About Gryffin Opal

A Lifetime Love Affair

EARLY 1990's

It All Began in the Opal Mines of Coober Pedy...

As a young man mining opal with a pick and shovel, Gavin, the founder of Gryffin Opal, learnt from a smattering of the most experienced miners the industry ever had and formed lifelong friendships along the way. It was during this time the opal fever struck and he knew Opal would be part of his life forever so he gathered as much experience and knowledge as he could, in all areas of opal, from mining, trading, valuing, to cutting.

Never a man to be idle, he 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. After many years living in Europe, namely Prague, Paris, and on the Mediterranean in the south of France, he has returned with his family to his beloved Australia, the call of the Outback too strong to resist.

Gryffin Opal grows to be the culmination of a lifetime of experience and passion with the Queen of Gemstones, the breathtaking Australian Opal. Now, with his family by his side, 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, Gavin and his family founded the House of Gryffin to offer truly High Jewellery masterpieces featuring nothing less than the highest grade Australian opals and diamonds.

Following in the footsteps of European High Jewellery Houses, every piece must be handcrafted, every opal must be of gem-grade quality, every diamond must be no less than High Jewellery grade (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 some of the greatest Australian opal industry personalities who shared in our vision. Mario Antolovich from Mariora Opal Designs 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