Events & AwardsFeb 10, 2025
Select Jewelry Show Heads to NashvilleEvents & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting Edge
AGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
At the Spectrum Awards Gala, held Feb. 8 in Tucson, AGTA announced the winners of its Spectrum and Cutting Edge Buyer’s Choice awards—the “Whisper of the Ancestors” lapel pin (left) and a nearly 13-carat faceted rhodochrosite from Colorado (right).
Tucson, Ariz.—AGTA recently wrapped up its 2025 edition of GemFair in Tucson, announcing next year’s dates shortly after the event concluded.
The 2026 AGTA GemFair Tucson will be open Monday, Feb. 2 through 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. The Grand Ballroom will open at 9:30 a.m. and the Galleria and GemHall will open at 10 a.m.
This year’s event saw a 2 percent increase in buyer badges obtained at the fair, according to AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. Show traffic had daily averages between 3,400 and 3,600 between all shopping areas, AGTA reported.
“Exhibitors on the GemHall floor did extremely well,” said Ford.
“There were a lot of retailers present who were stocking up on middle- to upper-range and very fine goods. Brands were restocking, the mood was upbeat and optimistic, with some exhibitors reporting their best show ever. One was even concerned he would run out of invoices.”
Exhibitors interviewed by AGTA said they sold a wide range of materials, with one vendor observing, “There really weren’t any color trends … The price point was actually more of a consideration than the actual stone.”
Related stories will be right here …
The 2026 AGTA GemFair Tucson will be open Monday, Feb. 2 through 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. The Grand Ballroom will open at 9:30 a.m. and the Galleria and GemHall will open at 10 a.m.
This year’s event saw a 2 percent increase in buyer badges obtained at the fair, according to AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. Show traffic had daily averages between 3,400 and 3,600 between all shopping areas, AGTA reported.
“Exhibitors on the GemHall floor did extremely well,” said Ford.
“There were a lot of retailers present who were stocking up on middle- to upper-range and very fine goods. Brands were restocking, the mood was upbeat and optimistic, with some exhibitors reporting their best show ever. One was even concerned he would run out of invoices.”
Exhibitors interviewed by AGTA said they sold a wide range of materials, with one vendor observing, “There really weren’t any color trends … The price point was actually more of a consideration than the actual stone.”
On opening day of the show, AGTA and RapNet hosted an educational session to unveil the Gemstone Trading Network.
As a result of the joint project, colored gemstones can now be listed on the existing RapNet platform at no extra cost to existing subscribers.
To date, 47,000 colored gems are already live and for sale to RapNet subscribers, according to AGTA, and several sales have been made.
“Clients [have] been asking about gemstones,” said Saville Stern, COO of RapNet.
“Every day there are 1.5 million diamonds for sale on RapNet, and we wanted to bring color online but in a correct and ethical way, which is why we teamed up with AGTA. RapNet is a connections machine, bringing together buyers and sellers who can now shop colored gemstones from dealers who must adhere to AGTA’s strict sourcing and disclosure guidelines outlined in its Code of Ethics and Principles of Fair Business Practice.”
This year’s show closed on Sunday, Feb. 9, following the Spectrum Awards Gala, which was held the night before at the Tucson Convention Center.
Television personality Michael O’Connor served as the emcee for the event.
Over the week of the fair, AGTA GemFair Tucson attendees voted for their favorite pieces from all the award winners, with one selected from the Spectrum division and another from Cutting Edge.
While the judges’ and editors’ choice winners were previously announced, the Buyer’s Choice awards were announced at the gala.
The Spectrum Buyer’s Choice award winner is this lapel pin made of 18-karat rose and yellow gold and platinum featuring an 18.23-carat fantasy-cut sunstone accented by 1.15 carats of mixed teal tourmaline and 0.76 carats of diamonds. The pin, created by Matthew Tuggle with Lauren Tuggle, Ryan Anderson, and Kyle Forgey, also won the Spectrum Best of Single Entries Award and Men’s Wear 2nd Place.
The Cutting Edge Buyer’s Choice award winner is this 12.88-carat cushion Portuguese-cut rhodochrosite from Colorado by Ben Kho. The gemstone also took 2nd Place in the North American Mined Gemstones division of Cutting Edge.
The Buyer’s Choice award for Spectrum went to Matthew Tuggle of Tuggle Designs and contributors Lauren Tuggle (co-designer & hand engraver), Ryan Anderson (lapidary artist), and Kyle Forgey (supporting jeweler) for their “Whisper of the Ancestors” lapel pin.
The Buyer’s Choice award for Cutting Edge went to Ben Kho of Kho International for his 12.88-carat cushion Portuguese-cut rhodochrosite from Colorado.
“AGTA buyers routinely make great decisions, so their choice of these two fine pieces was a delight to see,” said Ford after the Gala.
“We know it was tough, because there were so many great entries in this year’s competition. The next edition of Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards opens for entries at the end of June 2025.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
