The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow saw one couple left devastated as a valuation did not go the way that they had hoped – with the expert delivering some heartbreaking news
An episode of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow left a hopeful couple crestfallen when a treasured family brooch didn’t fetch the valuation they’d dreamt of.
A show participant came forward with an exquisite brooch, a family heirloom from her nan, eager to learn its worth. Excitedly, they shared their belief that the eye-catching pin could possibly boast a large emerald stone, which might value it at a steep £100,000.
“These pieces of jewellery were given to my wife on our wedding day by my mother,” the hopeful guest recounted. “And she indicated that they were given to her on her wedding day by her mother and because there was no daughter in the family we suggested that should we have any daughters going forward, the jewellery could be given to that particular daughter on her wedding day.”
Antiques expert John Benjamin was tasked with evaluating the sparkling piece. Inspecting the supposed emerald-set pin, John informed the couple: “This pin is set with a very large green stone, and white stones – that was made in about 1910.”
The brooch was a family heirloom (
Image:
BBC)
The guest was disappointed (
Image:
BBC)
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He questioned them, “Now, what do you think the green stone is? ” To which the owner of the brooch responded with optimism: “I thought it was an emerald.”, reports the Express.
However, their hopes were dashed as John delivered the deflating verdict: “I wish it was. It would be worth an absolute fortune. It would be worth £100,000 if it were, but it’s glass.”
An expert assessed an item brought in for appraisal and playfully declared, “Your pin – £10.”The room filled with laughter as the guests echoed in disbelief: “£10?”
Fortunately for the guests, who had arrived with a treasure trove of gems, plenty more items were up for valuation. The expert confidently priced the delicate items, noting, “The diamond bow here – it’s small, it’s pretty – £1,200 to £1,500.
“The clip brooch – that is probably worth around £3,000. The diamond crescent brooch – I like that one, it would make between £3,000 and £4,000.
“£3,000 and £4,000? Okay,” the guest reacted, clearly taken aback by the figures. But the valuer John wasn’t done yet, “I haven’t finished yet,” he declared.
He continued his assessment: “The diamond target brooch with a nice big diamond in the middle, I quite like that – I can see that making £3,500 to £4,000. Now, this magnificent Columbian stone in the middle – that’s real. That’s worth £5,000 to £6,000.
“Good God,” exclaimed the owner of the collection, awestruck by the evaluation. “Incredible,” they added. Finally, John summed up his appraisal, “This is a really wonderful comprehensive group of 19th and 20th-century jewellery. So if you were to sell it – £15,000 to £20,000.”
