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Entries in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ will be evaluated by a panel of distinguished industry judges on the basis of overall beauty and wearability, innovative design, effective use of materials, quality of gemstones, quality of workmanship, broad-base consumer appeal and potential to generate positive publicity for natural colored gemstones. Spectrum Award categories include Classical, Bridal, Day, Men’s and Evening Wear.
There are also some special divisions within the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition:
Platinum Honors - sponsored by Platinum Guild International
Platinum Honors makes its return to the AGTA Spectrum Awards this year and recognizes outstanding use of platinum in colored gemstone and/or pearl jewelry. In order for a piece to be eligible in this division, the platinum must meet ISO standards (900 or 950) and must comprise at least 90 percent of the metal used. The check box on the entry form must be marked by the entrant for the piece to be considered.
Consumer Choice Honors - sponsored by The Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council
This year marks the debut of Consumer Choice Honors, a division that seeks input from the jewelry-buying public. The Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council will conduct a research study with consumers to determine five winners in Spectrum Awards categories of Bridal, Classical, Day Wear, Evening Wear and Men's Wear from participating entries.
Best Use of Pearl
This division recognizes the outstanding use of pearl(s) in jewelry. All pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings or other jewelry that qualifies for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ will automatically be considered for Best Use of Pearl judging.
Fashion Forward Honors
Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl beads in artful, trend-setting jewelry. All necklaces, earrings, bracelets or other jewelry that qualifies for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition will automatically be qualified for Fashion Forward Honors judging.
Manufacturing Honors
Manufacturing Honors recognizes outstanding use of colored gemstones and cultured pearls in jewelry appropriate to be manufactured in production quantities. All designs that qualify for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition will also automatically be qualified for Manufacturing Honors judging.
Cutting Edge Awards
The AGTA Cutting Edge Awards honor excellence and creativity of the lapidary arts, including natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings, other gem materials and objects of art in North America. A panel of judges will evaluate entries in the Cutting Edge Awards. Categories include:
(A) Open Category
1. Classic gemstone – Limited to outstanding examples of ruby, emerald and sapphire with traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
2. All other faceted gemstones – Open to outstanding examples of any gemstone that is faceted with traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
3. Phenomenal gemstones – Open to outstanding examples of any phenomenal gemstone (stars, cat’s eyes, opals, etc.) with traditional gemstone cutting techniques.
(B) Pairs & Suites – Two or more gemstones to be judged as a set.
(C) Faceting – Innovative flat faceting.
(D) Carving – Carving of any natural gem material in any style.
(E) Combination – A gemstone design incorporating two or more lapidary techniques, including concave faceting.
(F) Objects of Art – Carvings, bowls, sculpture, intarsia, etc., of gem materials not intended to be worn. These may or may not incorporate metal, wood or other non-gem materials as base, frame or decorative component.
Category A & B entries in the Cutting Edge portion of the competition may have been created anywhere in the world, but must be submitted by US or Canadian companies. Category C, D, E & F entries in the Cutting Edge portion of the competition must have been created and submitted by lapidaries in the US or Canada. They will be evaluated by a panel of distinguished industry judges based on originality, overall beauty, quality and technique of lapidary work, and quality and rarity of the gem material.
