A special section of the Spectrum Award competition called Platinum Honors recognizes innovative jewelry designs incorporating platinum and natural colored gemstones. The Platinum Honors division is sponsored by the Platinum Guild International USA.

To qualify for Platinum Honors, jewelry must meet all rules of the Spectrum Award competition (see p. 51 for Spectrum Award coverage) and 75% of the metal must be 90% or 95% platinum.

The addition of Platinum Honors to the Spectrum Awards in 1996 provided a unique opportunity for designers to challenge themselves using two of nature's finest materials – colored gemstones and platinum. The 116 entries in this year's Platinum Honors division were judged by Peggy Jo Donahue, editor in chief of Professional Jeweler;Paul Hackworth, fine jewelry buyer for Nordstrom; and John Buechner, president of John Buechner Inc.

The fourteen Platinum Honors winners are featured here.

Division I
(Over $10,000 Retail Value)

Mark Schneider

Tanzanite and platinum ring

Schneider Design Studio, Long Beach, CA;
(562) 437-0448.

Gordon Aatlo

Tanzanite and platinum pendant

Norma Jewelers, San Carlos, CA;
(650) 593-7528.

David Trout

Tourmaline, Tahitian pearl and platinum earrings

Coffin & Trout Jewelers, Mesa, AZ;
(602) 897-8984.

Division II
($5,001 to $10,000 Retail Value)

Marie Somos

Tourmaline, cultured pearl and platinum pin

Somos Creations, Valley Cottage, NY;
(914) 268-4004.

Cathleen Bunt

Aquamarine, moonstone, blue cultured Tahitian pearl and platinum earrings

Cathleen Bunt Fine Art Jewelry, Kihei, HI;
(808) 874-8855.

Division III
($2,500 to $5,000 Retail Value)

Jack Demerjian

Black Tahitian cultured pearl and platinum necklace

J. Demere Designs, Livonia, MI;
(734) 462-2555.

Jason Baskin

Malaya garnet and platinum ring

The Gem Vault, Flemington, NJ;
(908) 788-1770.

Elizabeth and Marek Bejur

Sapphire and platinum ring

Bejur Studio, Dallas, TX;
(972) 991-9991.

Ellie Thompson

Tourmaline, sapphire and platinum earrings

Ellie Thompson & Co., Chicago, IL;
(312) 263-2221.

Division IV
($1,001 to $2,500 Retail Value)

Joseph Bevacqua

Amethyst and platinum ring

J.A. Bevacqua Designs, Stone Ridge, NY;
(914) 626-5000.

Terese Millmann

Grossular garnet and platinum ring

Cabochon Gems & Design, Milwaukee, WI;
(414) 963-9914

Division V
(Up to $1,000 Retail Value)

Mark Loren

Apatite and platinum ring

Mark Loren Designs, Ft. Meyers, FL;
(941) 482-4664.

Anthony J. Vela

Amethyst and platinum earrings

A. James LTD, Glendora, CA;
(626) 335-3823.

Stephen G. Wright

Peridot, sapphire and platinum ring

Wright Jewelers, Indianapolis, IN;
(317) 578-3635.

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