Antiques Roadshow guest STUNNED by huge value of her mother’s diamond ring which she used to keep in a sock so she didn’t lose it
An Antiques Roadshow guest was stunned by the sheer value of her mother’s diamond ring during Sunday night’s episode of the show.
The BBC series led by Fiona Bruce was in Crystal Palace Park this week, attracting thousands of people hoping to find out more about their special items.
And one such woman took her mother’s ‘stunning’ ring to jewelery specialist Joanna Hardy, who delivered the stunning news of its £20,000 value.
The guest explained that the item belonged to her mother and was given to her by her great-grandfather.
She had found the ring wrapped in a sock while cleaning up some things and when she questioned her mother at the time, she said she had kept it in the garment so she wouldn’t lose it.
Shock: An Antiques Roadshow guest was stunned by the sheer value of her mother’s diamond ring during Sunday night’s episode of the show
Sparkler: The BBC series fronted by Fiona Bruce was at Crystal Palace Park this week, attracting thousands of people hoping to find out more about their special items
Joanna went on to tell her that it was a ring made in 1915 from platinum and a transitional cut diamond of almost complete clarity.
The only detail she noticed was that one of the claws holding the diamond needed some adjustment.
She then told the shocked guest that it would be worth £20,000 at auction.
The totally flawed guest then replied, “Wow! Oh God! Then I better get that claw repaired quickly!’
It comes after an Antiques Roadshow guest last week was amazed at the ‘ridiculous’ value of his damaged watch.
The BBC show returned for a brand new series last Sunday evening, with the antiques experts traveling to Swanage Pier and the seafront.
Among the treasures on display was a rare Omega watch that had suffered the unfortunate fate of being run over by a lawn mower.
However, expert Richard Price was quickly able to reassure the owner that the timepiece was salvageable and valuable.
Incredibly, one such woman took her mother’s ‘stunning’ ring to jewelery specialist Joanna Hardy (pictured), who broke the stunning news of its £20,000 value
Jewelry: The guest explained that the item belonged to her mother and was given to her by her great-grandfather
Unusual: She had found the ring wrapped in a sock while cleaning up some things and when she questioned her mother at the time, she said she had kept it in the garment so she wouldn’t lose it
He said: ‘As you know, this was the first watch worn on the moon, but in the watch industry there is an unfortunate word for when something is in very poor condition. We call it deserted and this is quite deserted. How did it get to this state?’
The guest then explained: ‘Unfortunately it went through my lawn mower. We got broken into and they probably dropped it in the grass when they left. My wife later found it in the compost bin.
He added: ‘I bought it in late 1965 or early 1966 and it was second hand at the time.’
Despite the damage, expert Richard confirmed that the watch would still be worth thousands if the couple had it repaired.
He said: ‘Assuming you can get these pieces with that strap in good condition, I can see it selling for between £18 and 20,000. And the belt alone is worth £3,000.”
The male guest said: ‘I’m amazed, I’m excited, I mean I came here thinking it was basically beyond repair, kind of rubbish really. My son will be excited because he wants to inherit it.”
Fans were shocked by the valuation, with one penny tweeting: ‘Just the metal Omega watch strap > £3,000, nonsense.’
Another wrote: ‘I’ve been in the garden so I may have missed it but a ridiculous price for a broken watch.’
Nice: Joanna went on to tell her that it was a ring made in 1915 from platinum and a transitional cut diamond with almost complete clarity
Reaction to the news: She then told the shocked guest that it would be worth £20,000 at auction
Elsewhere on the show, another guest was amazed to discover the value of the miniature silver teapot he inherited from his great-uncle and aunt.
The small teapot fits perfectly in the palm of a hand and was praised by expert Duncan Campbell.
He said: ‘This is the most beautiful teapot I have ever seen on Antiques Roadshow and may have ever seen. I absolutely love it and I’m more than a little jealous.”
It was made in 1728 and was worth at least £12,000, causing a shocked ‘wow’ from those who brought in the teapot.