About Gem Crest

The family began its fascination with opals in the 1960’s when mining in Andamooka and Lightning Ridge was just a hobby. This became a serious venture when, in the early 1970’s, a retail jewellery shop in Perth was turned into the family opal and gemstone business.

Mark Haddy, with guidance from his experienced parents, saw the need for a local wholesaler to supply the jewellery industry. Established in 1985, Gem Crest was a vision of quality and service to cater to the trade.

The family has built on their association with the jewellery industry with Mark’s brother, Paul Haddy becoming an award winning jeweller and sister Kaye Haddy following in her mother’s footsteps as a qualified gemmologist and registered valuer.

In the late 1980’s Mark Haddy began to source freshwater pearls from China dealing direct with the farmers, building his experience and knowledge with them. He has seen the freshwater pearl industry grow from the small "rice bubble" pearls to beautiful 10mm and larger perfectly-round specimens of today.

Mark's curiosity took him to Broome, in North West Australia, where the Pinctata Maxima grows the most beautiful South Sea Pearls in the world. Gem Crest introduced a beautiful selection of South Sea Pearl jewellery, and eventually Tahitian Black South Sea Pearl jewellery to its range.

When Martin Vinton came onboard in the early 1990's, the company took a new turn. His experience in the IT industry has helped Gem Crest grow with the introduction of computer systems.

Nowadays, Mark & Martin are still bringing new products and styles to the Jewellery Industry, supplying customers from all around Australia, and around the world!

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