The American Gem Trade Association, Dallas, has announced the judges for the 2004 AGTA Spectrum Awards.

The judges for the competition, which will be held in October in New York City, are: Alan Friedman, Alan Friedman Co., Beverly Hills, CA; John Hardy, John Hardy Collection, New York & Bali; John Hatleberg, Big Gems, New York; Michael Ridding, Silverhorn, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Mark Schneider, Schneider Design Studio, Long Beach, Calif.; and Carrie Soucy, JCK magazine, New York.

The Spectrum Awards competition, which includes Cutting Edge Awards, Manufacturing Honors and Platinum Honors, is open to all individuals living in North America. The deadline for entry is September 22.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Spectrum Awards, the AGTA has planned a gala to kick off the festivities. This will give the fashion elite an exciting glimpse into the Spectrum Awards competition as the nation’s top consumer editors and celebrity stylists will preview all submissions.

The AGTA Spectrum Awards competition, created in 1984, honors, recognizes and promotes North American designers whose work utilizes natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls. It is a true contest of workmanship, creativity and innovation and the winners no doubt set the standards of excellence for our entire industry. Spectrum Award categories include Bridal Wear, Business /Day Wear, Casual Wear, Evening Wear and Men’s Wear.

The AGTA Cutting Edge Awards competition honor excellence and creativity in the production of loose, natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls, carvings, other gem materials, and objects of art. Winners set the benchmark for uncompromising standards of quality and workmanship. Cutting Edge Award categories include: Open Category (classic gemstone, all other faceted gemstones and phenomenal gemstones); Pairs & Suites; Faceting; Carving; Combination; and Objects of Art.

The Spectrum Awards competition is open to all individuals living in North America. For detailed instructions and entry information, go to the AGTA Web site: www,agta.org. Entry forms are available by calling AGTA at 800-972-1162 or emailing us at info@agta.org.

JCK