Style Expert Nina Garcia Comments on the Red Carpet Trends in Platinum

HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST STARS WEAR PLATINUM JEWELRY TO

THE 65^TH ANNUAL PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS

Style Expert Nina Garcia Comments on the Red Carpet Trends

Hollywood’s biggest television stars celebrated their achievements wearing platinum jewelry at the 65^th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and related parties this evening.

From Michelle Dockery’s ear clips to Julie Bowen’s bracelet, Hollywood’s leading actresses chose to showcase their jewels in naturally white platinum settings that truly enhance the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones.  Platinum is the precious metal that never changes color nor fades. It’s the ideal choice for life’s most unforgettable moments.

Style expert Nina Garcia is “loving the clean simplicity of the jewels worn by leading ladies Claire Danes, Julie Bowen and Michelle Dockery tonight. Nothing like setting diamonds in platinum to add that final touch of elegance and femininity!”

Following is a list of stars who celebrated tonight's achievements in PLATINUM:

Sofia Vergara in Platinum jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz

-Platinum, unheated ruby, sapphire, and Columbian emerald earrings  (over 100 carats)

-Platinum and ascher cut diamond ring (21 carats)

-Platinum ring with a Columbian emerald (40 carats), and rose cut diamonds 

*Total platinum look over $7 million dollars

Claire Danes in Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane

-Platinum bracelet with diamonds and emeralds (40 carats), priced at $1 million

-Platinum and diamond stud earrings (5 carats), priced at $150,000

-Platinum ring with an elongated emerald-cut flawless diamond (5 carats), priced at $350,000

Lena Dunham in Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane

-Platinum and diamond stud earrings (4 carats)

Elisabeth Moss in Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane

-2 platinum bracelets with onyx and diamonds

-Platinum and diamond stud earrings

-Platinum and diamond ring

Julie Bowen in Platinum jewelry by Jacob & Co.

-Platinum and diamond earrings

-Platinum and diamond bracelet

Malin Akerman in Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane

-2 platinum bracelet with diamonds and pearls

-Platinum and diamond bracelet 

-Platinum ring with diamonds and pearls

-Platinum and diamond ring

-Platinum and diamond chandelier earrings

Michelle Dockery in Platinum jewelry by Fred Leighton

-Platinum and diamond ear clips from the 1950's

-Platinum ring with ruby and diamonds from the 1950's

-Platinum and diamond pinkie ring from the 1920's

Sarah Paulson in Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane

-Platinum and diamond star earrings

Aubrey Plaza in Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane

-Platinum and diamond knuckle ring

-Platinum and diamond fleur-de-lis ring

-Platinum and diamond drop earrings

Morgan Saylor in Platinum jewelry by Kwiat

-Platinum and diamond bracelet

-Platinum studs with black onyx and white diamonds

-Platinum and diamond ring

Ellen Burstyn in Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane

-Platinum and diamond chandelier earrings

-Platinum and diamond fringe necklace

-Platinum and diamond bracelet

-Platinum and pearl bracelet

Christine Baranski in Platinum jewelry by Fred Leighton

-Platinum and diamond earrings from the 1950's

-Platinum bracelet with diamonds and ruby from the 1950's

-Art Deco platinum ring with aquamarine and diamonds 

Need more celebrity jewelry?  http://celebrityjewel.tumblr.com/

About Platinum Jewelry

Platinum is the ideal choice for red carpet jewelry because it holds diamonds and precious gemstones more securely than any other metal. It is not only the highest quality metal, but its density makes it one of the most durable and enduring precious metals. Platinum is also naturally white, unlike white gold, which means it will not cast any tint onto a diamond or gemstone, allowing the stone's genuine color to sparkle brightly.

Celebrity Jewel: Platinum at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Celebrities in Platinum 
At Hollywood Foreign Press Assoc. 
for the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards

From Reese Witherspoon and Natalie Portman's stacked bracelets, to Angelina Jolie and Jessica Biel's diamond stud earrings, Hollywood's leading actresses chose to celebrate their achievements with enduring platinum jewelry at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Platinum is naturally white, so it never changes color or fades, thereby maximizing the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones. It is the ideal setting for the red carpet, and all of life's most important moments.

