Antiques Roadshow expert supports teary-eyed guest as nan’s beloved pendant worth huge sum

An Antiques Roadshow guest teared up after an expert told her just how much her pendant was worth.

During a gripping episode of Antiques Roadshow, a guest was gobsmacked by the staggering value of her grandmother’s treasured pendant, left to her by her dad.

On location at Belfast’s enchanting Botanic Gardens, ‘s jewellery expert Susan Rumfitt was presented with not one, but two ravishing heirlooms, accompanied by a black and white snapshot.

Susan initiated the valuation with infectious enthusiasm, declaring: “Little bit of magic here today. Pearls in the pendant, diamonds in the brooch, and a rather glamorous lady. Tell me about her.”

As the narrative behind the gems unfurled, the owner shared: “She’s my grandmother, her name was Irene Picks, and she married my grandfather before the First World War, and he was killed in France at the very, very beginning, of the war.

“And after he died, she went to England and married somebody called Robin Buxton and I think he probably gave her these jewels, and then my father gave them to me after my grandmother died.

The expert spoke of how “glamourous” her ancestor was with the guest adding that she was a “theatre girl.”

First setting her gaze upon the brooch, Susan gushed over the stunning “delicate flower” design, beset with “gorgeous cut diamonds” that seemed to dance with life.

Though the piece lacked a signature or hallmark, Susan speculated confidently that it hailed from illustrious hands, even praising the exquisite engravings adorning its perimeter.

Susan, beaming with enthusiasm for the vintage piece, shared: “Which helps to date it actually to the latter part of the 19th, early 20th Century, it was a very lovely thing to have so absolutely gorgeous.”

She then began to discuss the pendant: “Have you noticed there are some fittings at the back of the drops?

“Well those fittings enable you to take the drops off and actually wear these drops as earrings as well.

“So it’s very much a multi-functional pendant, isn’t it? It’s really great.

“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.”

“They have a beautiful luster to them, they’re slightly different in shape and size which, again, I think is just gorgeous, absolutely wonderful.

“With natural pearls, of course, it really is an X-ray that’s going to tell us for sure, but I’m very, very confident that these are natural pearls.”

As anticipation peaked, Susan commenced the valuation: “We have to talk values. I love the diamond brooch. If that came up at auction, I would expect it to be between £5,000 and £7,000.”

The owner, taken aback by this unexpected reveal, exclaimed: “Wow. Right. I wasn’t expecting that. Not at all.”

But it was Susan’s evaluation of the pendant that truly took everyone by surprise.

Her revelation was striking: “But then we have the beautiful pendant, it’s absolutely stunning. So, auction estimate, £20,000 to £30,000.”

The audience gasped as the elderly woman covered her mouth in shock at the remarkable valuation.

Applause erupted from the crowd while the pensioner, visibly moved, barely managed to express her astonishment: “Oh my God. Wow. Never entered my head.”

Susan concluded compassionately, acknowledging the jewels: “Two beautiful pieces of jewellery. Thank you very much indeed”, as she offered a reassuring touch to the tearful guest.

Later on, the guest recounted feeling overwhelmed in a separate interview: “It’s just one almighty shock. I just always thought it was a nice pendant, and it’s worth, maybe, not a lot, not a lot, no.

She added breathlessly, still processing the valuation: “It really took my breath away, that’s all I can say. Unbelievable.”

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on One and iPlayer.