Events & AwardsOct 05, 2022
Steven Kaiser to Receive Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award Events & AwardsOct 17, 2022
Octave Jewelry Chosen as Winner of 2022 Halstead Grant
Helmed by designer Ope Omojola, Octave embraces color and combines sharp geometric lines with organic shapes.
Ope Omojola, the designer behind Octave Jewelry, is the winner of the 2022 Halstead Grant, taking home a $7,500 cash grant and $1,000 in jewelry supplies, among other prizes. Omojola makes her jewelry in Brooklyn, New York.
Prescott, Ariz.—Octave Jewelry, a brand that combines organic shapes with sharp geometric lines, is the winner of the 2022 Halstead Grant, supplier Halstead Bead announced last week.
Ope Omojola, who was born in Nigeria and currently lives and works in New York City, is the designer of Octave Jewelry.
Omojola started her jewelry-making career by taking a weeknight class on jewelry making at the 92nd Street Y in New York.
Her work marries her interest in anthropology—specifically, how individuals communicate through dress and adornment—with her lifelong creative practice of prioritizing material, color, and movement.
The result is a bold and colorful collection that combines hand-cut stones with lampwork glass and sterling silver details.
“Ope is a rare creative talent,” said Hilary Halstead Scott, Halstead president and founder of its grant.
“She masterfully combines lapidary stone cutting, hot glass working, and metalsmithing skills to create a bold, fashion-forward jewelry collection. We were thrilled to see such an innovative combination of materials and techniques.”
As the winner of the grant, Omojola receives $7,500 cash plus $1,000 in jewelry supplies; a trip to Prescott, Arizona, where Halstead Bead is headquartered; features in Halstead print publications; detailed feedback from the grant judging committee; and a signature trophy.
She said: “I’m so honored to be this year’s Halstead Grant recipient. The application process was the culmination of months of rethinking what running a business meant to me.
“It’s incredibly validating to have explained my vision and see it supported in such a tangible way, and I'm so excited to continue to move toward my goals. Thanks to the Halstead team for the support, and such wonderfully detailed feedback.”
Related stories will be right here …
Ope Omojola, who was born in Nigeria and currently lives and works in New York City, is the designer of Octave Jewelry.
Omojola started her jewelry-making career by taking a weeknight class on jewelry making at the 92nd Street Y in New York.
Her work marries her interest in anthropology—specifically, how individuals communicate through dress and adornment—with her lifelong creative practice of prioritizing material, color, and movement.
The result is a bold and colorful collection that combines hand-cut stones with lampwork glass and sterling silver details.
“Ope is a rare creative talent,” said Hilary Halstead Scott, Halstead president and founder of its grant.
“She masterfully combines lapidary stone cutting, hot glass working, and metalsmithing skills to create a bold, fashion-forward jewelry collection. We were thrilled to see such an innovative combination of materials and techniques.”
As the winner of the grant, Omojola receives $7,500 cash plus $1,000 in jewelry supplies; a trip to Prescott, Arizona, where Halstead Bead is headquartered; features in Halstead print publications; detailed feedback from the grant judging committee; and a signature trophy.
She said: “I’m so honored to be this year’s Halstead Grant recipient. The application process was the culmination of months of rethinking what running a business meant to me.
“It’s incredibly validating to have explained my vision and see it supported in such a tangible way, and I'm so excited to continue to move toward my goals. Thanks to the Halstead team for the support, and such wonderfully detailed feedback.”
The Halstead Grant also awards cash prizes to finalists and semi-finalists, $500 and $250 each, respectively.
The 2022 finalists are: Caitlin Albritton Jewelry, Stellar Metal Jewelry, and Phantasm Jewelry.
The semi-finalists are: Katelyn Elyse Jewelry, Jennifer Metesh Studios, Earthbound Silver, 9th Generation, Benjamin Ripley Jewelry, and Mae & Lang Jewels.
Pieces from both the finalists and semi-finalists are pictured below.
Launched in 2006 by Halstead Bead, the Halstead Grant was created to help kick-start the careers of emerging silver jewelry designers and promote new talent and creativity in the jewelry industry.
In order to apply, designers must answer questions about their business plan, including marketing, competitive analysis, finances and production capacity, in addition to providing pictures of their jewelry.
Calls for entries for the 2023 Halstead Grant will begin in January.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