Angelina Jolie
-Platinum and diamond stud earrings (25 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz

-Platinum and diamond ring (12 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz

Debra Messing
-Blackened platinum, amethyst and emerald drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

-Platinum and emerald ring by Lorraine Schwartz


Julianna Margulies
-Blackened platinum, green jade and diamond drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

Emma Stone
-Blackened platinum and ruby stud earrings (19 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz

Jane Lynch
-Blackened platinum, black diamond and blue sapphire earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

-Blackened platinum ring by Lorraine Schwartz

-Blackened platinum bracelet by Lorraine Schwartz

Lea Michele

-Blackened platinum and diamond earrings by Lorraine Schwartz
-Blackened platinum and emerald ring (29 carats) by Lorraine Schwartz


Sarah Hyland

-Blackened platinum and multicolored diamond flower earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

-Platinum and diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz

-Platinum and diamond cuff by Lorraine Schwartz

Kate Beckinsale

-Platinum and diamond mesh bowtie earrings by Lorraine Schwartz

-Platinum and diamond braided cuffs by Lorraine Schwartz

-Platinum and diamond geometric cuff by Lorraine Schwartz

*Total is 300 carats of diamonds

Paula Patton

-Platinum and diamond "Firecracker" earrings by Kwiat

-Platinum and diamond bracelets by Kwiat

Madonna
-Five platinum and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane

-Platinum and diamond cocktail ring by Neil Lane

Diane Lane
-Platinum chandelier earrings with yellow and white diamonds by Neil Lane

-Platinum cocktail ring with yellow and white diamonds by Neil Lane

-Platinum bangle bracelets with yellow and white diamonds by Neil Lane

Andrea Riseborough
-Platinum and diamond necklace (25 carats) by Neil Lane

Natalie Portman
-Platinum and diamond drop earrings by Harry Winston

-Three platinum and diamond bracelets by Harry Winston
-Platinum and pear shaped diamond cluster ring by Harry Winston

Jessica Biel
-Platinum and diamond opera length necklace worn down her back by Tiffany & Co
-Platinum and round solitaire diamond stud earrings by (6.12 carats) by Tiffany & Co.


Naya Rivera

-Platinum ring with an oval cabochon moonstone by Tiffany & Co.

-Platinum and round solitaire diamond stud earrings (6.11 carats) by Tiffany & Co.

Piper Perabo
-Platinum and diamond cuff by Tiffany & Co.

-Platinum and diamond stud earrings by Tiffany & Co.


Zooey Deschanel

-Platinum Estate ring from 1970 featuring pearl and diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels

Dianna Agron
-Platinum bow bracelet with onyx and diamonds from the 1920's by Fred Leighton

-Platinum line bracelet with diamonds and onyx from the 1920's by Fred Leighton


Helen Mirren

-Platinum pendant earrings, sapphire & diamonds, 1950's by Fred Leighton

-Platinum barrel link bracelet, sapphire & diamonds, 1930's by Fred Leighton

Tilda Swinton

-Platinum and diamond wing brooches from 1900 by Fred Leighton


Reese Witherspoon

-Platinum and European cut diamond drop earrings (9 carats each) by Fred Leighton

-A pair of platinum and diamond bracelets from 1900 by Fred Leighton
-Platinum and diamond bracelet from the 1920's by Fred Leighton

Julianne Moore
-Platinum earrings with diamonds and emerald bead tassels by Fred Leighton

Sharon Osbourne

- White and grey diamond drop earrings by Dena Kemp (price upon request)

- Circle diamond ring by Dena Kemp (price upon request)

Shaun Robinson

- Black and white diamond drop earrings with 68 black diamonds totaling 5.01 carats, and 210 white diamonds totaling 17.13 carats (price upon request) by Dena Kemp

- White diamond cocktail ring totaling 5.61 carats (price upon request) by Dena Kemp

Kristina Guerrero

- Diamond earrings set with pear shape and princess cut emeralds by Dominic Jones for Gemfields (retail price: $25,000), www.gemfields.co.uk

- Black diamond cuff (26.89 carats) by Dena Kemp (retail price: $36,000)

