BIRKS Is proud to share Canadian history with you!

MONTREAL , Oct. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - BIRKS is making history once again as the manufacturer and exclusive distributor of the Limited Edition Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Replica and we want you to be the first to own a piece of Canadian history.

Designed and manufactured by Bombardier, in collaboration with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch is a dominant symbol of the 2010 Winter Games and will carry the Olympic Flame across Canada on a 45,000 kilometre journey. Twelve thousand torchbearers will run through more than 1,000 communities across Canada's vast land.

VANOC has commissioned BIRKS, a Canadian icon, one of North America's leading luxury brands, and the Official Supplier of Jewellery for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, to produce the limited edition Torch Replica capturing this momentous occasion.

Since 1879, BIRKS has celebrated special moments in the lives of Canadians and in 2010, BIRKS will continue its legacy by taking part in this historic Canadian moment.

For more than 130 years, BIRKS has designed, manufactured and retailed luxury jewellery consumers, including royalty and celebrities. As a premier luxury brand BIRKS is also an industry leader with its efforts in protecting the environment and in the support of sustainable and responsible mining and jewellery manufacturing practices.

Facts & Features:

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Replica Facts:

    
      - Torch height: 12.5 inches / 31 centimetres
      - Torch base height .85 inches / 2.2 centimetres
      - Materials used: Base metal and white moulded composite material
      - Marks featured: Official Emblem of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter
        Games (Ilanaaq), Canadian Maple Leaf, Vancouver 2010 Olympic and
        Paralympic Winter Games Motto: "With Glowing Hearts - Des Plus
        Brillants Exploits"

    Presentation Box Facts:

      - Contemporary box made of Canadian Alder wood and crafted in British
        Columbia
      - Map and story of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
      - Serialized Certificate of Authenticity
      - Hidden Hinges and magnets ensuring a discreet and secure closure
      - Dimensions: 16.5 x 5.75 x 2.25 inches

    Other features:

      - The torch replica may be showcased in the form fitted presentation
        box or exhibited as a free-standing sculpture on the sleek metal
        base.
      - Made exclusively in Canada.
    

Birks & Mayors, Inc. (Amex "BMJ") is a leading operator of 67 luxury jewellery stores in the United States and Canada . As of October 13th, 2009 , the Company operated 35 Birks stores across most major metropolitan markets in Canada and 30 Mayors stores across Florida and Georgia , as well as two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand. Founded in 1879, BIRKS is Canada's premier luxury brand and is the Official Supplier of Jewellery for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, please visit www.birksandmayors.com

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Anny Kazanjian, [phone], [email protected]; Keren Blankrot, [email protected]; Cathy Chalmey, [email protected]