Birks is first jeweller to offer customers diamonds from the
Stornoway Renard Mine
MONTREAL, May 11, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Birks today proudly
unveiled the first 200 diamonds from Quebec's Renard diamond mine, owned by
Stornoway Diamond Corporation. Located 250 km north of the Cree
community of Mistissini and 350 km
north of Chibougamau in the
James Bay region of north-central
Quebec, the Renard mine is
Quebec's first diamond mining
operation.
Birks had already made a commitment to offer exclusively
Canadian diamonds for its engagement rings. In 2010, Birks was the
first jeweller to feature diamonds from the Victor mine in
Ontario. Birks guarantees the
traceability of each Canadian diamond, from the mine where it
originated to the finished product, thereby guaranteeing a 100%
ethical diamond.
Quebec's first diamonds will be
publicly unveiled at an event attended by members of the business
community, customers and journalists at the Birks store on Phillips
Square in Montreal. The diamonds
will be on display at the store for before travelling to other
Birks locations (including Laval,
Ste-Foy and Ottawa) over the next few weeks. The selection
presented is a fine sample of Stornoway's production, with diamonds ranging
from 0.18 carats to a magnificent 10.01 carat stone. The stones can
be purchased individually as loose diamonds, or mounted into a
ring, pendant or earrings, according to the customer's wishes.
"We're very proud to unveil the first certified diamonds from a
mine in Quebec. Established in
Montreal in 1879, Birks is a
resolutely Quebec and Canadian
brand. With this year being Montreal's 375th anniversary and the 150th
anniversary of Canadian Confederation, we are delighted to unveil
these exceptional diamonds, which come directly from Stornoway's Renard mine in Quebec. They are an outstanding example of the
quality of our natural resources. As a Canadian leader in the
jewellery market, we are convinced they will appeal to our
customers, who are increasingly interested in knowing the
provenance and traceability of precious stones," said Jean-Christophe Bedos, President and CEO of
Birks Group Inc.
"Stornoway and its partners are
pleased to see the first certified Quebec diamonds offered to customers of the
legendary Birks store. Mined in Quebec, they are the culmination of many years
of hard work and numerous partnerships with local communities of
Mistissini, Chibougamau and Chapais, national, international and
Quebec-based institutions. We are
grateful to Birks for its commitment and could not be more pleased
to see Birks creations featuring Renard diamonds," added
Matt Manson, president and CEO of
Stornoway Diamond Corporation.
Each stone, displayed and available for purchase in the store,
comes with a Birks Quebec diamond certificate of authenticity
and a unique serial number to confirm its provenance and
traceability. Each stone will be micro-engraved with the maple leaf
and the fleur de lys, symbols of Canada and Quebec respectively, visible only with a 10x
magnifying glass.
With these new diamonds, Birks will expand its offering of
Canadian stones, in keeping with its commitment to its
customers.
ABOUT BIRKS
Birks Group is a leading operator of luxury jewelry stores in
Canada and southeastern
United States. The Company
operates 26 stores under the Birks brand in most major metropolitan
markets in Canada, 17 stores in
Florida and Georgia under the Mayors brand, one store
under the Rolex brand name and two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand. Birks was
founded in 1879 and developed over the years into Canada's premier retailer and designer of fine
jewelry, timepieces and gifts. Please visit
www.birks.com.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @maisonbirks
ABOUT THE RENARD DIAMOND MINE
The Renard Diamond Mine is Quebec's first producing diamond mine and
Canada's sixth. It is located
approximately 250 km north of the Cree community of Mistissini and 350 km north of Chibougamau in the James Bay region of north-central Quebec. Construction on the project commenced
on July 10, 2014, and commercial
production was declared on January 1,
2017. Average annual diamond production is forecast at 1.8
million carats per annum over the first 10 years of mining. Readers
are referred to the technical report dated January 11, 2016, in respect of the September 2015 Mineral Resource estimate, and the
technical report dated March 30,
2016, in respect of the March
2016 Updated Mine Plan and Mineral Reserve Estimate for
further details and assumptions relating to the project.
ABOUT STORNOWAY DIAMOND
CORPORATION
Stornoway is a leading Canadian
diamond exploration and development company listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY and headquartered in
Montreal. Our flagship asset is
the 100% owned Renard Diamond Project, Quebec's first diamond mine. Stornoway is a growth-oriented company with a
world-class asset, in one of the world's best mining jurisdictions,
in one of the world's great mining businesses.
SOURCE Birks Group Inc.