Claire Danes

-Platinum earrings with princess cut diamonds by Bulgari

Jessica Alba
-Platinum earrings with diamonds (37.14 carats) by Bulgari

Jodie Foster
-Platinum and diamond earrings (8 carats) by Bulgari

-Platinum bracelet with 84 diamonds (42.61 carats) by Bulgari

-Platinum and diamond ring by Bulgari




Sofia Vergara

-Platinum and diamond earrings by Harry Winston

-Two Wide Platinum and diamond bracelets by Harry Winston

-Platinum and diamond ring by Harry Winston

Jessica Chastain

-Platinum cluster earrings with pearl and diamonds by Harry Winston

-Platinum and diamond feather ring by Harry Winston

-Vintage platinum and diamond bracelet by Harry Winston

Emma Roberts (Warner Bros./InStyle party)
-Platinum and diamond cluster earrings (15 carats) by Chopard

-Two platinum and diamond cuffs (107 total carats) by Chopard

-Platinum and rose cut diamond ring (15 carats) by Chopard

Stacey Keibler

-Platinum and diamond cluster earrings by Chopard (9 carats) 

Queen Latifah
-Platinum and diamond chandelier earrings (30 carats) by Chopard

-Platinum and asscher cut diamond bracelet (40 carats) by Chopard

Penelope Ann Miller

- Platinum and diamond bib necklace (50 carats) by Chopard

- Platinum earrings with heart and pear shaped diamond drops (6 carats)  by Chopard

- Platinum and heart shaped diamond line bracelet (25 carats)  by Chopard

Andie MacDowell

-Platinum and diamond line bracelet by Chopard (14 carats)



 About Platinum Jewelry
Platinum is the ideal choice for red carpet jewelry because it holds diamonds and precious gemstones more securely than any other metal.   It is not only the highest quality metal, but its density makes it one of the most durable and enduring precious metals. Platinum is also naturally white, unlike white gold, which means it will not cast any tint onto a diamond or gemstone, allowing the stone's genuine color to sparkle brightly.

www.pgi-press.com.

SOURCE:  Platinum Guild International USA

PGI Trend Alert: BIG GEMS!

Baselworld 2011: Platinum Design Awards Winners Announced!

Stunning Platinum Designs at Baselworld


Baselworld 2011 was the scene for the latest Platinum Design Awards competition held by Platinum Guild International. 36 stunning examples of platinum designs were displayed at the 27 participating manufacturer’s booths, and were judged by over 30 international journalists visiting the show.


There were three platinum categories to enter: Men's jewelry, Bridal jewelry and Trends. Each journalist voted for the piece that, in their opinion, was the best in each category. The votes were counted and the winners were announced at a cocktail party held on Saturday evening, where each winner was also presented with an award by Ruth Donaldson, UK manager of PGI.


The winning pieces were:


Men's Jewelry:


1st place to "Free" 
by Philippe Tournaire
(pictured left)


2nd place to "Scorpion" 
by Paolo Piovan


3rd place to "The Emotional Compass" 
by TTF

Bridal Jewelry:


1st place to "Unique" 
by Picchiotti  (pictured right)


2nd place to "Vendetta" 
by Gebrueder Schaffrath


3rd place to "Prime of Life" 
by Hans D Krieger

Trends:


1st place: to "Animalier" 
by Roberto Coin  
(pictured left)


2nd place: to Jochen Pohl


3rd place to "Manchette" 
by Isabelle Langlois

Platinum Guild International (PGI) is an organization dedicated to inspiring a passion for platinum that ensures it is the precious jewelry of choice. We supply information, practical advice and expertise to help jewelry buyers make informed and inspired decisions. We also offer the jewelry trade specialist knowledge and resources, with the aim of providing customers a high level of help and advice in store.

Hollywood Parties in Platinum!

Loved Anne in all of her dress & jewelry changes...and to
hit the Red Carpet with the designer Valentino!  WOW!

I want to give a big shout out to the lovely Nikki at PRLab for the following Platinum Jewelry info!!!


For more great Oscar Jewelry coverage see: 
The Jewelry Insider Blog http://jewelry01.blogspot.com/


HOLLYWOOD’S A-LIST STARS CELEBRATE THEIR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS IN PLATINUM JEWELRY AT THE 83RD ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS
 Los Angeles, CA (February 27, 2011) – From Amy Adams’ emerald necklace to Mila Kunis’ diamond ribbon earrings, Hollywood’s leading ladies chose enduring platinum jewelry for the biggest award show of the year, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. 
 
