Breaking News

Building Sold — 33-Year Jewelry Shop Must Clear All Remaining Gold Pieces by Friday

Maya & Henry's has until Friday to empty 33 years of handcrafted gold jewelry. Everything is 80% off. Online orders now open.

Updated 5 minutes ago · By Margaret Sullivan, Artisan Weekly

UPDATE: Online orders are now available through Maya & Henry's official website. At the time of writing, several designs have already sold out since the announcement in June. The Aria Square Radiant sets are nearly gone.
Maya and Henry Wells at their packing table

Maya and Henry Wells at the table where they have packed orders since 1993. Photo: Maya & Henry's

The scene outside Maya & Henry's small jewelry shop in Wyoming tells the whole story.

Cardboard boxes are stacked near the entrance. The display cases inside are half empty. And a handwritten sign on the door reads: "We have until Friday."

After 33 years of handcrafting gold jewelry, Maya and Henry Wells just learned their building has been sold. They have five days to clear everything out. Whatever doesn't sell by Friday goes to a charity auction — and Maya & Henry's will be finished.

So they did the only thing that made sense: they marked everything down 80%.


For those who don't know the story:

In 1993, Maya and Henry Wells drove to a small workshop where a goldsmith named Tomas had been making jewelry the same way his father had. They arrived with $4,000 and a dream. They left with a craft that would define the next three decades of their lives.

The couple in Tomas's workshop, 1993

The couple in Tomas's workshop, October 1993. Photo: Family Archive

Henry learned to shape gold by hand. Maya ran the shop. Together they built something rare: a jewelry business with no middlemen, no marketing, no celebrity endorsements.

"People should be able to own something like this."
— Maya Wells, 1993

That's why a bracelet that costs $350 at a department store costs $34.95 from Maya & Henry's. It was never a sale price. It was always the price. They never did marketing. Never paid a celebrity. Never rented an expensive location.

"Not because we couldn't afford it," Henry says. "We simply never had to. So we never had to charge you for it."

Department store bracelet vs Vela at $34.95

Left: a comparable bracelet at $350. Right: the Vela in a Maya & Henry's box at $34.95. Photos: Maya & Henry's

But now, with the building sold, they're selling these pieces for even less than what it cost them to make.


▶ VIDEO: Interview with Henry Wells at the shop counter, surrounded by moving boxes

After speaking with Henry, his decision makes sense.

He turned 74 in March. Maya is 71. The trips to the workshops are longer than they used to be. The days of packing orders until midnight are behind them.

"We spent 33 years of our lives making these pieces," Henry says. "We'd rather they go to someone who'll wear them than end up in storage."

Maya adds: "We have until Friday. After that, whatever's left goes to auction. And then there's no more Maya & Henry's."

Finishing a Vela bracelet by hand

Finishing a Vela bracelet last month. Same way, same tools, since 1993. Photo: Maya & Henry's


▶ VIDEO: Interview with customer who drove 3 hours to get here

It's clear that people aren't just here for the prices. They're here because they've worn these pieces for years and know what they're getting.

When someone has devoted 33 years to a single craft, the quality speaks for itself.


The part everyone is asking about

We know most readers can't drive to Wyoming. So we asked Henry the question on everyone's mind: Can people order online before Friday?

▶ VIDEO: Henry showing the website on a laptop in the shop

The answer is yes.

Maya & Henry's closing sale is live online right now. If you click the link below and still find pieces available, you're among the few who arrived before Friday.

The Vela bracelet on Maya's wrist

Maya has worn hers for 33 years. Photo: Maya & Henry's

Here's what's left (as of this writing):

Piece Was Now
Vela Bracelet$175$34.95
Sorel Pavé Earrings$150$29.95
Moissanite Cross Necklace$200$39.95
Vivara Saphielle Ring$175$34.95
Aria Square Radiant Set$250Nearly sold out
Remaining pieces

From left: the Sorel Pavé earrings, the Moissanite Cross necklace and the Vivara Saphielle ring. Photos: Maya & Henry's

Check What's Still Available Before Friday → After Friday, remaining pieces go to charity auction. No restocking. No extensions. The Aria set with handwritten note

The Aria Square Radiant set with the handwritten note that goes in every box. Photo: Maya & Henry's


Comments

Michelle D. · Illinois

I am 49 and I followed Maya & Henry's for years. Still can't believe they're closing. I bought the Vela bracelet and the cross necklace today — prices like this will never happen again. Feels like their last gift to us.

Amanda R. · Georgia

OMG!! I just grabbed the Sorel earrings for $29.95 instead of $150. I honestly didn't even plan to buy today. So glad I checked the site when I did — feels like everything will be gone by Friday.

Patricia L. · Arizona

Wow I was looking at the Vivara ring for weeks and now it's $34.95. I don't even understand how this is real but I ordered it anyway.

Christine M. · Virginia

I ended up buying 3 pieces and I swear I didn't plan this at all lol. Prices are crazy low — pretty sure most designs will sell out before Friday.

Diane S. · Colorado

Not gonna lie I thought this was fake at first, but my friend sent me her order confirmation. I ordered the cross necklace right after.

Nancy B. · Oregon

I wanted their jewelry for so long but it was always a stretch for me. With them closing I finally got one. Honestly made my day!

Carol H. · Minnesota

I remember seeing their pieces years ago and thinking they looked so well made for the price. Never thought I'd own one. Glad I checked the site today.

See What's Still Available → Only available until Friday or while stock lasts. Maya and Henry outside the shop

Outside the shop this summer. "Thank you for 33 years." Photo: Maya & Henry's

This is a retirement clearance event by Maya & Henry's Jewelers, established 1993 in Wyoming.
All remaining designs available online until Friday or while stock lasts.
After Friday, remaining inventory goes to charity auction.