A boutique fine-jewelry house blending Thai craftsmanship, modern refinement, and deeply personal design.
Small-batch fine jewelry, handcrafted by master artisans, designed from Emi’s Virginia home studio, and made to last for generations — without luxury-brand markups.
OUR PROMISE
Jewelry with meaning. Craftsmanship with intention. Luxury with heart.
At ECJ, we believe every piece should do more than sparkle — it should hold a story, honor your milestones, and be crafted with the care you deserve.
Emi's Story
I was born in Korat, Thailand—my name, Emi (“eh-mee”), meaning beautiful blessing. My journey began in a lively city just a few hours from Bangkok, where I grew up surrounded by the warmth of Thai culture, strong family roots, and a deep appreciation for beauty, detail, and creativity.
In 2005, life brought me to the United States, where I began building a new life filled with possibilities.
After nearly a decade working in IT, I felt a growing pull back to creativity and my love for nature. That spark ignited in 2010 when I received a simple hematite ring. Something about its energy, color, and presence awakened a deep fascination with gemstones and the beauty they carry.
I began teaching myself the fundamentals of jewelry making—late nights practicing metalwork, soldering, and learning to identify gemstones. As my passion grew, I left my IT job to pursue jewelry school full time, dedicating myself fully to the craft. I continued my training at Stewart’s International School for Jewelers in Florida, where I developed skills in casting, diamond setting, and jewelry repair.
In 2012, I launched Emi Conner Jewelry, starting at my own workbench—designing, soldering, polishing, and setting every stone by hand. I wanted each piece to feel meaningful, intentional, and crafted with heart.
World-Class Craftmanship
As ECJ grew, in 2018 I expanded production back to my roots. Thailand—renowned worldwide for gemstone cutting and fine-jewelry craftsmanship—became the natural home for my artisan team. Partnering with master Thai jewelers allows me to honor my heritage while ensuring every design is brought to life with exceptional skill and care.
Today, ECJ is a small, women-led jewelry house based in my Virginia studio, supported by a dedicated team of Thai artisans. Together, we create fine jewelry designed to carry light, beauty, and intention into the lives of those who wear it.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Small-Batch Craftsmanship
We don’t mass-produce. Every piece is made with intention — by artisans who have spent decades perfecting their craft.
Heritage + Modern Design
Our jewelry blends the softness of feminine vintage silhouettes with modern refinement and bold minimalism.
Ethically-Minded Materials
We source recycled gold, conflict-free natural diamonds, ethically chosen gemstones, and certified lab-grown diamonds — always with transparency and honesty.
Personal Attention
From custom sketches to resizing guidance and stone selection, you get the kind of care big brands can’t offer.
Accessible Luxury
We believe beautiful fine jewelry should be attainable. We keep margins fair so you can own high-quality pieces without industry markups.
Our Core Values
1. LOVE:
Every piece we create celebrates deep connections and heartfelt emotions. Whether it’s a symbol of a milestone, affection, or a “just because” moment, love inspires every design and detail in our work.
2. CARING:
Beyond the beauty and elegance of our jewelry, caring is at the core of our service. From our attentive customer interactions to our considerate understanding of the stories behind each purchase, we strive to make everyone feel valued and respected.
3. QUALITY:
Exceptional quality is non-negotiable. We are dedicated to excellence in craftsmanship, using only the finest materials and meticulous techniques to create jewelry that stands the test of time. Our attention to detail ensures that each piece meets our rigorous standards of perfection, reflecting the skill and passion of our artisans.
4. INTRIGITY & SUSTAIANABLILITY:
Ethical Metals:
We are committed to transparency and ethical practices, ensuring our customers feel confident in their choices. This includes using conflict-free gold and partnering with trusted casting companies. Our primary casting partners, UnitedPM (Thailand Location) and Stuller, are both SCS-certified for 100% recycled precious metals.
Diamonds With a Clear Conscience:
While our natural diamond suppliers adhere to the Kimberley Process, we acknowledge that it still operates within a gray and imperfect space. And because integrity matters deeply to us, we choose to go further. We proudly offer lab-grown diamonds for all designs, giving you the option to choose brilliance that is more ethical, more transparent, and more environmentally conscious. These diamonds carry the same fire, beauty, and durability—yet with a modern story rooted in responsibility and clarity.
Responsibly Chosen Gemstones:
The journey of a natural gemstone can be complex, and achieving full traceability across the industry remains a challenge. We approach this truth with honesty. We share what we know—origins, treatments, and sourcing insights—so you can choose with confidence and clarity.
In addition, we offer lab-created gemstones as a more ethical and accessible option, giving our customers beautiful, high-quality color gemstones with a smaller environmental impact and greater affordability. This allows you to choose luxury without compromise—guided by your values as much as your style.
Our Promise: Truth, Intention, and Respect:
Integrity is at the heart of everything we create.
We honor the artisans who bring each design to life, the customers who trust us, and the planet that inspires our work. By weaving transparency and responsibility into every decision, we create jewelry that holds more than radiant beauty. It holds meaning, intention, and the confidence that your piece was made with respect—for people, for the Earth, and for the story it becomes part of.
Meet The Team
Working with a skilled team of artisans, Emi designs and creates a growing collection of fine jewelry that highlights life’s meaningful moments, stands the test of time, and tells lasting stories.
Emi ("eh-mee”)
The vision behind ECJ. Emi blends Thai heritage with modern refinement to create meaningful, timeless designs from her Virginia studio.
Mike Conner
The quiet strength behind ECJ. Mike supports every part of the business with calm leadership; he ensures everything runs smoothly so the creative side of ECJ can flourish.
Art Chutchai
Transforms Emi’s ideas into precise CAD models and manages the full production flow between studio and artisans.
Esther Schulze Ehope Marketing
Our digital storyteller. She shares ECJ’s designs, behind-the-scenes moments, and connects with our community online.
Somkeit
With over 30 years of experience, Somkeit hand-carves each wax model with exceptional sill--creating the perfect foundation and silhouette for every ECJ design.