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Winners Announced for AGTA's Spectrum Awards Competition
Dallas, TX - October 27: Winners have been named in the 2009 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition hosted by the American Gem Trade Association. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the competition.
The competition was held October 25-26 in New York, NY at a penthouse studio in Greenwich Village. Judges for the 2009 competition included Tom Heyman of Oscar Heyman, Donna Sturm of Verdura, Claudia Mata of Town & Country, and lapidarist Walter Casaravilla.
BEST OF CATEGORY Winners:
Best of Show and 1st Place in Evening Wear: Frederic Sage, Frederic Sage, Great Neck, NY
"Enchanted Stallion" brooch featuring 158.26 ct. hand-carved enhanced Turquoise, white Diamonds (3.77 ctw.) and demantiod Garnets (.16 ctw.) set in 18K green and white gold.
Best Use of Color and Fashion Forward Honors - Business/Day Wear: James W. Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc., New York, NY
Platinum "Kaleidoscope X2" ring featuring an 85 ct. Crystal surrounding Diamonds (10.13 ctw.), Amethysts (2.50 ctw.), Aquamarines (1.45 ctw.), fire Opals (.90 ctw.), Topaz (1.10 ctw.),
Citrines (4.89 ctw.), Garnets (2.13 ctw.) & Tourmalines (2.85 ctw.).
Best Use of Platinum and Color and Platinum Honors in Bridal Wear: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Los Angeles, CA
Platinum necklace featuring a 112.84 ct. Aquamarine briolette accented with Diamonds and Aquamarines (4.79 ctw.).
Best Use of Pearls - Bridal Wear: James W. Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc., New York, NY
Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring "Celebration" ring featuring a 16mm South Sea white Pearl, a 12.5mm South Sea golden Pearl, a 14.4mm Tahitian black Pearl and a 10.15mm Tahitian black
Pearl accented with white and yellow Diamonds (3.76 ctw.).
SPECTRUM AWARDS
Bridal Wear
1st Place - Bridal Wear: Judy Evans, Richard Krementz Gemstones, Springdale, NJ
Platinum earrings featuring Morganite briolettes (27.08 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (2.35 ctw.).
2nd Place - Bridal Wear: Evelyn Clothier, Evelyn Clothier Jewelry, Philadelphia, PA
Platinum earrings featuring white donut Agates accented with Diamonds (4.15 ctw.).
3rd Place - Bridal Wear: Carley McGee-Boehm, Carley Jewels, Solana Beach, CA
Palladium earrings featuring cuprian Tourmalines (18.09 ctw.) accented with black Spinel and rock Crystal Quartz helioliths.
Best Use of Pearls - Bridal Wear: James W. Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc., New York, NY
Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring "Celebration" ring featuring a 16mm South Sea white Pearl, a 12.5mm South Sea golden Pearl, a 14.4mm Tahitian black Pearl and a 10.15mm Tahitian black
Pearl accented with white and yellow Diamonds (3.76 ctw.).
Manufacturing Honors - Bridal Wear: Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry, Oakland, CA
Platinum ring featuring a 2.85 ct. rainbow Moonstone cabochon accented with Diamonds (.20 ctw.).
Platinum Honors and Best Use of Platinum and Color - Bridal Wear: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Los Angeles, CA
Platinum necklace featuring a 112.84 ct. Aquamarine briolette accented with Diamonds and Aquamarines (4.79 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear
1st Place - Business/Day Wear: Devta Doolan, Devta Doolan Jewelry, Portland, ME
24K yellow and 14K rose gold necklace featuring Jasper cabochons (630 ctw.).
2nd Place - Business/Day Wear: Jennifer Rabe Morin, Jennifer Joailliers, Santa Barbara, CA
18K white gold ring featuring a 38.67 ct. star rose Quartz cabochon accented with pink Sapphires (7.19 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.04 ctw.).
3rd Place - Business/Day Wear: Ashleigh Branstetter, Ashleigh Branstetter, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
18K yellow gold ring featuring a 32.10 ct. pink Tourmaline cabochon accented with Diamonds (.58 ctw.).
