|
Testimonials
|
|
|
Art Nouveau
|
|
|
|
This English Art Nouveau Dragon Fly brooch was recently valued by our valuer Tony.
It is the best example we have ever seen with amethyst, diamonds and ‘plique a jour’
or ‘open to light’ enamel creating a beautiful illuminated effect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collectible Maltese Cross
|
|
|
This striking 18 carat gold cross was examined by our valuer Diane at a recent Valuation
Day and dates from around 1810. With engraved roses and forget-me-nots and a hair
locket on the back, this interesting piece was valued at £2,500 antique replacement
value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royal Cufflinks on Tour
|
|
|
|
From Jersey, these cufflinks were presented to the personal assistant to the Duke
of Edinburgh on the world tour of 1956 - 1957. The tour started at the 1956 Olympic
games in Australia and went on to New Zealand, Antartica, the Falkland Islands,
Africa and the Mediterranean...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Black opal ring valued at £11,000
|
|
|
|
This beautiful piece was brought into a recent Valuation Day in Huntingdon. It featured
a stunning black opal weighing approximately 5.5 carats in an early 20th Century
gold and platinum setting surrounded by over a carat of fine diamonds. Our expert
Nick valued the ring at £11,000.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hidden compartment reveals lock of hair
|
|
|
|
Discovered during a recent Valuation Day in Milton Keynes, this fob appeared to
be fairly straightforward. However, upon further examination a previously unseen
compartment revealed a hidden message, much to the customer’s surprise and delight!
Inside was a lock of hair...
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Russian royalty with love…
|
|
|
|
Brought into a Valuation Day in Co Mayo, Ireland, this silver cigarette case was
originally presented to a Metropolitan police officer on protection duty for a member
of the Russian royal family. Made by a leading Russian jeweller, D Ivanoff of St
Petersburg, it had a gold Romanov crest...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antique singing bird creates a
stir
|
|
|
|
This stunning 19th century tortoiseshell singing bird box was recently brought into
a Valuation Day in London and our valuer on the day was absolutely enthralled, as
was everyone else! The hand painted top depicts a Swiss mountain scene, and on sliding
the operating lever the full bodied bird pops through the grille and begins singing...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antiques Roadshow piece valued
|
|
|
|
Our valuer Nick Bailey recently valued a very rare reverse intaglio brooch for a
customer at a Valuation Day in Reading. Seen previously on television at the BBC’s
Antiques Roadshow, this 18ct gold brooch is created from a piece of quartz crystal
hand painted from the inside against a mother of pearl background...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victorian compass with a difference!
|
|
|
|
This unusual turn of the century compass in the style of a fob watch was valued
at one of our recent events, and the valuer discovered a collapsible drinking cup
inside. She had never seen one like it before, and valued it at £150 (second hand
replacement value)...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rare Alfred Jewel Replica Valued
|
|
|
|
This rare piece is a silver gilt replica of the famous Alfred Jewel made in 1901
by Payne & Son of Tunbridge Wells. It has a cloisonné image of either Christ
or Alfred - no one knows which - and the letters "AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYCRAN", "Alfred
ordered me to be made", around the edge. The original was made probably around 871-899
AD...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Art Deco Chic
|
|
|
|
This beautiful example of classic art deco was brought in to a Valuation Day in
Cheshire. The customer had no idea of its worth and was both surprised and delighted
to learn of its significance. The platinum setting and fine diamonds earned
a value of £3,500 period replacement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rare candlesticks dated 1764
|
|
|
|
These 4 cast solid candlesticks of matching date and maker were valued on a visit
to a customer's home and had been in his family since 1764. They each bear the family
crest and the set was valued at £14,875. It is very unusual in today's world to
see candlesticks of this date so to find four in one collection was astonishing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seed pearl crescent brooch valued
|
|
|
|
Having inherited this piece, a customer at one of our Valuation Days was delighted
to learn that it was a Victorian seed pearl crescent brooch, 15ct gold and in immaculate
condition. It was valued for £550 (antique replacement value) which she was very
pleased with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
English history in Northern Ireland
|
|
|
|
This very unusual Victorian ring turned up on a valuation day in Armagh. Made in
Chester in 1900, the front panel (set with a diamond) opens to reveal the word "Dearest
in relief". A rare find and valued for £300 antique replacement value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edwardian ring valued at £2000
|
|
|
|
This beautiful Edwardian platinum sapphire & diamond cluster ring was recently
valued at one of our events in the Lake District. Treasured by the owner, the sheer
quality of the piece pushed the value to over £2,000.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victorian ring valued at £20,000
|
|
|
|
One customer at a Valuation Day in Cumbria was astounded to discover that her diamond
ring was worth almost £20,000. Containing almost 4 carats in diamonds, this Victorian
3 stone diamond ring was in absolutely superb condition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rare depiction of Jesus valued
|
|
|
|
Mr & Mrs C of Newmarket brought two cameo brooches with rare carvings along
to a recent Guild Valuation Day. One of these was a beautiful 19th century ecclesiastical
brooch depicting Jesus' head with a crown of thorns which was valued at £800 (antique
replacement value)...
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bright Lights of Hollywood!
|
|
|
|
Worn by a Hollywood actor in the 1920s, this unusual Victorian ring set with peridot
was brought into a Valuation Day recently and was valued at £800. The ring had belonged
to the customer’s father during his acting days and she was extremely interested
in the background that our valuer was able to give her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1930's Wedding Piece
|
|
|
|
This pretty platinum crystal necklace was brought to a Valuation Day carried out
in Torquay. The customer’s mother had worn it on her wedding day in the 1930s and
the lady was delighted to discover its value of £1000 based on replacing it second-hand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victorian spray necklace an amazing find
|
|
|
Our valuer was bowled over by a customer’s delicate Victorian spray pendant still
in its original box. Made of 15 carat gold and set with amethysts and seed pearls
the necklace looked as though it had never been worn and was valued at £1,350 (antique
replacement value).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Experts consulted on 18th Century pocket watch
|
|
|
|
Renowned auction house Christie’s and a leading watch expert were both consulted
to look at an extremely unusual silver pocket watch brought to a valuation day by
a customer in Ipswich. With a beautiful movement by Charles Cabrier of London, this
striking piece came in a paired silver case...
|
|
|
|
|
|
A timeless classic...
|
|
|
|
At a valuation event in Bracknell our valuer was surprised and delighted when a
customer brought in a lovely old pocket watch that had belonged to his father. As
it was an inherited piece the gentleman had no idea of the value but took a guess
at around £1000. However, because this was such an unusual piece...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Family heirloom comes up trumps
|
|
|
|
A Weymouth businessman was delighted to discover his pocket watch, a family heirloom,
was worth over £2000. He took the item along to a Guild valuation day - he was so
impressed with the service and pleased with the results that he rang the jeweller
back afterwards to congratulate them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
£55,000 bracelet astounds customer
|
|
|
|
Mrs M took her diamond bracelet to a Valuation Day in Surrey and was delighted to
discover it was worth £55,000. She had been given the bracelet as a gift and had
no idea of its true value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rings valued at over £18,000
|
|
|
Imagine Mrs L’s reaction when she discovered her 3 diamond rings were worth over
£18,000.
As the rings were inherited she had no idea of their value and took them along to
be valued and registered by her local Guild jeweller. Needless to say, she was delighted
with the results.
|
|