"In 2023, I built a fire that wouldn't light. As I sat back and contemplated whether to start this business, suddenly the fire ignited fully and brightly. I took that as a sign and decided to move forward." Guided by attentiveness and honesty, Stephen, the owner of Sunset Forest Gems, prides himself on making customer happy by providing same-day replies, listening to feedback and promptly resolving issues. "I aim to be known for the rubies I offer, and get a thrill from seeing my products sell. I'm grateful."

At 33, Muhammad's journey began with a gemmology course in 2015, which laid the foundation for his gemstones business. He moved to Bangkok in 2017, marking a significant milestone that started a new chapter in his business and personal life, as he relocated his family to support his growing venture. Muhammad is particularly known for his Parti Sapphires. His typical days at MB Gems involves maintaining a responsive communication channel with clients, ensuring fair pricing and providing flexible return policies.

Larry's journey with opals began in his youth, learning to cut stones into cabochons when he was 12. That initial excitement sparked a lifelong passion for opals. Larry's focus shifted to Ethiopian Welo opal due to its exceptional quality and affordability and, In 2010, he founded Opal Exclusively: "I transitioned from a hobbyist to a professional cutter because I had more cut stones than I knew what to do with!" Larry prides himself on the integrity and precision of his work, while he ensures customers satisfaction through clear communication, education and a generous return policy. "Every stone I cut is a labour of love. My goal is to one day be known as THE guy to call if you're looking for a beautiful, well-cut Ethiopian Welo opal."

Sally, the founder of True Blue Opals, has dedicated her life to opals. She began her journey in the opal industry as a hobby, which rapidly blossomed into a thriving business dedicated to sharing the beauty of those gems with the world. A highlight of her career was celebrating the 20th anniversary of True Blue Opals in 2022. Her typical day reflects her hands-on approach and commitment to quality and her clients: "I love spending the day at the office, where I spend my time grading rough stones and fulfilling my customers' requests." As a Verified Seller, she values the recognition of her hard work and, at 70 years old, Sally remains dedicated to providing exceptional collector specimens, particularly Yowah and Koroit opals to her customers.

For Riley, the master behind 53Frogs, every day is a new opportunity to improve his steady business. With well-defined pillars guiding him, Riley values his customers' time, knowing how frustrating the opal-buying process can be. The 46-year-old caught the "opal fever" back in 2007 while digging for opal in Grawin, NSW, Australia: "after weeks of traveling through the Australian Outback, I finally found my first opal. It was about 4 carats, a beautiful blue on black!" Riley's wife, daughter and son all work for the business in different capacities. There is always washing, grading, accounting and video making to keep them busy. This can only be managed with a Spanish tortilla first thing in the morning to keep those energy levels up.

Iona's values of sustainability, authenticity and integrity guide every aspect of her work: "my journey with opals began 24 years ago when my husband and I explore the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy. After a hiatus from the gemstone industry, I officially relaunched my business in 2023. Today, I work tirelessly to ensure that each opal we offer is hand-cut with care and sourced ethically from reputable Australian miners." She strives to make every customer feel valued and confident in their purchase, through detailed descriptions, high quality images and responsive communication. Iona's commitment goes beyond selling unique pieces; it's about creating a genuine connection with her clients at Iona Opal Australia.

Chris, the proud owner of Opal Rush, started his business when he was 16. He mined 50 miles from Lightning Ridge, lived in a garden shed during the week, and returned to town on the weekends to sell opals to out-of-town buyers and dealers. Chris is the only employee, as he buys, cuts, and sells most exclusively through Opal Auctions. "My reputation is important. I want my customers to be happy with every opal they purchase. I aim to be as accurate as possible with my descriptions, videos, and photos," he adds, emphasizing his commitment to honest communication as well. Chris often travels to Australian opal fields. "I really enjoy being in the harsh Outback of Australia - seeing the desert come to life after rain is amazing."

Michael, the heart and soul behind Constable and Co, has been immersed in the opal world for over 40 years. Since 1995, he's been on a mission to share the beauty of the Australian opal. From travelling the Australian outback to hunt working solo after years of employing a diverse team, Michael's dedication shines through each piece he presents. His proudest moments come from seeing his creations find their new homes and the connections he's made along the way: "The best part of being a Verified Seller is the ability to sell my creations," all while being deeply involved in the mining, cutting, and valuing of all varieties of Australian Opal. To Michael, every customer is important, and no job is too small.

