The American Gem Trade Association's annual Spectrum Award competition fielded more than 330 entries worldwide. The competition was awash in blue, green, purple and orange, with sapphires and tourmalines leading the list of most used colored gems.

The judges narrowed the field to 19 winners, four honorable mentions and 10 Manufacturing Honors. Judges were Susan Jacques, president and CEO of Borsheim's Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Omaha, NE; Linda McGill, owner of Jewelsmith Inc., Durham, NC; and Amber Michelle, editor and style correspondent for Rapaport Diamond Report,New York City.

This year's competition was open to jewelry designs created in 1998. Entries were evaluated on overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones and cultured pearls, quality of workmanship, high potential to generate positive natural colored gemstone publicity and broad-based consumer appeal.
The competition featured a new division, Manufacturing Honors, to highlight the outstanding use of colored gemstones in pieces planned for manufacture in production quantities.

A new award – "Best Use of Cut" – honors the most innovative use of cut in colored gemstones in jewelry. And for the second year, the competition featured an International Division for designers located outside of North America.
The winning entries will be displayed at AGTA's GemFair in Tucson, Feb. 3-8. The winners will be honored during the AGTA Dinner Dance and Awards Celebration Feb. 6.

The 2000 AGTA Spectrum Award Competition deadline is Sept. 17. Call Bronya Coleman, AGTA public relations manager, at (800) 972-1162 or (214) 742-4367.

To read more:
http://www.professionaljeweler.com/archives/articles/1999/feb99/0299gn1.html

Division III
($2,501 to $5,000 Retail)
Gene Davidov
Rare Gems Gallery, Richmond, VA;
(804) 648-5726.Slide features a 5-ct.
Sri Lankan purple spinel and blue-green tourmaline baguette set in 18k gold.