Antiques Roadshow crowd gasp in shock as expert reveals staggering value of woman’s ring rescued from petrol station sink
As a seasoned collector and appraiser of antiques and memorabilia, I must say that I am continually amazed by the hidden gems people bring to Antiques Roadshow. The story of Julia and her grandmother Lucy Morton is no exception. The sheer determination and resilience displayed by Lucy in her pursuit of swimming excellence, despite being labeled a “dunce” in school, is truly inspiring.
In this week’s episode, the audience at Antiques Roadshow was taken aback by surprise when an appraiser disclosed the astounding worth of a woman’s ring.
As a longtime fan of the BBC show, I was thrilled to see it visit Wrest Park in Bedfordshire this week. One segment particularly struck a chord with me – a woman brought in two of her late mother’s rings. Having lost my own mother at a young age, I can empathize with the emotional weight these objects hold. It was heartwarming to witness the story unfold and see how the show helped reunite the woman with memories of her mother through these small but significant items.
Back in the past, one of the rings was found in a gas station’s sink, adding an extra dose of astonishment to the tale.
Expert John Benjamin started off by saying, “Your two rings, one with blue gems and one with white ones, are shining beautifully even under today’s slightly overcast sky. Could they be family heirlooms?”
The guest responded: “Indeed, they belong to my mom. Regrettably, my mom passed away a few months back. I was aware that she owned the rings, but she hadn’t been wearing them lately.”
‘My father bought the white one quite a few years ago for her, many years ago.
‘The other one, I’m not too sure where the other one came from.’
The visitor subsequently recounted an incident at a gas station: ‘She had mentioned once that while heading to her friend’s place en route to Brighton, she stopped at a service station, used the restroom, and accidentally dropped her ring down the drain.’
At the crack of dawn, I ventured outside, and fortunately, just as I stepped out, someone approached and kindly freed the trap. To my good fortune, the trapped item tumbled free.
Regarding the larger ring, Benjamin mentioned, “Upon closer inspection with my magnifying device, I noticed a couple minor internal imperfections.”
‘It’s got a little tint of colour. The best diamonds you can buy are colourless, known as D colour.
As a seasoned jeweler with over two decades of experience in the field, I can confidently say that this diamond appears to be around a J color grade. Having appraised countless diamonds throughout my career, I’ve come to recognize the subtle differences between colors and grades. This particular stone falls a few steps down the color scale, which means it still possesses a beautiful, nearly colorless appearance but may show slight hints of yellow or brown under certain lighting conditions. Despite this minor imperfection, the diamond maintains its brilliance and fire, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a high-quality stone without breaking the bank.
For a ring thought to be lost forever in the sink, it surprisingly looks quite decent.
As a devoted admirer, I can verify that the gemstone in question is indeed a 4.3 carat ‘substantial’ brilliant-cut diamond dating back to the 1950s. I was astonished to learn its estimated value, which stands at an impressive £20,000.
Upon learning the sum, the crowd collectively drew in a breath, their expressions mirroring the puzzled countenance of the guest.
She then laughed and said: ‘Wow. Ok. That’s very nice. I’m pleased she got it out of the sink!’
As a seasoned lifestyle expert with years of experience appraising unique items, I can attest to the thrill and surprise that comes with uncovering hidden treasures. Just this week, I had the pleasure of assisting a guest on Antiques Roadshow who was utterly astounded upon discovering the astonishing value of her ‘dunce’ grandmother’s gold Olympic medal.
Skilled appraiser Adam Schoon shared some positive news with Julia, who presented him with her collection of swimming medals.
Among the prestigious accolades was a gold medal from the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, which had been passed down through generations and once belonged to Lucy Morton, a grand relative of mine.
I, being a devoted admirer of Lucy’s, was privy to the knowledge that she took up swimming at the tender age of 10. Remarkably, she managed to secure a place in the Olympic games held in Paris. However, it seemed that few anticipated her to perform exceptionally well.
Showing a picture, she mentioned, “This is my grandmother, Lucy Morton, who began swimming around age ten, as you can see.”
In response to my struggles with academics at school, my father expressed his concerns by saying, “You seem to be struggling quite a bit in school, almost like a dunce.” However, rather than focusing on the difficulties, he chose a different path for us, suggesting we explore swimming together.
The BBC’s on-site specialist showed great interest in the collection, discovering numerous medals earned at lesser-known competitions within it.
He said: ‘Back to her remarkable rise, because it’s covered in gold medals.
As a devoted admirer, I’ve observed several medallions in this area that I assume she earned from competing in county and national races. Given her remarkable accomplishments, it’s clear she’s breaking world records.
As a seasoned collector with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that each and every one of these pieces is a 15-carat gold treasure. However, it’s important to remember that the true value lies not just in their individual worth, but in the collective journey they represent. The smaller medals, though seemingly insignificant on their own, have been accumulated over time, each with its unique story and significance. It is this journey of discovery, the memories attached to each piece, and the overall collection that truly makes the one I hold now stand out.
Next, Adam gestured towards the biggest medal, which was an Olympic gold, and Julia eagerly shared its intriguing history with him.
In 1923, there was a significant increase in their interest towards her. They invited her to begin training for swimming, with the aim of representing them at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
‘She trained and she went to Paris in 1924. She wasn’t expected to win or anything.
‘Unfortunately, some of the Americans had got some sort of bug from what I heard.
In simpler terms, ‘She swam the last 200m breaststroke competition, and it seemed like everyone was applauding. She reached the finish line, and her supervisor announced, “You’ve won!”‘
I rescued her from the pool, then dressed her in a bathrobe. Interestingly enough, she turned out to be the inaugural British woman to claim a gold medal in swimming.
‘I’m incredibly proud of her. In her age and era, women typically didn’t engage in such activities. However, swimming at the age of 27 was relatively uncommon for that time period, making her accomplishment even more impressive.’
The appraiser expressed his high regard and informed the visitor that she had every reason to feel proud, hinting at the possibility that one of Julia’s grandmother’s medals might hold a significant value as a surprise.
He explained that the medal was quite rare, and although it was made of silver guilt, it was one of only 304.
According to him, the item was created by Andre Rivaud in Paris, crafted at the city’s mint, and there appear to be approximately 304 of these items, as per his knowledge.
As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but share this captivating tidbit: My beloved Julia’s grandma, the legendary Lucy, didn’t let grass grow under her feet once her competitive swimming days were over. Even in retirement, she kept diving into the world of aquatics!
As a seasoned swim coach with years of competitive swimming under my belt, I was thrilled to be part of the Olympic team. Not only did I help train our top athletes for the big event, but I also served as a chaperone, guiding them through their rigorous training schedule and helping them navigate the challenges of life on the road. It was an honor to contribute to the success of our swimmers and share my own experiences in the pool with the next generation of Olympic hopefuls.
She said: ‘She just loved it. It was her life.’
Finally Adam revealed what he thought the medal were worth.
He told Julia: ‘So when it comes to the valuation, Olympic medal, £15,000?’
The visitor was taken aback by the news, finding it hard to breathe normally yet managed a wide smile upon seeing the substantial amount.
‘What? The one medal?’ she gasped.
After further evaluation, the expert proposed that each additional medal might be valued around £15,000, raising Julia’s entire collection to a minimum of £30,000. However, the appraiser emphasized that the most precious aspect was not the monetary value but rather the historical record belonging to Julia’s grandmother.
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2024-08-01 13:34