AGTA Confirms Spectrum Awards™ Celebrity Photo Shoot

DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is excited to announce that two of the hottest actresses on ABC, Ming-Na Wen and Bellamy Young, have confirmed to participate in the annual AGTA Spectrum Awards™ photo shoot. "We are ecstatic to have both of these accomplished actresses participating in the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ photo shoot this year. They will definitely provide the perfect backdrop in showcasing the incredible beauty of colored gemstones and pearls," stated Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. The AGTA Spectrum Awards™ photo shoot features the winning jewelry designs from this prestigious competition.  This year's photo shoot will be shot by famed photographer, Andrew MacPherson. The photo shoot will be produced and styled by fashion expert, Tod Hallman of THPFashion, Inc.

Ming-Na Wen currently stars as "Agent Melinda May" on ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. She is known for her regular work on NBC's ER and SGU Stargate Universe. Ming-Na also recurred on the hit comedy Two and a Half Men. On the film side, Ming-Na is well-known for her work such as One Night Stand opposite Wesley Snipes and Robert Downey, Jr., Push opposite Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning, and her breakout role in The Joy Luck Club. In the animation world, Ming-Na is known as the voice of Mulan in Disney's Mulan films.

Bellamy Young stars in her award-winning role as "First Lady Mellie Grant" on ABC's hit series Scandal. Young is also known for her extensive television resume, particularly on CBS's Criminal Minds, CSI Miami, NBC's Scrubs and ABC's Dirty Sexy Money. Young has appeared in the feature films We Were Soldiers, Mission Impossible: 3 and in the upcoming film, Days Out of Days. On the Broadway side, she is known for her performance in The Life, Merrily We Roll Along, Faust and Book of Days. Young is also currently working on an adult contemporary album.

The AGTA Spectrum Awards™ competition has, for over 30 years, recognized jewelry design using colored gemstones and pearls, along with the Cutting Edge competition, which highlights gemstone cutting and carving. Awards for jewelry design are presented in five categories: Bridal, Classical, Business/Day Wear, Evening Wear and Men's. Additional Spectrum Awards are sponsored by Platinum Guild International (Platinum Honors™), The Knot (Bridal Category) and the Women's Jewelry Association (Gem Diva™). The deadline for the 2015 competition is September 19^th, 2014. New York Drop-off is October 7^th, 2014.  Entry forms and information can be found at www.agta.org/awards or contact Kami Swinney at 800-972-1162.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140922/147595
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140922/147596

SOURCE American Gem Trade Association