Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest says ‘it’s lot more than I thought’ after hearing the value of her jewelry (marketrealist.com)
A Victorian-era ring recently stunned an “Antiques Roadshow” guest with its surprisingly high value. The guest, who inherited the ring through her husband’s family, initially assumed it held modest value. However, a closer look by a show expert revealed its true worth.
The ring, crafted from gold with a distinctive wide, trumpet-shaped front, showcased a rare blue diamond. The expert emphasized the rarity of such a gem, stating that he typically encounters only one or two comparable stones each year. He noted the diamond’s Victorian cut, which concentrates the weight at the back, estimating it to be approximately half a carat.
Accurately appraising the diamond required specialized certification, a process typically conducted in the United States. The expert explained that American certification provides the necessary confidence for potential buyers of such rare stones. He recounted a previous example of a similar, albeit more modern-cut, blue diamond that sold for $42,000 after being certified.
While cautious about directly comparing the two, the expert estimated the guest’s ring to be worth between £10,000 ($13,669) and £25,000 ($34,173). The guest, visibly surprised, admitted the valuation was “a lot more than I thought.” The expert described the ring as an extraordinary find, a testament to the hidden treasures sometimes unearthed on the show.