Best Of

Only the most brilliant, breathtaking pieces are worthy of the Best of Show trophy. Winning designs must possess beauty, mastery, and imagination beyond compare. Consideration for the Best of Show award is limited to first place winners in each category.

Editors' Choice

Matthew Trent, Matthew Trent - 18K rose gold ring with a 20.65 ct. autumn-colored Tourmaline accented with ombre Sapphires (5.65 ctw.). The metal is white ecoated to showcase gemstones.

Fashion Forward

Peter Schmid, French Designer Jeweler - 22K and 18K yellow gold "Lady Gaga Metropolitan Gala" earrings featuring pear-shaped rubellite Tourmalines (10.10 ctw.) and Aquamarines (2.31 ctw.) accented with Diamonds.

Best of Single Entries Cutting Edge

Afshin and David Hackman, Intercolor USA - 7.04 ct. oval Ruby.

Best of Single Entries Spectrum

Sean Olufson, Olufson Designs - Platinum pendant featuring a 3.39 ct. oval pink Sapphire surrounded by matched pear-shaped Alexandrites (3.36 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (.54 ctw.).

Best Use of Platinum Crown

Kathrin Schoenke, KNS Platinum Solutions - Platinum ring featuring an 18.65 ct. cushion-cut indicolite Tourmaline accented with blue and pink Sapphires.

Best Use of Platinum and Color

Adam Neeley, Somewhere In The Rainbow - Platinum and 18K yellow gold "Dark Knight" ring featuring a 9.81 ct. black Opal accented with blue Sapphires (5.06 ctw.), tsavorite Garnets (2.56 ctw.) and Diamonds (.28 ctw.).

Best Use of Pearls

Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry - 18K rose gold "Black Lace" ring featuring a 16.5mm cultured Pearl accented with pink and lavender Sapphires (2.86 ctw.) and Diamonds (.06 ctw.).

Best Use of Color

Rosa Van Parys, Rosa Van Parys Jewelry - 18K yellow gold "Links" necklace featuring a 14.9mm black Tahitian cultured Pearl accented with multicolored Sapphires, tsavorite Garnets, Aquamarines, multicolored Diamonds and Amethysts.

Best of Show

David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. - Pair of pear-shaped spessartite Garnets (90.48 ctw.).

Best Of

Bridal Wear

Whether gracing the bridesmaids or donning the bride herself, this category captures every look for walking down the aisle. This category is sponsored by The Knot, the #1 wedding network in the U.S., reaching over 80% of brides.

Manufacturing Honors

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive - Platinum ring featuring a 3.38 ct. oval Emerald accented with Diamond epaulettes (1.00 ctw.).

Honorable Mention

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive - Platinum ring featuring a 2.21 ct. oval Grandidierite accented with Alexandrites (1.18 ctw.) and Diamonds (.34 ctw.).

3rd Place

Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. - Platinum ring featuring a 7.23 ct. cushion-cut pink Sapphire accented with Diamonds.

2nd Place

Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry, Inc. - Platinum "The Vision" ring featuring an 11.58 ct. cushion-cut blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (.68 ctw.).

1st Place

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive - Platinum ring featuring a 3.38 ct. oval Emerald accented with Diamond epaulettes (1.00 ctw.).

Business and Day Wear

Stylish, practical jewelry perfectly suited for work and for play. Entries should possess simple elegance for a woman on the move.

Manufacturing Honors

Timothy W Foster, T. Foster & Company - 18K yellow gold earrings featuring round Emeralds (.16 ctw.) and Diamonds (.20 ctw.).

Honorable Mention

Jon Barry DiNola, Yardley Jewelers - 14K gold bar pin featuring pink Tourmalines and Tanzanites (4.96 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (.72 ctw.).

3rd Place

Phillip Dismuke, Jewelsmith, Inc. - 14K white gold earrings featuring Chalcedony Quartz cubes (41.46 ctw.).

2nd Place

Zoltan David, Zoltan David - Blue and purple steel with 24K and 18K yellow gold "Time" pendant featuring a 19.54 ct. fantasy-cut round Citrine.

1st Place

Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC - Platinum ring featuring pink and lavender pear-shaped Spinels (2.49 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.26 ctw.).

Business and Day Wear

Stylish, practical jewelry perfectly suited for work and for play. Entries should possess simple elegance for a woman on the move.

Classical

This category represents timeless style. Whether a string of Pearls or an elegant pendant, Classical entries strike the balance of traditional feel with a modern twist.

Manufacturing Honors

Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem, Inc. - Platinum and 18K yellow gold ring featuring three untreated emerald-cut Colombian Emeralds (2.48 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (.27 ctw.).

Honorable Mention

Raja Mehta, A. G. Gems, Inc. - 18K white and yellow gold ring featuring a 2.39 ct. untreated blue Tourmaline and a 1.03 ct. fancy yellow Diamond accented with round and bullet-cut Diamonds (1.14 ctw.).

3rd Place

Craig Slavens, Luxe Fine Jewelry - 18K rose and white gold earrings featuring pear-shaped Morganites (19.92 ct.) accented with Diamonds (1.95 ctw.).

