Editors

9 Special Spectrum Entries: Giving Out My Own Awards

EditorsAug 12, 2019

9 Special Spectrum Entries: Giving Out My Own Awards

Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator highlights interesting stones, designs and even one pair of eyeglasses spotted at AGTA’s recent Editors’ Day event.

20190812_Omi.jpg
Omi Prive’s padparadscha sapphire and diamond ring was a highlight of the 2019 AGTA Spectrum Awards for Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator.

Put hundreds of pieces of jewelry, food and mimosas in a sunlit Manhattan loft for one day and you’ve got some pretty happy editors.

Last Tuesday, the National Jeweler team headed to the West Village to take part in the AGTA Spectrum Editors’ Day event, where we walked through tables and tables of creations.

I don’t know if it was just me being more attracted to the deep colors, but it seemed like there were quite a few tanzanite pieces this year. There seemed to be an abundance of blues and pinks, and starburst motifs were also really popular.

And while it was great to get to look through so many different designs, there were a number that stood out to me for various reasons.

You got to see pictures of the first-place winners, according to the Spectrum judges, in my story last week, so I thought I’d go beyond those and show you some other notable creations from Editors’ Day through my own fun awards.

Enjoy!

The award for The Piece I’d Want to Wear Every Day

goes to…



Mark Loren Designs’ 14-karat yellow gold “Long” agate and gemstone earrings.

The Laguna agate drops were glowing in the sunlit loft on Editors’ Day, calling to me with their vibrancy. I love how sleek and simple they are while still providing amazing color and an interesting pairing of stones—agate (45 carats total), green tourmaline (6.33 carats), akoya cultured pearls and .22 carats of yellow sapphire.

The award for The Piece Most Interacted With goes to…



Deirdre Featherstone of Featherstone Designs’ eyeglasses with platinum and gemstone “enhancements,” featuring spinel, tourmaline, aquamarine, opal, garnet, sapphire, tanzanite and diamonds.

I caught them out of the corner of my eye as soon as we walked into the space and couldn’t wait to try them on. And from what I could tell watching others as they neared the glasses on the table, the same could be said for everyone.

They were fun, beautiful, creative and unexpected (for the awards, but for anyone who knows Deirdre, not so much), and I loved watching everyone get so excited to try them on and take pictures. Even I took the rare selfie (and posted it to this blog no less) because I was so tickled with them. Needless to say, I’d wear my own glasses a lot more if they looked more like this.

The award for Best Bridal Look goes to…



Omi Prive’s 18-karat rose gold and platinum ring with a 5.01-carat unheated cushion-cut padparadscha sapphire with 2.69 carats of diamonds and a hidden .01-carat alexandrite.

The chances of an Omi piece being among my favorites was high—their stone selection is always on point, and their jewelry always does the perfect job highlighting the stone while giving it the perfect setting. This padparadscha is, in my opinion, the perfect color, especially for a bride, and accenting it with slightly off-set pear-shaped diamonds is the cherry on top of it all.

I would definitely say yes to this padparadscha, and that has nothing to do with a royal effect.

The award for The Most Interesting Color Combination goes to…



Gaston Jewelry Studio’s 18-karat white gold ring featuring a 5.38-carat emerald-cut Mexican fire opal next to turquoise cabochons and set with 0.75 carats of tsavorite garnet and 1.10 carats of diamonds.

Orange and blue are on opposite sides of the color wheel, so putting them together isn’t exactly shocking, but there’s something about this pairing that is so eye-catching.

Maybe it’s the use of the transparent fire opal next to turquoise cabochons on such a large scale that makes it so unexpected, but I clearly wasn’t alone in my appreciation of the piece; it won honorable mention and manufacturing honors in the Business/Day Wear category.

The award for Prettiest Piece from the Best Name goes to…



These 14-karat yellow gold earrings featuring 32.78 carats of boulder opals accented with 2.11 carats of tsavorite garnets and 1 carat of diamonds from Brecken Farnsworth.  

I was at the AGS Conclave event in San Diego in 2014 when I discovered there was another Brecken in the jewelry industry. Even better, she was there as well. I had only heard of a handful of other Breckens before, and had definitely never met one, so my mind was a little blown. It’s still a little bizarre to me, but I take it as a sign that I’ve found myself in the right place.

I was so thrilled when I picked up this pair of earrings at the Spectrum press event to admire them and their details only to find out they were from Brecken Farnsworth of Parle Gems. I love the opals and their celestial golden accents topped off with a pop of green, so here’s a shout out from one Brecken to another.

The award for The Coolest Use of a Rare Stone goes to…



The platinum “Intersection” ring from Ricardo Basta, featuring a 8.70-carat trapiche emerald cabochon accented with 1.66 carats of white diamonds and .12 carats of black diamonds.

I love the way the design of this ring worked with the “spokes” of the trapiche emerald. It’s clean and let’s the stone speak for itself—trapiche is a sight to see all on its own—with just enough intrigue as the black and white diamonds continue the pattern with faceted, sparkling brilliance.

The award for The Best Way to Catch Dreams goes to…



Buddha Mama’s 20-karat yellow gold “Dreamcatcher” pendant featuring a 42.52-carat cushion-cut zircon set with white and gray enamel with diamond flowers and pears.

I am not a good sleeper. I need darkness and almost complete silence to fall asleep, and I will wake up at the sound of a pin dropping, all of which makes living in New York City an adventure. How nice then to find what might be my perfect solution at the AGTA Spectrum Awards! I love how much gold is involved in this, I love the zircon in the middle and I love how oversized it is. After all, who wouldn’t want to don such a lovely piece, especially if it meant a better night’s sleep?

The award for The Piece With the Best Sense of Humor goes to…



Ionescu Design’s ring titled “A Little Gremlin About to Misbehave,” featuring a gray baroque South Sea cultured pearl accented with a .07-carat ruby and .13 carats of diamonds.

The gorgeous stones, the thoughtful and innovative design, the stunning manufacturing—those are all the reasons and more why we love the Spectrum Awards. But it’s also a piece like this—with a sense of humor behind it—that also provides such a bright spot.

This little guy, with his tongue sticking out, had many of us grinning from ear to ear. I don’t know how one looks at a pearl like that and sees a gremlin, but I’m so happy it happened. He made my day.

The award for The Best Use of My Birthstone goes to…



Sean Gilson’s platinum earrings featuring onyx toroids accented with 8.78 carats of aquamarine and diamonds (.36 total carats).

I have hot and cold feelings about my March birthstone, if I’m being quite honest, and don’t find myself steering toward aquamarine often.

But I like these earrings a lot, especially the way they pair the black onyx—we’re seeing a lot of that and black enamel right now—with the light blue, and the way they partner the rounded shape of the onyx starkly against the geometric shapes of the faceted aquamarines, with the added intrigue of the bottom kites appearing to be almost floating. They’re modern and sleek, and I’d happily wear these to celebrate my birthstone.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

×

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