Events & AwardsAug 03, 2023
See the 2023 CASE Award WinnersEvents & AwardsNov 02, 2023
Two Entries Named ‘Best Of Show’ in 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards
AGTA CEO John Ford said it was one of the design competition’s best years ever.
A platinum ring from Niveet Nagpal at Omi Privé featuring a 15.22-carat black opal won AGTA Spectrum Awards’ Best of Show honor in the Spectrum division. This suite of four oval Paraíba-type tourmalines (31.01 total carats) from Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corp took home Best of Show honors in the Cutting Edge division.
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association has announced the winners of the 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
The competition again took place in Dallas on Oct. 24-25 at the Omni Frisco Hotel, which was a sponsor for the event along with Platinum Guild International, and the Women’s Jewelry Association.
“This year’s awards are one of our best ever,” said AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr.
“We had an additional 100 entries this year over last, and many of them had stunning green and blue-green gems. The Omni hotels are the new home of the awards for the next few years, and we hope to take the competition national, to other Omni venues.”
The judges this year were: Allan Koo, A. Koo & Co.; Brent Malgarin, Elegant Gems Ltd.; Christina Gandia Gambale, Greenwich St. Jewelers; Lika Behar, Lika Behar Jewelry; and Clayton Bromberg, Underwood’s Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida.
“The 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards have a new home and a new vibe,” said Kimberly Collins, owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems and president of the AGTA board of directors.
“Our judges were amazing and worked so well together. They seemed to be extremely on the same page with the selections they made. As always, the integrity of the judging competition is of the upmost importance. I felt the winners had a classic, timeless aesthetic this year. I’m so proud to be part of a judging competition that holds itself to the most stringent standards.”
Spectrum award entries are judged on overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad‐based consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones.
Cutting Edge awards honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings, and other gem materials.
Many of the winning pieces will be on display at the 2024 AGTA GemFair Tucson, slated for Jan. 30–Feb. 4 in Tucson, Arizona.
Winners will be recognized at the organization’s Spectrum gala on Feb. 3, 2024 in the newly built addition to the Tucson Convention Center.
Here they are.
“Best of” Awards
Best of Show – Spectrum: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Best of Show – Cutting Edge (and Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge): Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Best of Single Entries – Spectrum: Joseph Campanelli, Campanelli & Pear
Best Use of Color: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Best Use of Pearl: Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry
Fashion Forward: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels, in collaboration with Tucson Todd’s Gems (gem cutter and supplier)
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc.
See: The Competition’s “Best Of” Winners
The competition again took place in Dallas on Oct. 24-25 at the Omni Frisco Hotel, which was a sponsor for the event along with Platinum Guild International, and the Women’s Jewelry Association.
“This year’s awards are one of our best ever,” said AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr.
“We had an additional 100 entries this year over last, and many of them had stunning green and blue-green gems. The Omni hotels are the new home of the awards for the next few years, and we hope to take the competition national, to other Omni venues.”
The judges this year were: Allan Koo, A. Koo & Co.; Brent Malgarin, Elegant Gems Ltd.; Christina Gandia Gambale, Greenwich St. Jewelers; Lika Behar, Lika Behar Jewelry; and Clayton Bromberg, Underwood’s Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida.
“The 2023 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards have a new home and a new vibe,” said Kimberly Collins, owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems and president of the AGTA board of directors.
“Our judges were amazing and worked so well together. They seemed to be extremely on the same page with the selections they made. As always, the integrity of the judging competition is of the upmost importance. I felt the winners had a classic, timeless aesthetic this year. I’m so proud to be part of a judging competition that holds itself to the most stringent standards.”
Spectrum award entries are judged on overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad‐based consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones.
Cutting Edge awards honor excellence and creativity in lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings, and other gem materials.
Many of the winning pieces will be on display at the 2024 AGTA GemFair Tucson, slated for Jan. 30–Feb. 4 in Tucson, Arizona.
Winners will be recognized at the organization’s Spectrum gala on Feb. 3, 2024 in the newly built addition to the Tucson Convention Center.
Here they are.
“Best of” Awards
Best of Show – Spectrum: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Best of Show – Cutting Edge (and Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge): Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Best of Single Entries – Spectrum: Joseph Campanelli, Campanelli & Pear
Best Use of Color: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Best Use of Pearl: Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry
Fashion Forward: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels, in collaboration with Tucson Todd’s Gems (gem cutter and supplier)
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc.
