AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards
The world’s finest jewelry and colored gemstone competition.
2009 Winners
2009 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.
Best Use of Platinum and Color
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
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.).
Best Use of Color and Fashion Forward
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 of Show
Frederic Sage - Frederic Sage - Great Neck, NY: "Enchanted Stallion" brooch featuring 158.26 ct. hand-carved natural Turquoise, white Diamonds (3.77 ctw.) and demantoid Garnets (.16 ctw.) set in 18K green and white gold.
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
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.).
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.).
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.).
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.).
Platinum Honors™ 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.).
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.
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
Michael Endlich - Pave Fine Jewelry - Oakland, CA: Platinum ring featuring a 2.85 ct. rainbow Moonstone cabochon accented with Diamonds (.20 ctw.).
3rd Place
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.
2nd Place
Evelyn Clothier - Evelyn Clothier Jewelry - Philadelphia, PA: Platinum earrings featuring white donut Agates accented with Diamonds (4.15 ctw.).
1st Place
Judy Evans - Richard Krementz Gemstones - Springdale, NJ: Platinum earrings featuring Morganite briolettes (27.08 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (2.35 ctw.).
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
Yehouda Saketkhou - Yael Designs - San Francisco, CA: Platinum ring featuring a 13mm black Tahitian Pearl accented with pave Diamonds.
Honorable Mention
Glen J. Engelbrecht - G J Designs - Sarasota, FL: 18K yellow gold pendant featuring a drusy Quartz leaf accented with Diamonds (1.13 ctw.).
3rd Place
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.).
2nd Place
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.).
1st Place
Devta Doolan - Devta Doolan Jewelry - Portland, ME: 24K yellow and 14K rose gold necklace featuring Jasper cabochons (630 ctw.).
Business & 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
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.).
Honorable Mention
Julie 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.).
3rd Place
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.).
2nd Place
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.
1st Place
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.).
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
Erica Courtney - Erica Courtney - Los Angeles, CA: 18K yellow gold earrings featuring pear-shaped and antique cushion-cut Tanzanites (17.56 ctw.).
Honorable Mention
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.).
3rd Place
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.).
2nd Place
Julie Buckareff - JJ Buckar - Toronto, ON CANADA: Platinum "Ribbons" ring featuring an 11.50 ct. Tanzanite accented with ideal-cut diamonds (3.50 ctw.).
1st Place
Frederic Sage - Frederic Sage - Great Neck, NY: "Enchanted Stallion" brooch featuring 158.26 ct. hand-carved natural Turquoise, white Diamonds (3.77 ctw.) and demantoid Garnets (.16 ctw.) set in 18K green and white gold.
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
Ricardo Basta - E. Eichberg, Inc. - Beverly Hills, CA: Palladium ring featuring a 19.68 ct. oval brown Zircon.
3rd Place
Jack Bigio - Basser & Bigio, LLC - New York, NY: 22K and 18K yellow gold cufflinks featuring bi-color watermelon Tourmaline slices (30.50 ctw.).
2nd Place
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.).
1st Place
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.).
All Other Faceted
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any extraordinary faceted gemstone featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
3rd Place
Joseph Ambalu - Amba Gem Corp. - New York, NY: 8.62 ct. oval-cut natural Paraiba Tourmaline.
2nd Place
Joseph Ambalu - Amba Gem Corp. - New York, NY: 10.45 ct. natural elbaite Tourmaline.
1st Place
Jeffrey Bilgore - Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - New York, NY: 11.44 ct. oval-cut red Spinel.
All Other Faceted
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any extraordinary faceted gemstone featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
Carving
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any natural gem material carved in any style.
3rd Place
Darryl Alexander - Alexander's Jewelers - Gilbert, AZ: 25.7 ct. "Autumn Forming" Agate free-form carving.
2nd Place
Glenn Lehrer - Lehrer Designs, Inc. - Larkspur, CA: "Solar Flare" 70.13 ct. carved transparent-orange Brazilian Opal.
