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Hillberg & Berk: Jewellery Amplified
When industry insiders gather at this year’s Time & Shine Edmonton Jewellery Trade Show, one Canadian brand is set to shine not just for its stunning pieces, but for its story and mission. Hillberg & Berk, founded by Rachel Mielke in 2007, has grown from a humble prairie startup into a national, purpose-driven brand rooted in self-expression, social change, and standout design.
We explore how Hillberg & Berk bridges business success with social purpose–highlighting its founding story, leadership vision, community initiatives, and innovative product design. It’s a story that resonates with consumers and offers valuable inspiration for retailers and partners alike.
From Kitchen Table to National Brand
Hillberg & Berk’s journey started in 2007 in Regina, Saskatchewan when Rachel Mielke began designing at her kitchen table. The very name Hillberg & Berk carries personal significance: “Hillberg” comes from Mielke’s great-grandmother Hilda Bergman, and “Berk” from her beloved dog Berkley—a testament to the deeply personal foundation upon which the brand was built. Seeing jewellery as a form of authentic self-expression, Mielke started H&B with a goal to push the boundaries of what jewellery could look like and feel like. Still true to the company philosophy today, H&B is jewellery without compromise—where you get high quality at an accessible price point and vibrant statements versatile enough for every day. In an industry traditionally marketed to men buying for women, Mielke flipped the narrative, encouraging women to buy for themselves.
In 2008, Mielke appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and struck a deal with W. Brett Wilson. This partnership provided a springboard for growth, helping establish Hillberg & Berk as a serious player in the Canadian jewellery market. From being commissioned to create two brooches for Queen Elizabeth II to working on collaborations with incredible women including Ashley Callingbull, Tessa Virtue, and Natalie Spooner and announcing a league-wide partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in 2024, Hillberg & Berk has experienced many incredible moments through their growth.
A Vision of Empowerment and Leadership
From the outset, supporting self-identified women has been the core of Hillberg & Berk’s brand identity. Today, a minimum of 1% of annual sales support local and national partners aligned to H&B’s mission, including the Dress for Success Canada Foundation, Girls Forward Foundation, and many local community shelters. In their 2024-2025 fiscal year, H&B supported over 200 partners with over $400,000 in donations and jewellery, surpassing their 1% commitment.
Mielke has been awarded the Queen’s Jubilee medal for her volunteer work twice in 2013 and 2022, was named an Ernst and Young class of Winning Women in 2015, was named one of XL’s Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2017, was WXN’s Canada’s 100 Most Powerful women in 2016 and 2017, and was an RBC Women Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2017. She was also given an honorary doctorate of laws by her alma mater, the University of Regina, in 2022 for her outstanding contributions to the community and has been invited by the Prime Minister to advise on gender specific business challenges. Internally, over 90% of H&B’s employees and 80% of the leadership team identify as female or non-binary, creating career opportunities that align with the brand’s ethos of empowerment from the inside out.
Design Philosophy
Guided by client feedback, trend analysis, and fresh inspiration, the H&B design process starts with the in-house design and creative teams headquartered from the brand’s hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan. Unique to other product development processes, they always begin with a story, intentionally exploring the ‘why’ behind every piece.
To bring all of the unique product visions to life, H&B then works alongside global manufacturing partners to leverage best-in-class sourcing and execution. Every partner has, at minimum, been audited to ensure they meet SMETA, Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit, equivalent standards. The brand also looks for certifications like the Responsible Jewellery Council and Global Recycled Standards, and conducts its audits to ensure partner operations are aligned with its values. In 2024, H&B also became an official signatory of the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles and looks to frameworks like this to drive change in all parts of the industry.
Overall, Hillberg & Berk is redefining the demi-fine jewellery space in Canada—where innovation meets meaning, and personal style is always the priority. Many of the recent designs have been crafted with a focus on versatility, such as earrings that can be worn two ways, or charms that can be interchanged on multiple necklaces, to blend style with function.
Building a National Retail Presence
The brand’s stores are a further extension of the design philosophy. Created as inspiring, welcoming, and experiential spaces, they immerse clients in the world of H&B. One unique design feature of the stores is that products are displayed “out in the open” without locked glass. This layout invites customers to touch, try on, and comfortably experience the pieces, reinforcing the idea that Hillberg & Berk’s designs are meant for being part of your real life.
And the growth trajectory in the past decade has been nothing short of remarkable. H&B now has a national retail network of 15 standalone stores (as of 2024) and more on the horizon. Even as it opens company-owned locations in urban hubs, the brand remains mindful of its roots and partners: in many smaller communities, Hillberg & Berk jewellery is carried by independent retailers. In fact, the brand’s wholesale partners in smaller markets benefit from Hillberg & Berk’s careful expansion strategy–new city stores are situated to complement, not cannibalize, those existing retail relationships.
Time & Shine 2025: Connecting Purpose and Partnership
One place where Hillberg & Berk’s dual focus on business and mission will be on full display is the upcoming Time & Shine Jewellery Trade Show in Edmonton. The brand’s presence at the August 17–18, 2025 event is highly anticipated. Not only will Hillberg & Berk showcase its latest collections to an audience of industry buyers and retailers, but it will also share the inspiring story and values behind those products. For trade show attendees, this is a key opportunity to connect with a purpose-driven Canadian brand that has captured consumers’ hearts.
The connection between a company’s values and its commercial success is precisely what Canadian Jeweller Magazine aims to celebrate. As the trade show slogan suggests, it’s time to shine, and Hillberg & Berk is lighting the way by exemplifying that a brand can do well by doing good.
“At Hillberg & Berk, we believe jewellery should be more than just beautiful–it should be meaningful. Our journey from a kitchen table in Regina to a national brand is proof that with purpose and passion, Canadian businesses can thrive while making a real difference. We are excited to connect with retailers and partners at Time & Shine Edmonton, sharing not only our collections but our commitment to engaging communities across Canada and building unique partnerships.”
Rachel Mielke
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