Events & Awards

Here Are the 2021 Spectrum Award Winners

Events & AwardsDec 29, 2021

Here Are the 2021 Spectrum Award Winners

After a few years of loose stones taking top honors, the “Best Of” award went to a finished jewel this year.

20211223_1-Best-of-Show.jpg
These earrings from Adam Neeley won “Best of Show” honors as well as first place in the Evening Wear category in the 2021 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
Dallas—The winners of the American Gem Trade Association’s 2021 Spectrum Awards have been revealed.

The organization held the competition on Oct. 23 and 24 in Dallas, with the following judges choosing the winning designs: Judy Evans, Judy Evans Design Studio; Amber Gustafson, Amber’s Designs Fine Jewelry; Tony Logan, Jay Dean Winchester; Kelly Mitchell, Kelly Mitchell Fine Jewelry; and Matthew Trent, Matthew Trent.

The full list of winners is below.

“Best of” Awards
Best of Show: Adam Neeley (Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry)
Best Use of Color: Adam Neeley (Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry)
Best Use of Pearls: Michael Tope (Raintree LLC)
Fashion Forward: Stanislav Petrov (Stanislav Petrov Inc.)
Best of Single Entries—Cutting Edge: Misael Angel Rodriguez (Gem Arts International)
Best of Single Entries—Spectrum: Scott Keating (Somewhere In The Rainbow)
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Llyn Strelau (Somewhere In The Rainbow)
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Lindsay Jane Chatham (K. Jons Jewelry Co.)

See: The Competition’s “Best Of” Winners

Bridal Wear
First Place and Platinum Honors: Suna Bros. (Suna Bros.)
Second Place: Susan Helmich (Somewhere In The Rainbow)
Third Place and Manufacturing Honors: Nikki Swift (Nicole Mera LLC)
Honorable Mention: Niveet Nagpal (Omi Prive)
Honorable Mention: Benjamin Javaheri (Uneek Jewelry)
Platinum Innovation: Michael Endlich (Pave Fine Jewelry)
WJA Gem Diva: Sherry Bender (The Goldsmith Ltd. of Chicago)

Business/Day Wear
First Place: Niveet Nagpal (Omi Prive)
Second Place: Stanislav Petrov (Stanislav Petrov Inc.)
Third Place: Llyn Strelau (Somewhere In The Rainbow)
Honorable Mention: Robin Callahan (Robin Callahan Designs LLC)
Manufacturing Honors: Timothy Foster (T. Foster & Company)
Platinum Honors and Platinum Innovation: Michael Endlich (Pave Fine Jewelry)
WJA Gem Diva: Rosa Van Parys (Rosa Van Parys Jewelry)

Classical
First Place: Llyn Strelau (Jewels by Design)
Second Place: Raja Mehta (A G Gems & Jewelry Inc.)
Third Place: Niveet Nagpal (Omi Prive)
Honorable Mention: Joseph Murawski (Joden World Resources LLC)
Platinum Honors: Craig Slavens (Luxe Fine Jewelry)
WJA Gem Diva: Beatrix Laura Jessner (B & W Jewels LLC)

See: The Spectrum First Place Winners

Evening Wear
First Place: Adam Neeley (Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry)
Second Place: Leon Mege (Leon Mege Inc.)
Third Place: Scott Keating (Somewhere In The Rainbow)
Honorable Mention: Paula Crevoshay (Mellika Inc.)
Honorable Mention: Tariq Riaz (Tariq Riaz LLC)
Manufacturing Honors: Tariq Riaz (Tariq Riaz LLC)
Platinum Honors: Robert Glenn (Geogem-USA)
WJA Gem Diva: Caroline Chartouni (Caroline C)

Men’s Wear
First Place: Rodney Rahmani (Brilliant Stars)
Second Place: Michael Endlich (Pave Fine Jewelry)
Third Place: Gaston Rives (Gaston Jewelry Studio Inc.)
Honorable Mention: Robert Pelliccia (J.R. Dunn Jewelers)
Manufacturing Honors: Llyn Strelau (Jewels by Design)
Platinum Honors: Lindsay Jane Chatham (K. Jons Jewelry Co.)

