#AGTA - Winner of the Editor's Choice Award at the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™

It was less than a week ago that I posted the Winners of 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™. 

Following that announcement the AGTA hosts an Editor's Event.  AGTA sends invitations to the Editors of publications, blogs and news sources to a prestigious  where all of the entries are on display and they get to vote on an Editor's Choice Award Winner.

What I have always found interesting is just how rarely the Editor's Choice and Judges' Best in Show are the same piece....I guess it really is all about viewpoint.

If you want to see a few of the Editor favorites, Cheryl Kremkow has posted some drool worthy earrings in a recent blog post!   

http://cherylkremkow.com/designer-jewelry/spectrum-award-earrings-to-covet/

....and now, the winner, "Sometime This Spring" fire opal earrings by Gregore Morin of Gregore Joailliers!

Photo Source: Facebook & Instagram

#AGTA Announces Winners of 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™

AGTA Announces Winners 

of 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™

The American Gem Trade Association announced the winners of the prestigious AGTA Spectrum Awards™ today. The design competition, in its 31st year, was held in New York, October 25th and 26th. The distinguished panel of judges were: Jerrold Green, of Reginald C. Miller; Myriam Gumuchian of Gumuchian; Joseph Mardkha of ColorMasters; Tim McClelland of McTiegue & McClellan; Larry Pelzel of Neiman Marcus; and Dr. Jeffrey Post, Smithsonian Institution.

“We were thrilled with the variety of entries at this year’s AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition,” enthused Douglas K. Hucker, CEO, AGTA. “I did not envy the decisions that our judges had to make, yet I was pleased to see how carefully they deliberated over each and every decision they made, resulting in this year’s amazing list of winners,”

And the winners of the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ are….

Best of ... Winners:

Best of Show

Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 4.71 ct. Paraiba Tourmaline accented with French-cut Diamonds (1.31 ctw.).

Best Use of Color

Paula Crevoshay, Crevoshay - 18K yellow gold "The Venus Bracelet" featuring freshwater baroque cultured Pearls (91.43 ctw.) accented with pink and green Tourmalines (29.32 ctw.).

Best Use of Platinum and Color

Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design - Platinum "Anemone" earrings featuring Tanzanites (5.37 ctw.) accented with blue Zircons (2.88 ctw.), purple Sapphires (3.72 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (1.67 ctw.), indigo Tourmalines (.40 ctw.) Paraiba Tourmalines (.26 ctw.) and Diamonds (.16 ctw.).

Best Use of Pearls

Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs - 18K rose gold necklace featuring white cultured Pearls accented with pink Diamonds.

Fashion Forward Honors: 

This award 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 Awards™ competition automatically qualified for Fashion Forward Honors judging. 

Ion Ionescu, Ionescu Design, Inc. - 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 36 ct. Turquoise accented with a 9.2mm Tahitian silver cultured Pearl, Paraiba Tourmalines (.32 ctw.) and Diamonds (.43 ctw.).

Category Winners:

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, and other gem materials.  (the Cutting Edge Awards are covered in a separate post)

Bridal Wear Sponsored by The Knot:

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 were considered. 

Bridal Wear - 1st Place
Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design - Platinum "Anemone" earrings featuring Tanzanites (5.37 ctw.) accented with blue Zircons (2.88 ctw.), purple Sapphires (3.72 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (1.67 ctw.), indigo Tourmalines (.40 ctw.) Paraiba Tourmalines (.26 ctw.) and Diamonds (.16 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - 2nd Place and Manufacturing Honors
Laurence Bruyninckx, Laurence Bruyninckx - 18K rose and white gold ring featuring a .80 ct. golden Beryl accented with orange Citrines, orange Sapphires and Diamonds.

Bridal Wear - 3rd Place and Platinum Honors
Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry - Platinum earrings featuring Diamond slices (7.07 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (.67 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Honorable Mention
Bella Campbell, Campbellian - Platinum earrings featuring Aquamarines (5.61 ctw.) and grossular Garnets (3.51 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (.56 ctw.).

Platinum Honors: 

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

Bridal Wear - Platinum Honors
Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry - Platinum earrings featuring Diamond slices (7.07 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (.67 ctw.).

