Color  &  More  at  the  2017 AGTA  
​Spectrum  awards 

The American Gem Trade Association has announced the winners of the 2017 AGTA Spectrum Awards including the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards,  considered to be the world's preeminent colored gemstone and cultured pearl design competition. A selection of many of the talented winners are listed here.  
By Fatimah Sewani Gwalani
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Evening Wear - 3rd Place:  Caroline Chartouni, of Caroline C. Platinum ring featuring an 8.09-ct oval pink sapphire with round and pear pink sapphires (9.84 ctw) and diamonds (8.67 ctw).
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​Classical - 1st Place: Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. Pair of platinum and 18K
pink gold earrings featuring unheated
​oval sapphires (36.65 ctw) and diamonds (5.09 ctw).
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Fashion Forward: Ardeshir Dabestani, Asha Gallery, Ltd. An 18K white and yellow gold "Solar Flare" back-drop necklace featuring a 436.0-ct citrine with aquamarines (44.50 ctw), yellow beryls (87.30 ctw) and diamonds (23.54 ctw).
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​Men's Wear - 1st Place: Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. An 18K yellow gold with black rhodium "Estrella" ring with a 7.50-ct starburst trapiche sapphire with black diamonds (0.64 ctw) and yellow sapphire melee (0.52 ctw).
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Classic Gemstone - 1st Place:  David Nassi, 100% Natural, Ltd.  A 15.30-ct unheated Ceylon pink sapphire.
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​Phenomenal - 1st Place: Joel Price, Joel Price. A 100.6-ct harlequin pattern black Opal.
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Business/​Day Wear - ​1st Place: Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry. An 18K rose and 14K rose and white gold "Cosmos" pendant featuring a 24.06-ct specialty-cut morganite with dDiamonds (3.14 ctw).
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​Best of Show and ​1st Place Pairs & Suites: ​Mikola Kukharuk, of Nomad's. A pair of neon blue tourmalines (53.56 ctw). 
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Evening Wear - Honorable Mention: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Inc. A pair of 18K yellow gold “Genie” earrings featuring a pair of mint grossular garnets (5.22 ctw) with diamonds (5.69 ctw) and mint grossular garnets (1.90 ctw).
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​Best Use of Color: ​Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs. 18K and 24K yellow and 18K white gold maple leaf earrings featuring multicolored diamonds, sapphires and garnets.
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​Best Use of Platinum and Color, and 1st Place Evening Wear:  Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere in the Rainbow. Platinum "Dancing Waves" neck collar with a 57.0-ct aquamarine and diamonds (8.0 ctw).
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​Bridal Wear - 1st Place: Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. An 18K white gold and rhodium "Double the Love" ring featuring a 12.62-ct heart-shaped blue zircon with a 0.75-ct heart-shaped diamond and diamond pave (1.53 ctw​).
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All Other Faceted - 1st Place: Brett Kosnar, Beija Flor Wholesale. A 24.26-ct round, Portuguese-cut rhodochrosite.
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​Carving - 1st Place: Meg Berry, Pala International. A 625.0-ct chyrsocolla with druzy quartz carving, "Metamorphosis."
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​Innovative Faceting - 1st place: 
Christopher Wolfsberg, Chris Wolfsberg. A 32.75-ct specialty-cut quartz with chrysoprase and opal.
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Pairs & Suites - 2nd Place: Hemant Phophaliya of AG Color, Inc. Pair of fancy pear-shaped tanzanites (49.38 ctw).