RAPAPORT...  Press Release: The 26th annual AGTA Spectrum Awards continued to illustrate the preference for platinum among the finest jewelry designers. Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA), which partners with AGTA for the “Platinum Honors” category of the competition, was pleased to see an increase of 11 percent in total platinum pieces among the 420 skillfully crafted designs entered in this year's competition. Additionally, out of the total number of winning designs across all categories this year, a resounding 58 percent of winners featured platinum, an increase of 32 percent from 2008. 

PGI-USA has worked with AGTA for a number of years on the competition and the Platinum Honors category, which recognizes the outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstones or pearl jewelry. PGI’s participation in the AGTA awards is an integral part of its continued effort to support the talented designers and manufacturers working with this precious metal. Entries for the category must be made of 90 percent to 95 percent platinum and are judged based upon beauty and design in addition to being judged against AGTA standards that they have a "broad-base consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones." Established and emerging designers alike are encouraged to enter the competition that boasts such high-profile designers as Erica Courtney, Ivanka Trump and James W. Currens.

Winners in the Platinum Honors category of the competition are provided with a prize package of numerous promotion publicity opportunities, including celebrity dressing and editorial exposure, by PGI throughout the year that help generate national brand awareness and desire for the designer. The 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition was held in New York City from October 24 to 25, 2009. 

"Platinum Honors" 2009 Winners:

Bridal Wear
• Evelyn Clothier, Evelyn Clothier Jewelry, New York, NY, Platinum earrings featuring blue moonstone cabochons (48.82-ct. t.w.) and diamonds (4.75-ct. t.w.), valued at $10,783.

Business/Day Wear
• James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc., New York, NY, Platinum "Orbit" ring featuring a 5.37-ct. pink spinel, spessartite garnets (15.83-ct. t.w.) and diamonds (1.16-ct. t.w.), valued at $56,000.

Classical
• Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore LLC, New York, NY, Platinum ring featuring a 10.78-ct. cornflower blue cushion-cut natural sapphire accented with diamonds (1.29-ct. t.w.), valued at $85,000.

Evening Wear
• Ashok Sancheti, Designs by Ashok Sancheti dba Pioneer Gems, New York, NY, Platinum earrings featuring morganite drops (81.15-ct. t.w.) accented with zircons (6.66-ct. t.w.), spinels (1.50-ct. t.w.) and diamonds (1.65-ct. t.w.), valued at $24,999.

Men's Wear
• Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design, Long Beach, CA, Platinum ring featuring a 13.81-ct. spessartite garnet, yellow diamonds (1.58-ct. t.w.) and diamonds (0.62-ct. t.w.), valued at $24,000.

“PGI is honored to work with AGTA,” said Huw Daniel, the president of PGI-USA. “Last year’s Platinum Honors winners received over $600,000 in media exposure opportunities from PGI. We are committed to bringing attention to the winners of this prestigious competition and to show how their work showcases the unique characteristics, beauty and value of platinum.”

About Platinum Guild International USA
Platinum Guild International, the marketing arm for the worldwide platinum jewelry industry, is dedicated to promoting platinum and its pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world’s major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of platinum jewelry. For further information, please visit www.platinumguild.com .

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