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2022 AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge Award Winners October 28, 2022 (0 comments)

DALLAS--The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced the winners of the 2022 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.

This year’s competition took place in Dallas, October 22 and 23. The number of entries was nearly 10% higher than the prior year, AGTA said in a statement. Trends among entries included more Tourmalines and spinel, yellow gold jewelry and step-cut gemstones, among others. Kornerupine and Dumortierite were among the rarest and most unusual gemstones entered, while a plethora of sapphires in all hues were more familiar sights.

In the Spectrum division, jewels in the Evening Wear and Bridal categories were executed largely in platinum and yellow gold, while loose gems in Cutting Edge ranged widely, from a magnificent suite of Portuguese-cut Zircons to a funky pair of faceted bubble-cut Amethysts.

“Calling all the award winners was one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve had with AGTA,” says Kimberly Collins, owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems and president of the AGTA board of directors. “There were so many tears of excitement, which reminded me of the impact a Spectrum or Cutting Edge Award can have on an individual and the momentum of his or her career.”

Judges this year were: Susan Harrison, Jewelry Emporium; Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs; Sharon Khazzam, Sharon Khazzam Studio; Carter Malouf, Carter Malouf Private Jeweler; and Mark Patterson, Mark Patterson Fine Jewelry.

“We had a number of first-time multi-award winners, and they were ecstatic upon hearing the news,” says CEO John Ford, who ran Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford for 16 years before stepping into the role at AGTA three months ago. “Winning a Spectrum or Cutting Edge Award is life changing. I’ve won 10, so I know firsthand. Our team is excited to grow the competition and continue casting spotlights on well-deserving jewelers and cutters.”

Many of the winning pieces will be on display during AGTA GemFair Tucson, January 31–Feb. 5, 2023. The AGTA Spectrum Gala will serve as the crowning jewel of 2023 Gem Week festivities and will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at the Tucson Marriott University Park. For more information or tickets, log onto agta.org.

Photographs of the winning entries will be available soon.

 

Winners of the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards

Best of Show

Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry – 210.55-carat ballerina carving in green Beryl

 

Best Use of Color

Robert Galustian, Robert Guild Jewelry Corp. – 18K blonde gold QEII earrings featuring 2 cushion-cut mint green Tourmalines (21.54 ctw.) accented with 2 matching pair keystone-cut yellow Sapphires, calf-cut Kornerupines, 72 round amethysts, 66 round diamonds and 6 marquise-cut green tourmalines.

Best Use of Pearl

Laurie Reid, LFR Studios – 22K yellow gold ring featuring a 13.2 mm cultured Golden South Sea Pearl

Fashion Forward

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – 18K yellow gold and black ceramic ring featuring a 4.03-carat natural fancy deep yellow diamond accented with 15 tsavorite Garnets (.17 ctw.)

Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge

Robert Knupfer, Knupfer International Gems, Inc. – Pair of blue/green briolette drop Tourmalines (75.57 ctw.)

Best of Single Entries – Spectrum

Buddy Austin, Third Eye Assembly – 18K yellow gold, platinum, 22K rose and green gold, 24K yellow gold and 18K white gold Underworld ring featuring a 1.62 ct. black opal accented with tsavorite garnet, sapphire and diamond

Best Use of Platinum and Color

Mary Van Der Aa, Mary Van Der Aa – Platinum Aria ring featuring a 2.10 ct. demantoid Garnet accented with blue Zircons (3 ctw.) and Diamonds

Best Use of Platinum Crown

Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry – Platinum hand-fabricated ring featuring a 6.54 ct. trillion-cut Tanzanite accented with round Diamonds (1.25 ctw.)

 

Bridal Wear

Bridal Wear – 1st Place

Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation – Platinum ring featuring a 2.55-carat rectangular emerald-cut Colombian emerald accented with 24 round emeralds (.31 ctw.), 22 custom-cut baguette diamonds (2.77 ctw.) and 62 round brilliant diamonds (.22 ctw.)

Bridal Wear – 2nd Place

Bella Campbell, Campbellian Collection / BHI – 18K white gold ring featuring an 11.03 ct. moonstone accented with sapphires (4.36 ctw.) and diamonds (.40 ctw.)

Bridal Wear – 3rd Place
Samuel Getz, Samuel Getz Designs – Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 9.92-carat natural chrome Tourmaline accented with emerald-cut diamonds (1.88 ctw.)

