Mr. Ray Griffiths is a visionary fi
ne jewelry designer with a signature touch. Being a fan of his work and a friend with him for many years, we had an exclusive interview with Ray about his jewelry designs and beyond. Start from Part 1 here.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I was a gardener for an elderly lady who lived up the street from my family. I started at 12 years old and I got paid 50 cents an hour with a glass of lemonade and a sweet cookie every 30 min. Years later I realized all that sugar made me work really hard :)
Q: How did you get started designing jewelry?
A: I was apprenticed to a jewelry restoration house at 15 yrs old and loved it from the day I started.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
A: Don’t always be talking (hard for me,) pay attention to people and listen intently when people share their stories with you. That's when you learn about life and people. - Advice from my Dad.
Q: Worst piece of advice:
A: Whatever it was I didn’t listen.
Q: What jewelry are you wearing right now?
A: My Tahitian pearl necklace (RGN-1503) and my champagne diamond ring (RGR-777.)
An absolutely stunning set!
Q: Anything to drink? (daytime/evening)
A: Seltzer water during the day and wine with dinner.
Q: What’s your scent?
A: Odin #7.
Q: Shhh.. Tell us your guilty pleasures
A: A vodka Martini with a twist.
Q: Name five items on your desk right now:
A: My computer, 2 new ring models I’m working on, my favorite letter opener, an emerald ring (we just finished it for a client) that I’m mad about.
Q: What did the ring do 😂? Did you finally whip it into shape?
A: 😂🤣 We are all crazy about this emerald ring. It was a remake for a client and it’s GORGEOUS.
Q: Many of us know that you are originally from Australia, would you tell us a bit more about your hometown?
A: Melbourne, it's a gorgeous city that is built around a beautiful river. Lots of incredible restaurants, fashion, art and music. It is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities and is said to have the best coffee culture in the world (they take is very seriously.)
Q: What do you miss the most about your hometown?
A: Open space and my family.
Q: Name five songs on your playlist:
A: I’m very old school:
Jose Feliciano - Golden Lady
Joni Mitchell - Unchained Melody
Curtis Mayfield - The Makings of You
Lou Rawles - Ain’t That Loving You
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Q: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
A: Harold and Maude. It is a 1971 cult classic.
That was filmed in San Francisco Bay Area!
Q: Who would play you in your life story?
A: I’ll have to leave that to someone else to decide :)
