Opalina Atelier: Handmade Gemstone Jewellery in Lagos for 20 Years

A small wooden tray of loose opals sits on the counter, pulled out for a customer turning one over in the light. This is how a commission starts at Opalina Atelier, and how it has started for twenty years.

The atelier began in the early 2000s as a modest workshop, founded by artisans who wanted to make contemporary gemstone jewellery at a level that Lagos at the time didn't have. What started in one room has grown steadily into two shops on Praca do Infante, sitting beside the historic Slave Market and Santa Maria Church in the centre of Lagos old town.

The work has always been handmade. Pieces are crafted in-house with natural and semi-precious gemstones, anchored around opal, garnet, ruby, topaz and amber, and set into rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants. Customers can browse the completed collection or commission custom pieces adapted to their specific preferences, with the design worked out together at the counter. The sister shop Cristalina extends the offer into silver jewellery, Swarovski crystal pieces and fused glass work.

Twenty years on, the atelier has built a quiet international following: clients from across Europe return to Lagos for specific commissions, gift vouchers from EUR 25 are a staple for visiting families, and the appointment-viewing option allows for longer private consultations. In a Lagos jewellery scene where most shops turn over within a few years, Opalina has become a small landmark of the historic centre.

Atelier collection:

• Handmade gemstone jewellery: Rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants featuring opal, garnet, ruby, topaz, amber and more.
• Custom design: Bespoke commissions worked out in person and adapted to client preferences.
• Cristalina sister shop: Silver jewellery, Swarovski crystal pieces and fused glass work.
• Gift vouchers from EUR 25: Available across the full atelier range.
• Appointment viewings and delivery: Arranged on request, including collection for local clients.