FORT MYERS, Fla. - eTradeWire -- At the 41^st annual 2025 American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards, Mark Loren, owner and founder of Mark Loren Designs, was recognized with Fashion Forward Honors and was awarded second place for earrings entered in the Bridal Wear category.

The competition took place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 at the Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star in Dallas. More than 300 pieces were submitted, including more than 30 new entrants and six first-time winners. Judges for the 2025 competition included Craig Underwood of Underwood's Jewelers, Donald Janson of Walters & Hogsett Jewelers, Blaine Lewis of the New Approach School for Jewelers, Clay Zava of Zava Mastercuts, and Erica Courtney of Erica Courtney, LLC.

Loren's winning design, created in collaboration with Jesus Marquez and Andrea Canzanella, was a pair of 18K & 14K yellow, white, and ombré gradient gold earrings entitled "I'll Always Be Attracted to You." The earrings featured black Tahitian pearls and golden South Sea pearls accented by marquise purple sapphires (0.80 ctw.), mixed sapphires (3.69 ctw.), and diamonds. Fashion Forward Honors recognizes the outstanding use of colored gemstone and/or cultured pearl in artful, trend‐setting jewelry. All designs that qualify for judging in the AGTA Spectrum Awards competition are eligible for Fashion Forward Honors judging.

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"Earning an award as prestigious as this – at the Oscars of the jewelry design industry – marks a monumental moment in a designer's career, and to be recognized in not one, but two categories, is an incredible honor," Mark Loren said.

Since opening the doors of the award-winning Mark Loren Designs in 1985, Loren has gained international acclaim and a roster of local and national celebrity clients. He has been a guest speaker at national jewelry shows and conferences, speaking on topics such as securing and caring for your jewelry, changes in the industry and more. Loren won his first Spectrum award in 1991 and has since received it seven more times, and over the years his company has earned a total of ten awards. Loren has also served as a Spectrum Awards judge.

Many of the winning pieces will be on display during the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson from Feb. 2 to Feb. 6, 2026. Winners will be recognized with hand-crafted awards at the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards Gala in Tucson on Feb. 5, 2026.

For more information, visit MarkLorenDesigns.com (http://www.marklorendesigns.com/).