The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
This LA-Based Jewelry Designer Won the 2020 Halstead Grant
Tin Haus’ Christina Fandino, a grant finalist two years ago, will receive cash, jewelry supplies, features in Halstead’s publications and more.

Prescott, Ariz.—The 2020 Halstead Grant has been awarded to Christina Fandino, founder of Los Angeles-based jewelry brand Tin Haus.
Created in 2006, the annual grant to new jewelry businesses is based on jewelry design and business prowess, Halstead said. Questions on the grant application cover a business plan including marketing, competitive analysis, finances and production capacity.
This year’s judging committee included Halstead President Hilary Halstead Scott, Halstead Marketing and Creative Manager Kelli Vanyek Greene, and guest judge Sarah Rachel Brown, an adornment artist in Philadelphia behind the “Perceived Value” podcast looking at how artists earn a living.
Tin Haus’ Fandino will receive a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 in jewelry supplies, a trip to Halstead in Prescott, Arizona, features in Halstead print publications, a detailed feedback report from the judging committee and a signature trophy.
Tin Haus designs are inspired by abstract art, nature, ancient cultures, social causes and the spirit of everyday people.
Tin Haus jewelry is available online at Tin-Haus.com and through select stockists in California and London.
The brand was a grant finalist in 2018, with this year’s judges noting the significant progress the designer has made in the past two years.
“Christina nailed it. She represents the best of both jewelry collection artistry and strategic planning,” Halstead President Scott said. “It’s exciting to see participants leverage the grant experience into business results. This program is about so much more than winning an award.”
The Halstead Grant also recognizes two tiers of strong entries as finalists, who receive $500, and semi-finalists, who get $250.
In no particular order, the finalists are: S. Howell Studios, Avery Lee Design, Littlest Fish Designs and Thimbles for You.
And the semi-finalists are: Mind’s Eye Collective, Angely Martinez Jewelry, LEO Handcrafted, C. Albritton Designs and SPYLXN.
Halstead said next year it will add the Halstead Business Plan Toolkit to the grant.
The company also announced the January 2021 Jewelry Business Forum, a digital conference designed to help jewelers grow their businesses and adapt to the changing jewelry market.
The Latest

Laura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.

The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.


It purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.

The lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

Chandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.

The boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.

Sponsored by Digital Monitoring Products

The special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.

The “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.

Two awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.

Berta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.

Sotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.

Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.

Here are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.

The honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.

Yood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.

The New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.

Set in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.

The jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.

Take luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.

This year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”




















