The peachy hue also marks the program’s 25th anniversary.
This Editor’s Favorites from AGTA Spectrum Awards
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator rounds up 10 pieces from the jewelry design contest that caught her eye.

The AGTA Spectrum Awards Editors’ Day is something of an early Christmas for me.
Easily one of my favorite industry activities all year, I love that I get to spend hours looking at the amazing designs and phenomenal stones entered into the jewelry design contest, all while surrounded by a stunning New York City view and fabulous press and influencers from the industry.
This year was no exception.
I loved the amount of spinel I saw, and big statement rings were definitely having a moment. There was also a great range of materials and so much creativity.
Last week, we rounded up those pieces the panel of judges deemed their winners, but here are (some of) the pieces that caught my eye.
The Best Spinel(s)
When I first started at National Jeweler, I’d always say my favorite gemstone was tourmaline. A colleague jokingly told me that was too vague as a favorite, that I had to pick a specific color tourmaline. I refused.
It’s since changed to spinel, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned many times before, but for almost the same reasons: In addition to spinel’s vibrancy, I love it for the colors it offers, and I won’t pick one. I adore the pinks, could stare at the reds for hours, and don’t even get me started on the steely blues and grays.
So I thought it was only appropriate then that when I couldn’t decide between these two spinels, I didn’t.
The ring on the left is from Caroline C and features a 4.50-carat blue spinel accented with 2.98 carats of diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. Not surprisingly, the ring won the Editors’ Choice Award.
The loose stone on the right is a 3.26-carat emerald-cut orange-red spinel from Omi Gems dubbed the “Desert Rose.”
The Best Summer Vibe
These earrings were already pretty vibrant hanging on the display, but I had a feeling they’d be even better on, and boy, were they. It’s almost like they glowed with their coloring. I loved their whimsy with a bit of polish added through the faceted accent stones.
These “Spring Flowers” earrings from Gregore Morin of Gregore & Jennifer-Rabe Jewelers featured lemon magnesite accented with 2.26 carats of garnet and 0.39 carats of sapphire.
The Most Stunning Piece All Around
I always find it so interesting to compare the pieces the editors and bloggers fall in love with what
You know that getting to see a 20.26-carat cushion-cut unheated yellow sapphire is going to be special, but when you add to it a spectacular diamond setting like the one this ring had, it gets even better.
This ring from Gross & Currens of the David Gross Group won first place in the Evening Wear category and was a favorite of both mine and of Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff, which is why it’s getting so much love lately.
The Bi-Color Winners

Bi-color gemstones really seem to be having a moment, and I love it. It adds intrigue to already beautiful stones.
There were two bi-color gemstones that really stood out to me in the competition and, not surprisingly, I fell in love with both. At left is Lindsay Jane Designs’ platinum ring featuring a 6.78-carat bi-color sapphire accented with 1.84-carats of French-cut diamonds, 0.44 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds and 0.06 carats of white sapphires.
At right, Heath London’s 18-karat gold “Love is at the Heart of Everything” ring featuring a 12.46-carat bi-color tourmaline flanked by 6.22 carats of pink tourmaline, 0.43 carats of tsavorite garnet and 0.50 carats of sapphire (the garnet and sapphire are not visible in the photo.)
The Once-in-a-Lifetime Gem

We are so lucky as an industry that we get to be surrounded by such incredible, rare beauty all the time.
For me, this 80.25-carat tsavorite garnet perfectly summed up that advantage.
Tsavorite in any large size is rare, let alone a piece of this size. Add to that an exceptional clarity, and it was one pretty fantastic gem to see in person. This tsavorite, which won first place in the All Other Faceted category of Cutting Edge, was cut by the pros over at Nomads.
The Hip, Trendy Earrings

These earrings from Julie Lamb added a welcome edge to the tables of Spectrum entries.
I love the graduated lengths of 18-karat gold chain dangling from the tourmaline (again, bi-color!) with some diamonds to add a refined polish. I’d wear these earrings every day, with a dressier work outfit or casual weekend wear.
The Best Use of Gemstones in a Supporting Role

I don’t mean for this title to take anything away from the center stones in these pieces. They are gorgeous in their own rights, of course, and could have carried a piece solo. What I love about these two rings, though, is how the accent stones add fun and excitement.
On the left is the “Galina Baby” ring from Manya Jewelers featuring a 10.62-carat tourmaline accented with 7.68 carats of sapphire, 0.18 carats of yellow diamonds and 0.25 carats of white diamond, all set in platinum and 18-karat gold. (Check out this Instagram post on our account to see this ring from more angles.)
At right is the 18-karat white gold with black rhodium plating “Aurora” convertible ring and pendant from EvelynH Jewelry featuring a 3.52-carat spinel accented with 1.81 carats of sapphire, 0.68 carats of spinel and 2.39 carats of diamond.
The Latest

The 21 pieces up for auction, including Tiffany & Co. jewels and a Cartier watch, garnered more than $430,000 across two sales.

Centered on a sunny heliodor, the “Links” pin was designed by Ukrainian jewelry artist Inesa Kovalova.

Without the ability to instill confidence within the industry and directly to the consumer, a diamond holds very little value.

The wedding band company is also accusing its former customer of removing watermarks from Lashbrook images for its own use.


It provides a timeline for the implementation of new restrictions, but no details.

The organization has elected 12 new additions.

With holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.

Sherry Smith breaks down the numbers on jewelry sales in November and reveals the category that “emerged as a standout.”

Additional lots will be offered in the Fine Jewels online sale through Dec. 7.

By mixing creative and practical skills, the new course hopes to fill the industry’s bench jeweler gap.

Several other colored gemstones joined the pieces in the top 10 list.

The retailer is still expecting a strong holiday season with improving demand for natural diamonds.

Peter Damian Arguello, the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery last week.

The Indian jewelry giant has opened locations in Houston and Frisco, Texas.

Each student was provided with the full amount of tuition for the Namibia University of Science & Technology.

Ryan Perry, who has been with De Beers since 2002, also will be leaving the company next year.

The watch seller’s new index tracks sales data from 14 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.

The industry veteran will step down from both roles in April 2024.

Tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon are all options for December babies, who sometimes “get the birthday shaft,” Amanda Gizzi writes.

The lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.

The company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.

It’s the hero piece of the newest "Green Jewel" collection, a collaborative offering from the two mines.

The 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.

Chris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.

The stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.

The retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.