BBC Antiques Roadshow expert stunned over three-figure costume jewellery bought for £15: ‘Good bargain’

Antiques Roadshow expert Judith Miller left one of her guests stunned when she revealed the costume jewellery which held some core memories was worth an impressive amount.

During tonight’s classic episode, treasures brought in to be valued include a set of stained-glass windows decorated with mermaids and a piece of costume jewellery found in an antique shop in Australia.

Elsewhere, the experts also get their hands on an ornately decorated mandolin found concealed in an old cupboard, a device used to make penicillin, a silver milk jug from Kashmir and a huge bell from a Japanese temple.

However, it was Miller who stumbled across an emerald green necklace and asked the guest: “Now I love costume jewellery. I always have done and I am totally in love with this. What made you love it?”

Beaming with pride, the guest explained: “ It was a combination, it’s colour, it’s simplicity, It’s really bold and it really just appealed.

“It was actually in a dark corner and I really just loved it straight away,” leaving Miller more intrigued to ask where she found it.

The guest continued: “A little antique shop just in a little alleyway in Wollongong in Australia. I had just started my first ever job.

“And I decided to treat myself to something that was a little bit special. Spent some of my first paycheck on it. I was 16.”

Whilst not being able to spot a maker’s mark, Miller gave it her best to explain where she thought the piece was made.

“It’s really really high-quality costume jewellery. Because costume jewellery comes in all sorts of levels, I mean, there is a cheap costume jewellery, there is extremely expensive costume jewellery and this is just incredibly well made.

“It is beautifully designed and I am drawn to thinking it is French. Just looking at the quality, it makes me think of a couture collection.

“You just don’t get this detail on every piece of costume jewellery, it’s definitely 1950s,” leaving the guest to gasp.

“Absolutely of its time, do you remember what you paid for it?” Miller pressed and left the guest to reveal: “I actually do. It was 30 dollars, Australian, so I don’t know maybe £15 to £20.”

Stunned at the small price she paid, Miller went on to value the item and said: “I think that was a pretty good bargain at the time because I would value this today at £400 to £500.”

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The guest was left shocked and exclaimed: “Oh my goodness, I can’t believe it! Wow, good choice! Thank you!”

When asked if she wore the piece a lot, the guest admitted: “ I don’t actually, it is quite a bold statement piece so you have to have the right outfit for it but I tell you what I am wearing it home today!

“I am absolutely blown away, I am just so impressed that, I mean 16, I had no idea what I was doing, I bought something I loved.

“I think that’s really amazing to hear that it is worth something, apart from my emotional attachment to it, so it is lovely. Go with your gut, I think that is great, buy things that you love.”