Brief Profile
O’Neils Gems is a family owned and run wholesale gemstone business based in the city of Brisbane, Australia supplying coloured gemstones and related services to the Australian and New Zealand jewellery trade. The range of gemstones supplied is vast and varied, from calibrated synthetics, cabochon stones, semi-precious stones and unusual stones all the way to the very finest emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

History
The business was founded by Robert and Jean O’Neil in 1951. Robert was a geologist from Wisconsin USA and settled in Brisbane at the end of WWII after serving in the US Navy. Jean was a child of Russian immigrants with a sharp business acumen and a skilled bookkeeper. Together they started a small business dealing in coloured gemstones of all kinds, mineral specimens and offering testing, identification and teaching services. Robert was also one of the founders of the Queensland branch of the Australian Gemmological Association, and often travelled vast distances throughout the state to teach and encourage his passion for gemstones. He is remembered by countless past students and associates as the source of inspiration and encouragement.

A New Era
On their retirement in 1980, Robert and Jean sold O’Neils Gems to Rita van Lieshout, a friend and colleague of long and very close association. Built on a foundation of knowledge and skill, Rita slowly, steadily and astutely built a business of high regard in the Australian Jewellery industry.  Rita has been a gemmologist for over 26 years was amongst the first ever registered valuers in Queensland.

The Next Generation
After many successful years of trading Rita encouraged her son, Brendan McCreesh to join her in the business under her tutorage and vast experience. Since 1998 Brendan made contributions in ways that Rita did not expect, such as applying his photography and computer graphics skills to produce high quality catalogues and posters, thereby promoting the business as never before. Brendan continually strives to develop and improve methods of buying and selling gemstones, most notably the introduction of gemstone video clips.

Athalie Lane
Athalie was born into an established jewellery family in Hobart, Tasmania and brings decades of experience from the retail side of the trade. She is a qualified and enthusiastic gemmologist who understands the retailers perspective.

Andrew Forbes
Andrew is the newest  member of the O’Neils Gems team. He is a young and very enthusiastic gemmologist and with a number of years in the jewellery trade he has gained experience in the retail and technichal sides of the industry. In addition to his passion for gemstones Andrew has an expansive knowledge of, and is a collector of watches. Andrew brings a fresh perspective to the O’Neils Gems office and looks forward to gaining a wider experience in the wholesale gem trade.