See: The Competition’s “Best Of” Winners
Best of Show – Spectrum. Niveet Nagpal of Omi Privé’s platinum ring featuring a 15.22-carat black opal accented with tourmaline (0.72 carats), tsavorite garnets (0.40 carats), and diamonds (1.56 carats)
Best of Show – Cutting Edge, and Best of Single Entries – Cutting Edge. Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corp.’s suite of four oval Paraíba-type tourmalines (31.01 total carats)
Best Use of Color. Jeffrey Bilgore of Jeffrey Bilgore LLC’s platinum “Ocean & Grass Wave” bracelet featuring sapphires (25.02 total carats) accented with demantoid garnets (7.87 total carats), yellow diamonds (1.14 total carats), and white diamonds (7.32 total carats)
Best Use of Pearl. Fannie Thomas of Fannie Thomas Jewelry’s 22-karat yellow gold “Birds Eye View” hand-carved ring featuring a cultured South Sea baroque pearl bird
Fashion Forward. Jeffrey Bilgore of Jeffrey Bilgore LLC’s 18-karat yellow gold and black ceramic “Greek Key Fancy Diamond Perfection” bracelet featuring mixed fancy vivid diamonds (14.82 total carats) accented with tsavorite garnets (1.70 total carats)
Best of Single Entries – Spectrum. Joseph Campanelli of Campanelli & Pear’s 18-karat white gold “Something Blue” earrings featuring blue zircons (8.50 total carats) accented with diamonds (0.77 total carats)
Best Use of Platinum and Color. Mary van der Aa of Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels in collaboration with Tucson Todd’s Gems’ platinum and 18-karat “Garanatas: From Rough to Cut” two-piece necklace featuring various species of garnets (approximately 77.26 total carats)
Best Use of Platinum Crown. Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc.’s platinum “Fantasia” ring featuring a 12.24-carat aquamarine accented with Akoya pearls and diamonds (1 total carat)
Bridal Wear
First Place (and Best Use of Platinum Crown): Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc.
Second Place: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Third Place: Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry
Honorable Mention: Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation
Manufacturing Honors: Bella Campbell, BHI/Campbellian Collection
Platinum Honors: Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince Designs
Gem DIVA Award: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney LLC
Business/Day Wear
First Place: Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corp.
Second Place: Wolfgang Vaatz, Earth Terra Erde Inc.
Third Place: Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corp.
Honorable Mention: Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewelers
Platinum Honors: Raja Mehta, AG Gems
Gem DIVA Award: Svetlana Kayton, Svetlana Lazar, in collaboration with Paul Dragone
Classical
First Place: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Second Place: Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corp.
Third Place (and Best Use of Pearls, and Gem DIVA Award): Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry
Platinum Innovation (and Best Use of Color): Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Honorable Mention: Kim Nel, Alpha Inc. /DBA Brian Gavin Diamonds, in collaboration with Brian Gavin as an adviser/mentor
Manufacturing Honors: Jenn Breznen, Mined + Found
Platinum Honors: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
See: The Spectrum First Place Winners
Bridal Wear, First Place. Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc.’s platinum “Fantasia” ring featuring a 12.24-carat aquamarine accented with Akoya pearls and diamonds (1 total carat)
Business/Day Wear, First Place. Gabriel Angulo of Pompos Jewelry Corp.’s 18-karat yellow gold ring featuring a 2.39-carat Colombian emerald accented with round emeralds (0.18 total carats) and diamonds (1.52 total carats)
Classical, First Place. Jeffrey Bilgore of Jeffrey Bilgore LLC’s platinum “Moi et Toi Perfection in Green & White” ring featuring a 3.49-carat unenhanced Colombian emerald and a 3.36-carat diamond accented with diamonds (0.43 carats)
Evening Wear, First Place. Niveet Nagpal of Omi Privé’s platinum ring featuring a 15.22-carat black opal accented with tourmaline (0.72 carats), tsavorite garnets (0.40 carats), and diamonds (1.56 carats)
Men’s Wear, First Place. Niveet Nagpal of Omi Privé’s platinum ring featuring a 2.35-carat oval cabochon alexandrite accented with alexandrite (3.07 total carats)
Evening Wear
First Place (and Best of Show): Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Second Place: Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels
Third Place: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc. in collaboration with gem cutter Stephen Avery
Platinum Innovation: Shawndria Aghjayan, Harout R LLC, in collaboration with gemstone setter Wilson Amores
Platinum Innovation: Shawndria Aghjayan, Harout R LLC
Honorable Mention: Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera
Manufacturing Honors: Marcia Budet, Marcia Budet
Platinum Honors: Helen Kim Currens, J.W. Currens Inc.
