New categories and social distancing measures will be implemented
(DALLAS) – The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced it plans to move forward with its scheduled AGTA Spectrum Awards competition as well as the annual Editors’ Event, on October 26, 2020 in New York. The organization made the decision in late 2019 to move the event from August to October based on resounding feedback from members that the longer lead time would be beneficial to designing and producing entry pieces. The date, coupled with the existing format of the media event, uniquely position AGTA to move forward as planned.
“We’re thrilled to report that the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ is taking place as planned,” noted Douglas K. Hucker, CEO of AGTA. “In ongoing conversations with designers, lapidary artists, and gemstone dealers that traditionally enter Spectrum, we know that the creative process is currently in full swing. With so many industry events canceled through the fall, our competition and media event will be among the first opportunities within our industry for showcasing what we are confident will be an incredible outpouring of creativity, passion and inventiveness.”
The AGTA Spectrum Awards Editors’ Event, held in New York City, has long been an appointment-only event occasion open to qualified editors, influencers, and journalists who are able to look through each entry in the competition, as well as those selected as winners by a panel of expert judges. This format is conducive to maintaining whatever social distancing measures may be in place during this time, ensuring the maintenance of everyone’s health and safety.
AGTA is also introducing two new categories to the competition. The first is within the Cutting Edge competition – North American Gemstones – which will feature gemstones that are mined in North America (United States and Canada), and will be evaluated on the following qualities: (1) Quality of Lapidary Work, (2) Technique, (3) Quality/Rarity of Gem Material, and (4) Overall Beauty. The second category is a new “Best Of” award for the Best of Single Entries and will be selected from among those that submit only one entry into the competition. Best of Single Entries will be presented to both the AGTA Spectrum Awards and the AGTA Cutting Edge Awards. Reflective of the new date change, AGTA has also relaxed the rule requiring entries to have been created in the past 12-month time period.
The mail-in deadline for submissions to this year’s AGTA Spectrum Awards is September 25, 2020, and the New York drop-off date is October 6, 2020. For questions about Spectrum or to receive more information, contact Kami Swinney at kami@agta.org.