Best Use of Color and Fashion Forward - Business/Day Wear: James W. Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc., New York, NY
Platinum "Kaleidoscope X2" ring featuring an 85 ct. Crystal surrounding Diamonds (10.13 ctw.), Amethysts (2.50 ctw.), Aquamarines (1.45 ctw.), fire Opals (.90 ctw.), Topaz (1.10 ctw.),
Citrines (4.89 ctw.), Garnets (2.13 ctw.) & Tourmalines (2.85 ctw.).
Honorable Mention - Business/Day Wear: Glen J. Engelbrecht, G J Designs, Sarasota, FL
18K yellow gold pendant featuring a drusy Quartz leaf accented with Diamonds (1.13 ctw.).
Manufacturing Honors - Business/Day Wear: Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs, San Francisco, CA
Platinum ring featuring a 13mm black Tahitian Pearl accented with pave Diamonds.
Platinum Honors - Business/Day Wear: Evelyn Clothier, Evelyn Clothier Jewelry, Philadelphia, PA
Platinum earrings featuring triangle-cut green Tourmalines (13.68 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.50 ctw.).
Classical
1st Place - Classical: Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers, Santa Barbara, CA
18K white and yellow gold frog brooch featuring Opals (2.32 ctw.), Moonstones (1.08 ctw.) and pink Sapphires (.03 ctw.).
2nd Place - Classical: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Los Angeles, CA
18K yellow gold ring featuring a 17.51 ct. Chalcedony cabochon accented with Turquoise cabochons (3.10 ctw.) and Diamonds.
3rd Place - Classical: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC, New York, NY
Platinum ring featuring a 14.80 ct. cushion-cut blue-green Tourmaline accented with Diamonds (.70 ctw.).
Honorable Mention - Classical: JJ Buckareff, JJ Buckar, Toronto, ON CANADA
18K yellow gold cameo featuring a carved shell accented with white Diamonds (2.03 ctw.), tsavorite and spessartite Garnets (1.08 ctw.), pink, blue and yellow Sapphires (3.08 ctw.) and
Paraiba Tourmalines (.30 ctw.).
Manufacturing Honors - Classical: Richard Krementz Gemstones, Richard Krementz Gemstones, Springfield, NJ
Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring a 5.37 ct. blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (1.05 ctw.).
Platinum Honors - Classical: Aron Suna, Suna Bros. Inc., New York, NY
Platinum ring featuring a 7.74 ct. antique cushion-cut Topaz accented with Diamonds (.62 ctw.).
Evening Wear
1st Place and Best of Show - Evening Wear: Frederic Sage, Frederic Sage, Great Neck, NY
"Enchanted Stallion" brooch featuring 158.26 ct. hand-carved enhanced Turquoise, white Diamonds (3.77 ctw.) and demantiod Garnets (.16 ctw.) set in 18K green and white gold.
2nd Place - Evening Wear: JJ Buckareff, JJ Buckar, Toronto, ON Canada
Platinum "Ribbons" ring featuring an 11.50 ct. Tanzanite accented with ideal-cut diamonds (3.50 ctw.).
3rd Place - Evening Wear: Evelyn Clothier, Evelyn Clothier Jewelry, Philadelphia, PA
Platinum earrings featuring green Beryl drops (70.86 ctw.) accented with square and round-cut Tourmalines (4.23 ctw.) and Diamonds (.78 ctw.).
Honorable Mention - Evening Wear: Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs, San Francisco, CA
18K white and yellow gold ring featuring a 60.0 ct. yellow Sapphire accented with white and yellow Diamonds (10.0 ctw.).
Manufacturing Honors - Evening Wear: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Los Angeles, CA
18K yellow gold earrings featuring pear-shaped and antique cushion-cut Tanzanites (17.56 ctw.).
