Events & AwardsSep 22, 2023
HardRock Summit To Relocate In 2024Events & AwardsSep 26, 2023
2023 Spectrum Awards Entry Deadline Extended
The contest is now open for submissions until Oct. 10.
In 2022, “Crescendo,” a 147.96-carat golden citrine by John Dyer for “Somewhere In The Rainbow,” took home first place in the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards’ Innovative Faceting category. The deadline for 2023 entries has been extended to Oct. 10.
Dallas—The deadline to submit an entry for the 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards has been extended to 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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
