The owner of a beautiful diamond necklace has been left astounded after appearing on BBC One's Antiques Roadshow and having one of its experts, Susan Rumfitt, reveal its estimated value. The latest episode, which aired on BBC One at 6.15pm on Sunday, October 16, and saw Fiona Bruce and her Antiques Roadshow team take over Brodie Castle and Estate in Morayshire, Scotland, where they were met by excited owners of hand-me-down treasures like a set of paintings by Cadell and a set of teapots in the shape of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.
The experts throughout the show helped guests discover the worth of such items. And one such guest, who was the owner of a pink and white stone necklace, was bowled over by the cost of a necklace she didn't even wear, a family heirloom no longer in use.
Susan began her segment by saying: “On this slightly overcast day we've got a gorgeous pink and white stone necklace to brighten the day up. How's did come into your collection?”
Read more: The pink and white stone necklace hasn't be worn for 30 years, the owner revealed
The owner revealed: “It was my ex husband's aunt's. She gave me it 30 years ago." and admitted, when asked, that she's only worn the precious item once "about 30 years ago", confessing: "I just felt it was too fine and I would break it."
Detailing what she liked about the necklace itself, the owner said: "It is just beautiful. I fell in love with it as soon as I got it."
Explaining where the piece came from — her ex-husband's aunt's great grandmother — Susan went on to unveil some facts about the piece of jewellery: "It dates from the late 19th, early 20th century. We're getting into the period of what we know is the Garland style of jewellery or the Belle Époque period of jewellery, which is all about these gorgeous swags, pendant drops; delicacy. And it is a period greatly associated with diamonds and pearls and a highlight of a colour within the piece of jewellery as well. So you wouldn't necessarily get an abundance of different colours running through the jewellery but you'd certainly get the diamonds, the pearls and then maybe one other stone which is exactly what we've got here. We've got the lovely combination.”
She continued: "The centre stone is a pink Topaz which is beautiful, vibrant, reflecting well even on a day like today. It just looks stunning, doesn't it? It's absolutely, really very delicate and pretty. And we've also got this lovely shield shape, which again is very typical of the late 19th, early 20th century period. The mount will be platinum chain and platinum around here. At the moment there's a real interest in pretty diamond set jewellery from the late Victorian Edwardian period.
"If you think about the beautiful balls that happened during this time with the ladies in the total glamour, absolutely amazing. With beautiful lace-fronted dresses and then the workmanship within the actual pendant itself would be reflected against the lovely lacework. It really was as if the jewellery and the fashion were coming together."
Despite the piece not being signed, Susan emphasises the incredible quality of the item, explaining how it is delicate and gorgeous. Putting her guess at what it would auction at, Susan shared that she would expect it to fetched between £3 and £5,000. She then joked: “That’s even more of a reason you wouldn’t wear it.” to which the current owner agreed: “Oh gosh, I wouldn’t dare.”
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