The winners of the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards, which recognize excellence in lapidary arts, are as follows.

Classic Gemstones
First Place: Allen Kleiman (A. Kleiman & Co.)
Second Place: Joseph Ambalu (Amba Gem Corp.)
Third Place: Allen Kleiman (A. Kleiman & Co.)

All Other Cut Gemstones
First Place: Sailesh Lakhi (Sparkles and Colors USA Inc.)
Second Place: David Nassi (100% Natural Ltd.)
Third Place: Joseph Ambalu (Amba Gem Corp.)
Honorable Mention: Kenneth Blount (100% Natural Ltd.)

Carving
First Place: Larry Woods (Gem Arts International)
Second Place: Desmond Chan (Gem Arts International)
Third Place: Meg Berry (Megagem)
Honorable Mention: Yanqing Zhang Asdurian (Yanqing Asdurian)

Innovative Faceting
First Place: Larry Woods (Gem Arts International)
Second Place: Brett Kosnar (Dudley Blauwet Gems)
Third Place: Dalan Hargrave (Robin Callahan Designs LLC)
Honorable Mention: John Burleyson (GemRite)

See: The Cutting Edge First Place Winners

North American Mined Gemstones
First Place: Brad Payne (Somewhere In The Rainbow)
Second Place: Derek Katzenbach (Katzenbach Designs)
Third Place: Joyce Wang (Obsessed Over Gems)
Honorable Mention: Dalan Hargrave (Robin Callahan Designs LLC)

Objects of Art
First Place: Yanqing Zhang Asdurian (Yanqing Asdurian)
Second Place: Christopher Wolfsberg (Christopher Wolfsberg)
Third Place: Sharon Khazzam (Sharon Khazzam Studio)
Honorable Mention: Dalan Hargrave (GemStarz Jewelry)

Pairs and Suites
First Place: Hemant Phophaliya (A G Color Inc.)
Second Place: Bryan Lichtenstein (3090 Gems LLC)
Third Place: Adam Neeley (Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry)
Honorable Mention: Joseph Ambalu (Amba Gem Corp.)
Honorable Mention: Hemant Phophaliya (A G Color Inc.)

Phenomenal
First Place: Misael Angel Rodriguez (Gem Arts International) 
Second Place: David Nassi (100% Natural Ltd.)
Third Place: Brett Kosnar (Dudley Blauwet Gems)        

The winning pieces will be showcased at the 2022 AGTA GemFair Tucson event, scheduled for Feb. 1-6 at the Tucson Convention Center. 

The Latest

Steven Lagos and Keith Rolfe
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO

Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.

Alberto Perez-Elias mugshot
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry Heist

Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.

Kat Florence Paraibas
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’s

The “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

AGTA logo
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected Directors

Four directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.

Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
New Julien’s Auctions CEO Ken Citron
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions

Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.

Blue Nile Ellipse earrings
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong Sales

The jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.

1872-x-1052-July-ad (1).png
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers family
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 Years

The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

Fura rubies
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest Sale

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Stuller Fine Jewelry 2027-2028 catalog
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine Collection

Fine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.

2018_Stuller-lab-grown.jpg
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher

Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.

Frederick (Ricky) Wilkinson Bromberg
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

Zahn Z Zaha rainbow sapphire ring
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

The Retail Smiths principal and National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing Matter

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

Gretchen Koback Pursel
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury Group

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

Rendering of renovated Orloff Jewelers store
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better Location

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

Chelsea Gabrielle Momentum Infinite Ring
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

Remi Guillemin
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of Watches

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Simon G CEO Zaven Ghanimian
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry Design

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Robert Pattinson Jaeger-LeCoultre
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand Ambassador

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

Sydney Evan Little Love Open Coin Fixed Necklace
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New Collections

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Stock image of a gavel
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi Scheme

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Sandy Lerner’s 18-karat gold and diamond cat brooch
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for You

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of Americas

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

Glitter in the Grove Logo
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

Stainless steel Patek Philippe Calatrava watch
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry Box

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy