Articles and News
AGTA Announces the 2021 AGTA Spectrum Awards Winners December 21, 2021 (0 comments)
Dallas, TX—Designers and retailers from across the United States have been named as winners in the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)’s prestigious Spectrum Awards competition. AGTA announced the 2021 AGTA Spectrum Awards winners on December 14; they will be showcased at the AGTA GemFair Tucson, set for February 1-6, 2022 in Arizona. Image: Adam Neeley won Best of Show for these 14K rose and white gold "Galassia" earrings.
The competition was held on October 23-24 in Dallas. The expert panel of judges included jewelry designers and retailers: Judy Evans, Judy Evans Design Studio; Amber Gustafson, Amber’s Designs Fine Jewelry; Tony Logan, Jay Dean Winchester; Kelly Mitchell, Kelly Mitchell Fine Jewelry; and Matthew Trent, Matthew Trent.
“After a year and a half of dealing with the fallout from the Covid pandemic, we are gratified that the colored gemstone and cultured pearl community responded with strong support for our Spectrum Awards competition,” said Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. “The entries this year, once again, showcased the creativity and resilience of lapidarists, designers, and manufacturers who participated in our industry’s premier design competition.”
Entries were judged on overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, and quality of workmanship, broad-based consumer appeal, and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones.
The competition has four main categories—bridal, business/day wear, classical, and evening wear for women, plus men’s wear and several sub-categories: the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts; Platinum Honors, sponsored by Platinum Guild International (PGI), recognized the outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl jewelry in the five Spectrum Awards categories and for the Platinum Honors Innovation Awards in bridal, business, and evening wear. Platinum Innovation honors entries with a value under $3,500, excluding the main gemstone. PGI also awards two "Best of" awards: Best Use of Platinum and Color and Best Use of Platinum Crown.
WJA Gem DIVA Awards, sponsored by the Womens Jewelry Association, also presented awards in the bridal, evening, classical, and business/day categories. All women who entered the Spectrum Awards competition were eligible for this category.
Manufacturing Honors recognizes outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry appropriate to be manufactured in production quantities, and Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl in artful, trend-setting jewelry. All designs that qualify for judging in the Spectrum Awards competition were eligible for both prizes.
Here are the winners of the 2021 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
Best of Show: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, for 14K rose and white gold "Galassia" earrings featuring specialty-cut Tanzanites (24.84 ctw.) accented with Akoya cultured Pearls and Diamonds (4.04 ctw.).
Best Use of Color: Adam Neeley, for a suite of specialty-cut green Tourmalines (47.80 ctw.) and Tanzanites (12.69 ctw.).
Best Use of Pearls: Michael Tope, Raintree, LLC for 18K yellow gold and platinum "Kalaimaia" earrings featuring black Tahitian cultured Pearls, green Tourmalines (6.30 ctw.), yellow Diamonds (.58 ctw.), white Diamonds (.40 ctw.) and Turquoise.
Fashion Forward: Stanislav Petrov, Stanislav Petrov Inc. for an 18K yellow and white gold "Violet" ring with purple nano-ceramic coating featuring Amethysts (1.50 ctw.), yellow Sapphires (1.90 ctw.) and Diamonds (.02 ctw.).
Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge: Misael Angel Rodriguez, Gem Arts International for a 24-piece jewelry suite of cat's eye's Emerald cabochons (37.90 ctw.).
Best of Single Entries – Spectrum: Scott Keating, Somewhere In The Rainbow, for an 18K yellow gold "Hot Scarab Nights" bracelet featuring specialty-cut blue Zircons (10.12 ctw.) and pink Tourmalines (5.66 ctw.) accented with Sapphire melee (1.50 ctw.) and Diamond melee (.32 ctw.).
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Llyn Strelau, Somewhere In The Rainbow, for a Platinum "Dreamweaver" necklace featuring multicolored Akoya cultured Pearls with a removable platinum pendant with a specialty-cut Beryl suite; a 5.28 ct. Aquamarine, a 4.56 ct. Heliodor and a 2.86 ct. Morganite accented with Diamonds (.40 ctw.).
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Lindsay Jane Chatham, K. Jons Jewelry Co., for a Platinum "Love You Forever, Love You for Always" ring featuring a 7.47 ct. round yellow Zircon accented with Diamonds (1.04 ctw.) and lavender Sapphires (.90 ctw.).
