Elegant earrings, bold designs, interesting materials and a surprising number of everyday wearable designs were featured in the 2013 Spectrum Awards. I’ll be bringing you a selection of interesting designs in all those categories over the next few days.

Today, let’s celebrate the best of the winning designs. My top six picks of the winners include the Best of Show, the luscious ruby Lava Ring by James Currens. Currens is a favorite to win the award every year, since his designs feature large top quality gems in lavish gem-encrusted designs. This year is no different. The Lava Ring features a 13-carat ruby cabochon with almost 9-carats of accent diamonds. The unusually shaped cabochon with juicy color, the marquise diamonds, the chunky pave and sinuous lines: it all works. See for yourself.

The winner of the Fashion Forward honors is a delicate triple necklace by Jennifer Dawes of Dawes Design featuring aquamarines, emeralds, and diamonds in 18k yellow gold. Nicely asymmetrical and organic, it is bold and delicate at the same time.

Best Use of Color went to a lovely pair of opal, apatite and tsavorite garnet earrings by Erica Courtney, also in yellow gold. Opals couldn’t be hotter right now. I love the way the accent gems pull more color out of these bolder opals, which look a little like the earth from space.

Best use of Pearls went to these stunning ombre earrings by Anil Maloo of Baggings, Inc. The pearls are graduated in both size and color, from Akoya, to South Seas to Tahitian. Very elegant.

The Editor’s Choice went to this bold two finger ring with an abundance of emeralds by Parul Kuki Seth of Parulina (Zac Inc). I didn’t vote for this ring because it was a bit uncomfortable but it is undeniably stunning, with almost 30 carats of emeralds. (And who can argue with more emeralds than is rational!)

Last but definitely not least of my favorites is the amazing carving that won first place in the Cutting edge carving category. “L’Heure Bleu” is a 725 carat tanzanite by
Naomi Sarna of Naomi Sarna Designs. It’s the world’s largest carved tanzanite. Amazing color and 725 carats! Just look.

Here is a complete list of the winners of the 2013 AGTA Spectrum Award Design Competition. You can see them all at the AGTA Gem Show in Tucson in February.

Best of Category Winners

Best of Show: James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc.
Platinum “Lava” ring featuring a 12.99 ct. Ruby cabochon accented with marquis-cut Diamonds (1.47 ctw.) and Diamond melee (7.40 ctw.).

Best Use of Color: Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney
18K yellow gold earrings featuring Opals (36.70 ctw.), Apatite (5.92 ctw.) and tsavorite Garnets (1.76 ctw.).

Best Use of Platinum and Color: Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design
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.

Best Use of Palladium & Color: Cynthia Renee, Cynthia Renee, Inc.
Palladium and stainless steel “Owl Queen” brooch featuring a carved petrified palm owl, accented with Mother of Pearl on a 42.57 ct. green Tourmaline crystal and Diamonds (.16 ctw.).

Best Use of Pearls:

Anil Maloo, Baggins, Inc.
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.).

Fashion Forward: Jennifer Dawes, Dawes Design
18K yellow gold necklace featuring Aquamarines (14.45 ctw.), Emeralds (7.45 ctw.) and Diamonds (1.00 ctw.).

Editor’s Choice: Parul Kuki Seth, Parulina (Zaq, Inc.) – 18K yellow gold “Two Finger Glam” ring featuring three Emerald cabochons (19.62 ctw.) accented with round Emeralds (9.54 ctw.).

Category Winners

Bridal Wear

Bridal Wear – 1st Place,
 Robert Pelliccia, J.R. Dunn Jewelers – Platinum ring featuring a 4.08 ct. pink Sapphire with half-moon Diamonds (.34 ctw.) and round Diamonds (.56ctw.).

Bridal Wear – 2nd Place, 
Bella Campbell, Campbellian – 18K white gold earrings featuring royal blue Moonstones (13.00 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (2.00 ctw.).

Bridal Wear – 3rd Place, 
Giraux Fine Jewelry, Giraux Fine Jewelry – 18K white gold “Rain Drop” earrings featuring pink Spinels (4.29 ctw.) and accented with heart, marquise and cushion shaped Diamonds (1.55 ctw.).

Bridal Wear – Platinum Honors, 
Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design – Platinum “Scheherazade” earrings featuring silver and white Tahitian baroque Pearls accented with Diamonds (2.21 ctw.).

