Unusual metals such as palladium, rhodium and oxidized sterling silver, and strikingly unusual gemstones such as Brazilian tourmalines and moldavites join the more familiar gold and silver, diamonds and pearls in winning the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards hosted by the American Gem Trade Association.

Todd Reed, a self-taught goldsmith from Boulder, Colo., won Best of Show for his palladium and 22kt yellow gold locket. Shaped like an elongated teardrop, it is paved with blue moonstones, gray and white diamonds and blue sapphires, and opens to reveal a tiny moldavite Buddha.

The Fashion Forward award went to Belle Brooke Barer, Belle Brooke Designs, Inc. of Los Angeles, for her oxidized sterling necklace with a 30ct chalcedony cabochon accented with diamonds. Best Use of Color winner is Deirdre Featherstone, of Featherstone Design, New York, who combines platinum with opals, blue zircons, tanzanites, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds in a pair of earrings. Dennis deJonghe of deJonghe Original Jewelry, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., won for Best Use of Palladium and Color for his necklace of palladium, aquamarine, moonstone, diamonds and pearls.

The competition, now in its 25th year, honors and promotes designers who use colored gemstones and cultured pearls in their work. This year’s judges were goldsmith Klaus Burgel, Sylvain Chervin of Carvin French, Cindy Edelstein of the Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, Patricia Faber of Aaron Faber Gallery and Clay Zava of Zava Master Cuts. The awards will be presented at the 2012 AGTA GemFair Tucson, Jan. 31-Feb. 5. For a complete list of winners, click here.

Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C., can now say it’s “America’s Coolest Jeweler,” after receiving first place in the Big Cool division (jewelry stores with six or more full-time employees) in INSTORE magazine’s list of America’s Coolest Stores for 2011. The 10-year-old competition rewards independent jewelry retailers for bringing creativity, innovation and personality to their craft. Tiny Jewel Box was cited as introducing many European designers to the U.S. for the first time and expanding into the fashion accessories and corporate gifts markets, adding weight to its first place status.

Owner Linda Goldenstein will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Goldenstein Gallery in November. Known for its commitment to local and regional artists in all mediums and styles, the gallery is the go-to place in Sedona, Ariz., for local and visiting collectors. “We appreciate our community of artists and collectors and have planned many events for them over the next two years,” says Goldenstein.

After more than 27 years, Vespermann-Cooper Gallery of Atlanta, Ga., closed its doors in late August. When founder Seranda Vespermann opened in 1984, she was one of only six glass galleries in the country. “The gallery situation has changed so much,” said Vespermann. “We are disappointed that something we had had such high hopes for did not work out, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense to be sad or melancholy about doing the smart thing.” Vespermann said she will continue to design corporate awards and stained glass commissions.

Move over, snow globes and T-shirts. Travelers at the San Francisco International Airport can now spend preflight time shopping for American-made crafts and folk art, including works by Bay Area artists, at the new Mosaic Gallery, designed by DDI and operated by Avila Travel. The attractive wood storefront at the airport’s Terminal 2 reflects the airport’s commitment to the arts.

OCTOBER 2011
Oct. 2
Buyers Cash & Carry Marlborough
Marlborough, Mass.
717-796-2377

Oct. 13-17
Atlanta Apparel
Atlanta, Ga.
800-285-6278

Oct. 14-16
Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishing Market
Atlanta, Ga.
800-285-6278

Oct. 14-16
Portland Cash & Carry Show
Portland, Ore.
415-346-6666

Oct. 16-18
Columbus MarketPlace
Columbus, Ohio
800-686-6278

Oct. 16-18
Gulf Coast Gift Show
Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
678-285-3976

Oct. 21-23
Seattle Cash & Carry Show
Seattle, Wash.
415-346-6666

Oct. 22-25
STYLEMAX
Chicago, Ill.
800-677-6278

Oct. 22-27
High Point Market
High Point, N.C.
800-874-6492

Oct. 23-25
Galveston Gift & Resort Show
Galveston, Texas
678-285-3976

Oct. 25-28
7 W New York Tabletop Week
New York, N.Y.
800-677-6278

Oct. 27-30
Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market
Dallas, Texas
800-325-6587

