Antiques Roadshow

APPRAISER

You told me that your grandmother left this pendant to you. This was given to her by her second husband. When were they married?

GUEST

They were married in 1918.

APPRAISER

Now, I understand you had other jewelry from her, but this was the piece you chose to bring to the ROADSHOW today. Why did you pick this piece?

GUEST

Because I like it. I've worn it a great deal of the time over the years since she gave it to me. It sits in just the right place on my neck, and it's beautiful.

APPRAISER

And what do you know about it? What did your grandmother tell you?

GUEST

She said that it was a yellow diamond and...

APPRAISER

And did you believe her?

GUEST

I didn't know, because it seemed pretty big, and Granny kind of liked to... If she wanted you to like something, she sometimes sort of embellished on its attributes so that...

APPRAISER

I see, I see. Well, I must tell you that when you came and showed it to me and you said you weren't sure that it was a diamond, I kind of looked at it and was actually curious myself because it has a beautiful vivid yellow color. And on closer examination, I realized it was a diamond; she was telling the truth.

GUEST

Oh, really?

APPRAISER

Yes. Not only is it a diamond, but it's actually an important size for a yellow diamond because it measured over one carat.

GUEST

Wow...

APPRAISER

Yeah. And it's an old European-cut pear-shaped. And you know what else I found out about it? When I turned it over, it has a signature. The signature... do you have any idea?

GUEST

No, because I looked to see if there was one and couldn't find anything.

APPRAISER

It's Tiffany and Company. Yeah.

GUEST

Wow...

APPRAISER

This is Tiffany and Company, and quite rare, because of that period-- and I would date it between 1918, 1920-- you rarely found a yellow diamond in a piece of Tiffany jewelry. And I even think this was designed by Louis Comfort because it has that kind of wonderful wire work. So now we've got to appraise it. It's a tough appraisal because it's rare-- $20,000 and up. What do you think?

GUEST

Holy mackerel! I can't believe...

APPRAISER

Yeah, so you really hit the spot today. You knew what to pick, and...

GUEST

I almost didn't bring it.

APPRAISER

And your grandmother was not telling a lie. And she left you something great.

GUEST

That's wonderful!

APPRAISER

Isn't that great?

GUEST

Yes.

APPRAISER

Thanks for coming.

GUEST

That is so exciting!

APPRAISER

Great!