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‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ Awards
The AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Mimi So’s 18-karat rose gold “Cotton Candy” necklace set with kunzite, spinels, and imperial topaz won the “Buyer’s Choice” award in the Spectrum division, while Ben Kho’s 35.25-carat pink-purple octagonal-cut kunzite took home the honor in the Cutting Edge division.
Tucson, Ariz.—AGTA has announced the winners of its 2025 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” awards.
The recipients were named on Feb. 5 at the Spectrum Awards Gala held at the Tucson Convention Center during the AGTA GemFair Tucson show.
The award winners were selected by the trade show’s attendees, who voted on their favorite pieces from the contest’s slate of award winners, which were revealed in November. The pieces were displayed in showcases throughout the show floor.
Mimi So, CEO and creative director of her eponymous brand, won the “Buyer’s Choice” award from the Spectrum division.
Her 18-karat rose gold “Cotton Candy” necklace, which also won the Honorable Mention award in Spectrum’s “Evening Wear” category, features a 16.71-carat pear-shape kunzite, a 4.05-carat vivid pink spinel, and a 5.65-carat imperial topaz accented with sapphires totaling 18.71 carats, spinels totaling 14.99 carats, tourmalines totaling 41.70 carats, and 8.71 carats of diamonds.
Ben Kho of Kho International Ltd. won the award from the Cutting Edge division for the second year in a row.
His 2025 entry, a 35.25-carat pink-purple octagonal-cut kunzite, also won first place in the “All Other Cut Gemstones” category.
Jewelry industry personality, trend watcher, and television personality Michael O’Connor served as the emcee for the gala.
“AGTA shoppers are known for their great taste, so their decisions on these two beautiful pieces—Mimi So’s necklace and Ben Kho’s kunzite—were a delight to see,” said John W. Ford Sr., CEO of AGTA.
“It’s never an easy decision, because there are so many wonderful entries in the competition, so we are always appreciative when attendees take time out of their schedules to choose winners.”
The next edition of the Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards will open for entries at the end of June 2026 and will feature the debut of a brand new category.
Questions about the awards can be directed to marketing@agta.org.
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The recipients were named on Feb. 5 at the Spectrum Awards Gala held at the Tucson Convention Center during the AGTA GemFair Tucson show.
The award winners were selected by the trade show’s attendees, who voted on their favorite pieces from the contest’s slate of award winners, which were revealed in November. The pieces were displayed in showcases throughout the show floor.
Mimi So, CEO and creative director of her eponymous brand, won the “Buyer’s Choice” award from the Spectrum division.
Her 18-karat rose gold “Cotton Candy” necklace, which also won the Honorable Mention award in Spectrum’s “Evening Wear” category, features a 16.71-carat pear-shape kunzite, a 4.05-carat vivid pink spinel, and a 5.65-carat imperial topaz accented with sapphires totaling 18.71 carats, spinels totaling 14.99 carats, tourmalines totaling 41.70 carats, and 8.71 carats of diamonds.
Ben Kho of Kho International Ltd. won the award from the Cutting Edge division for the second year in a row.
His 2025 entry, a 35.25-carat pink-purple octagonal-cut kunzite, also won first place in the “All Other Cut Gemstones” category.
Jewelry industry personality, trend watcher, and television personality Michael O’Connor served as the emcee for the gala.
“AGTA shoppers are known for their great taste, so their decisions on these two beautiful pieces—Mimi So’s necklace and Ben Kho’s kunzite—were a delight to see,” said John W. Ford Sr., CEO of AGTA.
“It’s never an easy decision, because there are so many wonderful entries in the competition, so we are always appreciative when attendees take time out of their schedules to choose winners.”
The next edition of the Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards will open for entries at the end of June 2026 and will feature the debut of a brand new category.
Questions about the awards can be directed to marketing@agta.org.
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