Bridal Wear - Entry Platinum Innovation
Susan Drake, Spectrum Art & Jewelry - Platinum "Tilt-A-Whirl" ring featuring a 2.06 ct. Tanzanite accented with Diamonds (1.63 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Platinum Honors
Phillip Dismuke, Jewelsmith - Platinum "Blooming" ring featuring a 21.40 ct. Opal accented with spessartite Garnets (1.35 ctw.) and Diamonds.

Classical - Platinum Honors
Rex McClure, Sohn & McClure Jewelers - Platinum ring featuring a 4.16 ct. Emerald accented with white Diamond baguettes (1.20 ctw.) and yellow Diamonds (.21 ctw.).

Classical - Entry Platinum Innovation
Mimi Favre, Mimi Favre Studio - Platinum "Etude d'Vert" earrings featuring tapered drops of shades of green Tourmalines (15.50 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Platinum Honors
Cara Becker Lichtenstein, My Blue Heaven - Platinum bracelet featuring multicolored Tourmalines (7.26 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.29 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Platinum Honors

Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs - Platinum "His and His" rings featuring brown natural Diamonds (5.68 ctw.).

WJA Gem Diva Awards: 

Now in its third year with the Spectrum Awards with the support of WJA, awards were presented in the Bridal Wear, Evening Wear, Classical and Business/Day Wear categories. All women who 

entered the Spectrum Awards competition were eligible for this category simply by marking the check-box for Gem Diva on their entry form. 

Bridal Wear - Gem Diva Award
Suzanne Kalandjian, Suzanne Kalan - 18K white gold necklace featuring a 30mm white Topaz accented with white Diamonds (3.70 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - Gem Diva Award
Elizabeth Garvin, Elizabeth Garvin Fine - 18K gold and sterling silver "Jewel" ring featuring a 24.6 ct. green Quartz accented with Diamonds (.23 ctw.).

Classical - Gem Diva Award
Caroline Chartuni, Caroline C - 18K white gold "Astra" ring featuring a 24.16 ct. star Sapphire accented with Diamonds (8.08 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Gem Diva Award
Maria Canale, Suna Bros. Inc. - Platinum and 20K pink gold bracelet featuring multi-colored natural Spinels (44.31 ctw.) accented with white Diamonds (6.80 ctw.) and pink Diamonds (1.00 ctw.).


Manufacturing Honors:

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. 

Bridal Wear - Manufacturing Honors
Laurence Bruyninckx, Laurence Bruyninckx - 18K rose and white gold ring featuring a .80 ct. golden Beryl accented with orange Citrines, orange Sapphires and Diamonds.

Business/Day Wear - Manufacturing Honors
Ryan Roberts, Ryan Roberts, Ltd. - 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 11.25 ct. Chrysocolla accented with tsavorite Garnets (.56 ctw.) and Diamonds (.62 ctw.).

Classical - Manufacturing Honors
Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design - Platinum ring featuring a 5.81 ct. green Sapphire accented with Diamonds (3.87 ctw.).

Evening Wear - Manufacturing Honors
Linda Quinn, Linda Quinn Designs - 14K white gold ring featuring a 6.11 ct. pink Tourmaline accented with Diamonds (1.24 ctw.).

Business/ Day Wear:

Business/Day Wear - 1st Place
Jennifer Rabe Morin, Gregore Joailliers - 18K rose gold ring featuring carved Turquoise (29.0 ctw.) accented with Amethyst cabochons (14.0 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - 2nd Place
Elizabeth Garvin, Elizabeth Garvin Fine - 18K gold and sterling silver "Jewel" ring featuring a 24.6 ct. green Quartz accented with Diamonds (.23 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear - 3rd Place
Heath London, Heath London Jewelry - 18K yellow gold and copper "In The Swim" earrings featuring Paraiba Tourmalines (7.11 ctw.) accented with pink Tourmalines (2.23 ctw.) and Diamonds (.80 ctw.).



Classical:

Classical - 1st Place
Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 4.71 ct. Paraiba Tourmaline accented with French-cut Diamonds (1.31 ctw.).

Classical – 2nd Place
Heena Chheda, Real Gems, Inc. - 18K white gold "Ophion's Treasure" ring featuring Emeralds (6.74 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (2.19 ctw.).

