OlliesOpals
Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge Opal Direct From Mine to Bench. Designer, Collector and Dealer of Fine Opals – Loose Opals and Jewelry Encased Opals. Gold Opal Pendants, Gold Opal Necklace, Gold Opal Earrings, Antique Opals.
About OlliesOpals…
My Grandfather emigrated to Australia in 1947 on the Ten Pound Poms and by late 1948 had staked a claim on an Opal mine.
Rolling onto present day we are now Third Generation Opal Miners. Working with Opal can be very expensive, it is not a forgiving gemstone and as a family trade, I needed some corners rounding before being allowed to cut and set.
Starting as an apprentice outside of the family at the age of 13 and learning within the jewellery Trade Quarter in Birmingham. Once a month I would also travel to London for inspiration, meeting all types of Designers.
Not that you quite realise in youth, working outside of the family has given me far more respect and understanding for day to day workings, every day is different and every day I learn something new!
Within my time in the trade I have managed Wholesale and Retail, flown around Europe on buying trips and met inspiring people along the way which led me to creating my own Jewellery.
We now live in Somerset, spending a lot of time in Cornwall for fresh air and the glorious sea. There’s plenty of curios shops on the one hand and the other, all types of designers to be inspired by.
