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Have you seen the one where the long-haired man hears what his watch is worth and falls on the ground? The United States Air Force veteran bought a Rolex in 1974 for $345.97. He kept the receipt. He bought it because he heard it was suitable for scuba diving, but when he received it, he felt it was too lovely to wear in saltwater.
Instead, he kept it in a safe deposit box at his bank for the next forty years. Then, when the Antiques Roadshow made it to his hometown of Fargo, North Dakota, USA, he brought it out and learned that it would likely sell at auction for a whopping $400,000!
Its mint condition and original paperwork, including a brochure for the Rolex Cosmograph, contributed to the watch’s sky-high value and sent its owner into paroxysms of happiness.
How about you? Are you sitting on a gold mine? What about that unusual brooch your aunt gave you for your graduation from university? Have you wondered about that bracelet you picked up at your neighbour’s jumble sale?
Let’s take a look at some of the unique stories told about fascinating finds at the Antiques Roadshow.
This gentleman’s great-aunt Indiola lived in New York’s high society during the roaring twenties, and she passed some of her favourite pieces down as heirlooms. Watch her great-nephew’s eyes get bigger and bigger as he learns that some of these pieces are worth as much as $70,000.
Imagine spending $30 on a ring and then realising that the band is made of platinum. That’s not all. After a quick Google search, you discover that the piece was made in France. This lady brought her $30 find to the Antiques Roadshow and learned that the stone was actually several diamonds set to look like one 10-carat stone. The appraiser estimated the value of the ring to be $25,000 - $30,000.
After her Dutch husband died in World War II, a young widow went to Holland to visit the in-laws she had never met. They gave her a lovely ring, which has become a family heirloom. The current owner took the ring to the Antiques Roadshow and learned that the stone is a Dutch rose-cut diamond that hearkens back to Antwerp in the 1780s. The value? $10,000 - $15,000.
This classy pocket watch features a winding indicator, so the wearer can know at a glance when it’s time to wind it once again. The 18k solid gold case was made by Frederick Toms, a famous English case maker. The timepiece’s escapement is incredibly rare, which ups its value to $40,000 - $50,000.
One woman brought in her great-grandmother’s necklace to find out what it was worth. Made between 1900 and 1908, the large pendant, which features a black opal, also includes a halo of uniform Russian demantoid garnets, the rarest form of the stone. Add the jeweller’s reputation to the mix (it was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany of Tiffany & Co.), and the value rises to $30,000 - $40,000.
A woman brought in her husband’s grandmother’s delicate ruby bracelet. The piece of jewellery has special meaning to the family because the Hilda, the original owner, didn’t make it out of Germany alive. Of course, the piece is priceless to the family, but the appraiser valued the piece at $20,000.
This gold, platinum and diamond pendant brooch began its life as an engagement ring for an opera singer. She didn’t like wearing the incredible sparkler as a ring, so she had it converted to a pendant she could wear around her neck. With over 4.5 carats of diamonds, the piece is valued at $20,000 today.
Are you sitting on a gold mine? Antiques Roadshow appraisers often recommend that collectors insure their jewellery for specific amounts. You can protect your vintage pieces with Q Report Jewellery Insurance, which offers Agreed Value policies. We also provide complimentary revaluations each year, so you’ll always know you have enough cover.
To learn more about our policy, or to get a quote for your special treasure, give us a call at 1300 882 018.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
Don't have the receipt?
If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.
