DALLAS, March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As
primetime TV's reigning First Lady, actress Bellamy Young dazzles viewing audiences each
week. Her compelling role as Mellie
Grant, wife of a U.S. president on ABC's hit drama,
Scandal, earned her the Critics Choice Award last year. But
brilliantly navigating the twists and turns of the D.C.-centric
series for four seasons is only part of Young's dazzle—she's
also a celebrity spokeswoman for the 2015 AGTA Spectrum Awards™
Collection. Now in its 31st year and sponsored by the
American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), the annual Spectrum
competition is North America's
premier colored gemstone and cultured pearl fine jewelry design
contest.
The accomplished actress' love affair with gemstones began
during her childhood growing up in North
Carolina. "When I was a kid, I panned for stones in the
mountains nearby. A lot of times, we didn't find anything but, when
we did, it was exciting! So, for as long as I can remember, I've
been attracted to gemstones. They're energizing, yet also calming
and constant."
Does she love jewelry? "Of course—I wear it off-camera
as well as on—please, I'm Southern!
Two rings from the AGTA Spectrum Awards™Collection really caught
her eye—perhaps because one featured a yellow gem and the other a
blue stone; colors she favors in her personal wardrobe. The "Terra"
ring by Laurence Bruyninckx of
Laurence Bruyninckx, Antwerp, has a 0.80-carat golden beryl,
accented with orange sapphire, citrine, and diamonds. Set in a mix
of rose and white 18K gold, it won Manufacturing Honors in the
Bridal Wear category. Another piece that inspired her was the 18K
white gold "Astra" ring by Caroline Chartuni of Caroline C, a
New York City-based brand.
Spotlighting a 24.16-carat star sapphire and accented with diamonds
(8.08 ctw.), it won the Gem Diva Award in Spectrum's Classical
category.
"When visiting Jaipur, I found a star ruby cabochon and had it
put in a very simple yellow gold ring setting." Fiery red corundums
seem to find Young as often as she finds them. "For Christmas this
year, my mom gave me a Roberto Coin
necklace and bracelet set. I love the way the jewelry in that brand
embeds a little ruby on the inside of every piece so that it
touches the skin." Young also has a ruby ring, given to her by her
great aunt.
Another of her gem favorites is citrine. "I have a huge sterling
silver yellow citrine necklace. I bought the gem first, then had it
set so the point of the stone touches my skin. I learned through
exploring more about gems that citrine is a good stone for me to
put on."
Recently, she tells us, "I've become enamored of London blue topaz. It's my new gem obsession.
For years, a friend of mine, Meike
Williams of Cake Jewelry, has been educating me on
stones—their history, legend and lore, how different ones make you
feel. So, for example, I'd heard how rose quartz heals the heart
and, when I was in Nepal's
Kathmandu, I bought rose quartz
mala beads."
"As with everything in life—careers, places we visit, people—I
feel you should always open up to the possibilities. There are so
many different gemstones and jewelry designers." While the
huge success of Scandal keeps Young very busy, when the show
went on shooting hiatus she was able to embrace something else new:
recording her first album. Scheduled for release this year, "It's
not exactly country," she explains, "but the ten songs I sing are a
nod to my Carolina roots. They tell stories and mean
something."
Clearly, from career and travel, to gemstones and jewelry, this
is a successful performer, who leads a colorful
life. By Lorraine
DePasque
For further information regarding the AGTA Spectrum
AwardsTM, please call Trace
Boyd at (800) 972-1162 or visit the AGTA website at
www.agta.org.
The American Gem Trade Association is a not-for-profit
Association serving the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl
industry since 1981. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, The AGTA serves the industry as
"The Authority in Color."
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SOURCE American Gem Trade Association