Octave Jewelry Wins 17th Annual Halstead Grant
The New York–based Octave Jewelry was named the winner of the 17th annual Halstead Grant for emerging designers, an annual award given to jewelry businesses in their first five years.
Designer and owner Ope Omojola has been awarded a $7,500 cash grant, $1,000 in jewelry supplies, a trip to Prescott, Ariz., features in Halstead print publications, detailed feedback from the grant’s judging committee, and a signature trophy.
“Ope is a rare creative talent,” said grant founder and Halstead president Hilary Halstead Scott in a statement. “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.”
Born in Nigeria, Omojola lives and works in New York and first experimented with jewelry-making at a weeknight class at the 92nd Street Y. Her jewelry is inspired by the balance between geometric and organic forms and features hand-cut stones with lamp-work glass and sterling silver details.
“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,” said Omojola in a statement. “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 towards my goals! Thanks to the Halstead team for the support and such wonderfully detailed feedback!”
The Halstead Grant was also given to finalists and semifinalists with $500 and $250 awards, respectively. The finalists are Caitlin Albritton Jewelry, Stellar Metal Jewelry, and Phantasm Jewelry. The semifinalists are Katelyn Elyse Jewelry, Jennifer Metesh Studios, Earthbound Silver, 9th Generation, Benjamin Ripley Jewelry, and Mae + Lang Jewels.
For more information about the 2023 submission process, visit halsteadbead.com.
VicenzaOro Announces January 2023 Show Dates
VicenzaOro January (VOJ) has announced it will return to the Vicenza Convention Centre January 20–24. T. Gold, the international exhibition of jewelry technology and machinery, will run alongside the show, as well as VO Vintage, featuring vintage watches and jewelry, open to the public Jan. 20–23.
Categories including high-end and gold jewelry, the best of Made in Italy, advanced technology, components and semifinished products, diamonds, precious and colored stones, as well as services, visual merchandising, and packaging, are all set to be represented at the 2023 VOJ show, with new entry Time, featuring contemporary watchmaking, joining the event’s offerings.
Aspects of the show will be held in person and digitally, with a virtual global networking event by way of the Jewellery Golden Cloud, the show’s online platform that also performs exhibitor-attendee matches. A program of talks and workshops will visit topics such as trends, innovation, information, and training, with international experts and opinion leaders headlining the sessions.
For 2023, the fourth edition of the VO Vintage event will be held one day longer than its past iterations, giving the public the opportunity to purchase unique pieces, negotiate with dealers, attend discussions on sector topics and trends, and more.
For more information and to register, visit vicenzaoro.com.
SRK Gifts Solar Rooftop Panels to 1,000 Employees
Indian diamond crafting company Shree Ramkrishna Exports (SRK) announced it has gifted 1,000 of its employees with solar rooftop panels, in honor of its “Pure Diwala Get Together” celebration.
“SRK is committed to cultivating a culture that values the health and well-being of our family members and the environment,” said Jayanti Narola, entrepreneur for SRK Exports, in a statement. “As we celebrate Diwali this year, we are proud to recognize the accomplishments of our employees and to help them lead healthier and more sustainable lives.”
SRK recently announced its intentions to reach net-zero emissions for two of its facilities by 2030.
For more information, visit srk.one.
GemFind Introduces In-Store Video Call
Digital marketing agency for the jewelry industry GemFind Digital Solutions announced it has partnered with Oktium Technology on its newest innovation: Video Call.
Described as an in-store personal shopper, Video Call connects clients with a retail store’s sales associate to simulate the in-store shopping experience, linking to products from the retailer’s website with the ability to purchase directly on-screen.
“It is our great honor to welcome Alex Fetanat and his GemFind team as our new partner,” said Pavel Skultety, marketing director for Oktium, in a statement. “Putting clients’ needs first and providing an engaging customer experience is what GemFind and Oktium have in common. With Oktium, GemFind’s dedicated team will enhance the CX, reduce basket abandonment, and increase sales of jewelry. This partnership will change the way those special purchases are made.”
GemFind hosted a webinar on Oct. 19 coinciding with the launch of the new product. You can find more information on GemFind’s webinars here.
IGI and GemFind Announce Strategic Partnership
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) last week announced a strategic partnership with GemFind Digital Solutions to provide gemological-based educational content to retail jewelers for usage on their websites.
Delivered in short-format videos, text, and infographics, IGI’s content can be incorporated on desktop and mobile applications of independent jewelry retailer websites, and clients of GemFind can have their logos or other customized marketing featured on the IGI content.
“With today’s consumers seeking more information on the products they purchase, this partnership allows our retailers the ability to add world-class educational content to support their customer needs,” said GemFind founder and CEO Alex Fetanat in a statement. “Our retailer clients will easily gain access to IGI’s vast library of gemological educational content in order to enhance consumer-facing web-based applications.”
For more information, visit igi.org and gemfind.com.
Top: Octave Jewelry, the 2022 Halstead Grant winner
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