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 impressive appraisal of 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, she said: ‘I see a lot of jewellery, but very few actually make my heart smile.

‘When I saw this, my heart truly smiled. Before I tell you why, I want to know who owned it!’

The guest said her mother-in-law Audrey had always ‘loved’ jewels since she was a little girl.

Joanna continued: ‘It’s interesting that he was mayor in 1976 when this bracelet was made in England and stamped 18 carat gold. It is very heavy. This is 1974. It has hallmarks of CJ, maker.’

Examining 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 very sought after. We’ll go with the ring first. I’d say it’s around £2,000.

‘This, as I say, really makes me smile. I love it. I’d say, comfortably, at auction, you’d be looking at around £8,000 (for the bracelet).’

It comes after another Antiques Roadshow guest pledged to sell their ‘rare’ rabbit toy after realizing a huge valuation on the item, which has sat in a drawer for 20 years.

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

During the repeat episode, which aired last Sunday, the rabbit predates the creation of Disney’s Mickey Mouse and was a nasty character who relied on his trademark good 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.

‘So it was a Disney famous rabbit and they made 27 movies and…they’re funny. They are brilliant!’

Bunny continued to ask the woman how the rabbit came into her possession.

The lady said: ‘My mum got him when I was a baby from a great aunt who worked in the service and she got some toys that the kids had outgrown.

‘And when my mother saw it, she thought, “she hasn’t”, and she wrapped it in a bag, put it in a drawer, and I didn’t see it for about 20 years later’.

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

She said: ‘This is before Mickey Mouse – Oswald is 1927 until 1938. And I can’t understand how Mickey Mouse came about and he’s not that well known.

‘But he’s absolutely lovely and what’s so lovely about him, he looks lucky. Disney patented this, this is by the famous Dean’s Rag Book company which was started in 1903.

‘They actually made this. In that condition, and he’s incredibly rare, I’d say he’s worth £2000.

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

‘For me, he has been lying in a drawer wrapped up, and he would probably continue to do so. I would love to find someone who would really appreciate him and show him off a bit’.

Antiques Roadshow is on BBC One on Sunday evenings at 19.00.