Antiques Roadshow guest is left speechless by staggering value of ‘sought after’ diamond bracelet and matching ring inherited from her mother-in-law

An Antiques Roadshow guest was left speechless after the overwhelming appreciation for her diamond bracelet and matching ring.

The guest had inherited the pieces from her late mother-in-law, who was the wife of a mayor, in 1976 when her husband became mayor of Fylde in Lancashire.

The jewelery impressed expert Joanna Hardy, who said: ‘I see a lot of jewellery, but very little jewelery really makes my heart smile.

“When I saw this, my heart really smiled. Before I tell you why, I want to know who the owner is!’

The guest said that her mother-in-law Audrey always loved jewelry since she was a little girl.

The guest had inherited the pieces from her late mother-in-law, who was the wife of a mayor, in 1976 when her husband became mayor of Fylde in Lancashire.

Joanna continued: ‘It is interesting that he became mayor in 1976 as this bracelet was made in England and is marked with 18 carat gold. It’s very heavy. This is 1974. It has the mark of CJ, the creator.”

While looking at the pieces, Joanna admitted she didn’t know who CJ was, but admired the diamonds and sapphires on the bracelet.

Revealing the valuation, she said: “At auction, this period is in high demand. We’ll start with the ring first. I’d say it’s around €2,000.

‘This, as I say, really makes me laugh. I love it. I’d say you’d have to pay around £8,000 (for the bracelet) at auction.”

It comes after another Antiques Roadshow guest vowed to sell his ‘rare’ bunny toy after receiving a huge appreciation for the item that had been in a drawer for 20 years.

A lady brought the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to be valued when the BBC show visited the Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland.

During the repeat episode that aired last Sunday, the Rabbit came before the creation of Disney’s Mickey Mouse and was a feisty character who relied on his signature luck to get him out of trouble.

Antiques expert Bunny Campione explained: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is a very important rabbit because it was designed by Disney for Universal Pictures.

The expert said: ‘At the auction we will first work on the ring. I’d say it’s around €2,000. This, like I said, really makes me smile. I love it. I would say you would comfortably pay around £8,000 (for the bracelet) at auction.”

It comes after another Antiques Roadshow guest vowed to sell his bunny toy after receiving a huge appreciation for the item that had been in a drawer for 20 years – the repeat episode aired on the BBC last Sunday

“So it was a famous Disney bunny and they made 27 movies and… they’re hilarious. They’re brilliant!’

Bunny further asked the woman how the rabbit came into her possession.

The lady said: ‘My mother got it when I was a baby from a great aunt who worked in the service and she got some toys that the children had grown out of.

“And when my mother saw it, she thought, ‘She doesn’t have that,’ and she wrapped it in a bag and put it in a drawer and I haven’t seen it again 20 years later.”

Stunned Bunny told the guest that the rabbit is very ‘rare’ as she revealed how much he is worth.

She said, ‘This predates Mickey Mouse – Oswald is from 1927 to 1938. And I don’t understand how Mickey Mouse came to be and he’s not that well known.

‘But he is absolutely delightful and what’s great about him is that he looks happy. Disney has received a patent for this, from the well-known company Dean’s Rag Book, which was founded in 1903.

“They really made this happen. In that condition, and it’s incredibly rare, I’m going to say it’s worth £2000.

The women were left shocked, she replied: ‘I didn’t expect that. I’m so happy. I can’t believe how much, he’s a little cuddly toy. I will definitely sell.

‘For me it has been in a drawer, and it would probably stay that way. I’d like to find someone who would really appreciate it and show it off a little bit.”

Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One on Sunday evenings at 7pm.