A guest on ITV's Dickinson's Real Deal was left stunned after discovering a jewellery item bought from a charity shop was worth far more than expected. The brooch, which belonged to the guest's wife, was valued at £700 by dealer Mark Stevens.
The guest explained that although his wife loved the item, she wanted to sell it after 15 years because she no longer wore it. The brooch featured a gold, intricately detailed cross setting with a large red stone in the middle.
Dealer reveals brooch's historical origins
Mark spoke about the item: “This particular piece of jewellery, it has a name - Holbeinesque. Real Holbeinesque jewellery is from the neo-renaissance period and is worth lots and lots of money. This is the revival period. This was made between 1860 and 1870.”
Shocked at how old the brooch was, the guest revealed: “I didn’t realise it was that old, I don’t think my wife did either when she saw it, and she bought it about 15 years ago, I think she fell in love with it then!”
Dealer makes an offer
Mark added: “It’s a great bit of history, and I love this period of jewellery. I love the quality of it, and I like the way that it’s in such good condition apart from one pin.”
He asked: “So why do you want to sell this piece now?” to which the guest explained: “I spoke to my wife, and she never wears it. It would be good to sell it.”
Mark then began offering some money: “Ok fine, I think it’s a good time to put some money on the table.” Clearly impressed with the piece, Mark offered to buy it for £700, which the guest happily accepted.
Charity shop bargain revealed
“That's an awful lot of money. It's certainly a lot more money than I expected it to be worth. But I think that is a reasonable offer,” the guest said. He then revealed how much his wife paid for it, telling Mark: “My wife actually bought it, I believe, in a charity shop, in Llandudno. But she only paid £2 for it.”
A stunned Mark replied: “£2? £2! Well, I’m very happy for you, I’m happy for what I paid for it, but that is one amazing deal you’ve had there.”
Dickinson's Real Deal airs Monday to Friday at 2pm on ITV1.