Bridal Wear – Honorable Mention

Bella Campbell, Campbellian Collection / BHI – 18K white gold earrings featuring moonstone (11.45 ctw.) accented with 24 blue sapphires (2.88 ctw.) and diamonds

Bridal Wear – Manufacturing Honors

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé – Platinum ring featuring a 3.11 ct. cushion-cut cobalt blue spinel accented with round hauyne (.24 ctw.), round Paraíba Tourmaline (.37 ctw) and round diamonds (.22 ctw.)

Bridal Wear – Platinum Honors

Mary Van Der Aa, Mary Van Der Aa – Platinum Atomic Love ring set featuring demantoid garnets (1.55 ctw.) accented with Paraíba Tourmalines (.17 ctw.) and diamonds

Bridal Wear – Entry Platinum Innovation

Michael Endlich, Pavé Fine Jewelry – Platinum Lunar Bloom ring featuring a 1.85 ct. cabochon moonstone accented with diamonds (.06 ctw.)

Bridal Wear – Gem Diva Award

Bella Campbell, Campbellian Collection / BHI – 18K white gold ring featuring an 11.03-carat moonstone accented with sapphires (4.36 ctw.) and diamonds (.40 ctw.)

 

Business/Day Wear

Business/Day Wear – 1st Place

Zoltan David, Zoltan David – High polished steel, iridescent blue and purple steel, platinum, 18K and 24K gold inlay Into the Mystic cuff bracelet featuring round and marquise-shaped tsavorites (5.60 cw.) accented with blue sapphires (.48 ctw.) and diamonds (1.20 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – 2nd Place

Timothy W. Foster, T. Foster & Company – Platinum ring featuring a 7.78 ct. blue star sapphire accented with diamonds (1.14 ctw.) and sapphires (1.15 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – 3rd Place

Michael Endlich, Pavé Fine Jewelry – 22K yellow gold Star Dome ring featuring a 24.64-carat cabochon Dumortierite accented with Diamonds (.19 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – Honorable Mention

Joseph DeBella, DeBella Collectibles – 18K rose gold and platinum Hot Kisses Forever ring featuring emerald-cut natural Burma ruby 2.46-carat accented with diamonds (2.21 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – Manufacturing Honors

Lika Behar, Lika Behar Collection – 24K yellow gold pendant featuring a freshwater baroque pearl accented with diamonds (0.46 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – Entry Platinum Innovation

Dennis deJonghe, deJonghe Original Jewelry – Platinum ring featuring a 3.53 ct. hand-carved sunstone and a 3.48-carat high-cut dome moonstone accented with diamonds (.26 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – Platinum Honors

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé – Platinum pendant featuring a 5.44 ct. cushion-cut cabochon Paraíba tourmaline accented with a .36 ct. round cabochon Paraíba tourmaline, round cabochon Paraíba tourmalines (3.15 ctw.) and round diamonds (2.10 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear – Gem Diva Award

Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince & Co. – 14K rose gold Twilight Garden ring featuring a 4.47-carat modified oval peach imperial topaz accented with golden imperial topaz (4.0 ctw.) and Diamonds (.60 ctw.)

Classical

Classical – 1st Place

Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation – Platinum ring featuring a 6.29 ct. blue Ceylon sapphire accented with 14 custom-cut baguette diamonds (2.27 ctw.), 10 princess-cut sapphires (1.79 ctw.), 30 round sapphires (.44 ctw.) and 58 round brilliant diamonds (.29 ctw.)

Classical – 2nd Place

Michael Tope, Raintree, LLC – 18K yellow and rose gold handmade earrings featuring round brilliant-cut garnets (4.75 ctw.) accented with round brilliant-cut sapphires (2.39 ctw.), round brilliant-cut diamonds (0.50 ctw.), purple chalcedony and turquoise inlay

Classical – 3rd Place

Ian Delucca, Khobe Delucca – 18K yellow gold and ruthenium plated Art Deco ring featuring blue emerald-cut tourmaline (4.84 ctw.), round tourmaline (.38 ctw.) and diamonds (.42 ctw.)

Classical – Honorable Mention

Jeremy Dunn, Dunn & Co. – Platinum hand-fabricated drop earrings featuring Malaya garnets (6.86 ctw.) accented with blue sapphires (1.50 ctw.)

Classical – Platinum Honors

Mary Van Der Aa, Mary Van Der Aa – Platinum necklace featuring a custom faceted 20.20-carat aquamarine accented with Paraíba tourmaline and diamonds

Classical – Gem Diva Award

Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince & Co. – 18K yellow gold Inferno ring featuring a 6.35 ct. oval Mandarin spessartite garnet accented with round diamonds (2.03 ctw.)

Classical – Manufacturing Honors

Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels, LLC – Platinum earrings featuring 25.32-carat aquamarine accented with diamonds (1.28 ctw.)

