In a very challenging year, the team at Omi Gems would like to thank and applaud the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) for their tremendous effort to ensure that the 2020 Spectrum AwardsTM were able to continue in a safe and secure manner. The Spectrum Awards are notable for its in-person judging and AGTA effectively created a safe judging environment equipped with PPE and social distancing. It’s clear from the number of entries that the entire industry sought to make this one of the most competitive years yet despite the collective challenges presented this year.
Omi Gems & Omi Privé’s history has been closely tied to AGTA and the Spectrum awards over the years – winning our first Cutting Edge award in 2007 with a loose color-change alexandrite gemstone. Since that time it has been President Niveet Nagpal’s dream to win a Spectrum Award for jewelry design. This dream was realized in 2011 with two awards for a sapphire & diamond platinum bracelet and a tsavorite garnet, yellow sapphire and diamond ring. This esteemed recognition helped prompt the launch of our jewelry brand, Omi Privé.
Winning a prestigious AGTA Spectrum Award is notable because judges are selected from our diverse industry leaders and focuses on every aspect of the pieces entered – quality and type of gemstones, craftsmanship as well as effectiveness of design and execution. Our designing principles mirror similar standards, always seeking to source the finest gemstones and marrying their quality with uncompromising settings and designs.
Since 2007, Omi has had the honor of receiving twenty Spectrum awards, which we believe is a testament to our founding principles and high standard of design. It is a true honor to have our work and passion recognized by our fellow industry peers. And this year was no exception, amongst hundreds of stunning entries; we are humbled to receive five Spectrum Awards and one Cutting Edge Award.
The recognized designs and gemstones represent the diverse collection and capabilities of Omi Gems & Omi Privé. A classic three stone emerald & diamond ring took 1st place in the Bridal Wear category along with Manufacturing Honors, featuring a remarkably bright and clean Zambian emerald. In a strikingly different gemstone pairing, our grandidierite and alexandrite ring also received an Honorable Mention in the Bridal Wear category. A vivid 10 carat pink sapphire with custom-cut tapering French baguettes and four rows of ombré pink sapphires received 2nd Place and Platinum Honors in the Classical category. And finally a flame-like pear-shape 25 carat Imperial Topaz from our gemstone collection received 3rd place in the All Other Cut Gemstone category.
1st Place and Manufacturing Honors – Bridal Wear
3rd Place – All other cut gemstones
With such a high level of competition, we are incredibly proud to receive this recognition and want to congratulate all other participants and fellow winners. And again, a huge thank you to AGTA and all the judges who made this year’s awards possible. We look forward to celebrating and congratulating our peers in person soon!
