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 cherished BBC programme returned to screens on Sunday (June 14) with presenter Fiona Bruce once again leading the way. 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 for valuation by the show's specialists. But drama ensued when one visitor brought along a brooch she had acquired at a charity shop.
The guest told expert Susan Rumfitt that she had discovered the brooch in a container alongside numerous other pieces of costume jewellery. However, according to the guest, the brooch "didn't feel like costume jewellery."
Imparting her expertise, Susan revealed, "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 chimed in, "Date-wise, we're looking around 1870," to which the guest responded, "Oh wow!" The expert elaborated: "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."
Susan continued: "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."
Susan then asked 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 worth 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 left gobsmacked by the valuation, exclaiming: "Oh my goodness! Oh!" as she covered her mouth with her hand. Completely taken aback, she added: "Oh my goodness!"
Speaking to the camera later, 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.
