AGTA Announces the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards Winners

Jul 04, 2023

The number of entries was nearly 10% higher than last year.

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(PRESS RELEASE)DALLAS,TX — The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announces the winners of the 2022 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.

This year's competition took place again in Dallas Oct. 22–23. The number of entries was nearly 10% higher than last year. 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 included 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," explains 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, Jan. 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.

Shots of other winners and select other entrants will be available over the next week.

Winners of the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards are:

Best of … Awards

Bridal Wear

Business / Day Wear

Classical

Evening Wear

Men's Wear

Editor's Choice Awards

Winners of the 2022 AGTA Cutting Edge Awards are:

Classic Gemstones

All Other Cut Gemstones

Carving

Innovative Faceting

North American Mined Gemstones

Objects of Art

Pairs and Suites

Phenomenal

AGTA Spectrum Awards entries are judged on overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad based consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones.

AGTA Cutting Edge Awards honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings and other gem materials.

Platinum Honors, sponsored by Platinum Guild International (PGI), recognizes 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 Wear, Business/Day Wear and Evening Wear. Platinum Innovation honors entries with a retail 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 Women's Jewelry Association, grants awards in the Bridal Wear, Evening Wear, Classical and Business/Day Wear categories. All women who enter the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition are eligible for this category.

Manufacturing Honors recognizes outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry produced at the highest levels of manufacturing excellence. All designs that qualify for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition will also automatically be qualified for Manufacturing Honors judging.

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 AGTA Spectrum Awards competition are eligible for Fashion Forward Honors judging.

For more information regarding the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition, contact Kimmie Petersen at (800) 972 1162 or [email protected]. For further information regarding the 2022 AGTA GemFair Tucson or the AGTA Spectrum Awards Gala, call (800) 972 1162 or visit our website here.

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 is headquartered in Dallas.

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