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New York, NY—The judging is complete, the results are in, and the winners of the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Award Competition are ready for their close-ups! This year’s competition drew more than 500 entries in five categories. Separately, the Platinum Guild International sponsors the Platinum Honors award and a new sponsored category, the Palladium Prestige Awards, was introduced this year.

The AGTA Spectrum Awards were established 31 years ago to foster innovation and creativity in colored gemstone jewelry design. A parallel competition, the Cutting Edge Awards, judges loose colored gemstone cutting.

As always, blue was the dominant color for the Spectrum entries, but CEO Doug Hucker says there was a noticeable increase in pieces using red and bold block color this year, as well as some alternative materials. Click here to watch a video interview with Hucker about this year’s competition.

The following pieces were each chosen as a Best of Category winner:

Best of Show: Todd Reed, Todd Reed, Inc. for a palladium and 22k yellow gold locket featuring blue moonstones, grey and white diamonds, blue sapphires, and a 76.03 ct. Moldavite Buddha.

Best Use of Color: Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design, for platinum earrings featuring removable opal enhancers accented with blue zircons, tanzanites, Paraiba tourmalines, and diamonds, below:

Best Use of Platinum and Color: Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry, for a platinum ring featuring a 19.05 ct. cushion-cut aquamarine with pave-set diamonds.

Best Use of Palladium and Color: Dennis de Jonghe, Dennis de Jonghe, for a palladium pendant featuring a 16.39 ct. aquamarine accented with moonstone, diamonds, and pearls.

Best Use of Pearls: Anil Maloo, Baggins, Inc., for 18k white gold and black rhodium-plated earrings encrusted with light cognac diamonds and cultured South Sea pearls.

Fashion Forward:Belle Brooke Barer, Belle Brooke Designs, Inc., for an oxidized sterling silver necklace, below, featuring a blue Chalcedony cabochon accented with diamonds.

For a complete list of winners and a listing of the respective gem carat weights of these and all winning pieces, click here.