2nd Place

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive - Platinum ring featuring a 10.10 ct. oval pink Sapphire accented with Diamonds (1.36 ctw.), pink Sapphires (.72 ctw.) and a .01 ct. Alexandrite.

1st Place

Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. - Platinum ring featuring a 14.28 ct. oval blue Sri Lankan Sapphire accented with Diamonds.

Evening Wear

Pieces in this category fall nothing short of spectacular. Entries can range from red carpet fabulous to stunningly chic– and all must have exceptional color.

Manufacturing Honors

Tariq Riaz, Tariq Riaz LLC - 18K rose and white gold expandable ring featuring pink rhodolite Garnets (5.01 ctw.).

Honorable Mention

Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere In The Rainbow - 18K yellow gold, platinum, sterling, bronze and Brazilian rosewood "Bespoken" cuff featuring a 123.40 ct. green Beryl accented with cognac Diamonds (3.52 ctw.) and white Diamonds (2.50 ctw.).

3rd Place

Tariq Riaz, Tariq Riaz LLC - 18K white and rose gold "Chameleon" ring featuring a 3.55 rhodolite Garnet and a 2.10 ct. Peridot accented with tsavorite Garnets (1.88 ctw.), pink Sapphires (.70 ctw.) and Diamonds (2.07 ctw.). The ring features a mechanism that switches the center gem.

2nd Place

Zoltan David, Somewhere In The Rainbow - 18K yellow gold and platinum "The Queen's Ring" featuring an 18.55 ct. Mahenge Spinel accented with Diamonds (1.63 ctw.) and Spinel melee (.68 ctw.).

1st Place

Michael Tope, Raintree, LLC - 18K yellow and rose gold and platinum "Casatheia" ring featuring a 8.40 ct. rubellite Tourmaline paired with a 2.33 ct. blue Sapphire accented with Chrysoprase, Montana Sapphires (1.68 ctw.), Diamonds (.40 ctw.) and a pear-cut Turquoise.

Evening Wear

Pieces in this category fall nothing short of spectacular. Entries can range from red carpet fabulous to stunningly chic– and all must have exceptional color.

Men's Wear

Fine jewelry is the quintessence of the modern man. Entries in this category, ranging from rings to bracelets, cufflinks to belt buckles, express the myriad ways a gentleman can express himself.

Manufacturing Honors

Gastón R. Rives, Gastón Jewelry Studio, Inc. - 18K yellow gold ring featuring Rubies (6.51 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.93 ctw.).

Honorable Mention

Randy Coffin, Somewhere In The Rainbow - 18K yellow gold and platinum "Magic Man" magnetic lapel pin featuring a 13.03 ct. green Tourmaline accented with Diamonds (.86 ctw.), green Tourmaline melee (.45 ctw.), purple Spinels (.43 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.58 ctw.).

3rd Place

2nd Place

Gastón R. Rives, Gastón Jewelry Studio, Inc. - 18K yellow gold ring featuring Rubies (6.51 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.93 ctw.).

1st Place

Jeremy Dunn, Dunn & Co. - Platinum cufflinks featuring Asscher-cut Malaya Garnets (5.83 ctw.) and blue Sapphire melee (1.35 ctw.).

Platinum Honors™

Sponsored by Platinum Guild International, Platinum Honors™ recognizes the outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or pearl jewelry in the five AGTA Spectrum Awards™ categories, three Platinum Innovation categories and for the Best Use of Color and Platinum.

Platinum Honors™ Men's Wear

Jeremy Dunn, Dunn & Co. - Platinum cufflinks featuring Asscher-cut Malaya Garnets (5.83 ctw.) and blue Sapphire melee (1.35 ctw.).

Platinum Innovation Evening Wear

Sean Smokovich, Somewhere In The Rainbow - Platinum and 18K yellow gold "Razzle Dazzle" earrings featuring trapiche Rubies (30.94 ctw.) and Diamonds (2.40 ctw.).

Platinum Honors™ Evening Wear

Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC - Platinum ring featuring a 3.0 ct. kite-shaped gray Spinel accented with baguette Diamonds (1.93 ctw.) and round Diamonds (.16 ctw.).

Platinum Honors™ Classical Wear

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive - Platinum ring featuring a 10.10 ct. oval pink Sapphire accented with Diamonds (1.36 ctw.), pink Sapphires (.72 ctw.) and a .01 ct. Alexandrite.

Platinum Honors™ & Platinum Innovation Business Day Wear

Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC - Platinum ring featuring pink and lavender pear-shaped Spinels (2.49 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.26 ctw.).

Platinum Innovation Bridal Wear

Jacob Wosinski, Jacob Raymond Custom Jewelry - Platinum ring featuring a 1.39 ct. radiant-cut mint-green Maine Tourmaline.

Platinum Honors™ Bridal Wear

Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry, Inc. - Platinum "The Vision" ring featuring an 11.58 ct. cushion-cut blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (.68 ctw.).

