal
Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC - 14.55 ct. cushion-cut color-change gray violet green Zircon
Bruce Furst, The Cutter's Bench - 29.22 ct. modified Portuguese-cut tsavorite Garnet titled "The Green Envy"
Neal Hurni, Lewis and Clark Sapphires LLC - 5.09 ct. unheated color-change modified brilliant-cut Sapphire from Montana
Other Awards & Honors
Platinum Honors™
Sponsored by Platinum Guild International, Platinum Honors™ recognizes the outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or pearl jewelry in the five AGTA Spectrum Awards™ categories, three Platinum Innovation categories and for the Best Use of Color and Platinum.
Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince Designs - Platinum "Unity" wedding ring set featuring a 1.54 ct. pear-cut blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (1.93 ctw.)
Raja Mehta, AG Gems - Platinum earrings featuring lavender-blue star Sapphires (28.50 ctw.) accented with heart-shaped Diamonds (1.91 ctw.) and round brilliant-cut Diamonds (1.93 ctw.)
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - Platinum "Something New & Something Blue Wave" choker featuring an 11.03 ct. cushion-cut Sapphire accented with Sapphires (5.13 ctw.) demantoid Garnets (3.29 ctw.), Sapphires (1.36 ctw.), yellow Diamonds (0.39 ctw.)
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - Platinum "Ocean & Grass Wave" bracelet featuring Sapphires (25.02 ctw.) accented with demantoid Garnets (7.87 ctw.), yellow Diamonds (1.14 ctw.), and white Diamonds (7.32 ctw.)
Helen Kim Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc. - Platinum "The American Queen 2023" brooch featuring a 6.47 ct. pear-shaped Tanzanite accented with colored Diamonds (1.08 ctw.), white Diamonds (2.3 ctw.), and tsavorite Garnets (0.36 ctw.)
Shawndria Aghjayan, Harout R LLC, in collaboration with Wilson Amores (Gemstone setter) - Platinum "A Woman's Delightful Chaotic Life!" necklace featuring Diamonds (11.27 ctw.) and Emeralds (5.72 ctw.)
Shawndria Aghjayan, Harout R LLC - Platinum "Ignore the Sound of Chaos" earrings featuring Diamond (1.78 ctw.) and Emerald (0.30 ctw.)
Inken Krause, Enhoerning Jewelry - Platinum “Zaniglas” ring featuring a 4.46 ct. oval unheated Ceylon Sapphire accented with French-cut gray Spinels (2.93 ctw.)
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - Platinum "Ocean & Grass Wave" ring featuring a 3.18 ct. demantoid Garnet and Sapphires (4.72 ctw.) accented by Sapphires (1.25 ctw.), demantoid Garnets (2.66 ctw.), and Diamonds (0.41 ctw.)
Gem DIVA Award
Sonsored by the Women’s Jewelry Association, The Gem DIVA awards honor women designers in the Bridal Wear, Classic, Evening Wear, and Business/Day Wear categories. The Gem DIVA awards are open to all women entering these categories who indicate interest on their Entry Form.
Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney LLC - 18K yellow gold triple-drop earrings featuring white Zircon (15.0 ctw.) accented with Tourmalines (2.66 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.54 ctw.)
Svetlana Kayton, Svetlana Lazar, in collaboration with Paul Dragone - 18K yellow gold "Wells of Wisdom" ring featuring a subtle kinetic effect that creates the illusion of water moving beneath the gems featuring cabochon Moonstones (6.22 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (0.32 ctw.)
Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry - 22K yellow gold “Birds Eye View” hand-carved ring featuring a South Sea baroque Pearl bird
Anita Agrawal, Jewels 4 Ever/ Vartanian Jewellers, in collaboration with Anita Agrawal (Designer) and Kevork Vartanian (CAD) - 14K rose gold "I Dream in Pink" 3-in-1 pendant and ring(s) set featuring a 3.52 ct. unheated, untreated Sri Lankan heart-shaped pink Sapphire accented with pear-shaped pink Sapphires (6.52 ctw.)
Robin Callahan, Robin Callahan Designs, LLC - 14K white gold "Hageshi" cufflinks featuring Tahitian South Seas Pearls accented by white Diamonds (1.48 ctw.) and black Diamonds (1.02 ctw.)
