IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2020
This Gem Cutter Won Spectrum’s ‘Best of Show’ Award Again
David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd. took the top honor for the second year in a row with a big pair of spessartite garnets.
These two pear-shaped spessartite garnets (90.48 total carats) cut by David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd. received Best of Show honors in the 2020 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association has announced the winners of the 2020 Spectrum Awards and, for the second year in a row, a faceted loose gemstone took the show’s top honor.
AGTA held the jewelry design and gemstone cutting competition on Oct. 24 and 25 in Dallas rather than New York City, as it usually does, due to travel restrictions amid the continued pandemic.
The judges were: Michael Johnson, Eiseman Jewels; Monica Kitt, Arkenstone Ltd.; Clare Adams Kittle, Clare Adams Kittle Company; Chris Pampillonia, Pampillonia Designs; and Ray Zajicek, Equatorian Imports.
This year’s contest had 20 percent more entries, as well as many first-time entrants, AGTA said, and included two new categories.
AGTA added North American Mined Gemstones to Cutting Edge, the division of the contest dedicated to lapidary arts. It said the new category was the largest in that division this year.
It also added Best of Single Entries, chosen from applicants who submitted only one piece in the competition, and gave the award in both Spectrum and Cutting Edge.
This year, the top overall honor, Best of Show, went to a pair of pear-shaped spessartite garnets weighing a total of 90.48 carats cut by David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.
This is the second year in a row Nassi has nabbed top the awards’ top honor, after his 30.19-carat untreated cushion-cut red spinel wowed the judges last year.
His victory also extends the winning streak for faceted loose stones at Spectrum, which have won Best in Show four out of the last five years.
The full list of 2020 winners are as follows.
“Best of” Awards
Best of Show: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Best Use of Color: Rosa Van Parys, Rosa Van Parys Jewelry
Best Use of Pearls: Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry
Fashion Forward: Peter Schmid
Best of Single Entries, Spectrum: Sean Olufson, Olufson Designs
Best of Single Entries, Cutting Edge: Afshin and David Hackman, Intercolor USA
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Adam Neeley, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Kathrin Schoenke, KNS Platinum Solutions
AGTA held the jewelry design and gemstone cutting competition on Oct. 24 and 25 in Dallas rather than New York City, as it usually does, due to travel restrictions amid the continued pandemic.
The judges were: Michael Johnson, Eiseman Jewels; Monica Kitt, Arkenstone Ltd.; Clare Adams Kittle, Clare Adams Kittle Company; Chris Pampillonia, Pampillonia Designs; and Ray Zajicek, Equatorian Imports.
This year’s contest had 20 percent more entries, as well as many first-time entrants, AGTA said, and included two new categories.
AGTA added North American Mined Gemstones to Cutting Edge, the division of the contest dedicated to lapidary arts. It said the new category was the largest in that division this year.
It also added Best of Single Entries, chosen from applicants who submitted only one piece in the competition, and gave the award in both Spectrum and Cutting Edge.
This year, the top overall honor, Best of Show, went to a pair of pear-shaped spessartite garnets weighing a total of 90.48 carats cut by David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.
This is the second year in a row Nassi has nabbed top the awards’ top honor, after his 30.19-carat untreated cushion-cut red spinel wowed the judges last year.
His victory also extends the winning streak for faceted loose stones at Spectrum, which have won Best in Show four out of the last five years.
The full list of 2020 winners are as follows.
“Best of” Awards
Best of Show: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Best Use of Color: Rosa Van Parys, Rosa Van Parys Jewelry
Best Use of Pearls: Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry
Fashion Forward: Peter Schmid
Best of Single Entries, Spectrum: Sean Olufson, Olufson Designs
Best of Single Entries, Cutting Edge: Afshin and David Hackman, Intercolor USA
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Adam Neeley, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Kathrin Schoenke, KNS Platinum Solutions
See: The “Best of” Winners
Best Use of Platinum and Color. Adam Neeley of Somewhere In The Rainbow’s platinum and 18-karat yellow gold “Dark Knight” ring featuring a 9.81-carat black opal accented with blue sapphires (5.06 total carats), tsavorite garnets (2.56 total carats), and diamonds (0.28 total carats)
Best Use of Platinum Crown. Kathrin Schoenke of KNS Platinum Solutions’ platinum ring featuring an 18.65-carat cushion-cut indicolite tourmaline accented with blue and pink sapphires
Best of Single Entry, Spectrum. Sean Olufson of Olufson Designs’ platinum pendant featuring a 3.39-carat oval pink sapphire surrounded by matched pear-shaped alexandrites (3.36 total carats) accented with diamonds (0.54 total carats)
Best of Single Entry, Cutting Edge. Afshin and David Hackman of Intercolor USA’s 7.04-carat oval ruby
Best Use of Color. Rosa Van Parys of Rosa Van Parys Jewelry’s 18-karat yellow gold “Links” necklace featuring a 14.9 mm black Tahitian cultured pearl and multicolored sapphires, tsavorite garnets, aquamarines, multicolored diamonds, and amethysts
Best Use of Pearls. Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry’s 18-karat rose gold “Black Lace” ring featuring a 16.5 mm cultured pearl accented with pink and lavender sapphires (2.86 total carats) and diamonds (0.06 total carats)
Fashion Forward. Peter Schmid’s 22-karat and 18-karat yellow gold “Lady Gaga Metropolitan Gala” earrings featuring pear-shaped rubellite tourmalines (10.10 total carats) and aquamarines (2.31 total carats) accented with diamonds
Bridal Wear
First Place and Manufacturing Honors: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Second Place and Platinum Honors: Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry Inc.
