As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
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

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.


Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.