Platinum’s white color is natural and never changes colors or fades, so it maximizes the brilliance of diamonds and colored gemstones, making it the ideal setting for the red carpet, and all of life’s most important moments.
Following is a list of stars that celebrated tonight's achievements in PLATINUM:

Loved the dress - Loved the jewels
Not wild about them together!

 

• Anne Hathaway (red carpet): Platinum and 94.29 carat diamond necklace, platinum and 5.13 carat diamond ring, and a pair of platinum and 10.15 carat diamond earrings by Tiffany & Co.
• Natalie Portman: Platinum and diamond ring by Tiffany & Co.
• Sandra Bullock: Platinum and diamond stud earrings, and vintage platinum and diamond bangles by Harry Winston.
• Amy Adams: Platinum watch bracelet with 30.75 carat emerald, and 21.5 carats diamonds, and a platinum necklace with 33.24 carats emerald and 15.38 carats diamonds, and platinum and 2 carat diamond stud earrings from Cartier.
• Mila Kunis: Platinum and diamond cocktail ring, platinum and diamond line bracelet, platinum and diamond bangle, and platinum and diamond earrings by Neil Lane (30 carats total).
• Michelle Williams: Platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum and diamond ring by Harry Winston.
• Halle Berry: Platinum and 10 carat diamond drop earrings, and platinum rings with fancy colored diamonds by Neil Lane.
• Penelope Cruz: Platinum and 10 carat pink sapphire ring with 2 carat diamonds by Chopard.
• Jennifer Lawrence: Platinum and fancy yellow 16 carat diamond earrings by Chopard.

Just one of the actresses
that opted for GREEN

• Jennifer Hudson: Platinum and fancy colored diamond ring, platinum and diamond earrings, wide platinum and 50 carat diamond bracelet, and a platinum and diamond leaf bracelet by Neil Lane.
• Reese Witherspoon: Platinum and diamond bangle, platinum and diamond bracelet, platinum ring with diamonds and emeralds, and a pair of platinum earrings with emeralds and diamonds by Neil Lane.
• Nicole Kidman: Platinum and 13 carat diamond ring by Fred Leighton.
• Hailee Steinfeld: Platinum and 10 carat diamond headband, and a platinum and diamond ring by Fred Leighton.
• Annette Bening: Platinum and emerald earrings, and a platinum and diamond ring by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Helen Mirren: Platinum necklace from 1907 with pearls and diamonds, and a platinum bracelet with diamonds from Cartier’s Archive Museum Collection. 

If "Diamond's are a Girl's Best Friend" Nicole
has lots of friends!  This necklace was definitely
the most talked about in the Jewelry Tweets!

• Kim Kardashian (Elton John party): Blackened platinum and diamond earrings, and a blackened platinum cuff with diamonds and sapphires by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Camilla Alves (red carpet): Platinum earrings with diamonds and pearls, platinum and 50 carat diamond bracelet, and a platinum ring with a pearl and diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Aishwarya Raj (red carpet): Platinum and 12 carat diamond drop earrings, platinum brooch with brown diamonds, platinum bracelet with yellow and brown diamonds, and a platinum ring with diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Malin Ackerman (Elton John party): Blackened platinum bangle with black diamonds, and a platinum ring with white and grey diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Florence Welch (red carpet): Platinum earrings and a ring with white and yellow diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Florence Welch (Elton John party): Platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum ring with jade and diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Erin Andrews (red carpet): Platinum earrings and bracelet with diamonds, and a platinum ring with diamonds and paraiba by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Lea Michele(Vanity Fair party): Platinum earrings with black diamonds, and a blackened platinum ring with a black diamond by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Nicole Richie (Elton John party): Platinum and diamond earrings by Ofira, and a platinum ring with coral and diamonds by Lorraine Schwartz.
• Mandy Moore (on stage): Platinum and diamond hair bow by Neil Lane.
• Sofia Vergara (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and 20 carat diamond earrings, and a platinum and 30.5 carat diamond bracelet by Harry Winston.
• Clare Danes (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and 3 carat diamond earrings by Harry Winston.
• Kate Beckinsale (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond drop earrings by Tacori.
• Marissa Tomei (Vanity Fair party): Blackened platinum and diamond earrings by Azature.
• Madonna (Vanity Fair party): Platinum jewelry by Neil Lane.
• Rosario Dawson (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond earrings, and a platinum ring with diamonds and emeralds by Cartier.
• Charlize Theron  (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond drop earrings, and a platinum cocktail ring by Neil Lane.
• Juliette Lewis (Vanity Fair party): Platinum and diamond cluster earrings, platinum cuff with sapphire and diamonds, and a platinum ring with lapis and diamonds by Neil Lane.
• Jennifer Westfeldt (Vanity Fair party): Platinum drop earrings and ring with diamonds and aqua by Neil Lane.

