An Antiques Roadshow guest was left exclaiming 'oh my goodness' after discovering the genuine worth of jewellery she had purchased from a charity shop. The much-loved BBC programme returned to television on Sunday (June 14) with presenter Fiona Bruce once again leading proceedings. For this week's episode, the show made its way to Thirlestane Castle in the Scottish Borders.
Numerous members of the public were eager to present their treasured items to be assessed by the show's specialists. However, the moment took an unexpected twist when one guest brought along a brooch she had acquired from a charity shop. The guest told expert Susan Rumfitt that she had discovered the brooch inside a container alongside numerous other pieces of costume jewellery. Yet according to the guest, the brooch 'didn't feel like costume jewellery.'
Expert Analysis of the Brooch
Offering her expertise, Susan elaborated: 'The style of this brooch really does show a lot of hidden meaning within it. So you've got sapphires, the blue stones, which represent devotion in the language of gemstones, and diamonds represent everlasting, eternal love. So you've got a very devotional and romantic piece of jewellery.'
Susan added: 'Date-wise, we're looking around 1870,' to which the guest responded, 'Oh wow!' The expert continued: 'Yeah, maybe 1880. It's mounted in gold at the back. The brooch pin is gold. That gives it nice strength, and around the top you've got silver to give some brightness to the stones as well.'
Valuation Revelation
Susan proceeded: 'I've had a good look at the brooch, and unfortunately, there isn't a maker's mark on it. But during the 19th century, it wasn't essential to mark jewellery.' She then questioned the guest: 'It was in a box of costume jewellery and how much did you pay for that?' The guest answered: '£2.50.'
Susan then discussed its valuation and stated: 'So as far as value's concerned, it's got everything going for it. If it came up for auction, I think we'd be looking at an estimate of £2,000 to £3,000.'
The guest was rendered speechless by the valuation, and she exclaimed: 'Oh my goodness! Oh!' as she covered her mouth with her hand. Completely astonished, she repeated: 'Oh my goodness!'
Speaking to the camera afterwards, the guest confessed: 'I just wasn't expecting that. Not at all. Maybe £100, £200 because I've had it a while, but never in the thousands!'
Antiques Roadshow airs every Sunday on BBC One.