Oct. 28-30
San Francisco Cash & Carry Show
San Francisco, Calif.
415-346-6666

NOVEMBER 2011
Nov. 1-3
Atlanta Fall Immediate Delivery
Atlanta, Ga.
800-285-6278

Nov. 2-3
NeoCon East
Baltimore, Md.
312-527-4141

Nov. 3-6
Mid-South Jewelry & Accessories Fair
Memphis, Tenn.
630-241-9865

Nov. 5
Offinger’s Handcrafted Marketplace
Columbus, Ohio
888-878-4438

Nov. 10-13
International Jewelry Fair
New Orleans, La.
630-241-9265

Nov. 12-14
Norton’s Apparel, Jewelry & Gift Market
Gatlinburg, Tenn.
865-436-6151

Nov. 13-16
Ocean City Resort Gift Expo
Ocean City, Md.
678-285-3976

DECEMBER 2011
Dec. 3-5
The Charlotte Gift & Jewelry Show
Charlotte, N.C.
704-365-4152

Dec. 4-7
The Grand Strand Gift & Resort Merchandise Show
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
678-285- 3976

Dec. 10-12
Baton Rouge Jewelry & General Merchandise Show
Baton Rouge, La.
630-241-9865

JANUARY 2012
Jan. 7-10
Philadelphia Gift Show
Oaks, Pa.
678-285-3976

Jan. 8-9
St. Louis Gift Show
St. Charles, Mo.
513-861-1139

Jan. 9
The Buyers Cash & Carry Madison
Madison, Wis.
717-796-2377

Jan. 11-18
Atlanta International Gift Show & Furnishings Market
Atlanta, Ga.
800-285-6278

Jan. 14-17
The Canadian Home Furnishings Market
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
866-468-4436

Jan. 17-23
California Gift Show
Los Angeles, Calif.
800-677-6278

Jan. 19-21
Alaska Wholesale Gift Show
Anchorage, Alaska
907-929-2822

Jan. 19-25
The Chicago Market: Living and Giving
Chicago, Ill.
312-527-4141

Jan. 19-25
Beckman’s Handcrafted Show
Chicago, Ill.
800-677-6278

Jan. 20-23
Beckman’s Handcrafted Show
Los Angeles, Calif.
800-677-6278

Jan. 21
Offinger’s Handcrafted Marketplace
Columbus, Ohio
888-878-4438

Jan. 26-28
OASIS Gift Show
Phoenix, Ariz.
800-424-9519

Jan. 26-29
New Orleans Gift & Jewelry Show
New Orleans, La.
630-241-9865

Jan. 29-Feb. 2
Toronto Gift Show
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
800-611-6100

FEBRUARY 2012
Feb. 2-6
Atlanta Apparel
Atlanta, Ga.
800-285-6278

Feb. 4-6
Atlantic Craft Trade Show
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
902-492-2773

Feb. 5-7
Edison Furniture & Accessory Market
Edison, N.J.
305-792-9990

Feb. 11-13
Memphis Gift & Jewelry Show
Memphis, Tenn.
630-241-9865

Feb. 18-20
BUYERS MARKET OF AMERICAN CRAFT
Philadelphia, Pa.
410-889-2933

Feb. 19-22
Alberta Gift Show
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
800-611-6100

Feb. 26-27
Louisville Gift Show
Shepherdsville, Ky.
513-861-1139

MARCH 2012
March 4-7
Montreal Gift Show
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
800-611-6100

March 17
Offinger’s Handcrafted Marketplace
Columbus, Ohio
888-878-4438

March 17-19
Atlanta Spring Gift, Home Furnishings & Holiday Market
Atlanta, Ga.
800-285-6278

March 17-19
New England Products Trade Show
Portland, Maine
800-638-6787

Calendar dates were accurate at press time, but last-minute changes do occur. If you plan to attend any of the listed events, call to reconfirm dates and times before making travel plans. If you would like to be included in the next wholesale trade show calendar, send listings information to: Market Calendar, NICHE magazine, 3000 Chestnut Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore MD 21211; fax: 410-243-7089.