About Platinum JewelryPlatinum is the ideal choice for bridal and fashion jewelry because it holds diamonds and precious gemstones more securely than any other metal. It is not only the highest quality metal, but its density makes it one of the most durable and enduring precious metals. Platinum is also naturally white, unlike white gold, which means it will not cast any tint onto a diamond or gemstone, allowing the stone's genuine color to sparkle brightly. 

To learn more about platinum jewelry and to view jewelry styles at a variety of price points, please visit www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery.

Industry: PGI Welcomes FTC Guidance

PLATINUM GUILD INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION GUIDANCE

New York, NY (December 20, 2010) -- The Platinum Guild International-USA (“PGI USA”) welcomes the Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC” or “Commission”) publication of final amendments to the Commission’s Jewelry Guides for the marketing of platinum jewelry. In its final amendments, the FTC requires marketers of platinum/base metal alloys (which are products consisting of 50-85 percent platinum along with other non-precious base metals) to clearly disclose the content of these products, and explicitly prohibits the use of abbreviations in such disclosures. The FTC also recognizes that platinum/base metal alloys may not contain the same characteristics as traditional platinum products with respect to their durability, luster, density, scratch resistance, tarnish resistance, hypoallergenicity, ability to be resized or repaired, retention of precious metal over time, and other material attributes and properties. In that regard, PGI commends the FTC for requiring additional consumer disclosures, absent competent and reliable testing, that such alloys may differ from traditional platinum products.

“The FTC’s revisions to the Jewelry Guides are of significant benefit to consumers,” said Huw Daniel, President of PGI USA. “We have worked with the FTC for the last five years to ensure that consumers get the best information possible about what they are buying; the FTC’s decision will go a long way to ensure that consumers can make confident choices when purchasing platinum jewelry, while also benefitting members of the platinum jewelry industry on the manufacturing and retail sides.”

The revised Jewelry Guides will significantly enhance the consumer education and disclosure requirements for platinum/base metal alloys, and eliminate any existing perceived ambiguities. Under the new Jewelry Guides, the word “platinum,” or any abbreviation accompanied by a number or percentage indicating the parts per thousand of pure platinum contained in the product, may not be used to describe a platinum/base metal alloy unless the product contains a clear and conspicuous disclosure, immediately following the name or description of such product of: (i) the full composition of the product (by name and not abbreviation) and percentage of each metal; and (ii) that the product may not have the same attributes or properties as traditional platinum products (unless the marketer has competent and reliable scientific evidence that there is no material difference in each of the platinum characteristics material to consumers). The FTC’s amendments to the Jewelry Guides are expected to be published in the coming week, and will take place immediately upon publication.

PGI USA also welcomes the FTC’s publication of “Going Platinum: What to Look for When Buying Platinum Jewelry,” alerting consumers about platinum purchases, and of a companion Industry Guide for retailers and others. The FTC Consumer Alert can be found at:http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt180.shtm. The FTC Industry Alert can be found at: http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus74-advertising-platinum-jewelry. The FTC Press Release can be found at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/12/platinemguides.shtm, and the FTC Final Rule can be found at: http://www.ftc.gov/os/fedreg/2010/december/101216jewelryguidesfrn.pdf.

PGI: Let the "2011 Trend" Predictions Begin!