Third Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Honorable Mention: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Platinum Innovation: Jacob Wosinski, Jacob Raymond Custom Jewelry
WJA Gem Diva Award: Kathleen Kerr, Fair Trade Jewellery Co.
Business/Day Wear
First Place, Platinum Honors, and Platinum Innovation: Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC
Second Place: Zoltan David, Zoltan David
Third Place: Phillip Dismuke, Jewelsmith Inc.
Honorable Mention: Jon Barry DiNola, Yardley Jewelers
Manufacturing Honors: Timothy W Foster, T. Foster & Company
WJA Gem Diva Award: Eve Streicker, Original Eve Designs
Classical
First Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Second Place and Platinum Honors: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Third Place: Craig Slavens, Luxe Fine Jewelry
Honorable Mention: Raja Mehta, A.G. Gems Inc.
Manufacturing Honors: Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem Inc.
WJA Gem Diva Award: Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company Inc./Crevoshay
Evening Wear
First Place: Michael Tope, Raintree LLC
Second Place: Zoltan David, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Third Place: Tariq Riaz, Tariq Riaz LLC
Honorable Mention: Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Manufacturing Honors: Tariq Riaz, Tariq Riaz LLC
Platinum Honors: Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC
Platinum Innovation: Sean Smokovich, Somewhere In The Rainbow
WJA Gem Diva Award: Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company Inc./Crevoshay
Men’s Wear
First Place and Platinum Honors: Jeremy Dunn, Dunn & Co.
Second Place and Manufacturing Honors: Gastón R. Rives, Gastón Jewelry Studio Inc.
Third Place: Adam Neeley, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Honorable Mention: Randy Coffin, Somewhere In The Rainbow
See: The Spectrum First Place Winners
Bridal Wear. Niveet Nagpal of Omi Prive’s platinum ring featuring a 3.38-carat oval emerald accented with diamond epaulets weighing 1.00 total carats
Business/Day Wear. Nikki Swift of Nicole Mera LLC’s platinum ring featuring pink and lavender pear-shaped spinels (2.49 total carats) accented with diamonds (1.26 total carats)
Classical. Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corp.’s platinum ring featuring a 14.28-carat oval blue Sri Lankan sapphire accented with diamonds
Evening Wear. Michael Tope of Raintree LLC’s 18-karat yellow and rose gold and platinum “Casatheia” ring featuring an 8.40-carat rubellite tourmaline paired with a 2.33-carat blue sapphire accented with chrysoprase, Montana sapphires (1.68 total carats), diamonds (0.40 total carats), and a pear-cut turquoise
Men’s Wear. Jeremy Dunn of Dunn & Co.’s platinum cufflinks featuring Asscher-cut pyrope/spessartite garnets (5.83 total carats) and blue sapphire melee (1.35 total carats)
The winners of the Cutting Edge Awards are as follows.
All Other Cut Gemstones
First Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Second Place: Erica Courtney, The Courtney Collection
Third Place: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Honorable Mention: Edward Boehm, RareSource
Carving
First Place: Yanqing Zhang Asdurian, Yanqing Asdurian
Second Place: Dalan Hargrave, GeoGem-USA
Third Place: Meg Berry, Mega Gem
Classic Gemstone
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Second Place: Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.
Third Place: Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem Inc.
Innovative Faceting
First Place: Thomas Trozzo, Trozzo
Second Place: Darryl Alexander, Alexander’s Jewelers
Third Place: Lee Haynes, LWH Gems
North American Mined Gemstones
First Place (Tie): David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
First Place (Tie): Edward Wilsek, Wilsek & Co.
Third Place: Jeff Hapeman, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Honorable Mention: Brett Kosnar, Kosnar Gem Co.
Objects of Art
First Place: Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company Inc./Crevoshay
Second Place: Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
Third Place: Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry
Pairs & Suites
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Second Place: Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Third Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Honorable Mention: Boyd Fox, Fox Hop Jewelry
Phenomenal
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Second Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Third Place: Gary Braun, Finewater Gems
See: The Cutting Edge First Place Winners
All Other Cut Gemstones. Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corp.’s 21.81-carat brilliant-cut pear-shaped Paraiba tourmaline
Carving. Yanqing Zhang Asdurian of Yanqing Asdurian’s jadeite snail carving
Classic Gemstone. David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s 12.99-carat untreated pink Ceylon sapphire
Innovative Faceting. Thomas Trozzo of Trozzo’s 70-carat freeform faceted and carved ametrine
North American Mined Gemstones. A tie between David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s 0.80-carat shield-shaped untreated red beryl from Utah, at left, and Edward Wilsek of Wilsek & Co.’s 35.43-carat oval faceted spessartite garnet from Virginia, at right
Objects of Art. Paula Crevoshay’s “Garden of Delight Mystery Box,” is made of lapis lazuli, opal, sugilite, malachite, turquoise and more. The hummingbirds, branch, and columbine feature multicolored sapphires, amethysts, spinels, tsavorite garnets, opal and diamonds.
Pairs & Suites. David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s pair of pear-shaped spessartite garnets also won first place in this category.
Phenomenal. David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s 16.06-carat untreated Vietnamese star ruby cabochon, showing its phenomenal feature at right
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
