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EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEWS: MICHAEL O’CONNOR AND DOUG HUCKER ON SPECTRUM TRENDS October 24, 2012 (0 comments)
New York, NY—Winners of the 2013 American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Awards were announced Monday at a special media preview event. The Best in Show winner, who also won first place in the Classical category, was James Currens of J.W. Currens Inc., for his platinum “Lava” ring (left) featuring a 12.99 ct. cabochon ruby accented with marquise-cut diamonds and diamond melee.
The Best Use of Platinum and Color award went to Dierdre Featherstone of Featherstone Design for platinum “Shangri-La” earrings featuring opals, tanzanite, sapphire, tourmaline, tsavorite, diamonds, and turquoise.
Best use of Palladium and Color was awarded to designer Cynthia Renee, for her palladium and stainless steel “Owl Queen” brooch, featuring a carved petrified palm owl, accented with mother of pearl, tourmaline, and diamonds.
Anil Maloo of Baggins Inc. won Best Use of Pearls, for 14k white gold earrings featuring 8.5 mm akoya pearls, 9 mm white South Sea perals, 10-11 mm Tahitian pearls and diamonds. This piece also won first place in the Evening Wear division.
Jennifer Dawes won the Fashion Forward award, for an 18k gold necklace featuring aquamarines, emeralds, and diamonds.
Erica Courtney, Los Angeles, won the award for Best Use of Color, for her 18k yellow gold earrings featuring opals, apatite, and tsavorite garnets.
Erica Courtney's Best Use of Color earrings were 18k yellow gold with opals, apatite, and tsavorite garnets.
For Bridal Wear, first place went to Robert Pelliccia of J.R. Dunn Jewelers in Florida, for a platinum ring with pink sapphire and round and half-moon diamonds. First place in Business/Day Wear went to Gregore Morin of Gregore Joailliers, for 18k white gold earrings with pink opal and black and white diamonds.
For Men’s Wear, the first place award went to designer Naomi Sarma for platinum cufflinks featuring baroque pearls accented with multi-colored sapphire.
Designer Annie Fensterstck won the Evening Wear Gem Diva award for this blackened sterling silver and 22K yellow gold cuff featuring white and fancy-colored diamonds and sapphires.
Exclusive Video Interviews With Doug Hucker and Michael O'Connor
To watch an exclusive video interview about the competition with AGTA CEO Doug Hucker, click here or on his image below.
To watch an exclusive video interview of renowned style expert Michael O’Connor discussing the important trends coming out of the competition, click here or on his image below.
A number of familiar Centurion exhibitors were among the honorees at this year’s Spectrum Awards. In addition to Erica Courtney, these include:
- Alishan Halebian of Alishan, who received Platinum Honors in Business/Day Wear for his platinum pin/pendant featuring Tahitian pearl, chrome diopside, and diamonds.
- Adeleh Petochi of Eclat Jewels who received Manufacturing Honors in Business/Day Wear, for an 18k rose gold cuff featuring two amethyst cabochons accented with diamonds.
- Maria Canale of Richard Krementz Gemstones who won Platinum Honors in the Classical division for a platinum ring featuring a 3.22 ct. alexandrite and diamonds.
- Monica Rich Kosann, who won both Honorable Mention and Manufacturing Honors in the Classical division for her 18k yellow gold “Secret” ring featuring a 3.19 cushion-cut color-change alexandrite, accented with diamonds.
For more information about the awards and a full list of the honorees, click here.