CollectionsJul 10, 2025
Penny Preville Celebrates 5 Decades of Jewelry DesignIndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHo
Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
Ecksand, a Montreal-based jewelry brand, is planning its move to the U.S. market.
Montreal—Ecksand, the Montreal-based jewelry brand atelier, is planning to expand into the U.S.
Founded in 2009, Ecksand creates its jewelry from start to finish in its Montreal atelier, describing it as fine jewelry with a French-Canadian flair.
The move to the U.S. comes at an exciting time for the Canadian company, having recently been awarded the Canadian National Mark, an official designation granted by Canada’s Commissioner of Competition.
In an interview with National Jeweler, Ecksand’s Creative Director and Co-Founder Erica Bianchini explained what the honor signifies, why the jeweler is headed to the U.S., and how the brand plans to put Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
The Canadian National Mark features a maple leaf marking indicating nearly the entire production process takes place in Canada. It has only been awarded to 108 companies, said Ecksand.
Founded in 2009, Ecksand creates its jewelry from start to finish in its Montreal atelier, describing it as fine jewelry with a French-Canadian flair.
The move to the U.S. comes at an exciting time for the Canadian company, having recently been awarded the Canadian National Mark, an official designation granted by Canada’s Commissioner of Competition.
In an interview with National Jeweler, Ecksand’s Creative Director and Co-Founder Erica Bianchini explained what the honor signifies, why the jeweler is headed to the U.S., and how the brand plans to put Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
The Canadian National Mark features a maple leaf marking indicating nearly the entire production process takes place in Canada. It has only been awarded to 108 companies, said Ecksand.
For the jeweler to receive the designation, auditors had to see that nearly every step of the production process took place in Canada, including its design, casting, stone-setting, and the finishing touches.
There is some wiggle room for materials that may not be available in Canada, like certain gemstones.
The jewelry must be 98 percent produced in Canada, meaning some of the materials can come from overseas. However, they have to meet Canadian standards for ethical and responsible sourcing, and are hand-selected in Canada.
Ecksand’s diamonds are sourced from Canada, as well as Botswana and Australia, states its website.
The designation requires that all manufacturing be done in Canada, that all materials be traceable, and that the company is in compliance with Canada’s purity and quality standards, in line with the Precious Metals Marking Act.
“For us, it's a really significant moment, because it's a lot more than just a certification,” said Bianchini. “Earning this, for us, is just a reminder of what we've always held very close.”
Each piece of jewelry is made by hand. A ring, for example, will go through a five-step process that takes around 48 hours of dedicated work by skilled artisans.
Ecksand Creative Director and Co-Founder Erica Bianchini
Sustainability has been an industry buzzword for years, but for Ecksand, it was a founding principle.
Sustainability is taken into consideration in the in-house production process, which includes operating on 100-percent renewable energy and implementing a careful waste management system to prevent pollutants from harming the local ecosystem.
It also affects its choice of materials, both in the jewelry itself and the product packaging, which is made of recycled components.
“We've always held ourselves very accountable, not just when it comes to the type of materials we're using, but also how long is this going to last? Because at the end of the day, that, to me, is true sustainability. It's longevity,” said Bianchini.
That idea of longevity extends itself to the jewelry design process, she said, with the goal of creating timeless designs.
A selection of Ecksand jewelry. The jewels are made by hand at the brand’s Montreal atelier.
“If you're designing for longevity, you are not cutting any corners or making any compromises when it comes to the materials either, because they're married—the noble materials, sustainable materials, and design that lasts—they go hand in hand,” said Bianchini.
To ensure sustainability and longevity, one has to have a certain level of control over the process.
“For us to be able to do that in Canada, it was a very conscious decision we made from the beginning because we were very obsessive about quality control,” said Bianchini.
While Ecksand may have begun with sustainability at heart, many other jewelry brands have since joined in promoting responsible practices, whether or not they have the credentials to back it up.
“It's all about the true quality of things and selecting something of true substance over heavy marketing.” - Erica Bianchini, Ecksand creative director and co-founder
To stand out, Ecksand keeps its focus on quality and longevity.
Ecksand’s customer demographic is people in the 35-50 age range, but rather than zero in on age or gender, the brand looks for customers who share its values.
“Our demographic is someone that is looking for something that's really modern but effortless,” said Bianchini, both in the aesthetic and the accessibility.
A gold wrap bangle with diamond pavé from Ecksand’s “Duel” collection
“They don't want it to cost a fortune. They don't want to have to mortgage their house to get an engagement ring. They don't want to have to go out of their way to get to a store because the online website isn't giving them the same experience that they would get in store. They don't want to have to fill out a quote online and wait two weeks for an estimate.”
Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Meghan Markle have been spotted in Ecksand jewelry, which Bianchini attributes to the brand’s craftsmanship and design.
“It's that less is more. It's all about the true quality of things and selecting something of true substance over heavy marketing,” she said.
The jeweler plans to lean into that substance-over-noise strategy for its U.S. launch.
Its U.S. clientele can only purchase Ecksand jewelry online currently and have been inquiring about a store in the States, said Bianchini, and Ecksand will soon deliver.
Ecksand plans to open a store in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, with a tentative date set for October 2026.
The design of the store will likely take a few notes from Ecksand’s new Yorkville store in Canada.
Ecksand recently opened a store in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood. Customers can also visit its location in Montreal.
Binachini described the look as “a little bit Danish,” with real hardwood floors, olive trees, green displays, and a dark green ceiling.
“It almost feels homey because we want to remind people that this is all handcrafted in a very homey environment,” she said.
A look inside the Yorkville boutique
The store will offer Ecksand's bridal selection, but with larger diamonds than the styles it highlights in Canada to suit the more-is-more taste of some of its American clients.
Bianchini also noted a call for more colored gemstones from its American customers, particularly emeralds and blue sapphires.
Ecksand recently debuted its 15-piece “Wonder Pearl” collection, which brings a modern and sculptural take to classic pearl jewels.
“In a world where there's a lot of ordinary, you want to try to get the extraordinary.”- Erica Bianchini, Ecksand creative director and co-founder
Bianchini attributes the interest in colored gemstones, in part, to the rise of lab-grown diamonds.
“Ten years ago, if you had a huge six-carat diamond ring, people would assume right away, ‘Oh my God, that girl's got this crazy engagement ring. I love it.’ Now, you can get the same thing for like $4,000 bucks,” she said.
“It's not so much that they want to show off, but they need something that's more unique to them. More of like an identity badge,” said Bianchini, adding that’s where Ecksand’s designs come into play.
A selection of jewelry from Ecksand’s new “Wonder Pearl” collection
As far as the lab-grown versus natural debate, Bianchini tells customers that, in terms of sustainability, everything has its impact.
While the team provides educational information, it comes down to budget and personal choice.
Most clients, she said, will ask for recommendations based on their available budget rather than asking for a lab-grown or natural diamond in particular.
Above all, its clients are looking to stand out, said Bianchini, and that requires the Ecksand team to be “the masters of the tension between ease and edge.”
“In a world where there's a lot of ordinary, you want to try to get the extraordinary.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
