Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ expert loved the guest’s jewelry so much that she wanted to ‘run away’ with it (marketrealist.com)
A stunning surprise awaited a guest on the BBC’s “Antiques Roadshow” when she brought in a set of inherited jewelry. The brooch and earrings, originally belonging to her mother, were nestled in separate boxes, their significance hinted at by a single, powerful name: Cartier. Unbeknownst to the guest, these weren’t just any trinkets.
The elegant set, crafted from citrine, a popular gemstone in the 1940s, immediately captivated the show’s expert. The guest recounted how her mother, a racing enthusiast, often wore the brooch on her suit lapel. While Cartier is renowned for its use of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, wartime austerities of the 1940s led to the increased use of other stones like citrine, amethyst, and topaz.
Though the earrings had been altered from their original design, their value remained impressive. The expert appraised them at £10,000, leaving the guest speechless.
However, the true showstopper was the brooch, a piece the expert confessed she’d “run away with” given the chance. Its breathtaking design and vibrant colors commanded an astounding auction value of £30,000, widening the guest’s eyes in disbelief and delight.
The guest admitted the valuation far exceeded her expectations, proving once again that the allure and value of Cartier endures.