The Birks tradition dates back to England, well before even the founding of the Canadian company 115 years ago. The Birks family had been involved in the crafting of fine silver for several centuries.

By the 17th century they had also become master cutlers and were granted the oldest cutlery trademark on register in Sheffield, the home of silversmithing in England.

The family emigrated to Canada in 1832.

In 1879, Henry Birks at the age of 39 opened his own business and founded a dynasty. The original store quickly became too small and in 1894 the company relocated to the building in Montreal which still houses its head office today. The distinctive nature of Birks jewellery can be traced to the founding of the Jewellery Studio at the head office location.

Since 1887 it has remained the home of world class designers and artisans whose talents have been recognized worldwide. Over the years, they have won numerous national and international prizes and last year they added four more.

The celebrated Blue Box with its back-to-back letters "B" and the lion is known around the world.

Today, the distinguished product portfolio is managed and presented by over 1,000 employees at 37 stores across Canada, as well as through 8 corporate sales locations in Canada and the United States.

In 1993, to protect the Company's traditions and its long-term future, Birks joined the Borgosesia Group of Europe, led by Count Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera. This firm also controls the Cristalleries Royales de Champagne and the Porcelaines Robert Haviland & C. Parlon, makers of fine china.

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