RITCHIES JEWELLERS SINCE 1889
Ritchies Jewellers is of historical significance in Bundaberg, dating back to 1889 when it opened for business as McLeod and Son. James (AJ) Ritchie accepted the position of apprentice watchmaker to Mr McLeod Snr in 1906 as a 14 year old. When the McLeods retired from business in 1934, AJ acquired the business, which he owned until he retired and sold to Arthur Frost in 1976. Raymond Dunn then arrived from South Africa and bought Ritchies in 1988.
After owning the store for 26 years, Ray then decided to pass the torch to the next generation – handing the Ritchies name on to his then-jeweller Trent Cullum and his wife Shaye.
Trent has been in the jewellery industry since 2001 when he first started his apprenticeship under his father. He placed 2nd in 2013 with his entry in the Australia wide jewellery design competition Young Designers on Show. Ritchies Jewellers are members of the Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia, as well as being the only locally appointed members of Custom Design Jewellers Australia. And with Trent earning his Diploma as an Applied Jewelry Professional™ from the Gemological Institute of America, you can be assured your custom pieces will be made to the highest standard.
Like a fine diamond, Ritchies Jewellers has been passed down through the generations from 1889 to today.