Antiques Roadshow viewers were left stunned once again as expert John Benjamin revealed the true value of a ring thought to be worthless costume jewellery. The episode, which aired as a repeat on Sunday 5 November, featured two cousins from Nottingham who brought in three items for appraisal, including a Victorian ring.
The ring, featuring a green stone surrounded by diamonds, had been given to the guest's mother as a birthday present from her great-great-aunt, who believed it to be costume jewellery. However, Benjamin quickly identified the stone as an emerald from South America, set in 18-carat gold with old Victorian white cut diamonds, dating from around 1975 to 1980.
When asked to try on the ring, the guest remarked it felt light, reinforcing her belief it was costume. Benjamin laughed and corrected her, explaining it was a genuine emerald. He then delivered the valuation: 'Your costume ring, your inconsequential piece of glass jewellery, I don't know £4,000.' The cousins were gobsmacked, with one exclaiming, 'That is a lot more than I was expecting.'
Benjamin added that the total value of the three items brought in ranged from £7,000 to £10,000. The grateful guest said she would inform her grandmother, who would be 'eating her words.'
Earlier in the show, textile expert Hilary Kay appraised a collection of Elizabethan clothing dating back 500 years, including a bedspread and pillowcases sewn by Elizabeth I and her ladies-in-waiting. Kay valued the items at a minimum of £100,000, describing them as 'extremely rare' and in 'incredible condition.'
