AGTA Announce Judges Panel For 2015 Spectrum Awards

(IDEX Online) – The American Gem Trade Association has announced its panel of judges for the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards.

The expert panel of judges come from different areas of the jewelry industry, and will meet in October to judge the well-known colored gemstone and pearl jewelry competition, along with the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards, which features loose colored gemstones.

This year’s judges are: Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, Curator, U.S. National Gem & Mineral Collection, Smithsonian Institution; Joseph Mardkha, manufacturer, ColorMasters Precious Jewelry; Larry Pelzel, retailer, Neiman Marcus; Tim McClelland, master jeweler and designer, McTiegue & McClelland; and Jerrold Green, lapidarist, Reginald C. Miller.

”Each year, we strive to seat a unique panel of judges for the AGTA Spectrum Awards, and we hit the mark this year,” said AGTA CEO Douglas K. Hucker.

“This distinguished group is uniquely qualified with their expertise and passion for colored gemstones and pearls, and we are excited to see the results of their hard work.”

The AGTA Cutting Edge Awards honor loose colored gemstones in everything from classic gemstones to one-of-a-kind carvings, phenomenal gemstones to amazing pairs and suites. The competition is open to U.S. and Canadian designers and cutters.

The deadline for the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards is September 19.