Antiques Roadshow guest asks 'do I need a chair' as expert values family jewellery

Antiques Roadshow expert John Benjamin left a guest speechless as he revealed the value of her mother's jewellery collection which was bought by her father in the 1950s

A guest on Antiques Roadshow was left stunned after discovering the jaw-dropping value of her mother's jewellery collection. The popular BBC show, filmed at Swanage Pier and Seafront, saw expert John Benjamin examining three pieces of 20th Century jewellery brought in by the guest.

He began: "Well, you will agree that they look rather nice against the blue velvet background, don't they? What are they? What's the story? Are they a family legacy?" The guest revealed that her father had bought them for her mother between the late 1950s and early 1970s. Despite knowing little about the items, she suspected one ring could be Cartier.

Benjamin continued to describe the pieces in detail, highlighting their unique features and era-specific designs. The expert on Antiques Roadshow moved onto the double clip brooch, explaining that it could be split into two for a sophisticated look. "But let's just marvel at the content of that brooch. Look at these beautifully matched sapphires, brilliant cut diamonds in a stylised continuous ribbon bow design. That is what is called a very grown-up piece of jewellery."

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The guest then quipped, "I'll have to grow up then", reports the Mirror. Benjamin then turned his attention to a ring the owner believed was Cartier, which he confirmed. He said: "It's got 18-carat gold, and it's individually numbered. You've got a platinum and diamond cluster at the front."

He added, "I mean, that is the mark of one of the top jewellers in the world. Do you want some good news?" Upon hearing this question, the guest asked: "Do I need a chair?"

Benjamin responded: "It's very, very, very commercial today. So do you want some values?" In reference to the aqua and diamond clip, he stated that it was worth £3,000 to £4,000, leaving its owner to comment "Gosh". Moving on, he said: "The Cartier diamond and gold ring, do you know something? I think that's going to go mad if people were to bid for that."

He estimated its value between £4,000 to £6,000, causing the guest to exclaim: "Goodness me! Gosh." Benjamin then revealed he wasn't "quite finished", adding that the sapphire and diamond bow brooch was worth a staggering £8,000 to £10,000.

The guest's eyes widened in shock as she exclaimed: "Wow! Gosh. I had absolutely no idea" when Benjamin revealed the item's value, saying: "I think we're looking at probably £15,000 to £20,000 easy peasy."

Visibly stunned, the woman let out a barely audible "Golly." As Benjamin continued to praise the pieces, saying "These are very powerful, beautiful, and important pieces of jewellery," the audience erupted into applause.