 

Evening Wear

Evening Wear – 1st Place

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – 18K yellow gold and black ceramic ring featuring a 4.03-carat natural fancy deep yellow diamond accented with 15 tsavorite Garnets (.17 ctw.)

Evening Wear – 2nd Place

Laurie Reid, LFR Studios – 22K yellow gold ring featuring a 13.2mm cultured golden South Sea pearl

Evening Wear – 3rd Place

Michael Tope, Raintree, LLC – 18K yellow gold, rose gold and platinum The Imperial Luchrupan Ring featuring a 21.70-carat bicolor emerald-cut tourmaline accented with diamonds (2.30 ctw.), sapphires (1.69 ctw.), purple jade and turquoise inlay

Evening Wear – Honorable Mention

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé – Platinum and black rhodium ring featuring a 4.85 ct. oval purple spinel accented with trillion-cut violet spinels (2.37 ctw.), round alexandrites (.85 ctw.) and round diamonds (1.02 ctw)

Evening Wear – Manufacturing Honors

Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers – Platinum Blue Ocean Dream ring featuring a cushion-cut blue sapphire (11.32 ct.) accented with an epaulet pair of diamonds (1.18 ctw.), sapphires and diamonds

Evening Wear – Platinum Honors

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – Platinum Light of Earendil pendant featuring a 16.30-carat natural white briolette sapphire accented with 204 round diamonds (.96 ctw.) and 4 pear-shape diamonds (.47 ctw.)

Evening Wear – Gem Diva Award

llyn strong, llyn strong fine art jewelry – 18K rose gold ring featuring a 13.34 ct. black Opal accented with yellow diamonds (.33 ctw.) and blue diamonds (.97 ctw.)

 

Men’s Wear

Men’s Wear – 1st Place

Zoltan David, Somewhere In The Rainbow – Knight steel and 24K yellow gold The Kings Ring featuring a 29.09 ct. purple-red cabochon Tourmaline accented with 10 red Spinels (.15 ctw.), Diamonds (.02 ctw.), and patent inlay bead gold

Men’s Wear – 2nd Place

Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry – Platinum Pharaoh ring featuring a 12.08 ct. Compass Rode tanzanite accented with diamonds (.41 ctw.)

Men’s Wear – 3rd Place

Buddy Austin, Third Eye Assembly – 18K yellow gold, platinum, 22K rose and green gold, 24K yellow gold and 18K white gold Underworld ring featuring a 1.62 ct. black opal accented with tsavorite garnet, sapphire and diamond

Men’s Wear – Honorable Mention

Matthew Tuggle, Tuggle Designs – Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 6.02-carat star sapphire accented with demantoid garnets (.04 ctw.)

Men’s Wear – Platinum Honors

Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry – Platinum Pharaoh ring featuring a 12.08 ct. Compass Rode tanzanite accented with diamonds (.41 ctw.)

Men’s Wear – Gem Diva Award

Lindsay Jane Chatham, K. Jons Jewelry Co. – Platinum and 18K rose gold North Star cufflinks set with trapiche sapphires (25.10 ctw.), orange pinels (.50 ctw.), blue sapphires (2.43 ctw.) and diamonds (2.72 ctw.)

Men’s Wear – Manufacturing Honors

Buddy Austin – Third Eye Assembly – 18K yellow gold, platinum, 22K rose and green gold, 24K yellow gold and 18K white gold Underworld ring featuring a 1.62 ct. black opal accented with tsavorite garnet, sapphire and diamond

 

Editor’s Choice Awards

Editor’s Choice – Spectrum

Ian Delucca, Khobe Delucca – 18K yellow gold and ruthenium plated Art Deco ring featuring blue emerald-cut Tourmaline (4.84 ctw.), round tourmaline (.38 ctw.) and diamonds (.42 ctw.)

Editor’s Choice – Cutting Edge

Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA – Suite of 23 multicolored, Portuguese-cut zircons (228.64 ctw.)

 

Winners of the 2022 AGTA Cutting Edge Awards are:

 

Classic Gemstones

Classic Gemstone – 1st Place

Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. – 4.43-carat no oil emerald-cut Colombian emerald

Classic Gemstone – 2nd Place

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – 28.45-carat natural emerald-cut blue Ceylon sapphire

Classic Gemstone – 3rd Place

John Bachman, John M. Bachman, Inc. – 25.28-carat cushion-cut natural yellow Sapphire

 

