Events & Awards

Pair of Blue Tourmalines Are AGTA Spectrum’s ‘Best of Show’

Events & AwardsAug 09, 2017

Pair of Blue Tourmalines Are AGTA Spectrum’s ‘Best of Show’

This is the third time in as many years a Cutting Edge entry has received the top honors in the competition.

20170809_Best-of-Show.jpg
This pair of neon blue tourmalines, weighing 53.56 total carats, from Mikola Kukharuk of Nomad’s won both “Best in Show” as well as first place in the Pairs & Suites category of the Cutting Edge competition.

New York--A pair of blue tourmalines were deemed tops at the American Gem Trade Association’s Spectrum awards this past weekend.

The two neon blue tourmalines, weighing 53.56 total carats, from Mikola Kukharuk of Nomad’s were named “Best of Show.”

This is the third time in a row a Cutting Edge entry received that honor in the competition.

Last year, it was a suite of round brilliant Russian demantoid garnets weighing a total of 24.67 carats from Ruben Bindra of B&B Fine Gems.

The year before that it was a suite of Paraiba tourmaline from Allen Kleiman carved in a nautilus shell shape.

Judging for the 2017 event took place in New York on Saturday and Sunday. The panel of judges featured Arun Bohra of Arunashi, Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers, Sherris Cottier Shank of Gemscapes, Alishan Halebian of Alishan and Holly Wesche of Wesche Jewelers.

The awards will be presented during the 2018 AGTA GemFair Tucson, slated for Jan. 30 to Feb. 4 at the Tucson Convention Center.

Winning entries will be displayed during the show, and the award recipients will be recognized during the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards Gala on Saturday, Feb. 3.

“The entire staff was immediately impressed as the entries started coming in; it seemed that the quality and artistry of the pieces has ascended to a new level. The number of entries increased and clearly the caliber of entries was exceptional,” AGTA CEO Doug Hucker said.

Winners of the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards are as follows.

“Best of” Category
Best of Show: Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Best Use of Color: Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs
Best Use of Pearls: Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Fashion Forward: Ardeshir Dabestani, Asha Gallery Ltd.

Bridal Wear
First Place: Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc.
Second Place (and WJA Gem Diva Award): Lindsay Jane, Lindsay Jane Designs
Third Place: Judy Evans, Oliver & Espig Gallery of Fine Arts
Honorable Mention: Zoltan David, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Manufacturing Honors: Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers
Entry

Platinum Innovation: Leon Mege, Leon Mege Inc.
Platinum Honors: Craig Slavens, Studio 247 Fine Jewelry




Business/Day Wear
First Place: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry
Second Place: Llyn Strong, Llyn Strong Fine Art Jewelry
Third Place: Mimi Favre, Mimi Favre Studio
Honorable Mention: Omi Prive, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Honorable Mention: Robert Pelliccia, J. R. Dunn Jewelers
Manufacturing Honors: Gregore Morin, Gregore & Jennifer-Rabe Jewelers
Platinum Honors: John Ford, Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford
Entry Platinum Innovation: Leon Mege, Leon Mege Inc.
WJA Gem Diva Award: Pam Harris, Lost Bird Designs

Classical
First Place: Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.
Second Place: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Third Place: Oscar Heyman, Oscar Heyman
Honorable Mention: Varouj Tabakian, Jewellery by Varouj
Honorable Mention: Oscar Heyman, Oscar Heyman
Manufacturing Honors: Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg Inc.
Platinum Honors: Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry
Entry Platinum Innovation: Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers
WJA Gem Diva Award: Beatrix Laura Jessner, B & W Jewels

Evening Wear
First Place (and Best Use of Platinum and Color): Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Second Place (and Best Use of Color): Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs
Third Place: Caroline Chartouni, Caroline C
Honorable Mention: Victoria Tse, VTse Inc.
Honorable Mention: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney Inc.
Honorable Mention: Zoltan David, Somewhere in the Rainbow
Platinum Honors: John Ford, Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford
WJA Gem Diva Award: Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince Designs

Men’s Wear
First Place: Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg Inc.
Second Place: Peter Schmid, French Designer Jeweler
Third Place: Dawn Muscio, D. Muscio Designs
Honorable Mention: Llyn L. Strelau, Jewels by Design
Honorable Mention and Platinum Honors: Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers
Manufacturing Honors: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive

The winners for the Cutting Edge Awards are as follows.

Carving
First Place: Meg Berry, Pala International
Second Place: Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry
Third Place: John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.
Honorable Mention: Bernie Benavidez, Master Jewelers
Honorable Mention: Larry Woods, Jewels From The Woods

Classic Gemstone
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Second Place: Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.
Third Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Honorable Mention: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.

Innovative Faceting
First Place: Christopher Wolfsberg, Chris Wolfsberg
Second Place: John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.
Third Place: John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.
Honorable Mention: Dalan Hargrave, Jewels From The Woods

Objects of Art
First Place: Derek Katzenbach, Katzenbach Designs
Second Place: Susan Helmich, Somewhere in the Rainbow
Third Place: Liam Powers, Liam Powers Jewelry

Pairs & Suites
First Place: Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Second Place: Hemant Phophaliya, A G Color Inc.
Third Place: Robyn Dufty, DuftyWeis Opals Inc.
Honorable Mention: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Honorable Mention: Phillip Youngman, Phillip Youngman

Phenomenal
First Place: Joel Price, Joel Price
Second Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Third Place: Robert Shapiro, Robert Shapiro
Honorable Mention: Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems
Honorable Mention: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.

All Other Faceted
First Place: Brett Kosnar, Beija Flor Wholesale
Second Place: Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems
Third Place: Hemant Phophaliya, A G Color Inc.
Honorable Mention: Ruben Bindra, B & B Fine Gems
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

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

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

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

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

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

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

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

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

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

Penny Ruston
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80

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

Stock image of woman shopping
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June

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

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy