Platinum Guild International (PGI), in collaboration with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), has announced the winners of the Platinum Honors category at the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards. The competition recognized exceptional platinum jewelry designs featuring colored gemstones, natural and cultured pearls, and innovative craftsmanship across categories ranging from Evening Wear to Engagement Rings.
Check out the latest Gold, Silver prices in MCX, International Market, Sarafa and your city on https://goldpricetodaynews.com/
More than 60 platinum jewelry entries were submitted for the Platinum Honors category this year. PGI also continued its tradition of recognizing outstanding design with the Best Use of Platinum and Color award.
The AGTA Spectrum Awards competition took place at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star in Dallas. Jenny Luker, President of PGI USA, served as the judge for 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 sponsoring the Spectrum Awards and congratulated 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’s potential for design innovation and technical accomplishment was exemplified by several of this year’s AGTA Spectrum Award winners.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.).
Why Platinum Continues to Inspire Jewelry Designers
Luker highlighted platinum’s strength, durability and tensile properties as key factors behind its growing design possibilities.
“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.”
Across the Spectrum Awards, several notable design trends emerged. These included bezel settings in engagement rings, platinum paired with moonstones to create a dreamy white-on-white aesthetic, and brooches designed for both men and women using multiple gemstone types in a range 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.”
Complete List of 2026 AGTA Spectrum – PGI Platinum Honors Winners
The following winners were recognized across the Platinum Honors categories:
Best Use of Platinum & Color
Roland Krainz, Krainz Creations — Platinum “Ambrosia” necklace featuring opals accented by diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and tsavorite garnets, with a total gemstone weight of 140.80 carats.
Best Use of Platinum Crown
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. — Platinum “Everest” ring featuring a 9.70-carat cushion-cut tanzanite accented by 1.67 carats total weight of diamonds.
Bridal Wear
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC — Platinum “JuneStones for June Brides” necklace featuring a 27.02-carat blue-sheen oval moonstone, a 7.95-carat natural conch pearl, 3.23 carats total weight of alexandrites and 10.36 carats total weight of diamonds.
Business/Day Wear
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation — Platinum stretchable ring with titanium springs featuring a 5.42-carat natural oval cabochon black opal, accented by 5.15 carats total weight of diamonds and 3.28 carats total weight of sapphires.
Classical
Eve Streicker, Original Eve Designs, in collaboration with Rohan Agrawal — Platinum “Zellige” brooch featuring 8.40 carats total weight of marquise-shaped aquamarines, accented by 0.28 carats total weight of diamonds.
Engagement Rings
Underwood Design Team, Underwood’s Fine Jewelers — Platinum ring featuring a 3.66-carat cushion-shaped sapphire accented by 1.22 carats total weight of diamonds.
Evening Wear
Joseph Dardashti, Joseph Dardashti, Ltd. — Platinum and 18K yellow gold “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet featuring 5.90 carats total weight of rubies, 3.75 carats total weight of blue sapphires and 0.70 carats total weight of emeralds, accented by 6.50 carats total weight of diamonds and 0.75 carats total weight of onyx.
Innovative Design
Cari Goldman, Pieces by Cari, LLC, in collaboration with Alexsey Yarnikh — Platinum “Love Spun” ring featuring 2.24 carats total weight of marquise crystal opals, accented by 1.0 carat total weight of diamonds.
Men’s Wear
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. — Platinum “Siren’s Relic” ring featuring a 5.35-carat emerald-cut zoisite.
Winning Designs to Be Showcased at AGTA GemFair Tucson 2027
These award highlights represent a selection of exceptional designs recognized at the 2026 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. The complete collection of winning entries is available to explore through AGTA.org.
Many of the winning pieces are scheduled to be displayed at AGTA GemFair Tucson, taking place from January 31 to February 4, 2027, at the Tucson Convention Center. The exhibition will give AGTA members and the wider trade an opportunity to view the gemstones and craftsmanship in person, engage with the industry community and discover new sources of inspiration.
About Platinum Guild International (PGI)
Platinum Guild International (PGI) is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating, expanding and strengthening consumer and trade markets for platinum jewelry.
Through programs developed in collaboration with jewelry retailers and manufacturers, PGI works to create consumer demand for platinum ounces by identifying and fulfilling platinum jewelry opportunities for its partners.
For more information, visit the PGI website or connect with the organization on LinkedIn.
About the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)
The American Gem Trade Association is a not-for-profit association that has served the natural colored gemstone and natural and cultured pearl industry since 1981. Known as “The Authority in Color,” AGTA is headquartered in Dallas.
Media enquiries:
Deepika Prabhu
+91 98214 54539
FAQ’s
1. 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 winners of the Platinum Honors category. The awards recognize outstanding platinum jewelry designs featuring colored gemstones and natural or cultured pearls.
2. How many platinum jewelry entries were submitted for the 2026 Platinum Honors category?
More than 60 platinum jewelry entries were submitted. The category recognizes design excellence and the use of platinum across several jewelry segments, including Evening Wear, Bridal Wear and Engagement Rings.
3. Who judged the Platinum Honors category at the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards?
Jenny Luker, President of PGI USA, judged the Platinum Honors category. She praised the designers’ innovation, technical execution and artistry, highlighting platinum’s versatility in creating distinctive jewelry pieces.
4. Which jewelry designs received major recognition at the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards?
“Can’t Look Away,” a necklace by Lezlie Slavens of Luxe Fine Jewelry and collaborators, received Best of Show and First Place in Classical Wear. Joseph Dardashti’s “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet won First Place in Evening Wear and also received a Platinum Honors distinction.
5. When and where will the winning platinum jewelry designs be displayed?
Many of the winning pieces are expected to be showcased at AGTA GemFair Tucson from January 31 to February 4, 2027, at the Tucson Convention Center. The exhibition will allow members of the jewelry trade to view the designs and craftsmanship in person.
Our Digital Media Network
Gold Price Today News Website
https://goldpricetodaynews.com/
YouTube — Gold Price Today News 200K+ Subscribers
https://www.youtube.com/@GoldPriceTodayNews
Facebook Page — Gold Silver Price Today 174K+ Followers
https://www.facebook.com/Goldsilverpricetoday
Instagram — Gold Price Today News 70K+ Followers
https://www.instagram.com/goldpricetodaynews/
Virendra Vyas — Personal Instagram 10K+ Followers
https://www.instagram.com/virendra1711/
Facebook Community — Gold Silver Price News 82K Jewellers & Industry Community Members
https://www.facebook.com/groups/goldsilverpricenews
Gold Silver News Magazine — Print & Digital Edition
https://goldpricetodaynews.com/magazine
Follow our Google Profile
https://profile.google.com/@goldpricetodaynews
