I found a damaged diamond engagement ring in a sock – I was stunned to learn it was worth more than a car
On yesterday’s episode of Antiques Roadshow, TWO guests were left speechless after a ring they found hidden in a sock was revealed to be worth more than a car.
Jewelery specialist Joanna Hardy gave life-changing news to two guests on Sunday night’s episode of the BBC antiques show after valuing her diamond ring at £20,000.
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The ring was a family heirloom, but a mother and her daughter discovered it by accident.
“The ring belonged to my mother,” said the first guest. “We’re pretty sure it was given to her by my late grandfather. “We were helping her clean out and we came across this ring wrapped in a sock in the sock drawer,” she revealed.
Joanna was shocked to learn that they had found the ring there and suspected that something might have happened to it.
At first she worried it might have gone in the washing machine, before saying: “You could have just donated it to charity!”
Joanna then took a closer look at the stunning diamond ring, which she said was made from platinum in 1915.
Because it is a transition-cut diamond, Joanna says it looks much softer. “There’s a touch of sophistication to this,” she added, comparing it to the “sassy” modern brilliant cut.
Joanna also noted that the huge diamond, at almost 4 carats, also has near-perfect clarity.
The only detail she noticed was that one of the claws holding the diamond needed a slight adjustment.
However, once this was sorted out, the ring would be worth £20,000 at auction, she told them.
Stunned that the ring could be worth more than a car, the first guest responded, “Wow! Oh God! Then I’d better get the claw repaired quickly! Wow!” while her daughter was speechless.
“It’s such a stunning, stunning ring. “Absolutely lovely!” Joanna concluded.
This discovery at Crystal Palace Park comes just a week after viewers left host Fiona Bruce furious over the show’s new format.
Antiques Roadshow returned last week and the first episode of series 46 took viewers to sunny Swanage.
However, some were not happy with the show’s “new look” format and Fiona’s larger role in the show.
Not only did she provide her usual introductory comments and voiceovers, but Fiona also enjoyed an in-depth conversation with expert Raj Bisman, taking a look back at some of his favorite antiques. She then shared another segment with Will Farmer in which they played a little game in which she had to guess the prices of several Poole pottery pieces.
“When are they going to go all out on renaming the event ‘Fiona Bruce’s Antiques Roadshow?'” one viewer commented afterwards.
This week, Fiona was present throughout the episode, ending with her revisiting her favorite antique from the episode: a doll sculpture that was missing a foot. Despite its condition, it was valued at £3,000 to £4,000 at auction.
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and continues on Sunday at 8pm on BBC1.