Platinum Bridal Jewelry Trend-Spotting at the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards

By Adam Graham from AGTA

The Platinum Honors™ category at the annual American Gem Trade Association
(AGTA) Spectrum Awards™ competition provides magazine editors and wardrobe
stylists with an opportunity to see the newest trends in bridal jewelry design using color
set in platinum. This competition is the premier jewelry design contest in the world and
attracts hundreds of entrants each year. Each of the participating designers has their
own motivation and inspiration when it comes to the pieces they submit. When
analyzed together, they reveal that platinum was a very popular setting, accounting for
almost 40% of the winning selections. From blue sapphires, to red rubies, purple
tanzanites, black diamonds, green zultanites, and clean moonstones, designers chose
to set their colorful gemstones in platinum. Why? Because platinum is a naturally white
metal that never changes color, it always makes colored gemstones sparkle brighter.

Here are a few of the winning platinum bridal rings, and wedding day jewelry designs:

Mark Schneider Mark Schneider Design Long Beach, CA
Platinum earrings featuring 12mm black Tahitian Pearls and 8mm cultured
freshwater Pearls accented with white Diamonds (.99 ctw.) and black Diamonds (.53
ctw.). Winner in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category for Manufacturing Honors.

Maria Canale Richard Krementz Gemstones Springfield, NJ
Platinum “Lace” ring featuring a 4.10 ct. blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (.77
ctw.). 1st place in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category.

Leonard A. McCue L.A.M. Goldsmiths S. Dennis, MA
Platinum “Hearts and Arrows” ring featuring a 19.0 ct. pear-shaped Moonstone
accented with Diamonds (2.37ctw.). Honorable Mention winner in AGTA Spectrum
Awards Bridal category.

Photo credit: Robert & Orasa Weldon for AGTA

To view more award winning platinum designs from the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ visit
www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery