As a part of this year’s AGTA Spectrum Awards, the American Gem Trade Association, in conjunction with MVI Marketing’s Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council division, introduced the new Consumer’s Choice Honors awards. The winners are as follows:

Bridal
Khai Le of Charles Koll Jewellers, San Diego
Platinum ring featuring a 2.71 ct. cushion-cut blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (.15 ctw.)

Business/Day Wear
Pamela Froman of Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry, Los Angeles
18K white, rose and green gold necklace featuring a 10.4mm golden South Sea Pearl, a blue-grey Tahitian Pearl and a green-grey Tahitian Pearl accented with Diamonds (.45 ctw.).

Classical
Richard Krementz of Richard Krementz Gemstones, Springfield, N.J.
Platinum ring featuring a 3.44 ct. champagne Diamond accented with white Diamonds (1.29 ctw.).

Evening Wear
Dennis deJonghe of deJonghe, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Platinum pendant featuring a 17.06 ct. Aquamarine accented with an Iolite and Diamonds (.13 ctw.) on a strand of freshwater Pearls.

Men’s Wear
Robert Pelliccia of J.R. Dunn Jewelers, Lighthouse Point, Fla.
Platinum and 22K yellow gold ring featuring a 1.75 ct. emerald-cut Alexandrite accented with Diamond baguettes (.69 ctw.).

The JCOC created and deployed a consumer market research study to select the winning choices for the Consumer’s Choice Honors awards. One winning style, selected by JCOC consumer panel members, was identified in the five categories of the traditional AGTA Spectrum Awards.

“The consumer is the most important voice in the jewelry industry and their opinion affects everything we do,” said Liz Chatelain, MVI president. “We are excited by the choices our JCOC panelists have made and we congratulate the creative minds behind the winning jewelry designs.”

“The addition of consumer research, though the JCOC, to the Spectrum Awards has provided us with insight in to what consumers desire,” added Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of AGTA. “We are thrilled with the results and look forward to presenting the Consumer’s Choice Honors award to our talented winning designers.”

JCK