Antiques Roadshow: Rare ballerina brooch valued
An Antiques Roadshow guest gave a two-word response when a jewellery expert's opinion hinted that her piece might be extremely valuable.
The BBC show made its way to Beaumaris Castle in Wales, where Joanna Hardy, a jewellery specialist, engaged with visitors and their prized possessions.
A mother and her daughter caught Joanna's attention as they produced a ballerina-shaped brooch with an intriguing backstory.
Describing her first impression, Joanna excitedly recalled: "You were in my jewellery queue this morning and opened the jewellery box and just said to me 'what do you think of this?'.
"I was just doing cartwheels in my head and I was actually physically on the floor. I thought 'is this 'true'? It can't be 'true'' so before we go into all of that, I would love to hear the story behind this brooch."
The brooch had been handed down by a Polish jeweller, who gave it to the mother during the closure of his shop in the late 70s or early 80s, letting her pick out her favourite as a parting gift after narrowing down her options with her husband.
Ballet being a longstanding family passion, with the mum having formerly taught at a private ballet school in Chester, gave the brooch added sentimental value.
However, when Joanna sought the feelings of the original owner regarding the glamorous accessory, she revealed: "Well I thought it was a bit too glamourous. I mean, I loved it for the texture, the shape and the subject."
Jewellery expert Joanna took viewers through the details of an exquisite brooch on Antiques Roadshow: "This is made with turquoise, rubies, 18 carat gold and diamonds and it's very simple materials and yet you look at it, you can really feel the dancer.
"It's a fabulous jewel. It has all the properties, all the wonderful skills of a company called Van Cleef and Arpels.
"They are, and were, fabulous, fabulous jewellers and craftspeople. Alfred Van Cleef, he married Estelle Arpels in 1895 and they were both from gemstone dynasties and in fact, Alfred and Estelle's brothers got together and they formed Van Cleef and Arpels in 1906.
"They made ballerina brooches from the 1940s but not that many. Like yourself, they were passionate about ballet, they were real enthusiasts."
However, there were some doubts regarding its authenticity as she couldn't find the Van Cleef and Arpels signature.
She advised the owner: "So I absolutely think you must go and see them and they would be able to give you the yes or the no.
"I was searching for a maker's mark. They have French marks on the bottom of the feet for the French gold.
"It also has another signature which the ballerina brooches have is that their faces are set with a rose-cut diamond and this is set with a rose-cut diamond face.
"If it is right, it is tens and tens of thousands of pounds."
The daughter could barely contain her excitement with an "Oh my gosh", while the more sceptical mother questioned the valuation: "Can't be."
Expert Joanna was clearly impressed by the piece's beauty and significance, remarking: "This is a serious jewel but I think it's absolutely stunning and I know that Van Cleef and Arpels sure would be very glad to help you and then come back and tell me."
Later on, in a follow-up chat, Joanna added: "I think it's just so exciting and even if it's right or not right, I think it's just a fabulous jewel."
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