1st Place
Larry Woods - Jewels From the Woods - Blanco, TX: 40.47 ct. Lightning Ridge Opal carving.
Classic Gemstones
Cutting Edge Award
Open to outstanding examples of Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
3rd Place
Allen Kleiman - A. Kleiman & Co. - San Francisco, CA: 9.13 ct. heart-shaped natural yellow Sapphire.
2nd Place
Joseph Ambalu - Amba Gem Corp. - New York, NY: 6.05 ct. emerald-cut natural blue Sapphire.
1st Place
John M. Bachman - John M. Bachman, Inc. - Boulder, CO: 29.92 ct. natural yellow Sapphire.
Classic Gemstones
Cutting Edge Award
Open to outstanding examples of Rubies, Emeralds, and Sapphires featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
Combination
Cutting Edge Award
Honorable Mention
John Dyer - John Dyer & Co. - Edina, MN: 27.12 ct. concave-cut trillion Aquamarine.
3rd Place
John Dyer - John Dyer & Co. - Edina, MN: 106.84 ct. "Aqua Exuberance" Aquamarine.
2nd Place
Cheng Ming - Milani Jewelry Co., Ltd. - Coquitlam, BC CANADA: 11.0 ct. round Citrine.
1st Place
Michael M. Dyber - Michael M. Dyber dba Ledge Art Studio - Rumney, NH: 89.79 ct. carved Aquamarine.
Innovative Faceting
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any gemstone featuring innovative faceting and lapidary techniques.
3rd Place
Christopher Wolfsberg - K.S. Export, LLC - Castle Hayne, NC: 41.65 ct. modified square-cut Heliodor.
2nd Place
Shawn Maddox - Jewels From the Woods - Blanco, TX: 19.01 ct. "Celestial Compass" Peridot.
1st Place
Jeffrey Bilgore - Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC - New York, NY: 11.44 ct. oval-cut red Spinel.
Innovative Faceting
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any gemstone featuring innovative faceting and lapidary techniques.
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.
Honorable Mention
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.).
3rd Place
R.A. "Art" Guyon - International Gem Mart - Southlake, TX: "Moods" sculpture of Jasper.
2nd Place
Dalan Hargrave - Juniper Ridge Opal - Spring Branch, TX: "Cheese" carving featuring a full variety of Juniper Ridge Opal (2400 ctw.).
1st Place
Dalan Hargrave - GemStarz - Spring Branch, TX: Executive desk set featuring Lightning Ridge Opal, black Galaxy, black Jade and Quartz (1500 ctw.).
Pairs and Suites
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any two or more gemstones to be judged as a set.
Honorable Mention
David Brackna - David A. Brackna, Gemcutter - Germantown, MD: "Carousel"-cut assembled Opal inlaid and surrounded by Heliodor (17.58 ctw.).
3rd Place
Thomas Trozzo - Trozzo - Culpeper, VA: Suite of dimple-cut round Citrines (46.98 ctw.).
2nd Place
Nandu Nichani - Temple Trading Co. - Encinitas, CA: Pair of silver pear-shaped Moonstones (107.09 ctw.).
1st Place
Allen Kleiman - A. Kleiman & Co. - San Francisco, CA: Pair of cushion-cut Peridot (28.47 ctw.).
Pairs and Suites
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any two or more gemstones to be judged as a set.
Phenomenal
Cutting Edge Award
Open to any phenomenal gemstone (link to phenomenal gemstone description/page) featuring traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
3rd Place
Stephen Kotlowski - Zultanite Gems, LLC - Fort Lauderdale, FL: 80.25 ct. oval Zultanite.
2nd Place
Omi Nagpal - Omi Gems, Inc. - Los Angeles, CA: 5.98 ct. cushion-cut Alexandrite.
1st Place
James W. Currens - J.W. Currens, Inc. - New York, NY: 34.80 ct. natural boulder Opal fancy cabochon.