Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest left in tears after expert reveals the value of her 125-year-old opal ring (marketrealist.com)
A treasured family heirloom, an opal ring passed down through generations, recently made its way to the Antiques Roadshow, leaving its owner stunned by a surprising appraisal.
The ring, featuring a central Australian boulder opal with a striking play of colors, belonged to the guest’s great-grandmother. It eventually passed to her aunt, then her father, and finally to her just a couple of years ago. The ring’s journey through her family history added to its sentimental value.
Antiques Roadshow expert Jill Burgum examined the ring, highlighting the opal’s unique qualities and the intricate Egyptian-inspired design on the ring’s shoulders. Burgum identified the maker as Marcus and Company, a renowned New York City jeweler known for their enamel work, which was beautifully displayed on the ring. The ring, made of 14-karat gold, was estimated to be an Art Nouveau piece from around 1900.
Burgum initially appraised the ring at $8,000 to $10,000, citing its beauty, craftsmanship, and the desirability of the Art Nouveau period. The guest was visibly moved, fighting back tears of surprise.
But the appraisal wasn’t over. Burgum then revealed that for insurance purposes, the ring should be valued at a staggering $25,000 to $30,000, leaving the guest speechless.
Overwhelmed and joyful, the guest joked that she would need to find a safer place than her dresser drawer to store the precious heirloom.