Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

My mother-in-law died about 14 years ago and I was cleaning out all her things and I was opening a trunk in the basement, and these were both in a paper bag. And I heard from the family that they probably belonged to the stepmother of my mother-in-law, and I asked if anyone else wanted them and they all said, "No, we don't like this woman, we hated her, we want nothing to do with any of her possessions." So I took them and I'm just wondering, is it costume jewelry, is it valuable?

APPRAISER

The ring is just sort of an aside. It's about a $2,500 ring, gold and diamonds. This necklace is quite unusual. You don't see them all that often. It's English, 1780, something or other like that, and the amethyst is a very, very popular color for a number of reasons. A lot of the imperial families had amethyst. It's considered a healing stone as well. They're quite rare to find and it's a very good length to wear, so it's got a lot of things going for it. So when you take it home, don't put it back in a brown bag.

GUEST

I won't.

APPRAISER

Put it around your neck and wear it.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

Any idea what such a piece is worth today?

GUEST

I'm just thrilled that it's not costume jewelry, that it's actual amethyst. $500 to $1,000?

APPRAISER

How about $25,000?

GUEST

Are you serious?

APPRAISER

I am serious.

GUEST

$25,000?

APPRAISER

That would be a current retail value for it today.

GUEST

Oh, my gosh, wow.

For a number of reasons

because it's mounted in gold and the brilliance of the stones, which would probably have foil behind them. Because you see, there's one which has changed color slightly, but that's not a problem. That's a desirable thing.

GUEST

Wow.