Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims 'golly' after whopping value of mum's jewellery

Antiques Roadshow: Expert values jewellery

An Antiques Roadshow guest was taken aback as she pondered taking a seat before learning the eye-watering valuation of her mother's jewellery trove.

In a delightful episode set against the picturesque backdrop of Swanage Pier and Seafront, eager owners presented treasured possessions to experts for appraisal.

Surrounded by an inquisitive crowd, expert John Benjamin engaged with a woman who brought three mysterious pieces of jewellery, sparking intrigue about their worth.

He asked: "Well, you will agree that they look rather nice against the blue velvet background, don't they? What are they? What's the story? Are they a family legacy?"

The owner revealed: "My father bought them for my mother sometime between the late 1950s and the early 1970s."

Antiques Roadshow guest asks if she needs to sit down as value of mum's 'powerful' jewellery is disclosed (Image: BBC)

An Antiques Roadshow guest brought in three pieces of her mum's 'beautiful' jewellery. (Image: BBC)

The guest admitted to knowing "nothing at all" about the items but suspected the ring might be a Cartier piece.

Benjamin delved deeper: "So apart from that, it's a blank canvas, isn't it? What you've brought along are three really wonderful pieces of 20th Century jewellery.

"This one here, the clip, the 1920s, this much bigger brooch is much more of the 1930s or even 1940s. This ring, to me, looks like it could be more like the 1940s or 1950s period.

"Shall we talk about the stones? The clip, aquamarine and diamond. You've got this rather geometric looking front, all cut diamonds and these aquamarines set in the frame."

"And the craftsmanship is just as admirable on the backside; behold the intricately pierced thread work design of the hinge clip."

The expert was then captivated by a double clip brooch that could be divided for a dual lapel display, describing it as "incredibly smart".

"But let's just marvel at the content of that brooch. Look at these beautifully matched sapphires, brilliant cut diamonds in a stylised continuous ribbon bow design. That is what is called a very grown-up piece of jewellery."

"I'll have to grow up then", quipped the owner.

The appraisal continued with a ring thought to be Cartier, which was indeed confirmed by Benjamin.

He detailed: "It's got 18-carat gold, and it's individually numbered. You've got a platinum and diamond cluster at the front.

"I mean, that is the mark of one of the top jewellers in the world. Do you want some good news?"

Antiques Roadshow expert John Benjamin valued three pieces of jewellery for £20,000. (Image: BBC) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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To which the guest humorously responded: "Do I need a chair?"

Benjamin continued: "It's very, very, very commercial today. So do you want some values?"

"I suppose I better had", said the guest, eager for the valuation.

Benjamin valued the aqua and diamond clip at £3,000 to £4,000, eliciting a surprised "Gosh" from its owner.

He then estimated the Cartier ring, predicting a frenzy at auction, "I'm going to say at auction, certainly between £4,000 to £6,000."

The guest couldn't hide their astonishment, exclaiming: "Goodness me! Gosh."

Benjamin then revealed he wasn't "quite finished", stating that the sapphire and diamond bow brooch was worth a staggering £8,000 to £10,000.

The guest chuckled: "Wow! Gosh. I had absolutely no idea" as Benjamin clarified: "I think we're looking at probably £15,000 to £20,000 easy peasy."

The woman murmured in disbelief: "Golly."

Benjamin then added: "Easy peasy. These are very powerful, beautiful, and important pieces of jewellery," prompting applause from the audience.

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims 'golly' after whopping value of mum's jewellery

Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims 'golly' after whopping value of mum's jewellery

Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims 'golly' after whopping value of mum's jewellery

Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims 'golly' after whopping value of mum's jewellery

Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims 'golly' after whopping value of mum's jewellery