Her Majesty the Queen Receives a Brooch Produced by Canadian Jeweller Birks in Honour of her Diamond Jubilee as Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery

MONTREAL, Dec. 14, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Birks, Canada's leading manufacturer and retailer of fine jewellery, has produced a diamond brooch which has been presented to Her Majesty the Queen, Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, a gift from all ranks of the Regiment in celebration of her 60th anniversary of service as Captain General of the Canadian Artillery. Lieutenant-General (Retired) Mike Jeffery, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Artillery and Lieutenant-General Stuart Beare, Senior Serving Gunner, presented the gift yesterday morning during an audience with Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace in London.

Designed and produced by Birks in Montreal, the brooch takes the form of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery cap badge, which was designed in 1907 and consists of the profile view of a "9-pounder" field cannon emblazoned with the Regimental motto and  battle honours, with the number 60 on the gun wheel, superimposed on a Canadian maple leaf made of 18 karat and 21 karat yellow and white gold; enhanced with platinum, which is encrusted with diamonds, the crown on the badge containing emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

"Birks has a rich past as official purveyor to the Royal Family, including through various Canadian Military gifts and commissions," said Thomas A. Andruskevich, President & CEO of Birks & Mayors Inc. "Today we are very proud to be adding the beautiful Diamond Jubilee brooch to our list of creations for the Royals, a piece which celebrates the unique link between Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Regiment of the Canadian Artillery. We are very happy to have collaborated with the Royal Canadian Artillery on this unique occasion," he concluded.

"This is a gift specifically from Her Majesty's Canadian Gunner Family and symbolizes our gratitude for having this very special relationship between Her Majesty and the Regiment", said Lieutenant-General (Retired) Mike Jeffery, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Artillery. "This historic occasion would not be possible without the generosity of Birks, the RCA Senate, serving and retired members of the Regimental Family, both regular and reserve, and friends of the Regiment," he concluded.

Over the course of its history, Birks has received a number of commissions from the Military, gifted to members of the Royal Family, including the following:

1947: Birks produced a sterling silver jewel case presented to Queen Elizabeth I, a gift from the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada.
1959: Birks produced a sterling silver bowl presented to Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, a gift from the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards.
1963: Birks produced a sterling silver tray, presented to Princess Alexandra of Kent, a gift from the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada on the occasion of the Princess' marriage.

On the occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Canadian Artillery also announced The Captain General's Diamond Jubilee Bursary Award. The purpose of the bursary program will be to promote, encourage and sponsor educational programs and activities for members of the Royal Canadian Artillery Regimental Family while lowering financial and social barriers to post-secondary education and encouraging student achievement.

About Birks
Birks & Mayors is a leading retailer with 61 luxury jewellery stores in Canada and the United States. The Company operates 32 stores under the Birks brand in most major markets in Canada and 26 stores under the Mayors brand in Florida and Georgia, two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand, and one retail location in Orlando under the Rolex brand. Birks was founded in 1879 and developed over the years into Canada's premier retailer, designer and manufacturer of fine jewellery, timepieces, sterling and plated silverware and gifts. Visit www.birks.com.

Image with caption: "Birks, Canada's leading manufacturer and retailer of fine jewellery, has produced a diamond brooch which has been presented to Her Majesty the Queen, Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery yesterday, a gift from the Regiment in celebration of her 60th anniversary of service as Captain General. (CNW Group/BIRKS & MAYORS INC.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111214_C6659_PHOTO_EN_8231.jpg

For further information:

Eva Hartling
Director, Public Relations & Events
Birks & Mayors Inc.
1-514-823-7022
[e-mail]