Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest stunned by the value of her vintage jewelry: ‘I wear it quite a lot’ (marketrealist.com)
A “Antiques Roadshow” guest received a pleasant surprise when she brought a collection of jade jewelry, a gift from her grandfather to her grandmother, for appraisal. The expert explained that evaluating jade is a nuanced process, taking into account the size, smoothness, and color consistency of each stone. Two pieces, in particular, caught the expert’s eye.
The first was a 1920s-era ring featuring a large, flawless jade stone set with diamonds. The expert noted the ring’s vintage style, pointing out that older jade pieces like this one were less likely to have undergone modern treatments that can enhance appearance.
The second standout piece was a unique jade pin, possibly once part of a larger item due to its slightly wedge-shaped form. The guest also presented a jade brooch with a noticeable crack, which the expert identified as Art Deco style and containing small diamonds. Lastly, a Chinese jade carving, likely intended as a necklace pendant, depicted intricate details of fish, a lotus flower, and a pea pod.
The cracked brooch and the unusual pin were each valued at £4,000 (approximately $5,385). The jade carving, based on a comparable auctioned piece, was estimated between £6,000 and £8,000 ($8,077 to $10,769).
The biggest surprise came with the jade ring. While the guest hoped for a value between £8,000 and £10,000 ($10,769 to $13,461), the expert placed its worth even higher, delighting the guest, who frequently wears the cherished heirloom.
She expressed a wish that her grandfather could have heard the valuation, knowing his fondness for the piece.