Dunklings - where it all began

Ray Griffiths introduction into the world of fine jewelry was his apprenticeship under master jewelers at Dunklings (Australia's oldest jewelry house) where his restoration of family suites of jewelry included crowns and tiaras.

Founded in 1892, Dunklings grew into one of the city’s most respected high-end jewellers, known especially for diamonds, engagement rings, and precision watchmaking. For generations, “going to Dunklings” was shorthand for buying important engagement, anniversaries, heirloom pieces. 

By the mid-20th century, the brand was synonymous with its home in Diamond House at 313–317 Bourke Street. The Art Deco/Moderne building (completed in 1936) wasn’t just a shopfront it was a statement. Vertical lines, refined proportions, and prominent signage reinforced Dunklings’ reputation for modern luxury and trustworthiness at a time when Bourke Street was Melbourne’s premier retail strip.