Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant Winner
Enoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
This year’s Halstead Grant winner Enoch Platero primarily works in sterling silver and turquoise to create jewelry that blends traditional and contemporary Navajo silversmithing.
Prescott, Ariz.—Enoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, has won the 2026 Halstead Grant for new jewelry businesses.
Platero, the first Native American jeweler to win the award, will receive a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 in jewelry supplies, a trip to Prescott, Arizona, a detailed feedback report from the judging committee, and a signature trophy.
He was also a finalist for the 2025 Halstead Grant.
The grant, in its 21st year, is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. To be considered, applicants must submit business details including marketing, competitive analysis, finances, and production capacity.
The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers.
Related stories will be right here …
Platero, the first Native American jeweler to win the award, will receive a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 in jewelry supplies, a trip to Prescott, Arizona, a detailed feedback report from the judging committee, and a signature trophy.
He was also a finalist for the 2025 Halstead Grant.
The grant, in its 21st year, is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. To be considered, applicants must submit business details including marketing, competitive analysis, finances, and production capacity.
The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers.
Based in Utah, Platero primarily uses sterling silver and turquoise to create jewelry that blends traditional and contemporary Navajo silversmithing.
He is an alum of the University of New Mexico and the University of Utah Center for Lifelong Learning.
Platero discovered jewelry making through searching for a creative outlet, and his hobby quickly turned into a business, the grant program said.
His goal is to make jewelry that lasts, feels grounded, and lets the wearer bring their own meaning to it.
He creates every piece by hand with a focus on structure, symmetry, and balance.
His pieces typically range from $500-$1,500, with options for larger statement pieces.
The artist also exhibits in a variety of shows and teaches workshops throughout the southwest region.
“Over 21 years of awarding grants, we have recognized a broad range of silversmithing styles. This is our first award to a traditional Native American jewelry artist. We are proud to honor Enoch Michael’s accomplishments and enormous potential,” said Halstead Grant founder and Halstead President Hilary Halstead Scott.
Platero commented, “This grant marks an important step for Enoch Michael, validating the discipline behind the business and the standards guiding the jewelry. I am grateful for Halstead’s recognition and for the confidence they have placed in its future.”
The Halstead Grant also awarded finalist prizes of $1,000 cash and $250 in jewelry supplies to Abigail Leaventon Jewelry, Cassidy Kaufman Jewelry, and Solaris Forge.
The 2027 Halstead Grant application is now available online.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
