AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards
The world’s finest jewelry and colored gemstone competition.
2008 Winners
2008 Winners
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.
Fashion Forward
James Currens - J.W. Currens, Inc. - New York, NY: "The Big Bang" platinum amulet featuring a 424 ct. Crystal accented with Moonstones (24.81 ctw.), Opals (9.41 ctw.) and pink, white and yellow Diamonds (21.46 ctw.).
Best Use of Color
Jennifer Rabe Morin - Jennifer Rabe Morin - Santa Barbara, CA: 18K white and yellow gold ring featuring a 19.53 ct. mauve Agate cabochon accented with Amethysts (1.84 ctw.) and Diamonds (.85 ctw.).
Best of Show
James Currens - J.W. Currens, Inc. - New York,NY: "The American Queen" honeycomb box featuring orange and blue Sapphires (3.91 ctw.), Citrines (3.02 ctw.), Rubies (.15 ctw.), Tsavorite Garnets (.24 ctw.) and yellow and white Diamonds (1.98 ctw.).
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.
3rd Place
Julie Buckareff - JJ Buckar - Toronto, ON CANADA: Platinum earrings featuring Aquamarines (24.83 ctw.), white Diamond heart and arrow (1.95 ctw.) and champagne Diamonds (1.54 ctw.).
2nd Place
Carley McGee-Boehm - Carley - Solana Beach, CA: 18K white gold "Chimera" ring featuring a 13.75 ct. oval Cuprian Tourmaline cabochon accented with black Spinel and Diamond.
1st Place
Arun Bohra - Arunashi - Los Angeles, CA: 18K white gold ring featuring a 13.77 ct. silver Moonstone accented with champagne Diamonds (2.11 ctw.).
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.
Business & 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
Yahouda Saketkhou - Yael Designs - San Francisco, CA: 18K rose gold ring featuring a 12mm black Tahitian cultured Pearl accented with Diamonds (.51 ctw.).
Honorable Mention
Frederic Sage - Frederic Sage - Great Neck, NY: 18K white and green gold "Empress" ring featuring a 32.05 ct. Moonstone accented with Diamonds (1.04 ctw.).
3rd Place
Jeffrey Bilgore - Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - New York, NY: Platinum brooch featuring a 7.15 ct. Fire Opal accented with yellow Diamonds (.10 ctw.).
2nd Place
Katy Briscoe - Katy Briscoe, Inc. - Houston, TX: 18K yellow gold earrings featuring carved Rose Quartz, freshwater Pearls and Diamonds (.30 ctw.).
1st Place
Gennadiy Berdnik - Andrew Sarosi - Los Angeles, CA: 18K yellow gold and vitreous enamel pendant featuring a 9.41 ct. oval blue Zircon accented with Diamonds (.50 ctw.).
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.
Honorable Mention
E. Eichberg, Inc. - Beverly Hills, CA: Palladium "Zebra" brooch featuring black Diamonds (7.86 ctw.), white Diamonds (3.95 ctw.), Rubies (1.05 ctw.), Emeralds (.38 ctw.) and Tsavorite Garnets (.30 ctw.).
3rd Place
Jeffrey Bilgore - Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - New York, NY: Platinum ring featuring a 9.05 ct. natural Padparadscha Sapphire accented with Diamonds (1.41 ctw.).
2nd Place
Robert Wander - Robert Wander for Winc Creations - Honolulu, HI: 18K yellow gold brooch featuring a lizard of multi-colored Sapphires (4.86 ctw.), Garnets (6.01 ctw.) and chocolate Diamonds (.11 ctw.) atop a red Coral branch.
1st Place
Richard Krementz Gemstones - Newark, NJ: Platinum ring featuring an antique-faceted yellow Sapphire accented with Diamonds (15.66 ctw.).
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.
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.
Honorable Mention
Jennifer Rabe Morin - Jennifer Rabe Morin - Santa Barbara, CA: 18K white and yellow gold ring featuring a 19.53 ct. mauve Agate cabochon accented with Amethysts (1.84 ctw.) and Diamonds (.85 ctw.).
3rd Place
James Currens - J.W. Currens, Inc. - New York, NY: "The Big Bang" platinum amulet featuring a 424 ct. Crystal accented with Moonstones (24.81 ctw.), Opals (9.41 ctw.) and pink, white and yellow Diamonds (21.46 ctw.).
2nd Place
Andrew Costen - Costen Catbalue Goldsmiths - Vancouver, BC CANADA: 19K white gold earrings featuring free-form Fire Opals (20.25 ctw.) accented with two Tsavorite Garnets (1.19 ctw.) and Diamonds (.78 ctw.).
1st Place
Ricardo Basta E. Eichberg, Inc. Beverly Hills, CA 18K yellow gold and platinum necklace featuring mulit-colored Diamonds (39.98 ctw.).
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.
Honorable Mention
Robert Wander - Robert Wander for Winc Creations - Honolulu, HI: 18K yellow gold cufflinks featuring Aquamarines (87.20 ctw.) and chocolate Diamonds (1.58 ctw.).
3rd Place
Andrew Costen - Costen Catbalue Goldsmiths - Vancouver, BC CANADA: 19K white gold, 18K yellow gold and steel necklace featuring a 22.02 ct. Sapphire crystal pendant.