All Other Cut Gemstones

All Other Cut Gemstones – 1st Place

Ben Kho, Kho International, Ltd. – 32.50-carat sunburst-cut kunzite

All Other Cut Gemstones – 2nd Place

Ben Kho, Kho International, Ltd. – 14.70-carat diamond-shape apatite

All Other Cut Gemstones – 3rd Place

Ben Kho, Kho International, Ltd. – 34.98-carat fancy trillion-cut kunzite

All Other Cut Gemstones – Honorable Mention

Ben Kho, Kho International, Ltd. – 28.61 ct. pink tourmaline

 

Carving

Carving – 1st Place and Best of Show

Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry – 210.55-carat ballerina carving in green beryl

Carving – 2nd Place

Dalan Hargrave, Geogem-USA – 87.77-carat bicolor scapolite iguana on a limb carving titled Out There with blue tiger’s eye eyes

Carving – 3rd Place

Meg Berry, Megagem – 394.20 ct. handcarved light blue topaz

Carving – Honorable Mention

Meg Berry, 3090 Gems – 31.17-carat grandzilla carved green-blue grandidierite

 

Innovative Faceting

Innovative Faceting – 1st Place

John Dyer, Somewhere in the Rainbow – 147.96-carat orange golden citrine titled Crescendo

Innovative Faceting – 2nd Place

Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – 85.55-carat natural oval fantasy-cut yellow sapphire

Innovative Faceting – 3rd Place

Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International – 18.79-carat traditional and concave shield-cut Malaya garnet titled The Lightbender’s Shield

Innovative Faceting – Honorable Mention

Lee Haynes, LWH Gems – 138.10-carat concave diamond pattern crown with twisted pavilion citrine titled Autumn Opus

Innovative Faceting – Honorable Mention

Mark Gronlund, Mark Gronlund – 68.14-carat Ma’ia, Star of the Universe specialty-cut aquamarine

 

North American Mined Gemstones

North American Mined Gemstones – 1st Place

Ben Kho, Kho International, Ltd. – 11.46-carat antique cushion-cut rhodochrosite from Colorado.

North American Mined Gemstones – 2nd Place

Jeffrey R. Hapeman, Earth’s Treasury – 7.79-carat custom precision square cushion-cut, unheated blue Montana sapphire from Rock Creek, Montana

North American Mined Gemstones – 3rd Place

Jeffrey R. Hapeman, Somewhere In The Rainbow – 12.18-carat unheated pure yellow champagne Montana sapphire titled Champagne Toast

North American Mined Gemstones – Honorable Mention

Nick Alexander, Somewhere In The Rainbow – 123.96-carat Oregon sunstone carved and faceted titled Riptides

 

Objects of Art

Objects of Art – 1st Place

Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry – 900-carat ametrine accented with citrine and chrome diopside essence bottle

Objects of Art – 2nd Place

Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design – Carved labradorite chameleon Life in the Jungle. Petrified wood, quartz, agate, labradorite, spinel, pearls, tsavorite garnets, sapphires, rubies and diamonds. Bronze and 18K green, red and white gold

Objects of Art – 3rd Place

Rodney Rahmani, Brilliant Stars – 18K rose gold handmade Harley Davidson featuring a 1.59-carat blue natural Burma sapphire accented with a round sapphire (0.13 ct.) and round white diamonds (1.14 ctw.)

Objects of Art – Honorable Mention

Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers – Shimmering Rascal Boy chameleon made of sterling silver, 18K green gold, 233 black diamonds (3.45 ctw.), 446 tsavorite garnets (7.03 ctw.), 429 orange sapphires (6.98 ctw.) and an enamel ladybug on 40-year-old driftwood

 

Pairs and Suites

Pairs & Suites – 1st Place and Best of Single Entries Cutting Edge

Robert Knupfer, Knupfer International Gems, Inc. – Pair of blue/green briolette drop tourmalines (75.57 ctw.)

Pairs & Suites – 2nd Place

Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry – Pair of traditional faceted with bubble-cut bicolor amethysts (35.20 ctw.)

Pairs & Suites – 3rd Place

Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA – Suite of 23 multicolored, Portuguese-cut zircons (228.64 ctw.)

Pairs & Suites – Honorable Mention

Davey Thomas, Gem Arts International – Suite of 26 tile-shaped cabochon emeralds and matrix titled Emeralds of Envy (112.25 ctw.)

 

Phenomenal

Phenomenal – 1st Place

Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International – 14.90-carat hot pink to purple color-change modified round brilliant pyrope garnet titled Cosmic Kaleidoscope

Phenomenal – 2nd Place

Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC – 20.20-carat octagonal step-cut color-changing zircon

Phenomenal – 3rd Place

David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. – 17.70-carat oval black opal from Lightning Ridge, Australia

Phenomenal – Honorable Mention

David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. – 25.29-carat round blue star sapphire from Burma