Michael Levin Jewellers Celebrate 50 Years Serving Customers in Nottingham

28 Jul 2023

Nottingham jewellers Michael Levin celebrates its 50th anniversary. Owner Grenville Price looks back at the business and his own jewellery journey.

Nottingham locals and loyal customers refer to the shop simply as Levin’s. In 1973, Grenville purchased the shop from Michael Levin. The jewellers had been trading successfully for ten years, so, in true terms, the shop has been in business for 60 years, making it the longest-trading jewellers in Nottingham City Centre. 

Grenville left school at 16 and became an apprentice to a city hand engraver. His wage at the time was two pounds, ten shillings and sixpence, and while he learned the art of hand engraving, he attended Nottingham Trent Polytechnic and studied Jewellery Silversmithing and graphic design. 

Three years later, Grenville opened Trinity Goldsmiths, a trade workshop located on Forman Street in Nottingham. The business rapidly expanded and established accounts across the town and outlying areas. The workshop comprised five working jewellers, three engravers and a receptionist and offered a fast and reliable service. 

Grenville wanted to expand into the retail side of the trade, and he purchased one of Nottingham’s oldest Jewellers called Gibbs of Goosegate, which was established in 1860. Richard Wagstaff Gibbs was on hand to offer a wealth of knowledge from his lifetime experience in the trade. At that time, Richard was considered one of the leading experts on antique jewellery and silverware. Grenville was grateful to receive his knowledge and profound interest in the jewellery trade. 

Nottingham also benefited from Richard’s generosity as he donated his priceless collection of antique jewellery and silverware to the city. This priceless collection can now be viewed in Nottingham Castle Museum. 

Grenville’s interest in the trade intensified and broadened, and he became very aware of the many new synthetic and imitation gemstones infiltrating the trade. He realised that special skills were needed to identify many of these gems. As a result, he enrolled on the Gemmological Institute of Great Britain’s Gem course, qualifying in 1977. 

At this time, radical changes were taking place in the Jewellery industry. The National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) were looking for higher standards in many areas, particularly the way in which the trade was preparing Insurance Valuations. In the early nineties, the NAG founded the Institute of Registered Valuers. Recognising the importance of presenting a professional Insurance document, Grenville obtained the necessary qualification and, in 1993, became a registered valuer. 

Michael Levins appreciates the value of service and a professional approach and can offer in-house jewellery repairs, bespoke design, gem testing and valuations on the premises. Levins staff hold many NAJ qualifications, including JET 1 and 2 certificates as well as GIA Diamond grading diplomas. Lynn, who runs the accounting section, assisted in designing our website and has over 30 years of experience in the shop. 

With its wealth of knowledge, Michael Levins will continue to offer expertise and quality service synonymous with an independent business. 

Over the years, clients have included many celebrities and the shop itself is featured in a Jake Bugg music video and recently a part of Teen Mum 2022. 

The shop will celebrate the occasion by offering a discount on stock items for a limited period to show appreciation for the years of support from its customers.

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Source: Michael Levin Jewellers