Events & Awards

A Carved Gemstone Won the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards’ Top Honor

Events & AwardsNov 14, 2022

A Carved Gemstone Won the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards’ Top Honor

It’s only the third time since 2003 that a carving has been named Best of Show.

20221114_Spectrum-header.jpg
This 210.55-carat ballerina carving in green beryl from Dalan Hargrave of GemStarz Jewelry received the AGTA Spectrum Awards’ Best of Show honor.
Dallas—The 2022 AGTA Spectrum Award winners have been unveiled, and they do not disappoint.

This year’s competition took place in Dallas again, with judging held Oct. 22 and 23.

The judges this year were: Susan Harrison, Jewelry Emporium; Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs; Sharon Khazzam, Sharon Khazzam Studio; Carter Malouf, Carter Malouf Private Jeweler; and Mark Patterson, Mark Patterson Fine Jewelry.

There were 10 percent more entries this year than last, AGTA confirmed.

There were several spinel pieces, and many sapphires and tourmalines, too. Step-cut gemstones and yellow gold were also trending, while rare stones like kornerupine and dumortierite also made appearances.

This year, a carved gemstone took the competition’s top award, which is only the third time that has happened since 2003, according to AGTA’s archives. 

Many of the winning pieces will be on display at the AGTA GemFair Tucson, slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 5.

Winners will be recognized at the organization’s Spectrum Awards Gala on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Tucson Marriott University Park.

Here they are.

“Best of” Awards
Best of Show: Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry
Best Use of Color: Robert Galustian, Robert Guild Jewelry Corp.
Best Use of Pearl: Laurie Reid, LFR Studios
Fashion Forward: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Best of Single Entries–Cutting Edge: Robert Knupfer, Knupfer International Gems Inc.
Best of Single Entries–Spectrum: Buddy Austin, Third Eye Assembly
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry

See: The Competition’s “Best Of” Winners
Bridal Wear
First Place: Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation
Second Place: Bella Campbell, Campbellian Collection/BHI
Third Place: Samuel Getz, Samuel Getz Designs
Honorable Mention: Bella Campbell, Campbellian Collection/BHI
Manufacturing Honors: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Platinum Honors: Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa
Entry Platinum Innovation: Michael Endlich, Pavé Fine Jewelry
Gem Diva Award: Bella Campbell, Campbellian Collection/BHI

Business/Day Wear
First Place: Zoltan David, Zoltan David
Second Place: Timothy W. Foster, T. Foster & Company
Third Place: Michael Endlich, Pavé Fine Jewelry
Honorable Mention: Joseph DeBella, DeBella Collectibles
Manufacturing Honors: Lika Behar, Lika Behar Collection
Entry Platinum Innovation: Dennis deJonghe, deJonghe Original Jewelry
Platinum Honors: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Gem Diva Award: Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince & Co.

Classical
First Place: Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation
Second Place: Michael Tope, Raintree LLC
Third Place: Ian Delucca, Khobe Delucca
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Dunn, Dunn & Co.
Platinum Honors: Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa
Gem Diva Award: Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince & Co.
Manufacturing Honors: Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels LLC

See: The Spectrum First Place Winners

Evening Wear
First Place: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Second Place: Laurie Reid, LFR Studios
Third Place: Michael Tope, Raintree LLC
Honorable Mention: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Manufacturing Honors: Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers
Platinum Honors: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Gem Diva Award: Llyn Strong, Llyn Strong Fine Art Jewelry

Men’s Wear
First Place: Zoltan David, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Second Place: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry
Third Place: Buddy Austin, Third Eye Assembly
Honorable Mention: Matthew Tuggle, Tuggle Designs
Platinum Honors: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry
Gem Diva Award: Lindsay Jane Chatham, K. Jons Jewelry Co.
Manufacturing Honors: Buddy Austin, Third Eye Assembly

Editors’ Choice Awards
Spectrum: Ian Delucca, Khobe Delucca
Cutting Edge: Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA


And here are the winners of the 2022 Cutting Edge Awards.

Classic Gemstones
First Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Second Place: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Third Place: John Bachman, John M. Bachman Inc.

All Other Cut Gemstones
First Place: Ben Kho, Kho International Ltd.
Second Place: Ben Kho, Kho International Ltd.
Third Place: Ben Kho, Kho International Ltd.
Honorable Mention: Ben Kho, Kho International Ltd.

Carving
First Place (and Best of Show): Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry
Second Place: Dalan Hargrave, Geogem-USA
Third Place: Meg Berry, Megagem
Honorable Mention: Meg Berry, 3090 Gems

See: The Cutting Edge First Place Winners

Innovative Faceting
First Place: John Dyer, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Second Place: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Third Place: Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International
Honorable Mention: Lee Haynes, LWH Gems
Honorable Mention: Mark Gronlund, Mark Gronlund
 
North American Mined Gemstones
First Place: Ben Kho, Kho International Ltd.
Second Place: Jeffrey R. Hapeman, Earth’s Treasury
Third Place: Jeffrey R. Hapeman, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Honorable Mention: Nick Alexander, Somewhere In The Rainbow

Objects of Art
First Place: Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry
Second Place: Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design
Third Place: Rodney Rahmani, Brilliant Stars
Honorable Mention: Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers

Pairs and Suites
First Place: Robert Knupfer, Knupfer International Gems Inc
Second Place: Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry
Third Place: Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA
Honorable Mention: Davey Thomas, Gem Arts International

Phenomenal
First Place: Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International 
Second Place: Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems LLC 
Third Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd. 
Honorable Mention: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd. 

 Related stories will be right here …

The Latest

Lightbox x Roséate Light Wand pendants
Lab-GrownDec 01, 2023
Lightbox Teams Up With Brand Founded by Former Tiffany Exec

The lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.

Lila Moss Calvin Klein campaign
FinancialsDec 01, 2023
Movado Lowers Guidance Again After Q3 Sales Dip

The company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.

Muzo emerald and argyle pink diamond necklace
CollectionsDec 01, 2023
Piece of the Week: Muzo’s Emerald and Argyle Pink Diamond Necklace

It’s the hero piece of the newest "Green Jewel" collection, a collaborative offering from the two mines.

Platinum  Guild International Diamond Rings
Brought to you by
If It’s Custom, Make It Platinum

With holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.

Pink Supreme Diamond
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
This Pink Diamond Reigned Supreme in Hong Kong

The 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.

Weekly QuizNov 30, 2023
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Take the Quiz
Claire’s CFO COO Chris Cramer
MajorsNov 30, 2023
Claire’s Hires Former Bath & Body Works Exec as CFO, COO

Chris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.

133 carat yellow diamond
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
Sotheby’s To Auction 133-Carat Yellow Diamond

The stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.

IGI-BTYB-103023.jpg
Brought to you by
Did You Know? The Vital Role of IGI: The International Gemological Institute

In a world where the sparkle of a gemstone is only as brilliant as the trust behind it, IGI's purpose is truly invaluable.

Kwiat diamonds
IndependentsNov 30, 2023
Frank Adams Rolls Out Kwiat’s ‘Mine to Shine’ Program

The retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.

Diamond development hub in Angola
SourcingNov 29, 2023
Largest New Diamond Mine of the Decade Coming Online in Angola

The Luele mine is expected to eventually make the country the world’s third-largest diamond producer.

Holiday shoppers holding bags
SurveysNov 29, 2023
Holiday Shoppers Broke a Record This Weekend, Says NRF

From Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 200.4 million consumers shopped online and in stores.

Cast StyleBar Nordstrom
MajorsNov 29, 2023
Cast Debuts at Nordstrom, Closes on More VC Funding

The growing company also plans to open more of its own boutiques.

20180509_Buffett-header.jpg
EditorsNov 29, 2023
Warren Buffett on Success, Mistakes and Betting on America

The best quotes from the Oracle of Omaha and his right-hand man Charlie Munger from the 2018 Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting.

J. Dostie Jewelers
IndependentsNov 28, 2023
Maine Jeweler to Relocate After 76 Years

J. Dostie Jewelers will move from Lewiston to Yarmouth this spring.

Finks Jewelers new store
IndependentsNov 28, 2023
Fink’s Jewelers Opens 10th Store

It’s the company’s second location in Tennessee.

Mary Tyler Moore and a pair of Elsa Peretti Bone Cuffs
AuctionsNov 28, 2023
Mary Tyler Moore’s Jewelry Is Up For Auction

You can have this jewelry, why don’t you take it?

De Beers Metamorphosis high jewelry earrings
EditorsNov 27, 2023
10 Tips for Selling Diamonds This Holiday Season

Sales experts and a diamantaire share their best advice on how to send customers home with diamond jewelry.

Platinum Born new collection
CollectionsNov 27, 2023
See the New ‘Platinum Born’ Jewelry

The brand has released five new collections.

Frank Adams Jewelers
IndependentsNov 27, 2023
Frank Adams Jewelers Named ‘Family Business of the Year’

The Albany Business Review recently honored the 100-year-old company.

GIA Dr. John W. Valley
GradingNov 27, 2023
Dr. John W. Valley Retires from GIA Board of Governors

To honor his legacy, GIA has set up a scholarship in his name.

Stock image of police car with its lights on
CrimeNov 22, 2023
JSA Warns of Surge in Attacks on Jewelers on the Road

There have been eight attacks in the last month, spanning from a jewelry store parking lot in Rhode Island to highways in California.

Buddha Mama citrine bangle
TrendsNov 22, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: November Glow

These 15 pieces of jewelry celebrate November babies and the hues of citrine and topaz that reflect the colors of the season.

Columbia Gem House fundraiser
SourcingNov 22, 2023
Columbia Gem House Raises $12K for Wildlife

The money will help a nonprofit rehabilitate sea turtles.

Facet Barcelona factory opening
MajorsNov 22, 2023
Facet Barcelona Opens New Factory in Spain

The jewelry manufacturer said it can now better serve the North American market.

David Yurman holiday campaign
TechnologyNov 21, 2023
See David Yurman’s New High-Tech Holiday Campaign

The jewelry brand takes viewers through a virtual winter wonderland set in New York City.

Rough diamonds from De Beers Gahcho Kue mine
SourcingNov 21, 2023
De Beers’ Rough Diamond Sales Sink to $80M

India’s voluntary moratorium on rough diamond imports coupled with a stunted recovery in China continue to impact the miner.

Smart Age Solutions founder and CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsNov 21, 2023
The Smart Lab: Score Big During Football Season With Hulu Advertising

Emmanuel Raheb outlines three reasons why Hulu advertising and football can be a game changer for your jewelry store’s marketing.

×

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