The 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards have recognised outstanding platinum jewellery craftsmanship, design innovation and gemstone artistry, with Platinum Guild International (PGI) announcing the Platinum Honors winners in partnership with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA). Featuring exceptional creations incorporating Paraiba tourmalines, sapphires, opals, diamonds, emeralds and other coloured gemstones, this year’s competition highlighted platinum’s versatility and creative potential in fine jewellery.
Quick Summary
- Platinum Guild International (PGI), in partnership with AGTA, announced the Platinum Honors winners of the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
- More than 60 platinum jewellery entries were submitted to the Platinum Honors category.
- Jenny Luker, President, PGI USA, judged the Platinum Honors category.
- Lezlie Slavens of Luxe Fine Jewelry won Best of Show and 1st Place in Classical Wear.
- Joseph Dardashti won 1st Place in Evening Wear for the Horus Egyptian Revival bracelet.
- Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems, Inc. secured 1st Place in the Bridal category.
- Shelby Lichtenstein won 1st Place in Engagement Rings.
- Platinum jewellery trends included bezel settings, moonstone combinations and gemstone-rich brooches.
- Several winning pieces will be displayed at AGTA GemFair Tucson from January 31–February 4, 2027.
Exceptional Platinum Jewelry Designs Win AGTA Spectrum Awards Competition
Platinum Honors Celebrates Outstanding Jewellery Craftsmanship
Platinum Guild International (PGI), in partnership with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), is pleased to announce the Platinum Honors winners of the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
More than 60 platinum jewelry entries were submitted to the Platinum Honors category, which recognizes outstanding uses of platinum in colored gemstone and natural or cultured pearl jewelry across multiple categories, from Evening Wear to Engagement Rings. PGI also traditionally presents an award for Best Use of Platinum and Color.
AGTA Spectrum Awards Recognises Design Excellence
The AGTA Spectrum Awards competition was held at the Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star in Dallas, where Jenny Luker, President, PGI USA, judged the Platinum Honors category.
“The AGTA Spectrum Awards bring together an extraordinary range of platinum jewelry, and the level of design innovation, technical execution, and artistry is exceptional,” said Luker. “It’s exciting to see so many talented designers exploring the material in different ways, creating intricate, distinctive pieces that showcase the versatility of platinum.”
AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. thanked PGI for its sponsorship of the Spectrum Awards and extended his congratulations to the Platinum Honors winners. “Receiving a Platinum Honors distinction from PGI is one of the industry’s highest achievements,” he said. “We were happy to see Platinum so well represented among the AGTA Spectrum entries, which increased by 21% this year.”
Platinum Showcases Design Innovation and Technical Excellence
Platinum’s potential for design innovation and technical accomplishment was exemplified by several of this year’s AGTA Spectrum Award winners.
Best of Show and Classical Wear: Can’t Look Away
The Best of Show award and 1st Place in Classical Wear was awarded to “Can’t Look Away,” a necklace by Lezlie Slavens of Luxe Fine Jewelry and collaborators. The design features a carved Paraiba tourmaline backed in platinum, suspended from a diamond-accented platinum chain and illuminated by a magnet-activated LED light source.
Evening Wear Winner: Horus Egyptian Revival Bracelet
The Art Deco-inspired “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet by Joseph Dardashti in Platinum with Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Diamonds, and Onyx won 1st Place in the Spectrum Awards’ Evening Wear category and also received a Platinum Honors distinction in the same category.
Stuller Color of the Year Award: Neuvelle Moi et Toi Forever
Jeffrey Bilgore’s Mahenge Spinel and Diamond “Neuvelle Moi et Toi Forever” Platinum ring received the Stuller Color of the Year Award, a new category honoring exceptional interpretations of Stuller’s “Signature Red” and won 2nd Place in the Spectrum Awards’ Classical category.
Bridal Category Winner: Paraiba Tourmaline Platinum Ring
The honor of 1st Place in the Bridal category is held by Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems, Inc. for his Platinum ring featuring a 5.32 ct. Paraiba Tourmaline accented by Tourmaline (1.05 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.69 ctw.)
Engagement Rings Winner: Something New, Something Blue
New entrant, Shelby Lichtenstein was awarded with 1st Place in Engagement Rings with her Platinum “Something New, Something Blue” ring featuring a 4.50 ct. blue emerald cut Zircon accented by Diamonds (0.26 ctw.)
Platinum’s Durability Supports Intricate Jewellery Designs
“Because of platinum’s durability, strength, and tensile properties, designers can achieve things that might not be possible with other metals,” said Luker. “Whether it’s intricate micro pavé work or delicate prongs, platinum allows for exceptional precision while ensuring that gemstones remain secure.”
Emerging Platinum Jewellery Trends Across Categories
Across all categories of the Spectrum Awards competition, noteworthy platinum jewelry trends included bezel settings in engagement rings, designs that paired platinum with moonstones for a dreamy, elegant white-on-white effect, and brooches for both men and women that incorporated multiple gemstone types in an array of cuts and sizes.
