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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Antiques Roadshow guest shocked by price of 'novelty' ring she thought was worthless

Antiques Roadshow viewers were stunned when expert John Benjamin told his guests the real value of their 'novelty' jewellery.

The cousins rocked up at the show in Nottingham with three pieces to be examined, including a Victorian ring.

Examining the collection, John turned his attention to the beautiful green stone, which was surrounded by diamonds.

"So my mum was given it as a birthday present, from our great great aunt, she was gifted it as costume jewellery," said the guest.

Baffled, John asked: "Right, that is a costume ring. I am going to ask a question, I want you to put it on, do you think that is costume jewellery?"

Examining the ring, the girl said awkwardly: "Urm, I think yeah, it doesn't have a lot of weight in it"

Laughing, John exclaimed: "It is an emerald!" - leaving both of his guests gobsmacked.

Antiques Roadshow guests couldn't believe the value of their aunt's 'novelty' ring (BBC)

The expert continued: "It is an emerald! It is a splendid emerald from South America surrounded by old Victorian white cut diamonds mounted up in 18-carat gold, made in around about 1975 to 1980."

While the history of the piece was fascinating, viewers couldn't wait to find out how much the ring was worth.

"Your costume ring, your inconsequential piece of glass jewellery, I don't know £4,000," John said as the girls' mouths dropped open.

It was actually an emerald (BBC)

"That is a lot more than I was expecting for that one," said the cousin.

Seeing her shock, John laughed: "I know! So you actually have a total value thereof £7,000 to £10,000."

Grateful for his guidance, she replied: "Oh my god, thank you! I am going to tell granny now, she will be eating her words."

Earlier in the show Roadshow expert Hilary Kay was left stunned when a never-before-seen collection of Elizabethan clothing dating back 500 years appeared at Wollaton Hall.

John Benjamin couldn't believe what he was seeing (BBC)

The textiles haul included a bedspread, two pillow cases sewn by Elizabeth I and her ladies in waiting and an ‘extremely rare’ ivory silk satin sleeve and sleeve support.

Hilary valued the item at a 'minimum' of £100,000, gushing: “It is such an exciting moment to be faced with something from the 16th century which is in such incredible condition.”

Textile historian Ninya Mikhaila, also known as The Tudor Tailor, agreed, saying: “The first time I saw the farthingale sleeve I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and was literally speechless."

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