February 2000 Gemstones & Pearls/News Creative Color AGTA’s Spectrum™ award-winners show how to combine fine cut with fine color in jewelry that will make your store a destination for discriminating consumers A varied and colorful array of gemstone jewelry fetched the top prizes in the American Gem Trade Association’s 2000 Spectrum Awards™ competition this year. While enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the latest color trends in gemstone jewelry, one fact is clear: variety is in vogue. An emerald ring by Bayot Heer of Jewels by Design, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, won Best of Show. But gems other than the Big Three also are well-represented among the winners. For example, Anthony James Vela of A. James Ltd., Glendora, CA, snagged Best Use of Color and Manufacturing Honors awards for a brooch embellished with blue topaz, peridot, citrine and rhodolite garnet. In step with the creative use of gemstones was a diverse use of metals ranging from yellow gold (yes, it’s making a comeback) to mixed metals, gold alloys and titanium. The Spectrum Award entries are judged in five categories based on suggested retail value: Division I, over $10,000; Division 2, $5,001-$10,000; Division 3, $2,501-$5,000; Division 4, $1,001 to $2,500; and Division 5, up to $1,000. Judges were Elena Gamio, designer for Kurt Wayne Inc., New York City; Barbara Mooty, a director of the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and AJM magazine; and David Trout, president of Coffin & Trout Jewelers, Phoenix, AZ. The winning pieces will be displayed Feb. 2-7 at the AGTA GemFair in Tucson. – by Robert Weldon, G.G. Division 1 (Over $10,000 Retail) First Place: Bayot Heer, see above picture Second Place Daren Schurman Aurum Design, Rochester, MI; (428) 651-9040. Ring features a 5.35-ct. princess-cut tanzanite and 10 diamonds totaling 0.85 carat in platinum and 18k yellow gold. Third Place Robert Pelliccia J.R. Dunn, Lighthouse Point, FL; (954) 782-5000. 3.07-ct. Burmese ruby in this platinum ring is accented with baguette diamonds totaling 1.30 carats and round diamonds totaling 0.57 carat. Honorable Mention Mark Schneider Schneider Design Studio, Long Beach, CA; (800) 452-5804. Platinum ring features an 11.87-ct triangle tanzanite, two round pink sapphires and diamonds totaling 2.77 carats. Division 2 ($5,001 to $1,000 Retail) First Place Susan Drake Drake Designs Inc., Blowing Rock, NC; (828) 295-6880. This 4.75-ct. shield-shape grossular garnet and 1.04-ct. shield-shaped tsavorite garnet are accented with 0.20 carat of diamond melee in this platinum ring. Second Place Pedro Boregaard Pedro Boregaard, New York City; (212) 826-3660. This 18k pink and white gold pin features a 4.15-ct. blue tourmaline, 12 blue zircons and 141 amethysts. Third Place Amy Hudon Hudon Studios Inc., Yarmouthport, MA; (508) 362-8863. 12mm Tahitian cultured pearl and diamonds are set in a platinum and 18k yellow gold pin. Division 3 ($2,501 to $5,000 Retail) First Place Noel Bendle Silverhorn, Santa Barbara, CA; (805) 969-0442. 18k pink and white gold ring showcases a 36.6-ct. oval tourmaline and round diamonds totaling 0.82 carat. Second Place Gloria Stewart London Gold, Phoenix, AZ; (602) 840-8014. 18k yellow gold ring features a 2.25-ct. Mexican fire opal, four emeralds totaling 0.10 carat, five diamonds totaling 0.14 carat, iolite, Madeira citrine, lemon citrine, fire opal and green tourmaline. Third Place Anisa Wigginton Mark Loren Designs, Ft. Myers, FL; (941) 482-4664. 14k yellow gold necklace combines a 17.59-ct. fire opal with black onyx, gold drusy and diamonds totaling 0.32 carat. Division 4 ($1,001 to $2,500 Retail) First Place Phil Delano Delano Designs, Glendale, WI; (414) 540-6717. Titanium and stainless steel ring is topped with a 7.2-ct. square cushion zircon. Second Place Anisa Wigginton Mark Loren Designs, Ft. Myers, FL; (941) 482-4664. 14k yellow and white gold ring features a 2.71-ct. Malaya garnet, 1.15-ct. pink sapphire and diamonds totaling 0.18 carat. Third Place Kevin Wood Ringer Inc., Salt Lake City, UT; (801) 466-1630. Pin is defined by carved blue chalcedony set in a 14k white gold frame with an 11mm button cultured pearl and 0.04-ct. diamond. Division 5 (up to $1,000 Retail) First Place: Anthony James Vela, see above picture Second Place Susan Drake Drake Designs Inc., Blowing Rock, NC; (828) 295-6880. A 35-ct. cone-shape spessartite garnet draws attention in this platinum and 18k gold ring. Third Place Gary Dulac Gary Dulac Goldsmith Inc., Vero Beach, FL; (561) 234-3344. Platinum and 18k yellow gold ring features a 2.09-ct. “Dispersion Tri” citrine and diamonds totaling 0.15 carat. Manufacturing Honors Anthony James Vela, see above picture Linda McGill Jewelsmith Inc., Durham, NC; (919) 286-2990. Two 9mm Chinese freshwater cultured pearls center these platinum earrings. Stephen G. Wright Wright & Co., Indianapolis, IN; (317) 578-3635. Platinum and 22k yellow gold ring features an 11-11.5mm South Sea cultured pearl. Philip Stone Hyde Park, Denver, CO; (303) 331-7760. Platinum and 18k white gold ring holds a 0.80-ct. sapphire.