“The level of design this year was incredible,” said Luker. “I was particularly impressed by the innovation and execution. Platinum plays such a wonderful supporting role to gemstones, and that relationship has endured—and will endure—forever.”
AGTA Spectrum – Platinum Guild International (PGI) Platinum Honors:
Best Use of Platinum & Color
Roland Krainz, Krainz Creations – Platinum “Ambrosia” necklace featuring Opals accented by Diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphires, and tsavorite Garnets (140.80 ctw.)
Best Use of Platinum Crown
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc.- Platinum “Everest” ring featuring a 9.70 ct. cushion cut Tanzanite accented by Diamonds (1.67 ctw.)
Bridal Wear
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – Platinum “JuneStones for June Brides” necklace featuring a 27.02 ct. blue-sheen oval Moonstone accented by a 7.95 ct. natural conch Pearl, Alexandrites (3.23 ctw.), and Diamonds (10.36 ctw.)
Business/Day Wear
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation – Platinum stretchable ring with titanium springs featuring a 5.42 ct. natural oval cabochon black Opal accented by Diamonds (5.15 ctw.) and Sapphires (3.28 ctw.)
Classical
Eve Streicker, Original Eve Designs, in collaboration with Rohan Agrawal – Platinum “Zellige” brooch featuring marquise shaped Aquamarines (8.40 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (0.28 ctw.)
Engagement Rings
Underwood Design Team, Underwood’s Fine Jewelers – Platinum ring featuring a 3.66 ct. cushion shaped Sapphire accented by Diamonds (1.22 ctw.)
Evening Wear
Joseph Dardashti, Joseph Dardashti, Ltd. – Platinum and 18K yellow gold “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet featuring Rubies (5.90 ctw.), blue Sapphires (3.75 ctw.), and Emeralds (0.70 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (6.50 ctw.) and Onyx (0.75 ctw.)
Innovative Design
Cari Goldman, Pieces by Cari, LLC, in collaboration with Alexsey Yarnikh – Platinum “Love Spun” ring featuring marquise crystal Opals (2.24 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (1.0 ctw.)
Men’s Wear
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – Platinum “Siren’s Relic” ring featuring a 5.35 ct. emerald cut Zoisite
Winning Designs to Be Showcased at AGTA GemFair Tucson 2027
These highlights offer a glimpse of the exceptional work recognized in the 2026 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. We invite you to explore the complete collection of winning entries at AGTA.org and discover the artistry behind each award.
Many of the winning pieces will be on display during AGTA GemFair Tucson, January 31–February 4, 2027, at the Tucson Convention Center. For AGTA members and the wider trade, it is an opportunity to appreciate the gems and craftsmanship up close, connect with the community behind them and find inspiration for what comes next.
About Platinum Guild International
Platinum Guild International (PGI) is a worldwide marketing organisation dedicated to creating, expanding and strengthening consumer and trade markets for platinum jewellery.
Through various programmes in collaboration with jewellery retailers and manufacturers, PGI creates consumer ounce demand by identifying and fulfilling platinum jewellery opportunities for its partners.
For more information, please visit PGI website Here
FAQs
Who announced the Platinum Honors winners of the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards?
Platinum Guild International (PGI), in partnership with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), announced the Platinum Honors winners.
How many platinum jewellery entries were submitted to the 2026 Platinum Honors category?
More than 60 platinum jewellery entries were submitted to the Platinum Honors category.
Who judged the Platinum Honors category?
Jenny Luker, President, PGI USA, judged the Platinum Honors category.
Who won Best of Show at the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards?
Lezlie Slavens of Luxe Fine Jewelry and collaborators won Best of Show and 1st Place in Classical Wear for the “Can’t Look Away” necklace.
Which design won 1st Place in the Evening Wear category?
Joseph Dardashti’s Art Deco-inspired “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet won 1st Place in the Evening Wear category and received a Platinum Honors distinction.
Who won the Bridal category at the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards?
Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems, Inc. won 1st Place in the Bridal category for a platinum ring featuring a 5.32 ct. Paraiba Tourmaline.
Who won 1st Place in Engagement Rings?
New entrant Shelby Lichtenstein won 1st Place in Engagement Rings for her platinum “Something New, Something Blue” ring featuring a 4.50 ct. blue emerald cut Zircon.
What are the key platinum jewellery design trends recognised at the awards?
Key trends included bezel settings in engagement rings, platinum and moonstone combinations creating a white-on-white effect, and gemstone-rich brooches for men and women.
When and where will the winning platinum jewellery designs be displayed?
Many winning pieces will be displayed at AGTA GemFair Tucson from January 31–February 4, 2027, at the Tucson Convention Center.
What makes platinum suitable for intricate jewellery designs?
According to Jenny Luker, platinum’s durability, strength and tensile properties allow designers to achieve exceptional precision in intricate micro pavé work and delicate prongs while keeping gemstones secure.
Source: SVAR Media Network
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