Antiques Roadshow guest blown away by huge price of tiny diamond bird brooch
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned and amazed when a family heirloom was evaluated by a BBC expert - revealing a pleasing estimated price for an item that was barely bigger than a thumbhead.
Antiquities expert Joanna Hardy was on set of the long-running BBC show to listen to the guest and her family explain the history of an eye-catching piece of jewellery that was in the shape of a bird.
The brooch in question was coated in yellow and white diamonds and also included an emerald - and had been a gift for the mother of the guest when she welcomed her first child.
While the discovery was made during Sunday night's episode of the Antiques Roadshow which was recorded at Powis Castle - a medieval castle, fortress and grand country house near Welshpool, in Powys, Wales.
Antiques Roadshow expert Joanna Hardy inspected a small bird shaped brooch in the latest episode (BBC)Gasping at the sight of the small brooch, jewellery star Joanna remarked: “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.”
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Her guest’s daughter then leaped into an explanation about the piece, saying: “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.”
Joanna then said: “And to think that this brooch has been passed down through these generations, that is what jewellery is all about.”
She continued: "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."
The brooch in question was covered in white and yellow diamonds (BBC)Taking a closer look at the item, Joanna described the craftsmanship and materials used to create the item, saying: "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."
Finally getting to the moment everyone was waiting for - the estimated value - Joanna said: "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."
Her evaluation prompted gasps from all around - and the family who had brought the item on the show seemed particularly pleased.
The main guest explained: "No!" - and then shot a warning to her daughter, saying: "Look after it!"
She then added: "I am delighted that it is so valuable because it is such a special thing to hand down."
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Fiona Bruce and the Antiques Roadshow team will be back to uncover more hidden gems among the slew of trinkets and junk when the show returns to BBC One this coming Sunday at 9pm with an episode that was filmed at Newby Hall & Gardens in Ripon, North Yorkshire.
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