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Mary van der Aa, Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels
Gem Diva Award: Anita Agrawal, Jewels 4 Ever/Vartanian Jewellers, in collaboration with designer Anita Agrawal and Kevork Vartanian (CAD)
Men’s Wear
First Place: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
Second Place: Carl Larson, AntiHero
Third Place: Marc Hollmuller, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Platinum Innovation: Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC
Honorable Mention (and Manufacturing Honors): Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry
Platinum Honors: Inken Krause, Enhoerning Jewelry
Gem DIVA Award: Robin Callahan, Robin Callahan Designs LLC
Editors’ Choice Awards (photos not available as of press time)
Spectrum: Ai Van Pham, Gem & Gold Creations
Cutting Edge: Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems, LLC
Here are the winners of the 2023 Cutting Edge Awards.
Classic Gemstones
First Place: Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
Second Place: Intercolor USA
Third Place: Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
Honorable Mention: Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
All Other Cut Gemstones
First Place: Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International, in collaboration with gem cutter Joyce Wang and Scott Laborie (gem diagram designer)
Second Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Third Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Honorable Mention: Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems LLC
Honorable Mention: Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA
Carving
First Place: Patrick Dreher, Dreher Carvings LLC
Second Place: Meg Berry, Milstead Gems LLC
Third Place: Brandon Messing, BM Gems
Honorable Mention: Meg Berry, Megagem
See: The Cutting Edge First Place Winners
Classic Gemstones, First Place. Ron Rahmanan of Sara Gem’s 20.21-carat unheated royal blue cushion-cut sapphire
All Other Cut Gemstones, First Place. Desmond Chan of Gem Arts International, cutter Joyce Wang and gem diagram designer Scott Laborie’s 9.49-carat peach Mahenge Malaya garnet titled “The Sparkle in Her Eye”
Carving, First Place. Patrick Dreher of Dreher Carvings LLC’s 515-carat heliodor carving called “The Green Jewel – Frog on Heliodor”
Innovative Faceting, First Place. Bryan D. Drummond of Drummond Gems & Jewelry’s 17.13-carat indigo precision-carved tanzanite titled “Nine of Diamonds”
North American Mined Gemstones, First Place. Ben Kho of Kho International’s 10.42-carat oval Portuguese-cut rhodochrosite from Colorado
Objects of Art, First Place. Patrick Dreher of Dreher Carvings LLC’s 457-gram Agate “Playtime” fish accented by 18-karat yellow gold, jasper, and rock crystal quartz
Pairs & Suites, First Place. Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corp.’s suite of four oval Paraíba-type tourmalines (31.01 total carats) from Mozambique
Phenomenal, First Place. David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s 28.41-carat oval black opal.
Innovative Faceting
First Place: Bryan D. Drummond, Drummond Gems & Jewelry
Second Place: Lee Haynes, LWH Gems
Third Place: Christopher Wolfsberg, Fossilium/Roy Leggitt
Honorable Mention: Larry Woods, Gem Arts International
North American Mined Gemstones
First Place: Ben Kho, Kho International
Second Place: Dalan Hargrave, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Third Place: Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs Inc.
Honorable Mention: Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs Inc.
Objects of Art
First Place: Patrick Dreher, Dreher Carvings LLC
Second Place: Desmond Chan, Gem Arts International, in collaboration with gem carver Yan Ge
Third Place: Kent Raible, Raible Studios LLC
Honorable Mention: Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
Pairs and Suites
First Place (and Best of Single Entries Cutting Edge, and Best of Show): Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Second Place: Justin Zaroovabeli, The Rare Gem LLC
Third Place: Ron Rahmanan, Sara Gem
Honorable Mention: Stephen M. Avery, Stephen M. Avery
Phenomenal
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd.
Second Place: Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems LLC
Third Place: Bruce Furst, The Cutter’s Bench
Honorable Mention: Neal Hurni, Lewis and Clark Sapphires LLC
Sponsor Platinum Guild International (PGI) gives out the “Best Use of Platinum and Color” and “Best Use of Platinum Crown” awards.
It also sponsors “Platinum Honors,” which recognizes outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl jewelry in 11 Spectrum Awards categories, and the “Platinum Innovation” awards in the Bridal Wear, Business/Day Wear, Evening Wear, Classical, and Men’s categories.
WJA sponsors the WJA “Gem Diva” grants awards in the Bridal Wear, Evening Wear, Classical and Business/Day Wear categories. All women who enter the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition are eligible for this category.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsSep 15, 2025
Skipping the Necklace, Embracing Snakes: The Best Jewelry From the 2025 Emmy AwardsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
Gemfields Achieves $32M at High-Quality Emerald AuctionIt included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
