Joanna Hardy, an expert on Antiques Roadshow, was left speechless after seeing two mesmerizing old brooches that belonged to a guest on the BBC One show. As opal brooch covers daughter's 'runaway' fund.
On a memorable episode of Antiques Roadshow, Joanna was given not just a striking hand-cut diamondbrooch but also an incredibly rare black opalone. They were both handed to her in the same episode.
Antiques Roadshow guest staggered by black opal brooch's value
The visitor divulged that she had given the beautiful pieces of jewelryto her children, and now she was interested in learning how much moneythey were worth.
Joanna shared her thoughts by saying:
“„When I opened the box and saw this opal, oh my gosh it is superb. And then I opened this other box and saw this diamond.- Joanna
A Fascinating Story Behind The Opal Brooch's Journey Through Generations And Continents
The visitor divulged that the breathtaking opal brooch had been passed down through her husband's family for generations, since his father had traveled to Australia and returned it back to the United Kingdom many years ago.
The visitor said the following about the opal stone, which had been there for more than one hundred million years:
“„I just have to say at the beginning I have given these away already to my daughter.- Visitor
When what was once a genuine inland sea known as the Artisan Basin dried up, it left behind soluble silica that, over time, became insoluble and hardened and cemented in cracks and crevices.
Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy are both locations in Australia where one might observe this phenomenon.
Joanna could hardly believe her ears as she said, "But it is Lightning Ridge where you get what is called the black opal, but they are incredibly rare."
When we refer to opal as having a "black" backdrop, we mean that the background color is dark, in contrast to other types of opal, which have a whiter background color. she said:
“„This is a fabulous example and it's the complete color of the rainbow.- Joanna Hardy
When Joanna's guest told her that she felt the diamond brooch was "horrible" since it was "totally unwearable," she couldn't help but break out in fits of laughter.
Because the diamondsin the brooch had a yellow tint to them, the guest assumed the brooch was not worth very much money.
On the other hand, she was taken aback when Joanna estimated that it was worth an unbelievable £35,000.
Joanna mentioned that there has been an increase in the appreciation of stones that are not flawless.
“„Because some of the work was done by hand and others by machine, I can tell that it was done by hand because I can feel the hand of the cutter.
After that, she startled the guest by revealing that the opal brooch will sell for somewhere about £40,000 at the auction.
Following the completion of the valuation, the customer shared their explanation, "My daughter will be extremely pleased."
She joked with Joanna that it would serve as "her running away fund" as well.
Joanna inquired as to whether or not it was also the guest's running away fund, to which the hostess cheekily said, "Oh yes."
The knowledgeable person complimented her customer for bringing in the outstanding pieces and told her that it "truly has improved my day."
The visitor effused their gratitude by saying, "Thank you, I am glad you like them."