Master Goldsmith & Designer

In the rarified realm of design driven luxury jewelry, Australian born, New York City based designer and goldsmith Ray Griffiths is legendary for visionary design, superb quality gem materials, and intrepid master artisanship. At the end of the 20th century, Griffiths drew a winning number in the U.S. Green Card lottery and made his new home in New York. While 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of Ray Griffiths Fine Jewelry, having trademarked the distinctive Crownwork® technique in 2014, Griffiths has long distinguished himself from other jewelry designers.

The Australian Apprenticeship

Ray's foundation was built during his rigorous apprenticeship at Dunklings, a high end jewelry restoration house in his native Melbourne, Australia. Over five years, he became fluent in the language of gold and precious metals as a teenager, earning an additional set of jewelry tools each year until he possessed a complete goldsmith's kit. "The more you learn about what can be done with gold to shape and form it, the easier it is to use your imagination to design with it and create beautiful jewels," he reflects.

Working on fine European pieces from centuries past; tiaras, clips, brooches, and bracelets from the last century, Ray became fascinated with the delicate framework hidden behind ornate jewelry that made elaborate pieces more wearable. His masterful grasp of gold's characteristics and deep understanding of its technical and artistic potentials pushed him to learn more about the artform.

The Birth of Crownwork®

That fascination became innovation. Ray translated this historic European technique into contemporary jewelry, creating his signature Crownwork®. This distinctive grid like pattern, crafted in 18 karat gold, is a signature element of his bold and airy designs. The technique gives modern pieces the durability of solid gold with an architectural beauty, each piece is as robust as it is refined, crafted to be worn and loved for generations.

The Fifth Avenue Studio

Situated in a sunlit studio on a lovely stretch of New York's Fifth Avenue, Ray dreams up collections influenced by adornments from Regency and Edwardian eras as well as Moorish aesthetics and masterpieces from Roman and Greek antiquity. From this atelier, Ray creates custom engagement rings, wedding jewelry, and his signature collection of cocktail rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and charms, working with his beloved 18 karat gold, colored gemstones, and diamonds.

The Jewelry Whisperer

Owing to his unparalleled restoration skills, Griffiths is renowned as a "jewelry whisperer" who takes weathered jewelry and restores it to its youthful structure, sensuality, and shine. Jewelry connoisseurs routinely depend on Griffiths to restore their pieces.

His clients appreciate fine craftsmanship and seek jewelry with substance and soul. They're drawn to Ray's aesthetic, clean, sculptural forms with a sense of antiquity. His pieces feel like heirlooms, whether they're bespoke custom pieces, signature collection pieces, or restored family treasures.