2023 Spectrum Awards Entry Deadline Extended
The contest is now open for submissions until Oct. 10.

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) organizes the annual contest, which recognizes and celebrates excellence in jewelry design using colored gemstones and in gemstone cutting and carving.
The contest has a range of categories, including bridal, business/day wear, classical, evening wear, and men’s wear.
Winners will receive recognition from industry leaders, media coverage, and exposure to potential clients and customers, AGTA said.
The organization invites jewelry designers, lapidaries, and jewelers who work with colored gemstones or cultured pearls to apply.
The first entry is $295 and each subsequent entry is $225. Mailing address, insurance requirements and other details can be found on AGTA’s website.
Entries will be judged in Dallas in late October.
The pieces are judged on criterion including overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones.
Judges examine each entry by hand, assessing craftsmanship and quality of the materials used.
This year’s judges are: Allan Koo, A. Koo & Co; Brent Malgarin, Elegant Gems Ltd.; Christina Gandia Gambale, Greenwich St. Jewelers; C. Clayton Bromberg, Underwood Jewelers; and Lika Behar, Lika Behar Collection.
When judging concludes, the collection of submissions, including a first look at the winning pieces, are presented in an exclusive event to media outlets including trade writers, editors, consumer press, bloggers, influencers, stylists, and social media ambassadors.
Winners will be recognized and receive their trophies at the 2024 AGTA GemFair Tucson during the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards Gala.
The 2022 winning pieces included a carved gemstone, which took the competition’s top award for only the third time since 2003, according to AGTA’s archives.
The Latest

The model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.

Fresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.

The “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.


The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.

The Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.

Natalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.

Béatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.

The store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.

The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.

Our Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.

The 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.

Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.

McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.

The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.

The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.

The MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.

The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.

Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.

The collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.

























