Events & AwardsJun 29, 2023
AGA Opens Entry Period for Bonanno Award NominationsEvents & AwardsJul 10, 2023
Halstead Grant Names 2023 Winner
S. Howell Studio took home the prize in the supplier’s 18th annual contest.
Stephanie Howell, the designer behind Wyoming-based S. Howell Studios, is the winner of the 2023 Halstead Grant, taking home a $7,500 cash grant and $1,000 in jewelry supplies, among other prizes.
Prescott, Ariz.— Stephanie Howell of nature-inspired jewelry brand S. Howell Studios is the winner of the 18th annual Halstead Grant for Emerging Jewelers, the bead supplier announced last week.
Howell will receive a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 in jewelry supplies, a trophy, and a trip to Halstead’s headquarters in Prescott, Arizona.
She will also take home a feedback report from the judging committee.
It was during a jewelry class at Middlesex Community College that Howell said she, “became enthralled with the fluidity, malleability and permanence of metalsmithing.”
She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art. In 2019, Howell founded S. Howell Studios in Moran, Wyoming, home to the Teton Range, where she takes much of her inspiration.
Her latest collection combines mountain motifs with grandidierite stones, a rare teal-hued mineral.
Howell’s jewelry starts at $25 and is priced up to $1,250 for custom and limited-edition pieces. All her pieces are made and packaged with a focus on sustainable practices.
“I am incredibly honored and proud to be this year’s recipient of the Halstead Grant. The rigorous application process pushed me to continually improve and seek guidance, ultimately propelling me towards success and affirming the value of perseverance and professional development in the early stages of my business,” Howell said.
“Winning the grant has provided me with invaluable resources and support, empowering me with a renewed sense of confidence in my entrepreneurial journey.”
Related stories will be right here …
Howell will receive a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 in jewelry supplies, a trophy, and a trip to Halstead’s headquarters in Prescott, Arizona.
She will also take home a feedback report from the judging committee.
It was during a jewelry class at Middlesex Community College that Howell said she, “became enthralled with the fluidity, malleability and permanence of metalsmithing.”
She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art. In 2019, Howell founded S. Howell Studios in Moran, Wyoming, home to the Teton Range, where she takes much of her inspiration.
Her latest collection combines mountain motifs with grandidierite stones, a rare teal-hued mineral.
Howell’s jewelry starts at $25 and is priced up to $1,250 for custom and limited-edition pieces. All her pieces are made and packaged with a focus on sustainable practices.
“I am incredibly honored and proud to be this year’s recipient of the Halstead Grant. The rigorous application process pushed me to continually improve and seek guidance, ultimately propelling me towards success and affirming the value of perseverance and professional development in the early stages of my business,” Howell said.
“Winning the grant has provided me with invaluable resources and support, empowering me with a renewed sense of confidence in my entrepreneurial journey.”
The Halstead Grant began in 2006 to help emerging designers craft business plans, which is part of the application process. It provides resources for entrepreneurs to set goals and plan clear steps toward creating self-sufficient businesses.
The application process encourages applicants—all in their first five years of business—to strategize for entrepreneurship, touching on marketing, competitive analysis, finances, and production capacity.
Winners are decided on the basis of design and “business prowess.”
“Stephanie presented a plan for authentic artistic expression and financial independence,” said grant founder and Halstead President Hilary Halstead Scott.
“She is proof that ‘artrepreneurs’ can excel creatively and earn a good living in the field. She is an example of hard work and dedication. She elevates nature jewelry to new heights.”
In addition to Halstead Scott, this year’s judging committee consisted of Halstead Director of Finance Brad Scott, Halstead Marketing and Creative Manager Kelli Vanyek Greene, Halstead Studio Coordinator Sylvie Alusitz, and guest judge Michelle Moyer—owner of KP Studio in Phoenix, Arizona and the designer of Michelle Haumont Jewelry.
The 2023 Halstead Grant finalists are Allison Alane Jewelry, Kate Dannenberg Handmade, and Silver Borders. Each received $1,000 cash and $500 in jewelry supplies from Halstead, a change from last year’s three finalist prizes of $500 and six semi-finalist prizes of $250.
Pictured above is jewelry from the 2023 Halstead Grant finalists: Allison Alane Jewelry, Kate Dannenberg Handmade, and Silver Borders.
Last year’s winner was Ope Omojola, designer of Octave Jewelry.
The 2024 application is now available with a May 1 deadline.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
