In Memoriam: Andrew Cody

GIA Staff

Australian opal leader Andrew Cody (see above) passed away on September 12, 2022, at the age of 71. Internationally regarded as one of Australia’s foremost opal wholesalers, cutters, and exporters, Cody was instrumental in the establishment of opal as Australia’s national gemstone and the development of standard opal nomenclature.

Collecting fossils, gemstones, and minerals since the age of 12, Cody began cutting opal in 1964 after a class trip to the famous deposit at Coober Pedy. In 1971, at the age of 20, he established Cody Opal, a wholesale opal and gem cutting business, which later began exporting worldwide. Cody was the joint founder of the National Opal Collection, an Australian opal and opal jewelry supplier with showrooms and museums located in Sydney and Melbourne.

Over the course of his career, Cody served in a number of leadership positions, including president of the Australian Gem Industry Association and president of the International Colored Gemstone Association. He was awarded honorary fellowships from the Australian Gemmological Association and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. Also an author, Cody published two books. Australian Precious Opal – A Guide Book for Professionals (1991) was followed by The Opal Story: A Guidebook (2010), written with his brother Damien and published in six languages.

For more than 50 years, Cody worked tirelessly to promote Australian opal across the global gem industry, leaving an enduring legacy. We extend our condolences to his family and friends.