About
Background
Masis Agopyan
Masis Agopyan is a third-generation jeweller, following his father and great-uncle before him, and a second-generation Australian gemmologist, after his mother. From an early age, Masis grew up immersed in a jewellery workshop environment, spending afternoons and school holidays in his father’s workshop and retail space. He began learning jewellery making in his early teens, developing hands-on skills alongside a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. At the same time, he was taught about gemstones by his mother, who had studied gemmology in the 1980s.
This early exposure led Masis to begin formal gemmological studies in the evenings at just 15 years of age. He completed his gemmology diploma before finishing his HSC. One year later, in 1997, at only 18 years old, he completed his Diploma of Diamond Technology and his NCJV valuation course. During this period, he worked in his father’s store until 2002, after which he moved on to manage numerous retail outlets across various locations.
Education & Qualifications
Australia’s youngest ever gemmologist
Masis holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology Sydney (2002) and qualified as a goods and chattels valuer and auctioneer through TAFE NSW in 2003. He later became a HRD-certified diamond grader in 2010 and formally completed his Jeweller qualification through TAFE NSW in 2023.
His professional achievements include becoming Australia’s youngest ever gemmologist (GAA, 1996), Diamond Grader (GAA, 1997), Diamond Technologist (GAA, 1997), and Registered Valuer (NCJV, 1997). He has been valuing jewellery continuously since 1997 and has been involved in the sale and organisation of auctions since 2003. His valuation work spans New South Wales, from Canberra to Newcastle, supported by a lifetime of experience in the field.
Throughout his career, Masis has represented, worked for, or had his work used by many of Australia’s most respected jewellery and auction houses, including:
Leonard Joel
Smith & Singer
Bonhams Auctions
Barsby Auctions
Theodore Bruce
Hardy Brothers
Cerrone
Gregory Jewellers
Prouds
Angus & Coote
Goldmark
Baku Jewellery
Natalie Marie Jewellery
Expertise
Creativity, Craft & Industry Involvement
Alongside his technical expertise, Masis has always maintained a strong passion for art and technical drawing. From an early age, he was constantly sketching and designing jewellery, with original designs from his mid-teen years personally made for his own use. He continues to design and draw to this day, taking great pleasure in creating original, unique pieces tailored to each client.
Masis also developed a strong interest in watches early in his career. Years of working with many watch brands during his retail experience have given him extensive knowledge, which he continues to apply when determining the value of both new and pre-owned watches.
Today, Masis serves as a committee member and secretary for the Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) NSW Division, a role he has held since 2024, and has been part of the GAA Federal Publicity Committee since 2025. His career reflects a rare combination of generational knowledge, formal qualifications, practical experience, and an enduring passion for jewellery, gemstones, and valuation.
