American Memorial Brooch, ca. 1850

Appraised on: June 13, 1998

Appraised in: Houston, Texas

Appraised by: Joyce Jonas

Category: Jewelry

Episode Info: Houston (#1624)

Originally Aired: July 2, 2012

IMAGE: 1 of 1  

Appraisal Video: (1:12)

GUEST: My grandmother's name was Mary Margaret, and her grandmother's name was Mary Margaret. And on my 40th birthday, I received this gift from my aunt, and it had been given to my grandmother by her grandmother, Mary Margaret.

APPRAISER: This is, I don't know whether you know, is a piece of memorial jewelry.

GUEST: I didn't know that.

APPRAISER: And what it is, is onyx, it's black onyx with a little pearl in the center, and what the pearl connotes is tears, and when women were widowed, they would wear a piece of memorial jewelry. What's particularly beautiful about this piece is not just that it's memorial jewelry but that it's memorial jewelry made in America. And what's particularly nice about this are the cuts of these stones, if you see that. They're really beautifully done. And it's in wonderful condition. What do you think it's worth?

GUEST: I have no idea.

APPRAISER: Well, it's worth about $400.

GUEST: Oh, that's delightful.

APPRAISER: Isn't that wonderful?

GUEST: That is wonderful. Thank you, Joyce.