Antiques Roadshow guest receives SHOCKING appraisal after learning the secret history of her grandma-in-law’s pearl necklace
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left shocked after being told the estimated value of her grandmother’s iconic pearl and diamond necklace from the 1910s.
The unique necklace, which was inherited by the woman and her husband after his grandmother died at the age of 102, was presented to appraiser Gloria Lieberman during the show.
Lieberman was quickly able to confirm that the piece was created by Paulding Farnham during his time as head designer at Tiffany & Co. through signatures on the chain.
The expert showed viewers two signatures on the chain: one on the back of the diamond pendant and the other on the clasp.
The unique necklace, which was inherited by the woman and her husband after his grandmother died at the age of 102, was presented to appraiser Gloria Lieberman during the show.
The guest was then told that despite losing two pearls (worth $5,000 each), the necklace was currently worth as much as $200,000.
Lieberman was quickly able to confirm that the piece was created by Paulding Farnham during his time as head designer at Tiffany & Co. through signatures on the chain.
She explained: ‘Most people would say, “Oh, they’re diamonds, you know, that’s what’s important.” No, it’s all about the pearls.
‘This piece was probably designed by one of Tiffany’s greatest designers, Paulding Farnham, and he loved natural pearls.
‘Every pearl is beautiful: the shine, the match, the skin on it – we call it the skin. It has no stains. I mean, these are beautiful, natural pearls.”
The guest was then told that despite losing two of his pearls – each worth $5,000 – the necklace was currently worth a whopping $200,000.
Lieberman also advised the guest to have the necklace re-threaded at a Tiffany’s store and “wear it sometimes to enjoy its beauty,” but save it for important occasions.
Lieberman also advised the guest to have the necklace re-threaded at a Tiffany’s store and “wear it sometimes to enjoy its beauty,” but usually save it for important occasions.
The guest, who was left in absolute shock after learning the value of the historic necklace, quickly responded and said she would save it for her daughters’ weddings.
A notable jewelry designer, sculptor and metallurgist, Farnham was the head designer at Tiffany’s for about twenty years
The guest, who was left in absolute shock after learning the value of the historic necklace, quickly responded and said she would save it for her daughters’ weddings.
A notable jewelry designer, sculptor and metallurgist, Farnham was the head designer at Tiffany’s for about twenty years.
He was “widely recognized as the genius behind Tiffany’s success” when the company won a whopping six gold medals at the 1889 Paris Exhibition, according to University of Antique Jewelry.
Farnham’s enameled and bejeweled orchids, faithful in detail to real flowers, were considered exceptional at the time.
Some of his artwork is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and is accessible to the public.