The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
Australian Opal Expert Andrew Cody Dies at 71
The dealer was known for his infectious enthusiasm and passion for the gemstone.

He was 71 years old.
Cody grew up in the Melbourne suburbs of Hawthorne East and Ivanhoe and lived in Melbourne his entire life.
He started collecting fossils, minerals, and gemstones when he was 12 years old. He began cutting opal at an early age, too, after a school trip to Coober Pedy, an Australian town often referred to as the opal capital of the world.
After studying valuations at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Cody decided to pursue his passion for gems, launching wholesale opal and gem cutting business Cody Opal at age 20. He eventually expanded it to export opals around the world.
His brother, Damien, also joined the company, and the two led it together.
Cody had a decades-long passion for the industry and helped propel Australian opal to new heights; he was known for his immense knowledge of opals that he was always willing to share with others.
Many comments on the Facebook post his brother shared about his death referred to his infectious enthusiasm, both in work and in life, as well as his humor, positivity, and loving nature.
Industry achievements included being involved in the declaration of opal as Australia’s national gemstone, the production of an award-winning opal stamp series with Australia Post, designing the official National Gemstone emblem, and developing the official opal nomenclature.
In 1991, he wrote the book, “Australian Precious Opal: A Guide Book for Professionals,” which was published in English and Japanese and has been used extensively worldwide by the industry.
In 2010, he and Damien published “The Opal Story” in six languages; there are now more than 50,000 copies in circulation.
Cody was a co-founder of The National Opal Collection—a supplier of Australian opals and opal jewelry, which has offices, showrooms, and museums in Sydney and Melbourne—and created an expansive opalized fossil collection that includes a 2.5-meter opalized pliosaur and the opalized upper jaw of a rare Mesozoic mammal.
His business won both government export and tourism industry Awards. Cody received a Gold Commendation from the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and was a research associate at The Australian Museum.
He served the industry in several capacities, including as president of the Australian Gem Industry Association, founding member and chairman of the Australian Jewellery and Gemstone Industry Council, and special projects officer of CIBJO (The World Jewellery Council).
He also served as a member of Thailand’s JTC-AIGS Leaders Council and president of the International Colored Gemstone Association.
The Australian Gemmological Association and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain both awarded him honorary fellowships in honor of his services to gemology. Cody was also a regular speaker at international forums.
He is survived by his wife Lynore and sons James, Patrick, and William.
The Latest

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.


The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.