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Color Your World

by Matthew Kramer

Happy anniversary! The 2009 AGTA SpGemstone Jewelry, colored gemstones, colored gemstone jewelry, Cutting Edge awards, AGTA Spectrum Awards, AGTA, 2009 Spectrum Awardsectrum Awards marked the 25th anniversary of the colorful competition. The American Gem Trade Association�s contest showed off all the colors of the rainbow in gemstones and creative jewelry designs. Judges included Tom Heyman of Oscar Heyman, Donna Sturm of Verdura, Claudia Mata of Town & Country, and lapidarist Walter Casaravilla.

Spectrum Awards categories included bridal, business/day, classical, evening, and men�s wear, with platinum, fashion forward, and manufacturing honors. In addition to the Cutting Edge Awards, a new �Consumer�s Choice Honors� was sponsored by the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council through an on-line consumer research study. The awards will be presented during the AGTA GemFair, February 4-9, at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona. For a complete list of this year�s winners and future contest information, call (800) 972-1162 or visit www.agta.org.


	Best of Show and Evening, First Place: �Enchanted Stallion� brooch featuring 158.26 carat enhanced turquoise, diamonds, and demantoid garnets by Frederic Sage, Great Neck, New York.


	Business/Day, First Place: Necklace in 24k yellow and 14k rose gold with jasper cabochons by Devta Doolan, Devta Doolan Jewelry, Portland, Maine.


	Classical, First Place: Frog brooch featuring opals, moonstones, and pink sapphires by Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers, Santa Barbara, California.


	Bridal, First Place: Platinum earrings with morganite briolettes and diamonds by Judy Evans, Richard Krementz Gemstones, Springdale, New Jersey.


	Men�s, First Place: Cuff links in 18k yellow gold and platinum with chalcedony cabochons, yellow sapphires, diamonds, and rubies by Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Beverly Hills, California.


	Best Use of Color and Business/Day, Fashion Forward Honors: Platinum �Kaleidoscope X2� ring featuring an 85 carat crystal surrounding diamonds, amethyst, aquamarine, fire opal, topaz, citrine, garnet, and tourmalines by James W. Currens, J.W. Currens, New York.


	Open/Classic, First Place: 29.92 carat yellow sapphire by John M. Bachman, Boulder, Colorado.


	Open/Other Faceted, First Place: 11.44 carat red spinel by Jeffrey Bilgore, New York.


	Pairs & Suites, First Place: Cushion cut peridot by Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co., San Francisco, California.


	Faceting, First Place: 15.05 carat cushion cut rhodochrosite by Ben Kho, Kho International, Decatur, Georgia.


	Carving, First Place: 40.47 carat Lightning Ridge opal carving by Larry Woods, Jewels From The Woods, Blanco, Texas.


	Combination, First Place: 89.79 carat carved aquamarine by Michael Dyber, Michael M. Dyber/Ledge Art Studio, Rumney, New Hampshire.