venerari /(latin) to venerate, revere, adore

What happens when an architect and a lawyer decide to 're-invent' Australia's national gemstone, the opal? Venerari opened its first store in Sydney's beautiful, historic Strand Arcade in October 2004. It soon established a reputation for innovative contemporary jewellery design and a passion for Australian opal and coloured gemstones. Venerari handcrafts unique, distinctive, contemporary jewellery - both architecturally simple and aesthetically sensual. As word of Venerari's contemporary design and exceptional natural gemstones spread, its discerning clientele grew around the world.

The duo behind Venerari is Kingsley Wallman [ex-corporate lawyer turned gemmologist] and Genevieve Lilley [architect and jewellery designer]. Upon their return to Australia in 2004 after working overseas for more than a decade, the pair decided to 'reinvent the opal' - by bringing contemporary design to Australian opal and gemstones. Kingsley, whose family has more than 30 years experience with Australian opal, saw Australia's national gemstone as one that sadly existed only in 19th century designs or in the cheapest tourist souvenir basket. It was this vision that prompted him to found Venerari with Genevieve - creating contemporary jewellery truly exploiting the colours of Australia's gemstones.