During a repeat episode of Antiques Roadshow aired on Sunday, August 2, jewellery expert Susan Rumfitt met a guest at Brodie Castle and Estate in Morayshire. The diamond brooch she examined was described as magnificent, and its owner said she wore it in the evening when going out, calling it "the star of the show".
"It's come down through the family from my grandmother. She was a farmer's wife but got dressed up in the evening, that sort of thing," the guest explained.
Rumfitt dated the brooch to the 1930s, at "the height of the art deco period". She said the era was about having a great time with fashion and jewels, and imagined the grandmother enjoying herself wearing the piece. "It's got a sense of theatre about it, it plays away on its own with its beautiful diamonds," she added.
Diamonds after the Wall Street crash
The expert noted that jewellery at the time was "impressive" and focused on diamonds. She pointed out that despite the 1929 Wall Street crash and the Depression, Chanel and De Beers teamed up to promote the diamond industry and encourage people to buy diamond jewellery.
While the guest thought the brooch weighed around 3 carats, Rumfitt estimated it could be around 14. "Oh my goodness, really?!" the guest replied.
A £20,000 valuation
Rumfitt went on to value the brooch at around £20,000, leaving the owner speechless. "It's taken my breath away," she said. "It brings tears to my eyes." She vowed to keep wearing it, adding: "That is a shock."
Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
