SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
OtherMay 10, 2016
Paraiba tourmaline ring wins Spectrum’s Best of Show
A platinum ring featuring a Paraiba tourmaline accented with French-cut diamonds by designer Leon Mege took home both the Best of Show award and top honors in the classical category at the American Gem Trade Association’s annual Spectrum Design competition.
Judging for the design competition, which is in its 31st year, took place in New York on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s judges were: Jerrold Green of Reginald C. Miller; Myriam Gumuchian of Gumuchian; Joseph Mardkha of ColorMasters; Tim McClelland of McTiegue & McClellan; Larry Pelzel of Neiman Marcus; and Jeffrey Post of the Smithsonian Institution.
This year’s awards will be presented during the 2015 AGTA GemFair Tucson, which is scheduled for Feb. 3 to 8. Winning entries will be displayed during the show and AGTA Spectrum Awards recipients will be recognized during the AGTA’s gala.
A complete list of the winners of the 2015 Spectrum Awards are as follows.
Best of Category
Best of Show--Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc.
Best Use of Color--Paula Crevoshay, Crevoshay
Best Use of Platinum and Color--Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design
Best Use of Pearls--Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs
Fashion Forward--Ion Ionescu, Ionescu Design, Inc.
Bridal Wear
Frist Place--Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design
Second Place and Manufacturing Honors--Laurence Bruyninckx, Laurence Bruyninckx
Third Place and Platinum Honors--Michael Endlich, Pave Fine Jewelry
Entry Platinum Innovation--Susan Drake, Spectrum Art & Jewelry
Gem Diva Award--Suzanne Kalandjian, Suzanne Kalan
Honorable Mention--Bella Campbell, Campbellian
Business/ Day Wear
First Place--Jennifer Rabe Morin, Gregore Joailliers
Second Place and Gem Diva Award--Elizabeth Garvin, Elizabeth Garvin Fine
Third Place--Heath London, Heath London Jewelry
Platinum Honors--Phillip Dismuke, Jewelsmith
Manufacturing Honors--Ryan Roberts, Ryan Roberts Ltd.
Classical
First Place--Leon Mege, Leon Mege Inc.
Second Place--Heena Chheda, Real Gems Inc.
Third Place--Evelyn Huang, China Art & Fine Jewelry Inc.
Platinum Honors--Rex McClure, Sohn & McClure Jewelers
Entry Platinum Innovation--Mimi Favre, Mimi Favre Studio
Gem Diva Award--Caroline Chartuni, Caroline C.
Manufacturing Honors--Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design
Evening Wear
First Place and Gem Diva Award--Maria Canale, Suna Bros. Inc.
Second Place--Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney Inc.
Third Place--Gil, Gil International
Platinum Honors--Cara Becker Lichtenstein, My Blue Heaven
Manufacturing Honors--Linda Quinn, Linda Quinn Designs
Honorable Mention--Wendy Brandes, Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Men’s Wear
First Place--Dawn Muscio, D. Muscio Fine Jewelry Studio
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Second Place--Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design
Third Place--Micheal Kanners, Michael Kanners
Platinum Honors--Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs
Honorable Mention--William Travis, William Travis Jewelry
Third Place--Micheal Kanners, Michael Kanners
Platinum Honors--Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs
Honorable Mention--William Travis, William Travis Jewelry
And the winners for the Cutting Edge Awards are as follows.
Classic Cut Gemstones
First Place--Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.
Second Place--Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Third Place--Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Honorable Mention--Alan Hackman, Intercolor
All Other Faceted
First Place--Hemant Phophaliya, AG Color Inc.
Second Place--Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Third Place--Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Honorable Mention--Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Phenomenal Gemstones
First Place-Robert Shapiro, Robert Shapiro
Pairs and Suites
First Place--Dalan Hargrave, Dust Devil Mining
Second Place--Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Third Place--Hemant Phophaliya, A G Color, Inc.
Honorable Mention--Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.
Innovative Faceting
First Place--John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.
Second Place--John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.
Third Place--John Dyer, John Dyer & Co.
Carving
First Place--Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs
Second Place--Bernie Benavidez, Master Jewelers
Third Place--Darryl Alexander, Nirinjan
Objects of Art
First Place--Robyn Dufty, DuftyWeis Opals, Inc.
Second Place--Darryl Alexander, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Third Place--Alishan Halebian, Alishan
Honorable Mention--Adam Ramseyer, Ramstar Designs
More on Other
The Latest
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
