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About Gryffin Opal
A Lifetime Love Affair
MID-1980's
It All Began in the Opal Mines of Coober Pedy...
In a desolate region of outback Australia, laying dormant for millions of years deep within the earth, are the world’s largest deposits of precious opal. It was here in Coober Pedy, the opal capital of the world, Gryffin Opal’s founder, Gavin Bird, discovered his first opal and a passion for the Queen of Gems. His family had already been mining opal for a generation and were happy to take him under their wing. They guided his journey with years of experience and knowledge, stories and tales of outback adventures and filled his heart with the sparkling colours that precious opal is famous for.
Never a man to be idle, Gavin jumped at the chance to learn opal cutting and trained under the renowned gem cutter Stewart Jackson (as seen on Outback Opal Hunters).
Rise of the Gryffin
Restless feet took Gavin to Europe chasing his heart (a blonde beauty from France), opening a new chapter and international markets for his opals. The sophistication of the European jewellery industry had an immeasurable influence on the development of Gryffin Opal, most importantly in quality, customer service and authenticity. After many years living in Europe, namely Paris, Prague, and on the Mediterranean in the south of France, the company (and family) have returned to their beloved Australia, its breathtaking wild beauty too strong to resist.
Now, with his family by his side and generations of experience in the finer things of life, Gryffin Opal has evolved into its current form, a high jeweller specialising in Australian Opal.
A New House Is Born
Giving gem-grade opal the respect it deserves, the House of Gryffin offers High Jewellery masterpieces featuring nothing less than the highest grade solid, natural Australian opals and diamonds.
Following in the footsteps of European High Jewellery Houses, every piece must be handcrafted and therefore unique; every opal must be natural gem-grade quality, every diamond must be no less than D, IF – F, VVS, and all workmanship must be of master craftsman’s standards, to create a world-class Australian Opal Jewellery Maison.
None of this would have been possible without the experience and support of many wonderful friends and family who shared our vision. Mario Antolovich from Mariora Australia is one of those whose guidance, knowledge and passionate, yet humble spirit have been invaluable in our journey and to whom we are eternally grateful.
― Gavin Bird, Founder