Ilah Cibis Jewelry opens up shop in the Canal District

Ilah Cibis spent 15 years running a small custom jewelry studio out of Sudbury before setting her sights on Worcester. In that time, Cibis’ unique brand has experienced rapid growth, culminating with her recent build out of a brick-and-mortar shop, Ilah Cibis Jewelry. The retail space is expected to open in the Canal District this spring, although she remains tight-lipped about its layout.

“I prefer to show people instead of explaining it,” she said. “All I will say is that our space is made for people who might not necessarily feel like they're getting the same respect and attention as others when they go into a jewelry store.”

Despite Cibis’ reluctance to divulge too much about the project, she wants folks to know that inclusivity is her utmost priority. “The jewelry industry is very heteronormative and we're kind of trying to break out of that,” said Cibis. 

The transformation of 218 Franklin St. has not been easy. When Cibis bought the building last March, it was a dilapidated garage. “We pulled 60 tons of concrete out before we could even start any sort of renovations,” she said. “Just to get the floor level for ADA compliance, we had to shore up the whole side of the building. Everything has been from the ground up — heat, insulation, electricity, plumbing — none of that existed.”

Cibis’ mysterious approach to retail comes as no surprise. The Kansas City native is known for unconventional collections that channel humor, beauty and texture. She is also very intentional about the selection of her materials.

“I am a huge fan of lab-grown diamonds,” she said. “I was the first jeweler in Massachusetts to carry them and I will be the first and only jeweler in New England to be carrying Aether Diamonds, which are essentially made from pollution.” According to Cibis, diamond formation typically relies on methane from fracking and fossil fuels. Aether has developed a proprietary process to take CO2, recaptured from the atmosphere, and turn it into the material necessary for making diamonds. “The whole point of the Aether company is to try to take fossil fuels out of the equation of making diamonds entirely,” said Cibis.

One of Cibis’ most popular mini-collections is a sarcastic set of rings dubbed The Deep Sigh Signets. “The first piece in that collection said, ‘What fresh hell is this?’ ” she recalled. “I've always loved that phrase and I feel like it just sums up the last couple of years with COVID. Sort of like, ‘Oh, God, what now?’ ” Her assistant suggested a companion design proclaiming: "None of this is real."

“I was like, yeah, you know what, none of this is real,” joked Cibis. “We stress out about all of these things in our lives and how important are they really? We all need to take a step back.”

Cibis' commitment to sustainability and inclusivity are in fact very real. So are her diamonds. With the opening of the brick-and-mortar shop this spring, Cibis is poised to make a big impact on the local jewelry scene. Her unique style combined with an unconventional approach to design and appreciation for lab-grown diamonds is sure to attract those in search of future heirlooms.