Spectrum Award Winners Dazzle Judges With Colorful Gem Creations

Top picks in the 29th edition of the jewelry industry's prestigious Spectrum Awards were announced Monday by the American Gem Trade Association.

Considered one of the finest jewelry and gemstone design competitions in the world, the annual Spectrum Awards recognize designers who love to work with natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls.

Standouts from this year's group include a magnificent cabochon ruby ring and a dazzling pair of dangle earrings highlighting a blue-green spectrum of opals, apatite and tsavorite garnets. Here are the highlights of the 2013 Spectrum Awards...

Best of Show: Platinum "Lava" ring featuring a 12.99 ct. ruby cabochon accented with marquise-cut diamonds (1.47 ctw.) and diamond melee (7.40 ctw.). Designer: James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc.

Best Use of Color: 18K yellow gold earrings featuring opals (36.70 ctw.), apatite (5.92 ctw.) and tsavorite garnets (1.76 ctw.). Designer: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Inc.

Best Use of Platinum and Color: Platinum "Shangri-La" earrings featuring opals (15.86 ctw.) and tanzanite cabochon drops (48.54 ctw.) accented with purple and blue sapphires (2.16 ctw.), tourmalines (4.53 ctw.), tsavorite garnets (.29 ctw.), diamonds (.86ctw.) and turquoise briolettes. Designer: Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design.

Best Use of Pearls: 14K white gold earrings featuring 8.5mm akoya pearls, 9mm white South Sea pearls, 10-11mm Tahitian pearls and accented with diamonds (2.42 ctw.). Designer: Anil Maloo, Baggins, Inc.

Fashion Forward: 18K yellow gold necklace featuring aquamarines (14.45 ctw.), emeralds (7.45 ctw.) and diamonds (1.00 ctw.). Designer: Jennifer Dawes, Dawes Design.

Menswear: Cufflinks in platinum with baroque pearls and multicolored sapphires. Designer: Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs.

The Cutting Edge Awards

A sister competition – the Cutting Edge Awards – highlights innovation in the lapidary arts, including gem faceting and carving. Here are the winners:

Innovative Faceting (left): Pink and gold bicolored West African tourmaline (7.70 ctw.). Artisan: Jean-Noel Soni, Top Notch Faceting.

Classic Gemstones (right): Magenta custom-mixed oval/marquise sapphire (3.46 ctw.). Artisan: Stephen Kotlowski, Uniquely K Custom Gem's.

All Other Faceted Gemstones (left): Fancy trillion rhodochrosite (16.02 ctw.). Artisan: Ben Kho, Kho International Inc.

Phenomenal (right): Fossil clam opal (8.80 ctw.). Designer: Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs.