AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards
The world’s finest jewelry and colored gemstone competition.
Overview
Since its inception in 1984, the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards has been the pinnacle of international acclaim for decorated designers and rising stars alike. Winning entries receive worldwide exposure through trade journals, consumer press, and a special showcase at the AGTA GemFair Tucson in Arizona.
To maintain this standard of excellence, each year a new panel of five experts from different industry segments evaluates every entry by hand, with an eye towards quality, craftsmanship, and potential to elevate the profile of colored gemstone and cultured pearls internationally.
Overview
Since its inception in 1984, the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards has been the pinnacle of international acclaim for decorated designers and rising stars alike. Winning entries receive worldwide exposure through trade journals, consumer press, and a special showcase at the AGTA GemFair Tucson in Arizona.
To maintain this standard of excellence, each year a new panel of five experts from different industry segments evaluates every entry by hand, with an eye towards quality, craftsmanship, and potential to elevate the profile of colored gemstone and cultured pearls internationally.
Eligibility
The AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards is open to all companies and individuals in the United States and Canada; AGTA membership is not required. To enter, entries must meet the following criteria:
- Assembled stones and stones of man-made origin are not eligible for the competition.
- Jewelry or gemstones must be original.
- Entries that have been featured in any publications or social media are subject to exclusion.
- Completed pieces previously entered in an AGTA or other industry competition are ineligible.
- Entries must be finished pieces; no drawings will be accepted.
- Entries may have been created anywhere in the world, but must be submitted by U.S. or Canadian companies.
- For questions regarding eligibility, please email [email protected].
To view the complete competition Rules & Regulations please click here.
Spectrum
Judging Procedures & Criteria
Judging occurs in three stages: Elimination, Scoring, and Placing. During the judging process, all judges, the CEO and the Spectrum Committee Chairman will be in the room. The CEO and Committee Chairman will be present solely to answer judges’ questions. The AGTA Staff will be present solely to assist judges in removing and/or arranging the entries as needed.
- Quality of Gemstones
- Quality of Workmanship
- Effective Use of Materials
- Design Aesthetic & or Innovation
- Overall Beauty & Wearability
- Ability to Generate Publicity
Spectrum
Judging Procedures & Criteria
Judging occurs in three stages: Elimination, Scoring, and Placing. During the judging process, all judges, the CEO and the Spectrum Committee Chairman will be in the room. The CEO and Committee Chairman will be present solely to answer judges’ questions. The AGTA Staff will be present solely to assist judges in removing and/or arranging the entries as needed.
- Quality of Gemstones
- Quality of Workmanship
- Effective Use of Materials
- Design Aesthetic & or Innovation
- Overall Beauty & Wearability
- Ability to Generate Publicity
Cutting Edge
Judging Procedures & Criteria
Classic Gemstones category is limited to traditional cuts among Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire. All Other Cut Gemstones, Phenomenal Gemstones, and North American Mined Gemstones categories also honor traditional cuts in these gemstones. Entries in these categories will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Quality of Lapidary Work
- Technique
- Quality/Rarity of Gem Material
- Overall Beauty
Pairs & Suites, Innovative Faceting, Carving, and Objects of Art categories will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Originality of Design
- Quality of Lapidary Work
- Technique
- Quality/Rarity of Gem Material
- Overall Beauty