The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has officially opened entries for the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards 2024, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the prestigious Spectrum Awards. Renowned for excellence in colored gemstone and cultured pearl design, these awards offer a unique opportunity for jewelry designers to gain international recognition.
The Early Bird registration deadline is Friday, September 20, 2024, and the final deadline is Wednesday, October 9, 2024. With numerous categories, participants have many chances to win. Entrants can select their categories for Spectrum & Cutting Edge, but Special and Sponsored Awards are chosen by the judges and category sponsors.
Kimberly Collins, President of the AGTA Board stated that The Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards provide incredible value and can launch a designer’s career. «Through a stringent judging selection process and criteria for winners, fresh eyes each year choose the best of the best that our industry has to offer […]. The Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards are an incredible value with career-launching momentum».
To celebrate the importance of these awards, some past winners have shared their experiences and how the awards have impacted their careers.
Mary van der Aa, VDAACO/Mary van der Aa Fine Jewels
Mary van der Aa, known for her fine jewelry and winner of the Best Use of Platinum and Color award in 2023 with her creation “GARANATAS: From Rough to Cut”, stated that winning at the Spectrum Awards validated her work and increased her visibility in the industry. «When I tell people I won Spectrum Awards, I find they are more trusting and order more. Those awards validated what I’m doing. And since I never duplicate a piece, some people have fought over who will buy something. At the Las Vegas shows, people were stopping me and asking me to collaborate with them. That has not happened before, so the Spectrum Awards have definitely gotten my name out there».
Niveet Nagpal, Omi Privé
«Spectrum gives you a lot of exposure and prestige», stated Niveet Nagpal, winner of the 2023 Best of Show, explaining that the victory with a 15.22 ct black opal ring raised his profile, leading to increased visibility and demand for their pieces. The former winner explained how the Spectrum Awards victory transformed their brand from simple loose gem traders to prestigious jewelry designers.
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Designs
The jewelry designer Adam Neeley won his first Spectrum Award in 2012, taking 2nd place in the Evening Wear category with his “Di Lusso” ring in 14K gold with peridot and blue sapphires. That victory paved the way for many others, including some double awards in collaboration with gemstone cutter Stephen M. Avery. «Our clientele loves to see that we win awards, and they are often interested in buying these pieces», Neeley shared.
Fannie Thomas, Fannie Thomas Jewelry
Fannie Thomas, winner of the 2023 Best Use of Pearl award, remarked that the win encouraged her to stay true to her style and increased recognition among peers. «Last year was the first time I entered the Spectrum Awards and I won. Since then, people stop me at shows and say, ‘Aren’t you the bird Pearl girl?’». This reference to the Bird Pearl pertains to her “Birds Eye View” ring featuring a baroque-shaped South Sea cultured pearl, which won the Best Use of Pearl, 3rd place in the Classical category, and the Gem Diva Award at the 2023 Spectrum Awards.
John W. Ford, Sr., CEO of AGTA
John Ford, former owner of the Lightening Ridge Collection, shared how participating in the Spectrum Awards transformed his career, saying how the Awards put him on a world stage and strengthened his business. John Ford is now the fearless leader of AGTA, but for many years before that, he sold black opals from Australia. During that time, he won nine Spectrum and one Cutting Edge Award, so he knows firsthand the impact of the Awards. Interestingly, his company name became famous through an entry in the Spectrum Awards that didn’t win anything. After starting to win, his business strengthened even more. «I went from being a regional designer to an almost international designer nearly overnight», he said.
These testimonials highlight how the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards are not only a recognition of excellence but also a springboard for brilliant careers in the jewelry world.
