BBC Antiques Roadshow fine jeweller Joanna Hardy left a guest rather stunned back in 2023 by revealing her £1 car-boot sale had a huge four-figure valuation.
The item was just one in a collection of humble purchases brought in by the eagle-eyed guest that secretly held incredible value.
This week’s broadcast of the Roadshow is a classic episode from October 2023 which saw host Fiona Bruce take her experts to Alexandra Gardens in Cardiff.
Expert Hardy was in awe of a collection of stunning gold jewellery brought in by a guest.
The amazed appraiser began by observing that when most people buy fine jewellery they “usually go to a jewellery shop, antique shop, auctions”.
“But the majority of this collection has come from a car boot,” she said incredulously.
The guest purchased exquisite jewellery for no more than a few pounds
BBC
The guest confirmed it was true with a proud nod.
In her collection was a gold chain necklace with green stones she had purchased for £3.50 that the she had snapped up as soon as she saw it.
“I’d like to think they’re emeralds,” she said of the stones, prompting a chuckle from Hardy
“All I can say is well done you,” Hardy teased before confirming it was indeed made from 22-carat gold with emeralds and worth £800.
Some of the more valuable items were worth £3,000-£4,000
BBC
Next was a brooch, purchased for £2 – which was revealed to be 18-carat gold with diamonds and worth £1,000.
A flower brooch, which the guest had nabbed for “£2 or £2”, has 19-carat gold petals with three diamonds and was worth between £800-£1,200.
With each reveal, the stoic guest became more and more astonished.
Next came a stunning but broken floral pin with “beautifully set sapphires with diamonds around each flowerhead” which the guest had purchased for £1.
Hardy could scarcely believe the bargain and burst into fits of laughter as she explained the “exquisite” piece had been converted from early 1900s shirt studs.
The expert added the “stunning” sapphire jewellery was worth £3,000-£4,000.
Hardy was bowled over with guests expertly chosen collection
BBC
“What! Good grief!” the guest exclaimed in disbelief.
Finally came a “very 70’s” brooch which Hardy suspected may have been made by Alan Hard – “one of our best postmodernist jewellers”.
She added that his work was “very highly collected” and that the guest’s piece could also fetch £3,000-£4,000.
“Quite frankly you’ve done extremely well,” the expert glowed to the completely dumbstruck but eagle-eyed guest.