Bridal Wear, First Place and PGI Platinum Honors: Suna Bros., for a Platinum ring featuring a 9.18 ct. oval lavender Moonstone cabochon accented with lavender Sapphires (1.36 ctw.) and Diamonds (.56 ctw.):
Bridal Wear, second place: Susan Helmich, Somewhere in the Rainbow - Platinum and 18K yellow gold "Double Bubble" earrings featuring buff-top round Morganites (19.10 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.58 ctw.).
Bridal Wear, third place and Manufacturing Honors: Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC - Platinum and 18K rose gold ring featuring a 3.58 ct. cushion-cut pink Spinel accented with round and baguette Diamonds (1.12 ctw.).
Bridal Wear, Honorable Mention: Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry - 18K white gold "Mykonos" ring featuring a 6.19 ct. cushion blue Sapphire accented with trapezoid Diamonds (.90 ctw.):
Bridal Wear, Honorable Mention: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé - 18K white gold drop earrings featuring oval blue Sapphires (14.54 ctw.) and pear- shaped blue Sapphires (2.19 ctw.) accented with round blue Sapphires (.78 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.68 ctw.):
Bridal Wear, Platinum Innovation: Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry - Platinum "Organic Soul" ring featuring a .62 ct. round rose-cut yellow Diamond.
Bridal Wear, WJA Gem DIVA Award: Sherry Bender, The Goldsmith Ltd., of Chicago - 18K yellow gold earrings featuring Moonstones (19.17 ctw.), Opals (2.96 ctw.), orange Sapphires (2.91 ctw) accented with Peridots (.87ctw.), cultured Pearls and spessartite Garnets. The earrings are detachable in two places for versatility.
Business/Day Wear Business/Day Wear, first place: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé - Platinum pendant featuring an 8.12 ct. pear-shaped Moonstone cabochon accented with Paraiba- type Tourmalines (.86 ctw.) and Diamonds (.96 ctw.):
Business/Day Wear, second place: Stanislav Petrov, Stanislav Petrov Inc. - 18K yellow and white gold "Violet" ring with purple nano-ceramic coating featuring Amethysts (1.50 ctw.), yellow Sapphires (1.90 ctw.) and Diamonds (.02 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear, third place: Llyn Strelau, Somewhere In The Rainbow - Platinum "Dreamweaver" necklace featuring multicolored Akoya cultured Pearls with a removable platinum pendant with a specialty-cut Beryl suite; a 5.28 ct. Aquamarine, a 4.56 ct. Heliodor and a 2.86 ct. Morganite accented with Diamonds (.40 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear, Honorable Mention: Robin Callahan, Robin Callahan Designs, LLC - 14K white gold "Bubblelicious" ring featuring an 8.10 ct. custom-cut watermelon Tourmaline accented with pink and green Tourmalines and Diamonds.
Business/Day Wear, Manufacturing Honors: Timothy W Foster, T. Foster & Company - 18K yellow gold earrings featuring oval and pear-shaped Lapis Lazuli cabochons accented with Diamonds (1.34 ctw.). The pear-shaped Lapis Lazuli drops are removable.
Business/Day Wear, PGI Platinum Honors and Platinum Innovation: Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry - Platinum "True North" pendant featuring a .62 ct. trillion-cut Paraiba Tourmaline accented with a .19 ct. Diamond.
Business/Day Wear – WJA Gem DIVA Award: Rosa Van Parys, Rosa Van Parys Jewelry - "Snow White" necklace featuring an 18K yellow, rose, white and black gold pendant with a 15.3mm white cultured Pearl accented with Rubies, tsavorite Garnets, pink Sapphires and multicolored Diamonds on a strand of 9.5mm-10mm white Akoya cultured Pearls.
Classical, first place: Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design - 18K yellow gold "Luxuriant" Sautoir necklace featuring 18X16mm black and white South Sea cultured Pearls and 12mm black and white South Sea cultured Pearls accented with Diamonds (3.50 ctw.) on strands of Japanese baroque Keshi cultured Pearls.
Classical, second place: Raja Mehta, AG Gems & Jewelry, Inc. - Platinum "Magic-Wand" ring featuring a 3.03 ct. tsavorite Garnet accented with multi-cut Diamonds (2.14 ctw.).
Classical, third place: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé - Platinum ring featuring a 10.62 ct. oval Alexandrite accented with round Alexandrites (.81 ctw.) and multi-cut Diamonds (2.56 ctw.):
Classical, Honorable Mention: Joseph A. Murawski, Joden World Resources, LLC - Platinum ring featuring a 4.80 ct. Alexandrite accented with emerald-cut Diamonds (2.02 ctw.) and a burst of round Diamonds set beneath the center stone (.38 ctw.).
