‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest is left stunned by cost of brooch

An Antiques Roadshow guest was in complete shock after finding out the value of a brooch passed down through her family. The expert Joanna Hardy took on the task of finding out the value of the stunning gold and silver item.

Picking up the brooch, she said: “This is a very special jewel and I wasn't disappointed when I opened the box to see this. But also it's a very special occasion I hear.”

The guest quickly explained. “So this brooch was given to my mum by my granny when I was born and mum passed it on to me when my daughter was born.”

“And to think that this brooch has been passed down through these generations, that is what jewellery is all about. I love it because it is everything that I look for in a jewel, it is beautifully crafted. Everything you see has been hand done and handmade,” retorted Joanna.

Observing the piece, she continued: “And you've got all these yellow diamonds, and then the head is all white diamonds, then that emerald eye. And what I love to see, you might not see the other eye but they have always paid attention to the reverse and you've got it sitting perched on a line of baguette diamonds and then you've got these three Marquise cut sapphires.”

She then revealed its estimated value, leaving the guest in shock: “I mean, it really is absolutely superb. And if you were going to buy something similar, you would probably need to spend about £25,000 and £30,000.”