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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
CollectionsAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
