What cap­tures the light, enhances color, and exudes bril­liance? A col­ored gem­stone that has been cut by a mas­ter stone cut­ter. This week the Amer­i­can Gem Trade Asso­ci­a­tion cel­e­brated its 25^th anniver­sary of the Spec­trum Awards. Win­ners in the com­pe­ti­tion are rec­og­nized for their inno­v­a­tive use of col­ored gem mate­r­ial and pearls in the cat­e­gories of design and lap­idary work. The fol­low­ing images are merely a sam­ple of entries and win­ners. Go to http://www.agta.org/awards/index.html to see more of the finest in the jew­elry and lap­idary arts.

Pearl ring by Yahouda Saketkhou, Received Man­u­fac­tur­ing Honors

by Angela Conty Designs

Won 1^st place, Evening Wear. Ricardo Basta for E. Eich­berg, Inc. 18K yel­low gold and plat­inum with 39.98 cts. of mul­ti­col­ored diamonds