The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
Post, Pelzel among 2015 Spectrum Award judges
The American Gem Trade Association has released the names of the five judges for its annual Spectrum Awards, a colored gemstone and pearl jewelry design competition that also recognizes lapidary skills.
Dallas--The American Gem Trade Association has released the names of the five judges for its annual Spectrum Awards, a colored gemstone and pearl jewelry design competition that also recognizes lapidary skills.
The judges for the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards and the Cutting Edge Awards (for lapidarists) are Jeffrey Post, curator of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection at the Smithsonian Institution; Joseph Mardkha, manufacturer at ColorMasters Precious Jewelry; Larry Pelzel, the vice president of the Precious Jewels division at Neiman Marcus; Tim McClelland, jeweler and designer at McTiegue & McClelland; and Jerrold Green, a lapidarist at Reginald C. Miller.
The judges
Post has been the curator of the Smithsonian’s gem and mineral collection since 1991. His areas of interest include mineralogy, gemology, geochemistry, crystallography and electron microscopy, and he has published more than 75 scientific articles in these fields.
Mardkha founded ColorMasters Gem Corp. as a gemstone seller in 1981 and in the early 1990s expanded the business to include jewelry manufacturing. Now his company specializes in all aspects of high-end jewelry design, product development and manufacturing.
Pelzel has worked in the high-end luxury jewelry industry for more than 34 years, and began his career with Neiman Marcus in 1980 as a sales associate, working his way up to his current position of vice president and divisional merchandise manager of Precious Jewels. He oversees buying, promotions and advertising at the luxury department store’s flagship location in Dallas.
McClelland is half of the jewelry brand that is McTiegue & McClelland, which was formally established in 1998 in New York and now sells exclusively to its own clientele. Pieces from the brand have been included in publications such as Town & Country, Robb Report, W, Elle, Martha Stewart and The New York Times.
Green studied classic jewelry making techniques at the Kulicke-Stark Institute and later learned stone cutting and polishing from gem importer Reginald Miller, eventually taking the reins of R.C. Miller Inc. in 1989, where he continues to carve precious stones. Gemologists, importers and collectors from around the world bring their gemstones to Green for carving.
The deadline for entry-form submissions for the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards is Sept. 19. Entry forms can be found on AGTA.org, and additional information is available by contacting Kami Swinney or Megan Whitmire at 800-972-1162.
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.


The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.