Bridal Wear – Entry Platinum Innovation, 
Jake Wosinski, William Travis Jewelry – Platinum hand-engraved ring featuring a 1.25 ct. round blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (.04 ctw.).

Bridal Wear – Palladium Prestige Award, 
Darryl Alexander, Alexander’s Jewelers – Palladium “Purple Passion” ring featuring a 14mm pink freshwater Pearl accented with purple Sapphires and Diamonds.

Bridal Wear – Gem Diva, 
Pamela Froman, Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry – Palladium “Ice Princess” cuff featuring rainbow Moonstones (15.0 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (3.01 ctw.).

Bridal Wear – Manufacturing Honors, 
Giraux Fine Jewelry, Giraux Fine Jewelry – 18K white gold “Rain Drop” earrings featuring pink Spinels (4.29 ctw.) and accented with heart, marquise and cushion shaped Diamonds (1.55 ctw.).

Bridal Wear – Honorable Mention
Darryl Alexander, Alexander’s Jewelers – Palladium “Purple Passion” ring featuring a 14mm pink freshwater Pearl accented with purple Sapphires and Diamonds.

Business/Day Wear

Business/Day Wear – 1st Place, 
Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers – 18K white gold earrings featuring pink Opal (8.6 ctw.) Japanese plum blossoms accented with black and white Diamonds (.87 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear – 2nd Place, 
Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers – 18K white gold and black ruthenium ring featuring an Opal accented with Diamonds (.09 ctw.) and spessartite Garnets (1.01 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear – 3rd Place, 
Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers – 18K white gold “Lady leaf” earrings featuring Jade leaf drops (53 ctw.) accented with Opal (5.5 ctw.), white Diamonds (.36 ctw.) and black Diamond ladybugs  (.45 ctw.) .

Business/Day Wear – Platinum Honors, 
Alishan Halebian, Alishan – Platinum pin/pendant featuring a 12.5mm Tahitian Pearl accented with  Chrome Diopside cabochons (2.40 ctw.) and Diamonds (.60 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear – Entry Platinum Innovation, 
Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design – Platinum earrings featuring 8 freshwater Pearls accented with Diamonds (.30 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear – Palladium Prestige Award, 
Steph Farber, LeRoy Jewelers – Palladium pendant featuring blue Chalcedony and a Quartz carving accented with 16 1.2mm Sapphires and 60 1.0-1.3mm Diamonds.

Business/Day Wear – Gem Diva, 
Caroline Chartouni, Caroline C – 18K pink gold earrings featuring rose Quartz drops (56.37 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (1.99 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear – Manufacturing Honors, 
Adeleh Petochi, Eclat Jewels, Inc. – 18K rose gold cuff featuring two Amethyst cabochons (118.13 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (5.39 ctw.).

Business/Day Wear – Honorable Mention, 
Devta Doolan, Devta Doolan Jewelry – 22K yellow gold pendant featuring a 36.0 ct. marquise-cut Jade cabochon accented with rose-cut black Diamonds (8.50 ctw.).

Classical

Classical – 1st Place, 
James Currens, J.W. Currens, Inc. – Platinum “Lava” ring featuring a 12.99 ct. Ruby cabochon accented with marquis-cut Diamonds (1.47 ctw.) and Diamond melee (7.40 ctw.).

Classical – 2nd Place, 
Gigi Vivian Fitzmorris, The Gigi Collection – 18K yellow gold and black rhodium bug pin featuring black Tahitian cultured Pearl accented with paraiba Tourmalines (6.00 ctw.), Diamonds (6.00 ctw.), blue Sapphires (3.51 ctw.) and tsavorite Garnets (.95 ctw.).

Classical – 3rd Place, 
Lilly Fitzgerald, Lilly Fitzgerald – Goldsmith – 22K yellow gold chain link necklace featuring suspended Labradorite cylinders.

Classical – Platinum Honors, 
Maria Canale, Richard Krementz Gemstones – Platinum ring featuring a 3.22 ct. antique-cut Alexandrite accented with Diamonds (2.91 ctw.).

Classical – Entry Platinum Innovation, 
Joe Worley, Joe Worley Designs – Platinum art nouveau pendant featuring a .97 ct. pear-shaped spessartite Garnet accented with a .20 ct Sunstone, Garnets (.11 ctw.) and Diamonds (.11 ctw.).