2nd Place
Shant Dakessian - Simone & Son - Huntington Beach, CA: Platinum and 18K yellow gold cufflinks featuring green Tourmalines (4.92 ctw.) accented with natural yellow Diamonds (.62 ctw.).
1st Place
Cynthia Nockold - J. Yontef Diamonds & Jewelry - Nashville, TN: Platinum ring featuring a blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (2.73 ctw.).
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.
All Other Faceted
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any extraordinary faceted gemstone featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
Honorable Mention
Allen Pung - Parade Designs, Inc. - Los Angeles, CA: 46.98 ct. Peridot.
Honorable Mention
John D. Dyer - John D. Dyer/P.G. Co. - Edina, MN: 6.97 ct. radiant-cut Tourmaline.
3rd Place
Justina DeVries - Beija Flor Gems - Haiku, HI: 6.62 ct. cushion-cut Rhodochrosite.
2nd Place
Allen Kleiman - A. Kleiman & Co. - San Francisco, CA: 17.83 ct. oval green Cuprian Tourmaline.
1st Place
Ben Kho - Kho International, Ltd. - Decatur, GA: 40.46 ct. fancy trilliant Morganite.
Carving
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any natural gem material carved in any style.
3rd Place
Chu-Alice Chan - AJ Art Land, Inc. - Chicago, IL: 80.0 ct. carved Aquamarine cabochon.
2nd Place
Chu-Alice Chan - AJ Art Land, Inc. - Chicago, IL: 29.80 ct. "Indigo Blossom" Aquamarine carving.
1st Place
Dalan Hargrave - Dust Devil Mining - Spring Branch, TX: 217 ct. "Sweet Nectar" Sunstone carving.
Carving
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any natural gem material carved in any style.
Classic Gemstones
Cutting Edge Award
Open to outstanding examples of Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
Honorable Mention
Allen Kleiman - A. Kleiman & Co. - San Francisco, CA: 32.05 ct. natural cushion-cut yellow Sapphire.
3rd Place
Allen Kleiman - A. Kleiman & Co. - San Francisco, CA: 4.03 ct. cushion-cut Ruby.
2nd Place
Jeffrey Bilgore - Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - New York, NY: 12.38 ct. natural cushion-cut Sapphire.
1st Place
John Blair - Blair Brothers Goldsmiths - Williamsport, PA: 10.34 ct. step-cut natural pink Sapphire.
Combination
Cutting Edge Award
Honorable Mention
John D. Dyer - John D. Dyer/P.G. Co. - Edina, MN: 53.08 ct. "Golden Reflections" golden Beryl.
3rd Place
Dalan Hargrave - Gem Starz - Spring Branch TX: 85.25 ct. "graphix-cut" Ametrine.
2nd Place
Larry Woods - Jewels from the Woods - Blanco, TX: 57.12 ct. four directions radiant-cut Aquamarine.
1st Place
John D. Dyer - John D. Dyer/P.G. Co. - Edina, MN: 37.74 ct. "Pink Jubilation" Morganite.
Combination
Cutting Edge Award
Innovative Faceting
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any gemstone featuring innovative faceting and lapidary techniques.
Honorable Mention
John A. Rhoads - D & J Rare Gems, Ltd. - Salida, CO: 39.67 ct. brilliant-cut Beryl.
3rd Place
John D. Dyer - John D. Dyer/P.G. Co. - Edina, MN: 30.28 ct. Citrine.
2nd Place
Stephen Kotlowski - Zultanite Gems, LLC - Fort Lauderdale, FL: 11.27 ct. emerald square-cut Zultanite™ Diaspore.
1st Place
Ben Kho - Kho International, Ltd. - Decatur, GA: 22.75 ct. fantasy cushion-cut Sphalerite.
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.
1st Place
James Currens - J.W. Currens, Inc. - New York,NY: "The American Queen" honeycomb box featuring orange and blue Sapphires (3.91 ctw.), Citrines (3.02 ctw.), Rubies (.15 ctw.), Tsavorite Garnets (.24 ctw.) and yellow and white Diamonds (1.98 ctw.).
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.
Pairs and Suites
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any two or more gemstones to be judged as a set.
3rd Place
Douglas Mays - Wild & Petsch - Camas, WA: Pair of baguette Peridots (24.32 ctw.).
2nd Place
Hemant Phophaliya - AG Color, Inc. - New York, NY: Pair of Tanzanite faceted drops (44.35 ctw.).
1st Place
John D. Dyer - John D. Dyer/P.G. Co. - Edina, MN: Pair of Ametrines (28.91 ctw.).
Phenomenal
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any phenomenal gemstone (link to phenomenal gemstone description/page) featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
3rd Place
Jeffrey Bilgore - Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - New York, NY: 15.54 ct. natural oval Star Ruby.
2nd Place
Jeffrey Bilgore - Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - New York, NY: 54.93 ct. oval Star Sapphire.
1st Place
Allen Kleiman - A. Kleiman & Co. - San Francisco, CA: 21.71 ct. cat's eye Chrysoberyl.
Phenomenal
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any phenomenal gemstone (link to phenomenal gemstone description/page) featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.