An Antiques Roadshow guest was left in shock after discovering her £5 ‘costume’ earrings were actually worth thousands of pounds.
The stunned woman had flown in from Perth, Australia, to hear the experts’ opinions on the BBC programme and she was not disappointed.
In the repeat episode, she brought with her a pair of elegant gold and diamond earrings that featured a sweet pink bow design.
The Perth native told Antiques Roadshow expert Susan Rumfitt she had bought the jewellery just three years ago because she needed something to wear to a party.
She explained: ‘The theme was ‘thrift store glamour’ so we had to find something in the thrift store that was glamorous that we could wear and that’s my thrift store glamour,’ she said.
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left in shock after learning her £5 ‘costume’ earrings were actually worth thousands of pounds.
The stunned woman had flown in from Perth, Australia, and brought with her a pair of elegant gold and diamond earrings that featured a sweet pink bow.
Antiques Roadshow expert Susan Rumfitt revealed that her earrings, bought for £5 in a charity shop for a party, were actually worth up to £6,000
Susan said to the guest, “I bet you looked fantastic when you were at the party.”
The Antiques Roadshow appraiser then used a thermal tester to determine whether the diamonds were genuine or costume jewelry.
Susan placed the device on each earring and as it emitted a series of beeps the guest seemed nervous as he waited for Susan’s assessment.
The expert said, ‘So do we think that beeping is good or bad?’
The guest laughed and said she didn’t know, before adding: “Actually, they’re just some glitter. Some $10 glitter.”
Susan did some quick calculations and worked out that this would equate to about £5.
The BBC appraiser later revealed that the woman was wearing a pair of diamond earrings.
She said, ‘Well, like I said, we’ve looked at them really well and obviously the machine is making some strange noises.
A guest appearing on Antiques Roadshow struggled to contain her profanity when the shocking value of her jewellery collection was revealed.
On Sunday’s edition of the hit BBC show, jewellery specialist Joanna Hardy, 62, headed to Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, and while there introduced viewers to a guest with an intriguing collection of jewellery.
According to Joanna, the jewels probably date back to the 1960s and 1970s and are worth around £15,000 today.
“Well, the noise the tester made indicates that they are diamonds. And inside the centerpiece, there are also some beautiful floating diamonds or happy diamonds, as they are often called in this range of jewelry.”
Susan then revealed that the real diamond earrings were from the 1980s or 1990s and pointed to a vaguely engraved name, Chopard, appearing on the crystal.
She continued: ‘They designed some really magnificent pieces of jewellery and you see them at some of the best auctions in the world – Geneva, New York – and they are highly sought after in so many ways.
‘So far, it’s all good news, but of course it all comes down to value and you’ve come all this way to see how much they’re worth.
“Well, you probably could have travelled in a lot of luxury on your way here, because as far as auction value goes, we’ll be looking at between £4,000 and £6,000.”
The guest was shocked to hear the value of her earrings from a charity shop and could only laugh in response.
As the woman trembled in surprise, the crowd behind her gasped in joy.
When the shocked Australian guest was finally able to speak, she smiled and told Susan: “That’s fantastic! Thank you!”
Susan then asked: Will you come back?
The guest revealed she would celebrate with some shopping as she continued her trip around the UK.
This is not the only shocking evaluation of a piece of jewelry that the fair has recently presented.
A guest who also appeared on the show couldn’t contain her profanities when the shocking value of her jewelry collection was revealed.
On Sunday’s edition of the hit BBC show, jewellery specialist Joanna Hardy, 62, headed to Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, and while there introduced viewers to a guest with an intriguing collection of jewellery.
After meeting with specialist Joanna, the seller quickly learned that the intricate pieces had been crafted by George Weil, a renowned sculptor and jeweler.
According to Joanna, the jewels probably date back to the 1960s and 1970s and feature a modernist design.
After examining all the pieces, Joanna singled out a matching set consisting of a gold ring, brooch, and bracelet.
According to the seller, he had originally purchased the trio for £1,500, but was unaware that the collection was worth much more.
Joanna then replied saying: “Well, I think it would be about £15,000 today.”
Shocked to learn that her jewelry collection was now worth ten times what she originally paid for it, the saleswoman took a moment to collect herself before confessing, “I’m sorry, I almost swore!”, eliciting laughter from the crowd around her.
