AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2020
This Gem Cutter Won Spectrum’s ‘Best of Show’ Award Again
David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd. took the top honor for the second year in a row with a big pair of spessartite garnets.
These two pear-shaped spessartite garnets (90.48 total carats) cut by David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd. received Best of Show honors in the 2020 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association has announced the winners of the 2020 Spectrum Awards and, for the second year in a row, a faceted loose gemstone took the show’s top honor.
AGTA held the jewelry design and gemstone cutting competition on Oct. 24 and 25 in Dallas rather than New York City, as it usually does, due to travel restrictions amid the continued pandemic.
The judges were: Michael Johnson, Eiseman Jewels; Monica Kitt, Arkenstone Ltd.; Clare Adams Kittle, Clare Adams Kittle Company; Chris Pampillonia, Pampillonia Designs; and Ray Zajicek, Equatorian Imports.
This year’s contest had 20 percent more entries, as well as many first-time entrants, AGTA said, and included two new categories.
AGTA added North American Mined Gemstones to Cutting Edge, the division of the contest dedicated to lapidary arts. It said the new category was the largest in that division this year.
It also added Best of Single Entries, chosen from applicants who submitted only one piece in the competition, and gave the award in both Spectrum and Cutting Edge.
This year, the top overall honor, Best of Show, went to a pair of pear-shaped spessartite garnets weighing a total of 90.48 carats cut by David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.
This is the second year in a row Nassi has nabbed top the awards’ top honor, after his 30.19-carat untreated cushion-cut red spinel wowed the judges last year.
His victory also extends the winning streak for faceted loose stones at Spectrum, which have won Best in Show four out of the last five years.
The full list of 2020 winners are as follows.
“Best of” Awards
Best of Show: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Best Use of Color: Rosa Van Parys, Rosa Van Parys Jewelry
Best Use of Pearls: Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry
Fashion Forward: Peter Schmid
Best of Single Entries, Spectrum: Sean Olufson, Olufson Designs
Best of Single Entries, Cutting Edge: Afshin and David Hackman, Intercolor USA
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Adam Neeley, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Kathrin Schoenke, KNS Platinum Solutions
AGTA held the jewelry design and gemstone cutting competition on Oct. 24 and 25 in Dallas rather than New York City, as it usually does, due to travel restrictions amid the continued pandemic.
The judges were: Michael Johnson, Eiseman Jewels; Monica Kitt, Arkenstone Ltd.; Clare Adams Kittle, Clare Adams Kittle Company; Chris Pampillonia, Pampillonia Designs; and Ray Zajicek, Equatorian Imports.
This year’s contest had 20 percent more entries, as well as many first-time entrants, AGTA said, and included two new categories.
AGTA added North American Mined Gemstones to Cutting Edge, the division of the contest dedicated to lapidary arts. It said the new category was the largest in that division this year.
It also added Best of Single Entries, chosen from applicants who submitted only one piece in the competition, and gave the award in both Spectrum and Cutting Edge.
This year, the top overall honor, Best of Show, went to a pair of pear-shaped spessartite garnets weighing a total of 90.48 carats cut by David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.
This is the second year in a row Nassi has nabbed top the awards’ top honor, after his 30.19-carat untreated cushion-cut red spinel wowed the judges last year.
His victory also extends the winning streak for faceted loose stones at Spectrum, which have won Best in Show four out of the last five years.
The full list of 2020 winners are as follows.
“Best of” Awards
Best of Show: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Best Use of Color: Rosa Van Parys, Rosa Van Parys Jewelry
Best Use of Pearls: Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry
Fashion Forward: Peter Schmid
Best of Single Entries, Spectrum: Sean Olufson, Olufson Designs
Best of Single Entries, Cutting Edge: Afshin and David Hackman, Intercolor USA
Best Use of Platinum and Color: Adam Neeley, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Best Use of Platinum Crown: Kathrin Schoenke, KNS Platinum Solutions
See: The “Best of” Winners
Best Use of Platinum and Color. Adam Neeley of Somewhere In The Rainbow’s platinum and 18-karat yellow gold “Dark Knight” ring featuring a 9.81-carat black opal accented with blue sapphires (5.06 total carats), tsavorite garnets (2.56 total carats), and diamonds (0.28 total carats)
Best Use of Platinum Crown. Kathrin Schoenke of KNS Platinum Solutions’ platinum ring featuring an 18.65-carat cushion-cut indicolite tourmaline accented with blue and pink sapphires
Best of Single Entry, Spectrum. Sean Olufson of Olufson Designs’ platinum pendant featuring a 3.39-carat oval pink sapphire surrounded by matched pear-shaped alexandrites (3.36 total carats) accented with diamonds (0.54 total carats)
Best of Single Entry, Cutting Edge. Afshin and David Hackman of Intercolor USA’s 7.04-carat oval ruby
Best Use of Color. Rosa Van Parys of Rosa Van Parys Jewelry’s 18-karat yellow gold “Links” necklace featuring a 14.9 mm black Tahitian cultured pearl and multicolored sapphires, tsavorite garnets, aquamarines, multicolored diamonds, and amethysts
Best Use of Pearls. Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry’s 18-karat rose gold “Black Lace” ring featuring a 16.5 mm cultured pearl accented with pink and lavender sapphires (2.86 total carats) and diamonds (0.06 total carats)
Fashion Forward. Peter Schmid’s 22-karat and 18-karat yellow gold “Lady Gaga Metropolitan Gala” earrings featuring pear-shaped rubellite tourmalines (10.10 total carats) and aquamarines (2.31 total carats) accented with diamonds
Bridal Wear
First Place and Manufacturing Honors: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Second Place and Platinum Honors: Benjamin Javaheri, Uneek Jewelry Inc.
