MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2013
AGTA names five judges for Spectrum Awards
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has named Jennifer McCurry, Jennie Ma, Barbara Heinrich, John Hatleberg and Jose Hess as the judges for its 2014 Spectrum Awards.
Dallas--The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has named Jennifer McCurry, Jennie Ma, Barbara Heinrich, John Hatleberg and Jose Hess as the judges for its 2014 Spectrum Awards.
The annual Spectrum Awards honor excellence in colored gemstone and pearl jewelry design. It is open to designers and lapidarists from the United States and Canada.
Next year marks the 30th edition of the contest, and the judges for 2014 bring a range of editorial and design experience to the panel.
Jennifer McCurry is a fine jewelry expert and buyer at Marissa Collections in Naples, Fla., where she has worked since 2007. She graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in 1998 as a jeweler gemologist and was a 2006 Fashion Group International nominee for a Rising Star Award in jewelry design. McCurry also was a judge for the 2013 Couture Design Awards in Las Vegas.
Jennie Ma is the fashion and beauty editor at The Knot, where she is responsible for topics relating to style and beauty, including accessories, bridal fashion, makeup and fitness. She also has appeared on "Today," "Entertainment Tonight" and "Good Morning America" for wedding, fashion and bridal party trends. Prior to working at The Knot, she hosted and produced a television show in Shanghai about fashion and culture.
Barbara Heinrich is a jewelry designer who utilizes traditional goldsmith techniques and tools to create pieces in brushed 18-karat gold with precious gemstones. She studied jewelry and hollowware design in Germany and has a degree from the Pforzheim College of Design, also located in Germany. The Barbara Heinrich Studio has been in business for more than 25 years.
John Hatleberg is an authority on creating exact replicas of famous diamonds, including the Hope, Centenary, Light of Peace, Blue Lily, and Wittelsbach-Graff diamonds. He has worked on diamonds for De Beers, the Smithsonian Institution and the South African government as well as for Cartier, Chopard, Laurence Graff, Harry Winston and JAR, among others. His work is exhibited in museums including the Natural History Museum London and the Tokyo National Science Museum, and his private client jewelry has been featured in Vogue, Paris Vogue, W, Elle, Town & Country and Vanity Fair.
Jose Hess is a jewelry designer, artist and craftsman who is an active proponent of American jewelry design, concentrating in creating branded collections. He mentors emerging designers by teaching them at the Fashion Institute of Technology,
and also works as a consultant to jewelry companies in the United States and abroad to help them improve their methods. A Jose Hess brand of jewelry is featured on Jewelry Television, where Hess presents on-air.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
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.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
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.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