Classical – Palladium Prestige Award, 
Cynthia Renee, Cynthia Renee, Inc. – Palladium ring featuring oval tsavorite Garnet trio (9.63 ctw.).

Classical – Gem Diva, 
Dallas Prince, Dallas Prince Designs – 14K rose gold “Twilight Blush” earrings featuring 2 cushion-cut Morganites (30.18 ctw.) accented with white Diamonds (.72 ctw.) and black Diamonds (1.6 ctw.).

Classical – Manufacturing Honors, 
Monica Rich Kosann, Monica Rich Kosann – 18K yellow gold “Secret” ring featuring a 3.19 ct. cushion-cut color-change Alexandrite accented with Diamonds.

Classical – Honorable Mention, 
Cynthia Bach, Cynthia Bach, Inc. – 18K gold and platinum peacock brooch featuring a 73.50 ct. carved Labradorite, Coral, Tanzanites, paraiba Tourmalines and multi-colored Diamonds.

Classical – Honorable Mention, 
Monica Rich Kosann, Monica Rich Kosann – 18K yellow gold “Secret” ring featuring a 3.19 ct. cushion-cut color-change Alexandrite accented with Diamonds.

Evening Wear

Evening Wear – 1st Place, 
Anil Maloo, Baggins, Inc. – 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.).

Evening Wear – 2nd Place, 
Parul Kuki Seth, Parulina (Zaq, Inc.) – 18K yellow gold “Two Finger Glam” ring featuring three Emerald cabochons (19.62 ctw.) accented with round Emeralds (9.54 ctw.).

Evening Wear – 3rd Place, 
Frank Caballero, Frank Caballero – 18K white gold with black rhodium cocktail ring featuring a 47.28 ct. oval Peridot cabochon accented with  Diamonds (3.26 ctw.).

Evening Wear – Platinum Honors, 
Cara Becker Lichtenstein, My Blue Heaven – Platinum and black enamel pendant/brooch featuring a 41.90 ct. black Opal accented with round brilliant white Diamonds (4.55 ctw.).

Evening Wear – Palladium Prestige Award, 
Elizabeth Garvin, Elizabeth Garvin Fine – Palladium spiral cocktail ring featuring a 35.50 ct. rose Quartz cabochon accented with white Diamond melee (.25 ctw.).

Evening Wear – Gem Diva, 
Annie Fensterstock, Annie Fensterstock – Blackened sterling silver and 22K yellow gold cuff featuring white and fancy-colored Diamonds (11.91 ctw.) and Sapphires (7.30 ctw.). (SEE BELOW)

Evening Wear – Manufacturing Honors, 
Brent Malgarin, Elegant Gems, Ltd. – 18K yellow gold earrings featuring multi-colored Sphalerite (14.87 ctw.) accented with Diamonds (.42 ctw.).

Evening Wear – Honorable Mention, 
Leon Mege, Leon Mege, Inc. – Platinum ring featuring a 13.67 ct. purple Sapphire accented with Diamonds (3.35 ctw.) and a .10 ct. Ruby cabochon.

Evening Wear – Honorable Mention, 
Caesar Azzam, Caesar’s Designs – 18K rose gold “Printemps” ring featuring a 2.05 ct. pink Tourmaline,  tsavorite Garnets (1.63 ctw.) and 2.5mm white cultured Pearls.

Men’s Wear

Men’s Wear – 1st Place, 
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – Platinum cufflinks featuring baroque Pearls (21.06 ctw.) accented with multi-colored Sapphires.

Men’s Wear – 2nd Place, 
Daniel Allen, C. Kirk Root Designs – 18K white gold ring featuring Alexandrites (1.45 ctw.).

Men’s Wear – 3rd Place, 
Mark Schneider, Somewhere In The Rainbow – Palladium cufflinks featuring pink rough-cut Diamonds accented with a 1.94 ct. and a 2.13 ct. flower-cut color-change Garnet and white Diamonds (3.13 ctw.).

Men’s Wear – Platinum Honors, 
Andrew Costen, Costen Catbalue – Platinum “Meteoric Sapphire” men’s ring featuring a 34.50 ct. Gibeon Meteorite and 4.03 ct. trillion blue Sapphire.

Men’s Wear – Palladium Prestige Award, 
Mark Schneider, Somewhere In The Rainbow – Palladium cufflinks featuring pink rough-cut Diamonds accented with a 1.94 ct. and a 2.13 ct. flower-cut color-change Garnet and white Diamonds (3.13 ctw.).

