Nicole Mera’s “A Kaleidoscope of Green” Opal Ring Shines at the 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards

In the world of fine jewelry, the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards are among the most prestigious and eagerly awaited events of the year. This year, the competition was particularly intense, with a record-breaking number of entries, and amid this tough competition, I am honored to announce that my latest creation stood out and won an honorable mention in the evening wear category. See a video of the award winning jewel HERE.

The stunning ring features a 2.15 carat Oval Australian black opal as its centerpiece. This opal is a mesmerizing play of colors, with flashes of green, blue, and other iridescent hues, reminiscent of a kaleidoscope. Surrounding the opal are tsavorite garnets totaling 0.99 carats, adding a vibrant green complement to the opal’s colors. To enhance the overall elegance, the ring is further adorned with 1.23 carats of round brilliant diamonds in a cluster-like halo. The golden basket that holds the opal is even adorned with sparkling bright & brilliant white diamonds.

The choice of gemstones in the “A Kaleidoscope of Green” ring perfectly captures the trend seen at the 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards. The competition witnessed a surge in the popularity of green gemstones, including tsavorite garnets. This may be a hint towards the trends of jewels we see heading into the market this holiday and into 2024.

The AGTA Spectrum Awards were held at the Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star in Dallas, Texas, on October 24–25, 2023. The competition witnessed a significant increase in entries, with a 26% rise in the evening wear category. While sapphires remained a popular choice, the competition showcased a range of other gemstones and trends, with green gems gaining prominence. Judges included industry experts, such as Allan Koo, Brent Malgarin, Christina Gandia Gambale, Lika Behar, and Clayton Bromberg, who had the challenging task of selecting the most outstanding pieces. Some of the award winning jewels will be on display during the 2024 AGTA GemFair Tucson & the awards will be celebrated at a Gala that takes place at the Tucson gem show in February of 2024.

Watch a Behind the Scenes video from Instagram of the judging HERE.

It’s truly an honor to add an additional Spectrum Award to my collection. “A Kaleidoscope of Green” is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the AGTA Spectrum Awards and exemplifies the beauty and creativity that can be achieved in the world of jewelry and it promises to be a beloved addition to anyone’s jewelry collection!

With this newest winner, Nicole Mera is proud to announce we have won multiple AGTA Spectrum Awards for 5 outstanding rings. Click the link below to learn more about our previous award-winning jewels. I hope this inspires you to add a Award Winning jewel to your collection or to design one of your very own with me! – Nikki Swift