Jewellery store perplexed after StFX looks for new ring supplier

St. Francis Xavier University is seen in this undated file photograph.

In the small town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, you can’t help but notice the influence of the local university, St. Francis Xavier.

This is especially true at Cameron’s Jewellery store, which has been the main supplier of x-rings for decades.

The world famous ring worn by St. Francis Xavier University graduates began in 1942 and was based on a ring designed in 1928 by Zita Cameron, the stores original owner.

About 1,000 graduating students per year buy an x-ring, paying anywhere from $800 to $1,300 and more than 90 per cent are bought at Cameron’s.

“We rely on the x-rings to pay our staff, to pay our bills and we believe that we offer a superior product,” says store co-owner Brenda Hawley.

Last Friday, StFX filed a request for proposals looking for another ring supplier, which included the design Cameron’s has used for decades.

“The university has a terrific relationship with Cameron’s Jewellery,” says Cindy MacKenzie with StFX. “We simply feel it is time to formalize our requirements of any potential suppliers in the future.”

The owners at Cameron’s say they knew nothing about the tender call, until contacted by the media.

“I’m insulted, I truly am,” says Hawley.  “We have worked so hard to give a good product.”

On campus, where students love to flash their x-ring, there is plenty of support for the local jewellery store.

“I think Cameron’s is a good representative of StFX and the Antigonish community,” says student Brendan Lapointe. “It’s nice to see it downtown on Main Street there.”

It is not clear if the tender is for all StFX rings, or just those available on the national market. Until it is cleared up, the owners at Cameron’s Jewellery will have to wait and see what the future brings.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh