William May Jewellers Blog

Gold Chain Maintenance Guide

We know how important a good care and maintenance routine is to make our gold jewellery last longer and stay looking like new. As we have been selling both pre-owned and new jewellery since 1825, we know a thing or two about what to do if a gold chain gets wet or how to get a chain repaired. In this gold chain maintenance guide, we take a look at some of the most common questions we get asked about how to care for gold chains. We also share the best... Read More

William May Gold Chain Investment Guide

At William May, we have been specialising in gold chains since 1825, so we know a thing or two about buying an investment gold chain and how they appreciate in value. Not only do we want to guide you through the different styles of chain links but what to look for in an investment gold chain. If you are thinking of buying a gold chain as an investment piece the first thing we recommend is opting for a solid gold chain over a hollow gold chain. Both solid and hollow... Read More

16/04/2021

Guide to Buying Second-Hand Jewellery

At William May, we love vintage and pre-owned jewellery. We’ve been in the jewellery industry for almost 200 years and we know a lot about which styles are timeless and why it’s a great idea to buy pre-owned jewellery. Many of our customers already know we are the online destination for pre-owned jewellery, but if you haven’t bought second-hand jewellery before then you might not know what to appreciate and to look out for. Follow our guidelines below which will help you to buy with confidence. Hallmarking  One of the... Read More

16/04/2021

William May Chain Length Guide 

Men’s chain necklaces come in all styles and designs, with something for everyone. At William May we have one of the biggest online and in-store collections of heavy chains and necklaces for men. With regular new styles in, we have something that suits every fashion style, whether you want something discrete or whether you want to make a statement, perhaps you are looking for a few pieces to layer together or something to wear every day.  Choosing the perfect chain necklace is about picking the right chain style, width and length.... Read More

16/04/2021

A Full guide to Signet Rings

At William May, we love timeless and stylish jewellery, and what could be more enduring than the signet ring. The history of signet rings is filled with gravitas, secret meanings, and personal significance. Read our full guide to signet rings to find out why these rings remain an iconic piece of jewellery and why they are sometimes called “the gentleman’s ring”.   What is a signet ring? Signet rings are traditionally oval shaped flat rings with a raised or engraved design. These rings were used to sign documents by pressing the... Read More

Signet Rings 25/03/2021

The Most Popular Pieces Of Jewellery For Men In The UK

Based on customer search data we have recently conducted, we’ve identified the three most popular pieces of jewellery worn by men across the UK… “These are the most popular jewellery styles for men that attract the most searches on our website from across the UK. They are also classic pieces that our expert valuation teams identify as being the most competitively priced. As with all precious jewellery and luxury watches, buying pre-owned pieces offers the best value for customers. We saw a 250% increase in online sales in 2020 and... Read More

16/02/2021

Give The Gift Of Jewellery This Mother’s Day

Over the past year, so many mums have juggled work, home life and home schooling for their families. This year, unable to be treated to a Mother’s Day meal out, many families are more likely to search online for an extra special gift… We are seeing a sharp rise in the popularity of ‘Mum’ themed jewellery online as a result of this. As the UK’s largest online pre-owned jewellery e-retailer, we recognise how popular pre-owned jewellery is. Our Managing Director Nick Withington believes lockdown and social distancing has led to... Read More

29/01/2021

Go Vintage this Valentine’s Day

Buying a vintage piece of jewellery for your loved one this Valentine’s Day is ethical, unique and utterly romantic. William May is the UK’s largest online pre-owned jewellery store, full of timeless jewellery styles that are guaranteed to be worn and loved forever. What can be more romantic this Valentine’s than to give a piece of heart shaped vintage jewellery, like this sparkling heart pendant necklace? Pre-Owned 9ct Gold Cubic Zirconia Heart Pendant & Chain Necklace – £165.00 The exact origin of the heart shape as a symbol of love... Read More

15/11/2020

Revealed: The True Cost of Celebrity Jewellery

Celebrities like sports stars and movie icons influence the way we dress and accessorise. However, because many of their fashion choices cost thousands of pounds, it can feel impossible to replicate the look on a budget. However, here at William May, our appraisers have valued the jewellery choices of 15 of our favourite celebrities. In doing so, they’ve also outlined how you can ‘get the look’ for less thanks to our reasonably-priced alternatives. Sports Stars Lewis Hamilton           View this post on Instagram      ... Read More

William May, UK, logo, jewellery 16/09/2020

William May Statement

William May is pleased to announce a 100-per-cent increase in revenue throughout lockdown, releasing information on the key drivers for continued success seen as Q4 approaches.  The company is pleased to experience continued growth, particularly across second-hand jewellery whilst recognising and adapting throughout difficult times for businesses generally. The company as a whole has had to adapt to the difficult, ever-changing ongoing events but have exceeded previous Christmas trading turnover on reduced staff levels. This is now enabling us to push into the Q4 trading period with a huge number... Read More