With a background of gemmology blended with opal sales, Natassa has built her business on integrity and honesty. The passionate owner of An Opals, embarked on her journey in the world of opals and gemstones in 2003. Her days are filled with a mix of office administration, preparing events and tradeshows, and sorting through opals and jewelry. Natassa values the friendships forged in business and the support of her team, including her office dog Barfi, and her mother, Sally, who remains her inspiration.

Paul has been connected to the opal world since he bought his first stone at age 14. The owner of Seda Opals began his journey in 1986, when he started opal mining in Lightning Ridge, and has evolved into a successful career spanning 40 years. Paul has navigated market shows around the globe and now dedicates his time to his online business. He offers a curated collection of opals, with a particular focus on black opal. His belief that "hard work brings good luck" underpins his approach to business.

At just 18 years old, Natalia has embarked on a remarkable journey with Mountain Opals. Starting her business at the end of 2023, she finds joy in the unique challenge each opal presents and is deeply committed to learning and mastering the art of opal cutting and polishing. "Every time I cut an opal is different - I will always learn new things about opal, that's why I'm doing what I do." Working closely with a seasoned opal cutter of 30 years, she feels most accomplished when her teacher is proud of her opal cutting. Natalia's attitude towards her business is defined by honesty and responsibility, as she prioritizes communication with her customers.

Rodney, the founder of Indigo Opals, has spent over four decades dedicated to the world of opals, starting his quest as an opal miner: "I started opal mining and instantly became addicted to opal. That's why I started my business, I just love opal!" Based in Thailand, Rodney takes pride in both mining and cutting these precious stones himself. Working alongside his family members and committed to honesty and fairness in business, Rodney ensures that his clients receive not only beautiful, high-quality opals but also exceptional customer service. He balances cutting boulder opals with enjoying beach days, reflecting his laid-back, yet passionate approach to life.

Peter has been immersed in the world of opal from a young age, growing up amongst the opal-rich fields of Lightning Ridge. "I've spent years mining the rarest opal in the world." The owner of Anembo Opals prides himself on honesty and high-quality service, providing customers with excellent pieces and clear communication.

Since launching Free Form Rock Art in 2015, Terry mainly focuses on opals and dinosaur bones. Operating solo, he prides himself on delivering pieces with honesty and integrity, as he values the trust the Verified Seller badge represents. His days are a mix of cutting and listing stones, as well as exploring dig sites for new treasures.

The proud owner of Cieleopals has built his business from a hobby into a successful venture since 1978. With a background as a builder, Stavros transitioned into the world of opals, finding a passion for Boulder opals that has driven his work ever since. His commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs is the focus of his daily operations, as providing exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of his business philosophy.

With many years of experience, many good stories come along with it: "I sold my first black opal which I had found and cut from a bucket of rough I had bought from a miner when I lived in Lightning Ridge. It was a 4.15 carat stone and I sold it for $2000 USD per carat. The bucket was $200 AUD." Sam, the proud owner of Down Under Opals, specializes in Queensland Boulder opal. He starts his day with listings, while most of his cutting is done in the evening.

Agus, the founder of Opal Yudistira, handles every aspect of his business - from sourcing to polishing each piece. A significant milestone in his career was a memorable trip to Lighting Ridge: "I had the opportunity to visit opal mines and handpick some of the finest rough opals. This experience deepened my appreciation for the effort that goes into bringing these beautiful gems to the market."

Amde, the founder of Nice Opal in the USA, has been a dedicated enthusiast since 2000. At 56 years old, he specializes in Ethiopian opals, spending his days cutting these beautiful gemstones. Amde values happiness in his work, ensuring high-quality opals are offered at fair prices. His travels to opal mines around the world have been the highlight of his career, enriching his knowledge and experience.

With a core of integrity, quality and passion, Kays meticulously sources opals from renowned locations, such as India, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Australia, ensuring each piece meets her exacting standards. Balancing business with family life, the proud owner of Miner Direct spends her weekdays handling opal photography, sales, and shipping, while also enjoying weekends with her beloved puppy, Cocoa. "I strive to provide high-quality opals at reasonable prices, and ensure that my photos accurately represent the stones, so customers receive exactly what they see."

Summaya has been working in this field with her brother for the last 10 years, learning all the tricks of the trade with her father. The family business has been passed down through six generations, and Summaya takes pride in continuing this family tradition. Now, she started her own venture, The Opal World. As she embarks on this journey alone, Summaya values hard work and dedication. "I want to be recognized for my Ethiopian opals and I will do my best to satisfy my customers. Becoming a Verified Seller for Gem Rock Auctions was a proud moment for me."