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 has been lost over time, but the earliest known examples of heart shaped jewels appear around the late medieval period often inscribed with short love poems. This was the era of courtly romance and chivalry and heart jewellery was given as a token of love, often as a ring or brooch. This ring from William May has plenty of vintage romance that is very much in this tradition.
Pre-Owned 18ct Gold 0.91ct Heart Shaped Diamond Solitaire Ring - £1,995.00
The heart shape became hugely popular during the Victorian era as people copied Queen Victoria’s preference for heart-shaped jewels. And today the heart is still the definitive symbol of love - a heart shaped piece of jewellery remains the ultimate way to express feelings of love on Valentine’s Day.
For the ultimate romantic gesture, what about a heart shaped vintage gold locket which can be opened to reveal a secret love message or photo? The tradition of wearing lockets can be traced back to the 16th Century when they were worn by both men and women. Again, during the romantic Victorian era, lockets became popular after Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria a bracelet with eight lockets attached to it, each containing a lock of hair from one of their eight children. These little cases aren't named for hair locks though, but instead get their name from the Old French loquat meaning latch, for the way their covers move on a hinge and close securely, like a door. During the First and Second World Wars, lockets were given in their thousands by soldiers to remind their sweethearts of them while they were away fighting. And while we don’t need such reminders today, there is something still very romantic about the thought of wearing a cherished piece close to your heart. William May have a wide range of pre-owned lockets which have such a romantic past – and a future love story waiting to be told.
Pre-Owned 9ct Yellow Gold Patterned Heart Locket Pendant - £89.00
Pre-Owned 9ct Yellow Gold Patterned Heart Locket Pendant - £159.00