Classical - 3rd Place
Evelyn Huang, China Art & Fine Jewelry, Inc. - 18K yellow and white gold "Midnight Kiss" ring featuring a 5.76 ct. unheated blue Sapphire accented with white and yellow Diamonds (1.18 ctw.), blue Sapphires (.91 ctw.) and tsavorite Garnets (.79 ctw.).


Evening Wear:

Evening Wear - 1st Place
Maria Canale, Suna Bros. Inc. - Platinum and 20K pink gold bracelet featuring multi-colored natural Spinels (44.31 ctw.) accented with white Diamonds (6.80 ctw.) and pink Diamonds (1.00 ctw.).

Evening Wear - 2nd Place
Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Inc. - 18K yellow gold "Milky Way" earrings featuring Opal drops (46.06 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.98 ctw.) and Paraiba Tourmalines (2.03 ctw.).

Evening Wear - 3rd Place
Gil, Gil Int'l - Platinum ring featuring a 6.50 ct. Alexandrite accented with Diamonds.

Evening Wear - Honorable Mention
Wendy Brandes, Wendy Brandes Jewelry - 18K pink gold "Pink Elephant & Tipsy Writer Maneater" ring featuring a pink Sapphire elephant (2.0 ctw.) accented with a Ruby and brown and white Diamonds (2.23 ctw.).

Men’s Wear:

Men's Wear - 1st Place

Dawn Muscio, D. Muscio Fine Jewelry Studio - 18K red gold and stainless steel "Pink2" cufflinks featuring pillow cut Morganites (8.74 ctw.) accented with Rubies (.87 ctw.) and Diamonds (.60 ctw.).

Men's Wear - 2nd Place

Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design - Platinum ring featuring a 16.73 ct. Tourmaline accented with yellow Diamonds (.67 ctw.) and tsavorite Garnets (1.02 ctw.).

Men's Wear - 3rd Place

Micheal Kanners, Michael Kanners - 18K blackened gold cufflinks featuring Tanzanites 20.06 ctw.) accented with tsavorite Garnet (6.5 ctw.).

Men's Wear - Honorable Mention

William Travis, William Travis Jewelry - 18K yellow gold and sterling silver ring featuring a 13.17 ct. Citrine.

This year's AGTA Spectrum Awards™ will be presented during the 2015 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson to be held February 3 - 8 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. Winning entries will be displayed during the show and AGTA Spectrum Awards™ recipients will be recognized during the AGTA Dinner Dance and Awards Gala. The event starts at 7:00 pm Saturday, February 7. Tickets for the gala are $100 and cocktail attire is encouraged. 

For further information on the 2015 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson or the AGTA Dinner Dance and Awards Gala, please call (800) 972-1162 or visit our website at www.agta.org. For inquiries regarding the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ 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.

#AGTA Announces the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Judges

AGTA Announces the 

2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Judges

”Each year, we strive to seat a unique panel of judges for the AGTA Spectrum Awards™, and we hit the mark this year!” said Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. “This distinguished group is uniquely qualified with their expertise and passion for colored gemstones and pearls, and we are excited to see the results of their hard work!”

The American Gem Trade Association is excited to announce its panel of judges for the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™. The expert panel of judges all hail from different facets of the jewelry industry, and will meet in October to judge the world‐renown colored gemstone and cultured pearl jewelry competition, along with the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards™, which features loose colored gemstones. 

This year’s judges are:
Jerrold Green, Lapidarist, Reginald C. Miller

The tenets of Green's mentor, Reginald Miller, remain the hallmarks of his business today, “When someone submits material to you, regardless of its quality, treat it with respect and them with respect…and above all: your word is everything.” While the tools of his trade have expanded to include high‐end Apple computers, Green still spends hours of each day hunched over his lapidary table, painstakingly carving precious stones so that every facet will catch the light. Today, gemologists, importers and collectors from all over the world come to him bearing treasures and seeking his advice.

