Frequently Asked Questions

WEDDING & DIAMOND INFORMATION

WHAT IS THE BIRKS CANADIAN DIAMOND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER?

The Birks Canadian Diamond Identification Number is a unique number given to each Birks Canadian Diamond that meets our Maison Birks standards and has been reviewed by our gemological laboratory. It appears on the front of your Birks Canadian Diamond Guarantee Card included with your Birks Canadian Diamond Certificate. It also appears on the certificate itself. The Birks Canadian Diamond Identification Number is also engraved on the inside of your ring.

WHY IS THERE LIMITED WEDDING BAND SIZES AVAILABLE ONLINE?

Our wedding collection is very unique and customizable. For this reason, the items that are on online serve as a catalogue of ideas and sample of our styles. The selection is also limited to some sample sizes. Additional sizes are available upon special order, please contact us for more details.

WHAT IS THE LEAD TIME FOR A CUSTOMIZED DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING?

At Maison Birks, we want to deliver only the best quality final product. This means from the moment your special order is placed to the second you slip on your engagement ring, there are many quality control procedures that the ring must go through. The current lead time for diamond engagement ring special orders is six to eight weeks.

WHAT IS THE BIRKS DIAMOND TRADE UP POLICY?

Please click here to learn about the Birks Diamond Trade Up Policy.

WHAT IS THE BIRKS DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING DIAMOND STANDARD?

Since 1879, Birks has set the standard across Canada for quality diamonds providing meticulous grading and certification for clarity, colour and proportions according to rigid international gemological standards. Birks was also among the first to support and work with the Kimberley process insuring integrity of the supply chain. Birks sources diamonds from only the most reputable purveyors or cutters who declare on their invoices that the diamonds sold have been obtained in compliance with the Kimberley process. Birks also reserves the right to audit their diamond suppliers to ascertain compliance. In May of 1999, Birks was the initiator of a program that would provide complete tracking of Canadian diamonds and became one of the first jewellers to acquire and sell diamonds mined in Canada.

Birks is also a signatory of the Voluntary Canadian Code of Conduct for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims. Birks uses Canadian diamonds in the creation of its bridal jewellery and solitary diamond jewellery whenever possible, as they are guaranteed to have been extracted under strict supervision, following the laws that serve to protect the diamond workforce, the mining areas native people and environment. Birks also requires that their cutters guarantee that all purchased diamonds are natural and untreated other than polished.

CAN I BUY THE SILVER BIRKS BELL BOX™ SEPARATELY FROM AN ENGAGEMENT RING?

Unfortunately, the silver Birks Bell Box™ is not sold separately from Birks engagement rings.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I BUDGET WHEN SHOPPING FOR A DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING?

To make your dreams into reality, Maison Birks recommends budgeting three months time to find your perfect fit.

WHY IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRICING OF MY QUOTE AND THE FINAL PRICE OF MY BIRKS DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING?

When you visit our Birks Bridal Bar, we will give you a quote to place a special order for the diamond engagement ring of your dreams. Once we have placed the special order on your behalf, the hunt for the perfect diamond begins. We must work within the fluctuating diamond market to get the very best quality and sparkle.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BIRKS DIAMONDS ARE CONFLICT-FREE?

Birks only purchases diamonds from the most reputable purveyors or cutters who declare on their invoices that the diamonds sold have been obtained in compliance with the Kimberley process. Birks is the number one destination for Canadian Diamonds. Birks favours the use of Canadian diamonds in the creation of its bridal jewellery and solitaire diamond jewellery as they are guaranteed to have been extracted under strict supervision, compliant with the laws that have been developed to protect the diamond workforce, the mining areas native people and environment. Diamonds mined in Canada can be traced from the mine of origin all the way to the Birks blue box and are guaranteed conflict-free. Birks is proud to have been among the first to acquire and make available diamonds mined in Canada. These beautiful diamonds are tracked by Birks from the rough crystal to the finished gem, assuring the pedigree and provenance of each. Reflecting the unsurpassed skill of the cutters who crafted them, each Canadian diamond is laser-engraved with the name “Birks”, a maple leaf and a unique Birks Diamond Card Number. Discover more here.

WHAT IS THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS DIAMOND CERTIFICATION?

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an agreement set-up to eliminate the trade in conflict diamonds. The process was created in response to a civil society campaign that exposed the way in which diamonds funded conflicts and demonstrated how governments, civil society and industry can work together on conflict prevention. Currently, 69 countries participating in the process have passed and implemented national laws establishing import and export controls designed to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. The KPCS requires that each signatory country must certify all rough diamond export as conflict-free and must allow rough diamond import only from other participating countries also certified as conflict-free. The KPCS must accompany all official shipments of rough diamonds to and from participating countries. Named after the city where the agreement was signed, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was signed on April 30th, 2003.

WHAT ARE THE FOUR C’S?

The four C's refer to the following characteristics: carat, clarity, cut, and colour. For more information, click here.