Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About
Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Winners get the obvious rewards: featured in Prism magazine, honored at the Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards Gala during AGTA GemFair Tucson, tagged across social media. However, the real prize is often the coverage nobody guarantees. Editors comb through every entry, placing or not, looking for what's next, and pieces that never crack the winner's circle regularly end up written about and shared for tens of thousands of eyes to see.
"Every year we look forward to the Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards because they truly change lives and elevate careers," says John W. Ford, Sr., CEO of AGTA. "It's exciting to watch all the entries pour into the office and wonder who might win. But even if a piece doesn't officially place in the competition, it will receive a lot of attention from editors, many of whom write about entrants and their designs."
There are categories for nearly every kind of work: seven Spectrum categories from Bridal Wear to Engagement Rings, eight Cutting Edge categories covering everything from faceting to carving, and special and sponsored awards judged separately. New for 2026, the Innovative Design Award opens the field to pieces with a wholesale cost under $10,000, recognizing standout creativity without requiring a five-figure entry. Also new is the Stuller Color of the Year Award, honoring the best use of 2026's Signature Red.
Entries are open to all designers, cutters, and companies in the U.S. and Canada. AGTA membership is not required.
We invite you to click here to submit your entry before September 25 for Early Bird pricing (final entry deadline is October 9).
The Latest


Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.


Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.

Cahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

Tiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.

Jaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Consumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.

The holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.

The “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.

Solomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.

The fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

The annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

In her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.

The jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.

Vote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.

The closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

The ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.

The website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.

Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.

Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.

Bespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.

The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
























