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AGTA Names 2014 Spectrum Award Winners
Oct 24, 2013 7:19 AM
By Deena Taylor
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RAPAPORT... The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced the winners of its 2014 Spectrum Awards™ . The competition was judged on October 19 and 20 in New York. Judges included retailer Jennifer McCurry from Marissa Collections, fashion and beauty editor, Jennie Ma from The Knot, jewelry designer Barbara Heinrich from Barbara Heinrich Studio, lapidarist John Hatleberg and manufacturer Jose Hess.
 James Currens of J.W. Currens Inc. won the best of show award for his platinum Tropical Storm ring (pictured) featuring a 22.10-carat emerald, accented with 11.47 carats of diamonds. The design also won first place in the best classical category.
Erica Courtney of Erica Courtney won the best use of color award for her 18-karat yellow gold earrings featuring boulder-shaped 22.84 carats of opals and 2.62 carats of fire opals accented with 1.75 carats of orange sapphires and paraiba tourmalines.
The best use of platinum and color award went to Deirdre Featherstone of Featherstone Design for her platinum Coleman's Smokey Blues earrings featuring 3.83-carat, cushion-cut blue spinels and 4.02-carat lavender spinels accented with multi-colored sapphires, garnets, tourmalines and diamonds.
Anil Maloo of Baggins Inc. was awarded the best use of pearls award for 18-karat white gold drop earrings featuring 32 Japanese Akoya cultured pearls accented 4.43 carats of round brilliant diamonds.
 An expert panel of editors from the New York Times, The Oprah Magazine, InStyle, Town and Country and Brides chose Katey Brunini of K. Brunini Jewels as the first place fashion award winner. Bruini's designed an 18-karat yellow gold Robot Heart necklace (pictured) that features a 1,363.96-carat Opal heart accented with 1.53 carats of diamonds. The judges reviewed over 450 entries, including jewelry from emerging and established designers, loose gemstone and cultured pearl dealers.
Other wining categories included bridal wear sponsored by the Knot, business or daily wear, classical, evening wear and men's wear.
Now in its 30th year, the competition also included the cutting edge awards, which honor creativity in lapidary arts. Sailesh Lakhi of Sparkles and Colors USA Inc. won the first place award for classic cut gemstones for a 20.98-carat, octagonal, step-cut unheated yellow sapphire.
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Tags:
AGTA, AGTA Spectrum Awards, Deena Taylor
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