Platinum Honors™

Gem DIVA™

Sponsored by the Women’s Jewelry Association, The Gem DIVA™ awards honor women designers in the Bridal Wear, Classic, Evening Wear, and Business/Day Wear categories. The Gem DIVA™ awards are open to all women entering these categories who indicate interest on their Entry Form.

Gem DIVA™ Award Evening Wear

Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company, Inc./ Crevoshay - 18K yellow gold "Moon Dance" bracelet featuring rainbow, blue flash, silver flash and cat's eye Moonstones (133.19 ctw.) accented with Sapphires (38.61 ctw.).

Gem DIVA™ Award Classical Wear

Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company, Inc./ Crevoshay - 18K yellow gold "Brown-Eyed Susan" pendant features a 5.30 ct. orange Montana Sapphire accented with orange and yellow Sapphires (8.69 ctw.) and black and cognac Diamonds (1.98 ctw.).

Gem DIVA™ Award Business Day Wear

Eve Streicker, Original Eve - 18K recycled yellow gold necklace featuring a pear-shaped cultured freshwater Pearl accented with Sapphires and Diamonds.

Gem DIVA™ Award Bridal Wear

Kathleen Kerr, FTJCo (Fair Trade Jewellery Co.) - 18K yellow and white gold halo ring featuring a 1.49 ct. bicolored Australian Sapphire accented with multicolored Sapphire melee (.78 ctw.) and Diamonds (.23 ctw.).

All Other Cut Gemstones

Cutting Edge Award

Open to any extraordinary cut gemstone featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.

Honorable Mention

Edward Boehm, RareSource - 21.58 ct. untreated Sri Lankan pink Spinel.

3rd Place

Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive - 25.23 ct. pear-shaped Imperial Topaz.

2nd Place

Erica Courtney, The Courtney Collection - 10.59 ct. heart-shaped pinkish-red Mahenge Spinel.

1st Place

Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp. - 21.81 ct. brilliant-cut pear-shaped Paraiba Tourmaline.

All Other Cut Gemstones

Cutting Edge Award

Open to any extraordinary cut gemstone featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.

Carving

Cutting Edge Award

Open to any natural gem material carved in any style.

3rd Place

Meg Berry, Megagem - 32.11 ct. indicolite Tourmaline carving, titled "Mood Indigo."

2nd Place

Dalan Hargrave, GeoGem-USA - 458.50 ct. carved Moonstone, titled "African Violets." Sits on a base of black and green Jade with yellow Sapphires.

1st Place

Yanqing Zhang Asdurian, Yanqing Asdurian - Jadeite snail carving.

Classic Gemstones

Cutting Edge Award

Open to outstanding examples of Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.

3rd Place

Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem, Inc. - 6.47 ct. emerald-cut Colombian Emerald.

2nd Place

Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. - 20.54 ct. cushion-cut blue Sapphire from Sri Lanka.

1st Place

David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. - 12.99 ct. untreated vibrant pink Ceylon Sapphire.

Classic Gemstones

Cutting Edge Award

Open to outstanding examples of Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.

Innovative Faceting

Cutting Edge Award

Open to any gemstone featuring innovative faceting and lapidary techniques.

3rd Place

Lee Haynes, LWH Gems - 55.75 ct. concave curved mixed-cut Citrine, titled "Sun Burst."

2nd Place

Darryl Alexander, Alexander's Jewelers - 123.0 ct. specialty-cut golden Beryl, titled "Seaweed & Bubbles."

1st Place

Thomas Trozzo, Trozzo - 70 ct. freeform faceted and carved Ametrine.

North American Mined Gemstones

Cutting Edge Award

This category features gemstones that are mined in North America (United States and Canada).

Honorable Mention

Brett Kosnar, Kosnar Gem Co. - 137.20 ct. specialty cut Fluorite from New Hampshire.

3rd Place

Jeff Hapeman, Somewhere In The Rainbow - Pair of modified cushion-cut Montana Sapphires (6.90 ctw.), titled "Thing1 & Thing 2."

1st Place

Edward Wilsek, Wilsek & Co - 35.43 ct. oval faceted spessartite Garnet from Virginia.

1st Place

David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd. - 0.80 ct. shield-shaped untreated red Beryl from Utah.

North American Mined Gemstones

Cutting Edge Award

This category features gemstones that are mined in North America (United States and Canada).

Objects of Art

Cutting Edge Award

Open to carvings, bowls, sculptures, intarsia, etc., of gem materials not intended to be worn. Objects may incorporate metal, wood or other non-gem materials as base, frame or decorative components.

3rd Place

Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry - Honey Citrine pyramid (1050 ctw.) on a black and green jade base with a black walnut drawer, titled "Pyramid."

2nd Place

Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers - Table ornament, titled "Shimmering Seas," featuring multicolored Sapphire (44.78 ctw.) and Diamond (.17 ctw.) harlequin fish on a base of mushroom Coral and sterling silver.

1st Place

Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company, Inc./ Crevoshay - "Garden of Delight Mystery Box" made of Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Sugilite, Malachite, Turquoise and more. The hummingbirds, branch and columbine feature multicolored Sapphires, Amethysts, Spinels, tsavorite Garnets, Opal and Diamonds.