I don't know if I am just on the right (hmmm, wrong?) mailing lists or what, but at this time of year I get Trend Predictions from every company, publication and organization in the Industry.

This one caught my eye because I have always been partial to Horizontal or East-West settings in Rings. I like the stone intensive look of the horizontal setting and since I was not graced with long lean fingers, it is a flattering look for my short pudgy fingers.

I am in love with the MaeVona mounting for a Marquise center Stone...the side cut out detail makes it simply elegant!

If you click on the photo you will see a larger view....

Are you familiar with PGI? Their website has a wealth of information for the consumer and info that you can use to educate your sales staff.

Platinum Guild International (PGI) is an organization dedicated to inspiring a passion for platinum that ensures it is the precious jewelry of choice. We supply information, practical advice and expertise to help jewelry buyers make informed and inspired decisions. We also offer the jewelry trade specialist knowledge and resources, with the aim of providing customers a high level of help and advice in store.

Platinum...Affordable?

I just checked the Precious Metals prices at Kitco today...and was blown away!!!

With Gold hovering around the $1400 per oz price and Platinum at $1650 per oz, why wouldn't you opt for Platinum? it is downright affordable!!!

This is the time of year when couples everywhere are "sealing the deal" - marriage proposals are a popular Holiday gift and Engagement Rings are a top selling item.

Would you ever have thought that you would hear the words Platinum and Affordable in the same sentence? No? ...me either! But right now Platinum is the ideal choice...why? for the same reason that diamond is a preferred stone...you want your ring, like your love, to be "FOREVER".

Have you ever wondered why all the great Estate and Antique Jewelry in Platinum is in such great shape and the details are still crisp? Just look at the fine milgraining, engraved shoulder and band detail on the Edwardian Engagement Ring and Art Deco Diamond Ring from the Fay Cullen website!

Platinum doesn't erode - when you look at your 18k Wedding Band is the braided detail rubbing down in areas? Due to the density, Platinum doesn't change shape or wear away so it is often used for prongs or the setting/head on gold rings.

Platinum is pure so you won't have allergy issues with Platinum and the natural white metal won't cast color onto a diamond or yellow with age.

Platinum is:

• Pure
• Natural
• Durable
• Never Fades

...think about it, isn't that everything you want your love to be for someone you care deeply about?

Whether you go with an Estate piece or you start a family tradition with a Modern ring (like this stunning Danhov ring from Samuel Gordon's)...if it is Platinum, it (like your love) will endure.

...and just in time for your Holiday Proposal, Platinum Guild International just launched a new budget calculator: www.preciousplatinum.com/calculator.

Send your partner to the site, where they can enter their annual salary, and browse platinum engagement ring styles that FIT within their budget.

Celebrities including Megan Fox, Carrie Underwood, Emily Blunt, and Nicole Richie wear platinum engagement rings.

Special Thanks to Nikki over at PRLab for the great PGI info - Fay Cullen for the Estate Rings and Dan Gordon at Samuel Gordon for the Danhov Band Ring!

AGTA Spectrum Awards: Platinum Honors (Gallery)

As I reported a couple weeks ago...three new categories have been added to the Platinum Honors Division of the AGTA's 2011 Spectrum Awards™.

We now have photos of ALL of the winners and as promised there is a complete photo gallery on Posterous at: http://aflyonthewall.posterous.com/

Special Divisions

Platinum Honors, sponsored by Platinum Guild International, recognizes outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or pearl jewelry in the five Spectrum Awards categories and for the Best Use of Color and Platinum. New for this year, Platinum Honors adds three new categories: Platinum Honors Innovation – Bridal Wear under $2,500, Platinum Honors Innovation – Classical under $3,500 and Platinum Honors Innovation – Day Wear under $2,000.

Best Use of Platinum and Color:

Judy Evans, Omi Gems, Inc.

Platinum "Princess of Ratnapura" bracelet featuring nine round Sapphires (14.0 ctw.) and round Diamonds (8.48 ctw.)

Men's Wear - Platinum Honors

Alan Friedman, Alan Friedman: Platinum ring with a cushion-cut purple Spinel (6.62 ct.).

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.).

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.).

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.)

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 with a 1.41 ct. Aquamarine, Diamond Accent (.06 ctw.).