RAPAPORT... A kaleidoscope of colored gemstone jewelry was on display in New York City when the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) brought the 23rd Annual Spectrum Award entries to town to be judged and viewed in a photography studio in Greenwich Village.
This year’s judges came from all walks of the jewelry industry — Stuart Moore, owner of the retail stores bearing his name in New York City’s Soho and California’s San Francisco and Newport Beach; Christopher Walling, a New York City-based jewelry designer with a private salon; David Rees and Ron Anderson of the New York City-based jewelry design firm Ten Thousand Things and lapidary artist.
Ralph Wobito, Wobito Gems, of Stouffville, Ontario, Canada. As always, the entries were evaluated on overall beauty and wearability, innovation of design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones and workmanship, broad-based consumer appeal and the potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones. The judges also evaluated the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards entries, honoring excellence and creativity in the lapidary arts.
There were 500 submissions for this year’s Specturm Awards Competition. Rings were the most entered item with 137 pieces, followed by pendants with 87 entries and necklaces with 47 entries. Blue was the color used most often, followed by green, pink and orange. Sapphire and tourmaline were the two most entered gems.
Judges observed that there was a move away from traditional diamond engagement rings and a move into color. “We’re seeing more use of color. People are now regularly considering sapphires, rubies and other stones. The choices for engagement rings are broader than ever before and color is the biggest change,” commented Stuart Moore.
Each piece entered into the competition was also eligible for special honors — Best of Show, Best Use of Color, Fashion Forward, which recognized the use of colored gemstones in artful, trendsetting jewelry and Manufacturing Honors, which gives kudos to outstanding use of colored gemstones in a design that can be manufactured in production quantities.
Another notable trend, according to the judges, is the move into more traditional and classic styles that have adapted updated silhouettes and exaggerated proportions. Judges also pointed out that designers seemed to have more confidence about using color.
This year’s event was toasted with a gala party hosted by AGTA to benefit Project Renewal, a charitable organization that assists the New York City homeless population in returning to a self-sufficient life in the community. Over $10,000 was raised for the charity.
The event — where all 500 entries were displayed — was attended by designers, press and the New York City social set, several of whom modeled Spectrum pieces during the party.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - February 2007. To subscribe click here.