Description

Maison Birks

Specialties

Founded by Henry Birks

• Henry apprenticed with Savage and Lyman.
• Grew to be one of the largest jewelry firms in Canada
• Sons
  • Equal partners in the firm until their deaths.
    • Gerald W.
    • John Henry
    • William Massey

1900

• Heart-Shaped Box tradition launched.

1901

• William Birks headed the company.
• Opened stores in:
  • Ottawa, 1901
  • Winnipeg, 1903
  • Vancouver, 1907
  • Flagship 18,000 square foot store on Square Phillips.

c.1930s

• Famous Blue Box introduced.

1934

• Royal Warrant of Appointment.
  • Silversmith to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

1954

• Opened their first jewelry store in a shopping center.

c. 1949-50

• Henry Gifford Birks, son of William, became President.

1993

• Jonathan Birks sold the company to Dr. Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera, majority owners.

1998

• Diamonds-International award for La plume de Cyrano.