Men’s Wear – Manufacturing Honors, 
Jack Bigio, Basser & Bigio, LLC – 22K yellow gold cufflinks featuring paraiba Tourmaline cabochons (20.00 ctw.).

CUTTING EDGE AWARDS

Classic Cut Gemstones

Classic Gemstones- 1st Place, 
Stephen Kotlowski, Uniquely K Custom Gem’s – 3.46 ct. magenta custom-mixed oval/marquee Sapphire.

Classic Gemstones – 2nd Place, 
Ray Zajicek, Equatorian Imports – 3.08 ct. round natural Colombian Emerald.

Classic Gemstones – 3rd Place, 
Sailesh Lakhi, Sparkles and Colors USA, Inc. – 21.91 ct. oval blue Sapphire from Sri Lanka.

Classic Gemstone – Honorable Mention, 
Sailesh Lakhi, Sparkles and Colors USA, Inc. – 70.08 ct. unheated oval yellow Sapphire.

All Other Faceted

All Other Faceted Gemstones – 1st Place, 
Ben Kho, Kho International, Inc. – 16.02 ct. “Galaxy” cushion-cut Rhodochrosite.

All Other Faceted Gemstones – 2nd Place, 
John Dyer, John Dyer & Co. – 7.89 ct. radiant-cut, marquise-shaped Imperial Topaz.

All Other Faceted Gemstones – 3rd Place, 
Lisa Elser, Custom Cut Gems Co. – 14.24 ct. oval red Tourmaline.

Phenomenal Gemstones

Phenomenal – 1st Place, 
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – 8.80 ct. fossil clam Opal.

Phenomenal – 2nd Place, 
Barbara Lawrence, Barbara Lawrence, Fine Gemstones – 9.84 ct. oval rainbow “Moonstone” Labradorite.

Phenomenal – 3rd Place, 
Robyn Dufty, DuftyWeis Opals, Inc. – 41.20 ct. Mexican fire Opal titled “The Rose.”

Phenomenal – Honorable Mention, 
Stephen Kotlowski, Uniquely K Custom Gem’s – 5.94 ct. oval color-change natural Sapphire.

Pairs & Suites

Pairs & Suites – 1st Place, 
Nandu Nichani, Temple Trading Co. – Graduated necklace, earring and ring suite of blue Moonstones in pear and heart-shaped cabochons (137.50 ctw.).

Pairs & Suites – 2nd Place, 
Allen Kleiman, A. Kleiman & Co. – Suite of 16 unheated pear-shaped and oval yellow Sapphires (91.58 ctw.).

Pairs & Suites – 3rd Place, 
Aivan Pham, Somewhere in the Rainbow – “Dionysus Tears” 24 piece African Amethyst (236.33 ctw.) suite and pairs.

Innovative Faceting

Innovative Faceting – 1st Place, 
Jean-Noel Soni, Top Notch Faceting – 7.7 ct. pink and gold bi-colored West African Tourmaline.

Innovative Faceting – 2nd Place, 
Richard Homer, Gems by Design, Inc. – 36.74 ct. antique, cushion-cut Topaz.

Innovative Faceting – 3rd Place, 
Darryl Alexander, Nirinjan – 94.5 ct. “Outa This World” diamond-shaped negative and bubble-faceted multi-colored Sunstone.

Innovative Faceting – Honorable Mention, 
Larry Woods, Jewels from the Woods – 74.59 ct. specialty-cut golden Beryl.

Carving

Carving – 1st Place, 
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – “L’Heure Bleu” Tanzanite (725 ctw.) carving on a sterling silver base.

Carving – 2nd Place, 
Naomi Sarna, Naomi Sarna Designs – Carved blue Topaz (147 grams) on a sterling silver base.

Carving – 3rd Place, 
Darryl Alexander, Doug Malby – 43.81 ct. “Under the Sea” carved and faceted multi-colored Sunstone.

Objects of Art

Objects of Art – 1st Place, 
Gregore Morin, Gregore Joailliers – “Aiko” – a Japanese “Kokeshi” sculpture featuring a 256 ct. green Opal accented with Coral, Ferro-Horn blende and Diamonds set in platinum atop a silver base.

Objects of Art – 2nd Place, 
Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design – “Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Bar” featuring a 340 ct. natural Quartz covered with sterling silver with a brown patina, accented with a brushed and