Platinum Honors - Evening Wear: Michael daCosta, Fortune's Fine Jewellery, Ltd., Toronto, ON Canada
Platinum brooch featuring a .57 ct. brown Diamond accented with yellow Diamonds (.52 ctw.), Rubies, pink and yellow Sapphires (9.15 ctw.) and white Diamonds (1.58 ctw.).
Men's Wear
1st Place - Men's Wear: Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA
18K yellow gold and platinum cufflinks featuring lavender Chalcedony cabochons (14.70 ctw.), round yellow Sapphires (1.57 ctw.), round Diamonds (0.17 ctw.) and round Rubies (0.08 ctw.).
2nd Place - Men's Wear: Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers, Lighthouse Point, FL
Platinum and 22K yellow gold ring featuring a 1.75 ct. emerald-cut Alexandrite accented with Diamond baguettes (.69 ctw.).
3rd Place - Men's Wear: Jack Bigio, Basser & Bigio, LLC, New York, NY
22K and 18K yellow gold cufflinks featuring bi-color watermelon Tourmaline slices (30.50 ctw.).
Manufacturing Honors - Men's Wear: Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA
Palladium ring featuring a 19.68 ct. oval brown Zircon.
Platinum Honors - Men's Wear: Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design, Long Beach, CA
Platinum ring featuring an 11.54 ct. indicolite Tourmaline accented with white and yellow Diamonds (1.58 ctw.).
CUTTING EDGE AWARDS
A1 - Open Category Classic
1st Place - A1 - Open Category Classic Gemstone: John M. Bachman, John M. Bachman, Inc., Boulder, CO
29.92 ct. natural yellow Sapphire.
2nd Place - A1 - Open Category Classic Gemstone: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp., New York, NY
6.05 ct. emerald-cut natural blue Sapphire.
3rd Place - A1 - Open Category Classic Gemstone: Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co., San Francisco, CA
9.13 ct. heart-shaped natural yellow Sapphire.
A2 - Open Category All Other
1st Place - A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC, New York, NY
11.44 ct. oval-cut red Spinel.
2nd Place - A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp., New York, NY
10.45 ct. natural elbaite Tourmaline.
3rd Place - A2 - Open Category All Other Faceted: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp., New York, NY
8.62 ct. oval-cut natural Paraiba Tourmaline.
A3 - Open Category
1st Place - A3 - Open Category Phenomenal: James W. Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc., New York, NY
34.80 ct. natural boulder Opal fancy cabochon.
2nd Place - A3 - Open Category Phenomenal: Omi Nagpal, Omi Gems, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
5.98 ct. cushion-cut Alexandrite.
3rd Place - A3 - Open Category Phenomenal: Stephen Kotlowski, Zultanite Gems, LLC, Fort Lauderdale, FL
80.25 ct. oval Zultanite.
B - Pairs & Suites
1st Place - B - Pairs & Suites: Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co., San Francisco, CA
Pair of cushion-cut Peridot (28.47 ctw.).
2nd Place - B - Pairs & Suites: Nandu Nichani, Temple Trading Co., Encinitas, CA
Pair of silver pear-shaped Moonstones (107.09 ctw.).
3rd Place - B - Pairs & Suites: Thomas Trozzo, Trozzo, Culpeper, VA
Suite of dimple-cut round Citrines (46.98 ctw.).
Honorable Mention - B - Pairs & Suites: David Brackna, David A. Brackna, Gemcutter, Germantown, MD
"Carousel"-cut assembled Opal inlaid and surrounded by Heliodor (17.58 ctw.).
C - Faceting
1st Place - C - Faceting: Ben Kho, Kho International, Ltd., Decatur, GA
15.05 ct. cushion-cut Rhodochrosite.
2nd Place - C - Faceting: Shawn Maddox, Jewels From the Woods, Blanco, TX
19.01 ct. "Celestial Compass" Peridot.
3rd Place - C - Faceting: Christopher Wolfsberg, K.S. Export, LLC, Castle Hayne, NC
41.65 ct. modified square-cut Heliodor.
D - Carving
1st Place - D - Carving: Larry Woods, Jewels From the Woods, Blanco, TX
40.47 ct. Lightning Ridge Opal carving.