Classical, PGI Platinum Honors: Craig Slavens, Luxe Fine Jewelry - Platinum earrings featuring tricolored watermelon Tourmalines (59.67 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.91 ctw.).
Classical – WJA Gem DIVA Award: Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels, LLC - Platinum ring featuring a 20.49 ct. emerald-cut Aquamarine accented with Diamonds (8.31 ctw.).
Evening Wear, first place: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry - 14K rose and white gold "Galassia" earrings featuring specialty-cut Tanzanites (24.84 ctw.) accented with Akoya cultured Pearls and Diamonds (4.04 ctw.).
Evening Wear, second place: Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. - 18K white gold "Mothra" cuff featuring Moonstones (29.57 ctw.), Diamonds (3.11 ctw.) and blue Sapphires (.87 ctw.) on a Jadeite cuff.
Evening Wear, third place: Scott Keating, Somewhere In The Rainbow - 18K yellow gold "Hot Scarab Nights" bracelet featuring specialty- cut blue Zircons (10.12 ctw.) and pink Tourmalines (5.66 ctw.) accented with Sapphire melee (1.50 ctw.) and Diamond melee (.32 ctw.).
Evening Wear, Honorable Mention: Paula Crevoshay, MELLIKA, Inc. - 18K yellow gold "Treasure of the Sea" bracelet featuring 11mm white cultured Pearls accented with Moonstones (8.62 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (8.07 ctw.), Sapphires (9.88 ctw.) and Diamonds (6.09 ctw.).
Evening Wear, Honorable Mention: Tariq Riaz, Tariq Riaz LLC - 18K white and rose gold "Lotus" ring featuring a 2.37 ct. Tanzanite accented with Diamonds (1.76 ctw.), Mother-of-Pearl and Rubies. When the Tanzanite is pushed, the surrounding gemstones change to Emerald, Ruby, pink and blue Sapphires.
Evening Wear, Manufacturing Honors: Tariq Riaz, for 18K white and yellow gold "Circle of Life" double-sided earrings featuring pink Sapphires (1.98 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (1.95 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.54 ctw.). The earrings can be worn in different formations.
Evening Wear, PGI Platinum Honors: Robert Glenn, Geogem-USA - Platinum "Frozen" necklace featuring a 182.80 custom-cut blue Topaz accented with Diamonds.
Evening Wear, WJA Gem DIVA Award: Caroline Chartouni, Caroline C - 18K white gold bracelet featuring nine oval Paraiba Tourmalines (29.56 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (11.16 ctw.) and Paraiba Tourmalines.
Men's Wear, first place: Rodney Rahmani, Brilliant Stars - 18K yellow gold and platinum ring featuring a 12.86 ct. cat's eye Chrysoberyl cabochon accented with Diamonds.
Men's Wear, second place: Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry - 22K yellow gold "Solomon" ring featuring a black Opal cabochon accented with a .15 ct. Diamond.
Men's Wear, third place: Gastón R. Rives, Gastón Jewelry Studio, Inc. - Platinum ring featuring a 10.58 ct. purple Garnet accented with blue Sapphires (3.81 ctw.) and Diamonds (2.76 ctw.).
Men's Wear, Honorable Mention: Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers - 18K yellow gold "Oasis" ring featuring a 1.68 ct. emerald-cut green Tourmaline accented with trillion-cut Diamonds (.82 ctw.):
Men's Wear, Manufacturing Honors: Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design - Silver calcite and 24K yellow gold "Knotty" cufflinks featuring a .22 ct. Ruby, a .22 ct. Sapphire, a .19 ct. tsavorite Garnet and a .18 ct. Diamond.
Men's Wear, PGI Platinum Honors: Lindsay Jane Chatham, K. Jons Jewelry Co. - Platinum "De Oppresso Liber" ring featuring a 3.09 ct. step-cut teal Sapphire accented with Diamonds (.24 ctw.), Aquamarines (.30 ctw.), blue Sapphires (.38 ctw.) and teal Tourmalines (.50 ctw.).
For a complete list of the Cutting Edge Awards and other winners, click here.
For more information regarding the Spectrum Awards competition, the Spectrum Awards Gala, or the AGTA GemFair Tucson, please contact Kami Swinney at (800) 972- 1162, email spectrum@agta.org, or visit AGTA’s website at http://www.agta.org/.