Brisbane-based gemstone wholesaler O’Neils Gems has bought Sydney-based Sapphex and Melbourne-based Affiliated Importers from GAA president Terry Coldham.
The expanded business will trade under the banner O’Neils Affiliated Pty Ltd and will continue to be run by O’Neils owners Rita van Lieshout and Brendan McCreesh.
To celebrate, O’Neils Affiliated has released a wholesale guide and catalogue designed “to aid retail and manufacturing jewellers”.
“We believe it to be the most comprehensive and informative publication of its type today,” said McCreesh. “For many retailers and their staff the world of coloured stones can be daunting, but when armed with some basic knowledge, confidence increases and sales follow.
“Our concept is to provide not only a price guide, but also an indispensable, quick-reference gemstone hand-book for the Australian and New Zealand jewellery industries.”
Phone and faxnumbers in O’Neils Affiliated’s Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane offices will remain the same but email addresses will change.
“This is an exciting and challenging time for all concerned and we will be making every effort to make the transition of accounts as smooth as possible,”said McCreesh.
“All sales staff in Sydney and Melbourne will remain unchanged.”
Meanwhile Coldham, who established Sapphex in 1973 and bought Affiliated Importers12 years agowill retain his role as the president of the GAA and pursue “other interests” including “working with gem-related materials overseas”.
Coldham stressed that although he has sold Sapphex’s “stock, fittings and ongoing business” he has retained the Sapphex business name.
For more information visit www.oneilsaffiliated.com