2nd Place - D - Carving: Glenn Lehrer, Lehrer Designs, Inc., Larkspur, CA
"Solar Flare" 70.13 ct. carved transparent-orange Brazilian Opal.
3rd Place - D - Carving: Darryl Alexander, Alexander's Jewelers, Gilbert, AZ
25.7 ct. "Autumn Forming" Agate free-form carving.
E - Combination
1st Place - E - Combination: Michael M. Dyber, Michael M. Dyber dba Ledge Art Studio, Rumney, NH
89.79 ct. carved Aquamarine.
2nd Place - E - Combination: Cheng Ming, Milani Jewelry Co., Ltd., Coquitlam, BC CANADA
11.0 ct. round Citrine.
3rd Place - E - Combination: John Dyer, John Dyer & Co., Edina, MN
106.84 ct. "Aqua Exuberance" Aquamarine.
Honorable Mention - E - Combination: John Dyer, John Dyer & Co., Edina, MN
27.12 ct. concave-cut trillion Aquamarine.
F - Objects of Art
1st Place - F - Objects of Art: Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz, Spring Branch, TX
Executive desk set featuring Lightning Ridge Opal, black Galaxy, black Jade and Quartz (1500 ctw.).
2nd Place - F - Objects of Art: Dalan Hargrave, Juniper Ridge Opal, Spring Branch, TX
"Cheese" carving featuring a full variety of Juniper Ridge Opal (2400 ctw.).
3rd Place - F - Objects of Art: R.A. "Art" Guyon, International Gem Mart, Southlake, TX
“Moods" sculpture of Jasper.
Honorable Mention - F - Objects of Art: Robert Wander, Robert Wander for Winc Creations, Honolulu, HI
" Walking stick with an 18K yellow gold flamingo handle featuring multi-colored Sapphires (95.58 ctw.) and chocolate Diamonds (1.57 ctw
An editor’s event was held October 27 and featured all of the jewelry and gemstone submissions. Attendees included top fashion/accessory editors. The event provided a perfect venue for industry and consumer professionals to view the entire collection.
This year's AGTA Spectrum Awards will be presented during the 2009 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson to be held February 4 - February 9 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. Winning entries will be displayed during the show and AGTA Spectrum Awards recipients will be recognized during the AGTA Dinner Dance and Awards Gala. The event starts at 7:00 pm Saturday, February 7. Tickets for the gala are $100 and cocktail attire is encouraged.
AGTA Spectrum Awards™ entries were judged on the basis of overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad-base consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones. Spectrum Award categories included Bridal, Business/Day, Classical, Evening and Men's Wear.
AGTA Cutting Edge Awards honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings, other gem materials and objects of art. Categories included: Open Category - Classic Gemstone Division, Open Category – All Other Faceted Gemstones Division, Open Category – Phenomenal Gemstones Division, Pairs & Suites, Faceting, Carving, Combination and Objects of Art.
Platinum Honors was relaunched this year through the involvement of Platinum Guild International. All entries whose primary metal was platinum were eligible in this category.
Consumers Choice Honors sponsored by the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council will be determined through an online research study involving the jewelry-buying public. The judging process is currently under way
All designs that qualified for the Spectrum Awards competition were considered for Manufacturing Honors. This award celebrates outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry appropriate to be manufactured in production quantities.
Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl beads in artful, trend-setting jewelry. All necklaces, earrings, bracelets or other jewelry that qualified for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition automatically qualified for Fashion Forward Honors judging.
For further information on the 2009 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson or the AGTA Dinner Dance and Awards Gala, please call (800) 972-1162 or visit our website at www.agta.org. For inquiries regarding the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition, please contact Adam Graham at adam@agta.org or (800) 972-1162.
The American Gem Trade Association is a not-for-profit Association serving the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl industry since 1981. The AGTA serves the industry as "The Authority In Color" and has its headquarter office in Dallas, Texas and the world-renowned Gemological Testing Center in New York, New York.
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