Myriam Gumuchian, Vice President & Director of Sales, Gumuchian

Alongside her, mother Anita, and her sister, Patricia, they work together to carry on a family legacy that originated over 100 years ago in Istanbul with the sales of exceptional colored stones and fancy diamond imports.  In 1979, the Gumuchian brand was created by Anita

and her daughters, Myriam and Patricia.  Myriam was the first woman appointed chair of the Jewelry Information Center, where she held the position for two years. The commitment for excellence has not gone unnoticed, rewarding Gumuchian with several design awards, most recently the “Award for Best International Emerging Brand” of the year from the Armenian Jewelry Association

Joseph Mardkha, Manufacturer, ColorMasters Precious Jewelry

In 1981, Joseph Mardkha founded ColorMasters Gem Corp. and traveled the world seeking to build relationships with stone dealers and cutters overseas.  Quickly, he established

ColorMasters as an essential source for fine precious gems and the company became a valuable asset to some of the world’s best designers, retailers, and jewelry manufacturers.  Today, ColorMasters specializes in each and every aspect of high end jewelry design, product development, and manufacturing while maintaining social responsibility.

Tim McClelland, Master Jeweler and Designer, McTiegue & McClelland

Tim McClelland grew up in family of artists and at an early age was struck by the versatility and permanence of metal as a vehicle for his ideas. All of McTeigue & McClelland’s jewelry is made under the direction of Tim McClelland the old fashioned way ‐ one piece at a time.  In 2011, McTeigue & McClelland made the decision to sell exclusively to their own clientele.  McTeigue & McClelland started to get noticed by the international fashion press. Pieces from their collections became de‐rigeur for magazines surveying the best in jewelry, including Town & Country, Robb Report, W Magazine, Elle, Martha Stewart, The New York Times and more.  McTeigue & McClelland, in Tim and Walter’s words has one mission ‐ “To make the most beautiful jewelry imaginable.”

Larry Pelzel, Retailer, Neiman Marcus

Larry has worked in the high‐end luxury jewelry industry for over 34 years.  Starting as the Sales Associate in Precious Jewels, he worked up Neiman's ladder to his current position of Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager, Precious Jewels. From Neiman Marcus’ flagship store in Dallas, he oversees all aspects of the Precious Jewels Division from buying to the renowned in‐house Design Studio to promotions and advertising.  In 2012, Pelzel was inducted into The Retailer Jewelers’ “Hall of Fame” by National Jeweler.  

Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, Curator, U.S. Nat'l Gem & Mineral Col., Smithsonian Inst.

Jeffrey joined the Dept. of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian Institution in 1984, from 1989 to 1994, he was Chair. of the Dept. of Mineral Sciences, and, since 1991 has served as Curator of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection. Dr. Post served as the lead Curator for the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals that opened in 1997.  His areas of research interest include mineralogy, gemology, geochemistry, crystallography, and electron microscopy.  He has published more than 75 scientific articles in these fields.

The AGTA Spectrum Awards™ is the world’s premier colored gemstone and pearl jewelry design competition. The AGTA Cutting Edge Awards™ honor loose colored gemstones in everything from Classic Gemstones to one‐of‐a‐kind Carvings, Phenomenal Gemstones to amazing Pairs and Suites. The competition is open to U.S. and Canadian designers and cutters.

Photos from top - 2014 Award Winners:

Gem Diva Award - Business/Day Wear: Annie Fensterstock - Port Washington, NY

22K yellow gold and 18K white, pink, and yellow gold locket featuring a boulder Opal accented with white, pink and yellow Diamonds (2.55 ctw.).

3rd Place - Phenomenal - Jean-Noel Soni, Top Notch Faceting - San Francisco, CA

24.12 ct. color-change Garnet.

Best of Show and 1st Place Classical:  James Currens - J.W. Currens, Inc. - New York, NY

Platinum "Tropical Storm" ring featuring a 22.10 ct. Emerald accented with Diamonds (11.47 ctw.).

1st Place Bridal Wear and Best Use of Pearls - Anil Maloo, Baggins, Inc. - Los Angeles, CA

18K white gold drop earrings featuring 32 Japanese Akoya cultured Pearls accented with round brilliant Diamonds (4.43 ctw.).

1st Place Innovative Faceting - Stephen M. Avery - Lakewood, CO

32.68 ct. "Tsunami" Aquamarine.

2nd Place - Bridal Wear - Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Inc. - Los Angeles, CA

18K yellow gold "Something Blue" earrings featuring blue Opal drops (29.99 ctw.) accented with Aquamarines (5.03 ctw.), grey Sapphires (.43 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.10 ctw.).