“Jewelry is something that takes a long time to get right. Integrating technical skills into one’s own sense of style and design occurs over time. Jewelry isn’t seasonal, it’s evolutionary.”— Ray Griffiths
Ray Griffiths’ enduring love for the craft of making fine jewelry spans more than forty years, and it’s been his constant companion while creating fabulous jewels beloved and worn for generations. Ray connected to art in jewelry from an early age, which set his feet on a lifelong journey that started in his native Melbourne, Australia, and later planted him in the heart of New York City.
Spending weekends assisting his shoemaker father as a child shaped his
fascination for craftsmanship and attention to detail. Fueled by a love of gemstones and jewelry, Ray got an apprenticeship and studied the art of jewelry construction under master jewelers whilst still a teenager. It is there that he was trained in restoration of antique jewelry and his understanding of Crownwork® was born. Further studies led to Ray obtaining his degrees in Gemology and Diamond Technology.
A very successful career as partner and head designer for Sydney’s premier jewelry store in the 80s and 90s followed until the call to New York could no longer be ignored and Ray Griffiths Fine Jewelry was born. Next was the move into his dream studio on 5th avenue where he designs and creates all his pieces.
Beyond doubt, jewelry is Ray Griffiths’ love language. He showers people with love when he bestows a piece of his jewelry and offers people a means to express love when he creates it.
Each Ray Griffiths design speaks of his life’s adventures, his passion for gemstones and the history that inspires him including the Edwardian and Regency eras, The Spanish Moors, Roman Greco and Mid Century.
Jewelry lovers and collectors appreciate the special pieces Griffiths creates, but ultimately, it’s his continuous passion for crafting beautiful things that keeps his fans coming back for more.
The New York Times “Styles” section raved, “I was stunned by the work of Ray Griffiths, an Australian designer trained in the dying art of designing and repairing crowns for royalty. His bracelets are jaw-dropping…”
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“It almost looks as if the Fifth Avenue studio, radiating with skyline-soaked light, is alive. It’s bathed in gemstones of every kind. Brimming with color, they spark and scintillate as light plays over their multifaceted surfaces.”
Ray has been creating jewelry out of his Fifth Avenue Atelier for over 10 years. He moved around from office to office (for years) searching for the right space until he found his perfect gem, the studio he had dreamed of since he moved to NYC. The studio is filled with the natural light Ray needs to work with his beloved gemstones, the view from his desk stretches up Fifth Avenue to Central Park, providing the perfect inspiration whilst sketching his designs. One side of the studio is completely dominated with a beautiful antique arched copper window that dates back to the turn of the last century lending a sense of history to the space that imbues the design process.
The studio provides the ultimate muse for Ray Griffiths Fine Jewelry — New York City.
It is here Ray designs and creates his line, from the initial sketching to gem selection, gold work and finishing. It’s all done in-house, to Ray’s strict specifications. The studio is also home to Ray’s private custom design service. Working one on one with clients, Ray refashions old family heirlooms, recuts gemstones (including old diamonds) and completely restores precious antiques. Services include:
