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AGTA Announces the 2025 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Award Winners

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. This year’s entries contained an impressive number of new entrants—more than 30—due in part to the wide number of opportunities available to all contest participants (not just winners). Spectrum entrants have a long history of garnering press mentions and one-off collection and sales opportunities that are not dependent on placement in the Awards. The competition took place Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2025, at the Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star in Dallas. The hotel once again served as a sponsor. Total number of entries were comparable to last year, with well over 300 pieces comprising the final sum.

AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. was particularly happy with the number of new entrants—32—and first-time winners, which numbered six individuals who earned seven total awards. “We tell participants that the Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards offer a ‘Lifetime of Opportunity’ and they truly do!” he said upon the completion of judging. “We are thrilled to welcome all these talents into the esteemed circle of Spectrum Award winners and can’t wait to see how they reap the many benefits and opportunities that Spectrum creates.” Entry trends this year included some returning favorites like Tourmaline, including rubellite, and pink and purple gems, as well as a strong showing of Sapphires and Garnets, cameo faces, top-quality Rainbow Moonstones, ocean themes, and some exceptional Emeralds. There were also three times the number of entries to the Carving category in Cutting Edge this year over last.

Standouts are plentiful and include many in loose goods and finished jewelry. Both Best of Show Cutting Edge winner and 1st Place winner in Pairs & Suites was Oren Nhaissi of EMCO Gem, Inc., in collaboration with Yaron Nhaissi, for a suite of emerald-cut, no-oil Colombian Emeralds (12.91 ctw.). The Best of Show Spectrum winner and 1st Place winner in Business Day/Wear was Somewhere in the Rainbow Gem and Jewelry Collection in collaboration with Mark Höllmüller for an 18K yellow gold, platinum, and cocobolo wood “Elements” bracelet featuring a 14.16 ct. pink Tourmaline accented with Peridot (12.77 ctw.), Spinel (1.134 ctw.), demantoid Garnet (1.115 ctw.), and Diamonds (4.80 ctw.)

Plus, some top titles were taken home by some of the new entrants and newly crowned winners. Among them: Cindy Zhang of Cindy Lu Jewelry, who took 1st Place in the Evening Wear category for her 18K white gold “Fuchsia Bloom” necklace featuring a 5.5 ct. rubellite Tourmaline accented by tsavorite Garnets, (1.28 ctw.), Rubies (0.705 ctw.), pink Sapphires (2.29 ctw.), Diamonds (1.88 ctw.), and Pearls. Also in the Evening Wear category, Valaree Wahler of Elyzian took the Alfie Norville Women in Excellence title for her 18K yellow gold “Parure d’Aurore” necklace featuring a 62.79 ct. pink Tourmaline, a 32.41 ct. Peridot, a 25.35 ct. Aquamarine, and a 26.18 ct. Heliodor accented by Diamonds (8.36 ctw.).

This year marks the second time that winners were named in the new Alfie Norville Women in Excellence Awards (ANW), sponsored by Allan Norville and the Norville family. This year, Patti Spector Norville, Billie Norville, and Cher Norville all served as judges. ANW honors were given to one female entrant in each of the six Spectrum categories, and all women who entered the AGTA Spectrum Awards were eligible. Click here for more information about the Alfie Norville Women in Excellence Awards.

Judges this year included Craig Underwood of Underwood’s Jewelers, Donald Janson of Walters & Hogsett Jewelers, Blaine Lewis of the New Approach School for Jewelers, Clay Zava of Zava Mastercuts, and Erica Courtney of Erica Courtney, LLC. Jerry Raine of Turgeon Raine Jewelers had to withdraw just prior to the competition. Click here for more information about the judges.

Finally, Kevin Reilly of Platinum Guild International served as the judge for the Platinum Honors Awards, given to one winner in each of the six Spectrum categories as well as Best Use of Platinum Crown and Best Use of Platinum and Color.

“The American Gem Trade Association extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, the AGTA team, our distinguished panel of judges, and this year’s award winners for their exceptional dedication, artistry and commitment to excellence,” said Bruce Bridges, President of the AGTA Board of Directors and President of Bridges Tsavorite. “We are immensely proud of the extraordinary quality, innovation, and craftsmanship reflected in the winning pieces— creations that exemplify the very best of our industry and will take their place among the finest examples of modern jewelry excellence.”

Jonathan J. Gad, Chairman of the AGTA Spectrum committee and CEO of Gad Enterprises, expressed his admiration to entrants and winners.

“This year’s AGTA Spectrum Awards marked an extraordinary celebration of innovation and artistry,” said Gad. “I extend my warmest congratulations to all our winners, and a special acknowledgment to the record number of first-time honorees who joined the ranks of Spectrum awardees this year. Your creativity and dedication continue to inspire and elevate the standards of excellence in our industry.”

Many of the winning pieces will be on display during the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson, Feb. 2– Feb. 6. The AGTA Spectrum Gala is the highlight of 2025 Gem Week festivities and will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2025, in the recent addition to the Tucson Convention Center. For more information or tickets, log onto agta.org.

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