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
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
