Events & Awards

2024 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for Entries

Events & AwardsJul 16, 2024

2024 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for Entries

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the jewelry design contest and the deadline for entries has just been extended.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the jewelry design contest.
The deadline to enter with early bird pricing is Sept. 20, and the final deadline is Oct. 9. Pictured is last year’s “Best of Show” award winner in the Spectrum division, a platinum ring featuring a 15.22-carat black opal by Niveet Nagpal at Omi Privé.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated post-publication to reflect new submission deadlines and to include the names of the judges.

Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced it is now accepting entries for its 2024 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge awards.

The annual contest, now in its 40th year, recognizes design excellence in the world of colored gemstones and cultured pearls.

The winners of the awards set the standard for beauty and innovation, launch trends, and earn worldwide recognition, said AGTA.

They will receive mentions in the press and on social media, along with a celebration at the Spectrum & Cutting Edge awards gala during AGTA GemFair in Tucson next February.

“Lives are changed by winning Spectrum and Cutting Edge awards,” said John W. Ford, Sr., the CEO of AGTA.

“I know mine was—my awards helped put my company name on the map in the gemstones and jewelry world. AGTA is excited to see this year’s entries and who will take the top prizes.” 

The winners will be chosen by a vetted panel of five judges who are experts from different industry segments.

This year’s judges are: Jean Francois Bibet, Cartier; Peggy Grosz, Assael Inc.; Sherry Bender, The Goldsmith Ltd.; Susan Jacques, GIA; and Suza Landa, Suzy Landa Fine Jewelry.

They will judge the entries this fall in Dallas, Texas. 

Entrants must choose their categories for the Spectrum and Cutting Edge awards, while judges and representatives of sponsored categories will assign pieces for the “Best Of” honors and two sponsored awards—one to highlight female designers and one recognizing the use of platinum.

The 2024 Spectrum awards for finished jewelry include categories like bridal, business/day wear, evening wear and men’s wear, as well as a “New for 2024” category.

For the Cutting Edge awards, entrants can submit loose goods and non-wearable gems to categories including pairs and suites, innovative faceting, and carvings, as well as “North American Mined Gemstones.”

There are also the “Editor’s Choice Spectrum” and “Editor’s Choice Cutting Edge” categories, for which winners are chosen on Editor’s Day at an invitation-only event later this year, and the “Buyer’s Choice Spectrum in Tucson” and “Buyer’s Choice Cutting Edge in Tucson,” for which winners will be chosen by buyers during GemFair Tucson 2025. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

The deadline to qualify for early bird pricing is Sept. 20, extended from the original early bird deadline of Sept. 6, with all entries paid for and received by AGTA before this date.

The first entry is $265, and all additional entries are $205 each.

The deadline to enter the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge awards is now Oct. 9, extended from the original deadline of Sept. 20.

It is $295 for the first entry and $225 for every additional entry.

The awards are open to all companies and individuals in the United States and Canada. AGTA membership is not required to enter.

For the full list of eligibility requirements and judging criteria, visit AGTA’s website.

To submit an entry to the awards, visit this page of AGTA’s website.

The Latest

Fabergé egg pendant near gloved hand
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé Pendant

The special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.

Ashley Zhang Jewelry Snake Necklace, Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace, Vanessa Fernandez Studio Curva Wrap Hoops, Hernsdorf Tears of Aphrodite Necklace, Robinson Pelham Tsar Star Earrings, Marla Aaron Nymphenburg Lock, Lof The Valentine Ring
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week Picks

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.

Lucy Hale in Jacquie Aiche’s Love and Desire Campaign
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday Campaign

The “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

SSEF logo
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners

Two awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.

Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Pandora Alexander Lacik and Berta de Pablos-Barbier
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up Early

Berta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.

JAR pendant brooch, fancy intense blue diamond
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQ

Sotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

National Jeweler columnists and PR professionals Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and Engagement

Here are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.

Stock image of gavel
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.

Eduard Stefanescu, left, and Sara Yood, right
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards Committee

Yood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.

MS Rau Aspen rendering
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in Aspen

The New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.

Tiffany & Co. Paraíba tourmaline jewelry
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’s

Set in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.

David Webb holiday window
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window Display

The jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.

Oscar Heyman Yellow Green Sphene and Diamond Ring
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene Ring

Take luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.

IGI Design Contest Graphic
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting Submissions

This year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”

Jacquie Aiche Alien Heart Eye Inlay Necklace, Cicada Dragonfly Brooch, Harkness After the Rain Earrings
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool Blue

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.

GIA new colored stone report
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More Gemstones

Starting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.

Day’s Jewelers Salem New Hampshire store exterior
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth Store

The 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.

Americas Gold Chain Catalog Volume 3
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain Catalog

The new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.

F.P. Journe FFC prototype
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8M

The filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.

Rolex Miami store
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in Miami

The new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.

Stock image of consumers shopping in the winter
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November

Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.

National Association of Jewelry Appraisers logo
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference

“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.

Silas Smith and his Responsible Design Challenge Winning Pendant
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge Winner

Silas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.

Sothebys orangy pink The Desert Rose diamond
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu Dhabi

The sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.

National Jeweler columnist and Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’t

Most customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

×

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