A guest at Antiques Roadshow, filmed at the Botanic Gardens in Belfast, became emotional upon discovering the substantial value of her grandmother’s unique pendant.
The piece, described as “magical” for its hidden detail, was one of two remarkable items shown to jewelry expert Susan Rumfitt.
Alongside the pendant, the guest also shared a vintage black-and-white photograph of a fashionable woman, adding a personal touch to the story.
Susan turned to the guest, saying, “Little bit of magic here today. Pearls in the pendant, brooch diamonds, and a glamorous lady. Tell me about her.”
The guest later revealed the story behind the cherished items initially owned by her grandmother.
“She’s my grandmother, her name was Irene Picks, and she married my grandfather before the First World War. He was killed in France at the very beginning of the war,” she said.
The guest at the Antiques Roadshow shared details about her grandmother’s life, explaining that after losing her first husband, she moved to England and married Robin Buxton, who likely gifted her the jewelry.
Her father later passed These cherished pieces down to the guest following her grandmother’s passing.
Irene was remembered as a “theater girl,” and she was known for her dramatic personality, a trait reflected in her bold and distinctive jewelry.
Jewelry expert Susan Rumfitt began her assessment with the diamond brooch, praising its intricate craftsmanship and detailed design. She estimated the piece dated back to the late 19th or early 20th century.
“It would have been a very lovely thing to have,” Susan said.
The highlight of the collection was the lavaliere pendant. Susan pointed out its clever design, explaining that the fittings on the back allowed the pendant’s drops to be converted into earrings.
She also suggested that the diamond coronet detail could mean the piece was made for an essential royal occasion.
In addition, Susan identified the pearls as likely natural, noting their distinct shapes and shiny luster as solid signs of their authenticity.
“The period we’re looking at, there were cultured pearls starting to creep into the market, however, these are more than likely going to be natural pearls,” said the jewelry expert at the Antiques Roadshow.
Susan admired the pearls’ beautiful shine and unique shapes and sizes, describing them as stunning.
The jewelry expert was confident that the pearls were natural, though she mentioned that an X-ray would provide confirmation. She then shifted her focus to the items’ value.
Although the brooch lacked a hallmark, its high quality indicated it was likely crafted by a respected jeweler, with an estimated auction value of £5,000 (around $6,300) to £7,000 ($8,800).
“I love the diamond brooch. If that came up at auction, I would expect it to be between £5,000 and £7,000,” she said.
The guest was clearly overwhelmed when Susan shared the estimated value.
“Wow. Right. I wasn’t expecting that. Not at all,” she said.
Susan then focused on the pendant, calling it stunning and estimating its auction value between £20,000 ($25,180) and £30,000 (about $37,770).
The value left the guest, and the crowd stunned. Overcome with emotion, the guest gasped, “Oh my God. Wow. Never entered my head.”
In response, Susan shared a thoughtful conclusion, saying, “Two beautiful pieces of jewelry. Thank you very much indeed.”
In a follow-up interview, the guest shared her surprise, explaining that she had always considered the pendant a nice piece of jewelry, never expecting it to be worth so much.
“It really took my breath away, that’s all I can say. Unbelievable,” she said
The internet quickly dubbed her a “lucky lady” and was moved by her emotional response to the surprising valuation.
Meanwhile, here’s a video from WatchMojo UK, showing the ten most expensive Antiques Roadshow valuations of all time:
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