Third Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Honorable Mention: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Platinum Innovation: Jacob Wosinski, Jacob Raymond Custom Jewelry
WJA Gem Diva Award: Kathleen Kerr, Fair Trade Jewellery Co.
Business/Day Wear
First Place, Platinum Honors, and Platinum Innovation: Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC
Second Place: Zoltan David, Zoltan David
Third Place: Phillip Dismuke, Jewelsmith Inc.
Honorable Mention: Jon Barry DiNola, Yardley Jewelers
Manufacturing Honors: Timothy W Foster, T. Foster & Company
WJA Gem Diva Award: Eve Streicker, Original Eve Designs
Classical
First Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Second Place and Platinum Honors: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Third Place: Craig Slavens, Luxe Fine Jewelry
Honorable Mention: Raja Mehta, A.G. Gems Inc.
Manufacturing Honors: Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem Inc.
WJA Gem Diva Award: Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company Inc./Crevoshay
Evening Wear
First Place: Michael Tope, Raintree LLC
Second Place: Zoltan David, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Third Place: Tariq Riaz, Tariq Riaz LLC
Honorable Mention: Eddie Sakamoto, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Manufacturing Honors: Tariq Riaz, Tariq Riaz LLC
Platinum Honors: Nikki Swift, Nicole Mera LLC
Platinum Innovation: Sean Smokovich, Somewhere In The Rainbow
WJA Gem Diva Award: Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company Inc./Crevoshay
Men’s Wear
First Place and Platinum Honors: Jeremy Dunn, Dunn & Co.
Second Place and Manufacturing Honors: Gastón R. Rives, Gastón Jewelry Studio Inc.
Third Place: Adam Neeley, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Honorable Mention: Randy Coffin, Somewhere In The Rainbow
See: The Spectrum First Place Winners
Bridal Wear. Niveet Nagpal of Omi Prive’s platinum ring featuring a 3.38-carat oval emerald accented with diamond epaulets weighing 1.00 total carats
Business/Day Wear. Nikki Swift of Nicole Mera LLC’s platinum ring featuring pink and lavender pear-shaped spinels (2.49 total carats) accented with diamonds (1.26 total carats)
Classical. Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corp.’s platinum ring featuring a 14.28-carat oval blue Sri Lankan sapphire accented with diamonds
Evening Wear. Michael Tope of Raintree LLC’s 18-karat yellow and rose gold and platinum “Casatheia” ring featuring an 8.40-carat rubellite tourmaline paired with a 2.33-carat blue sapphire accented with chrysoprase, Montana sapphires (1.68 total carats), diamonds (0.40 total carats), and a pear-cut turquoise
Men’s Wear. Jeremy Dunn of Dunn & Co.’s platinum cufflinks featuring Asscher-cut pyrope/spessartite garnets (5.83 total carats) and blue sapphire melee (1.35 total carats)
The winners of the Cutting Edge Awards are as follows.
All Other Cut Gemstones
First Place: Joseph Ambalu, Amba Gem Corp.
Second Place: Erica Courtney, The Courtney Collection
Third Place: Niveet Nagpal, Omi Prive
Honorable Mention: Edward Boehm, RareSource
Carving
First Place: Yanqing Zhang Asdurian, Yanqing Asdurian
Second Place: Dalan Hargrave, GeoGem-USA
Third Place: Meg Berry, Mega Gem
Classic Gemstone
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Second Place: Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co.
Third Place: Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem Inc.
Innovative Faceting
First Place: Thomas Trozzo, Trozzo
Second Place: Darryl Alexander, Alexander’s Jewelers
Third Place: Lee Haynes, LWH Gems
North American Mined Gemstones
First Place (Tie): David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
First Place (Tie): Edward Wilsek, Wilsek & Co.
Third Place: Jeff Hapeman, Somewhere In The Rainbow
Honorable Mention: Brett Kosnar, Kosnar Gem Co.
Objects of Art
First Place: Paula Crevoshay, Mellika Company Inc./Crevoshay
Second Place: Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
Third Place: Dalan Hargrave, GemStarz Jewelry
Pairs & Suites
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Second Place: Mikola Kukharuk, Nomad’s
Third Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Honorable Mention: Boyd Fox, Fox Hop Jewelry
Phenomenal
First Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Second Place: David Nassi, 100% Natural Ltd.
Third Place: Gary Braun, Finewater Gems
See: The Cutting Edge First Place Winners
All Other Cut Gemstones. Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corp.’s 21.81-carat brilliant-cut pear-shaped Paraiba tourmaline
Carving. Yanqing Zhang Asdurian of Yanqing Asdurian’s jadeite snail carving
Classic Gemstone. David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s 12.99-carat untreated pink Ceylon sapphire
Innovative Faceting. Thomas Trozzo of Trozzo’s 70-carat freeform faceted and carved ametrine
North American Mined Gemstones. A tie between David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s 0.80-carat shield-shaped untreated red beryl from Utah, at left, and Edward Wilsek of Wilsek & Co.’s 35.43-carat oval faceted spessartite garnet from Virginia, at right
Objects of Art. Paula Crevoshay’s “Garden of Delight Mystery Box,” is made of lapis lazuli, opal, sugilite, malachite, turquoise and more. The hummingbirds, branch, and columbine feature multicolored sapphires, amethysts, spinels, tsavorite garnets, opal and diamonds.
Pairs & Suites. David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s pair of pear-shaped spessartite garnets also won first place in this category.
Phenomenal. David Nassi of 100% Natural Ltd.’s 16.06-carat untreated Vietnamese star ruby cabochon, showing its phenomenal feature at right
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
