An Antiques Roadshow guest was left gasping after expert Geoffrey Munn valued her three diamond brooches at a combined total exceeding £30,000. The appraisal took place during the BBC programme's visit to Powis Castle and Garden in Wales, aired on Sunday evening, July 5.
Expert Discovers Jewellery of 'Highest Quality'
Geoffrey Munn examined the small collection, describing it as being of the highest quality, set with rubies and diamonds dating from the 1700s. Despite their age, the jewels were in pristine condition. The guest explained that the two diamond brooches were gifts from her father—the bow brooch given on her wedding day and the flower brooch later—while the ruby bow was inherited from her grandmother. She noted that her father was involved in the antiques world, a passion she grew up with.
Hidden Meaning and Russian Origins
Munn was impressed by the craftsmanship, stating, 'Well, it's the most superb piece of jewellery set with rubies and diamonds set in silver, probably backed in gold.' He pointed out that the bow brooch was not merely a bow but a true lover's knot, symbolising that the harder it is pulled, the tighter it becomes, with diamonds representing forever. The guest was unaware of this hidden message. Munn also speculated that the floral brooch might be Russian, adding, 'I would like to think it was Russian, and that would be very, very exciting. The Russian Crown Jewels were sold in London after the revolution to raise funds for the new regime. And it's just possible that that is a Russian jewel.'
Valuation Leaves Owner Stunned
Revealing the individual values, Munn priced the smaller brooch at £8,000, prompting the owner to exclaim, 'Gosh, I had no idea.' The butterfly brooch was valued between £8,000 and £10,000, with the final piece at £15,000, bringing the total to over £31,000. The guest was astonished by the figures. Munn concluded, 'They're marvellous things, they're not showy, they're utterly beautiful expressions of an era gone by and that's what we're looking for really.'
Antiques Roadshow is available to catch up on BBC iPlayer.
