• Connect with us
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Funded By

Discovering America’s Hidden Treasures ™
On Tour
Watch
Special Features
Appraisals Archive 
Appraisers 
 Shop
    Quick links
  • Learn more about ROADSHOW's 2023 Tour
  • 2023 Tour Complete Rules
  • 2023 Tour FAQs
  • LSU Rural Life Museum — May 2
  • North Carolina Museum of Art — May 16
  • Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens — June 6
  • Old Sturbridge Village — June 13
  • Alaska Native Heritage Center — July 11
On Tour

On Tour

2023 Tour Rules

2023 Tour Rules

2023 Tour FAQs

2023 Tour FAQs

    Quick links
  • Watch Episodes Online
  • TV Schedule
  • Best Moments of Season 26
  • Best Moments of Season 25
  • Best Moments of Season 24
  • Best Moments of Season 23
  • Cities from Past Seasons
  • About Executive Producer Marsha Bemko
  • Roadshow's Editorial Policy
Watch | Little Rock, Hour 1

Watch | Little Rock, Hour 1

Watch | Little Rock, Hour 2

Watch | Little Rock, Hour 2

Watch | Spokane, Hour 2

Watch | Spokane, Hour 2

    Quick links
  • Detours Podcast
  • Video "RoadShorts"
  • Roadshow Topics — Endangered Species
  • Roadshow Topics — Sports Appraisals
  • Roadshow Topics — Best Moments
  • Roadshow Topics — Staff Picks
  • For Teachers
  • AR "Extras" Newsletter Sign-up
Article | Miranda Mary Piker: Dahl's Poem

Article | Miranda Mary Piker: Dahl's Poem

Owner Interview | 1936 Lou Gehrig Autograph

Owner Interview | 1936 Lou Gehrig Autograph

Article | Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs

Article | Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs

  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Victorian Enamel, Coral, Turquoise & Pearl Necklace, ca. 1855

Value (2009) | $6,000 Auction – $8,000 Auction
Watch  

GUEST:
I had gone to a leftover estate sale at the Montgomery Theater here. I looked around and didn't see anything, and I said, uh, "You don't have any jewelry around?" And she said, "Oh, well, yeah." And she said that there's a shoebox in there. So she brought the shoebox out and I started looking through it, and I said, "How much do you want for this?" And she said, "How about ten cents apiece?" So I think I spent $1.60.

APPRAISER:
(laughing) $1.60.

GUEST:
(laughs)

APPRAISER:
Okay, for a... For 16 pieces, basically.

GUEST:
Yes, but this was really the only good piece in it.

APPRAISER:
And about how long ago was this?

GUEST:
About 32 years ago.

APPRAISER:
About 32 years ago, okay.

GUEST:
(laughs)

APPRAISER:
It is gold, first off, and it's composed of elements that involve these small swallows, which are enameled. You also have these flowers with turquoise.

GUEST:
Okay.

APPRAISER:
And then, down here, these are carved coral that are carved in the shape of grape clusters.

GUEST:
Right.

APPRAISER:
Now, there are no hallmarks on the piece, but based on the style of the enameling, we can assume that this is probably a Swiss enamel necklace. In the 19th century, the Swiss were known for their enameling techniques. They were known to make beautiful pieces similar to this. This piece was made between 1850 and 1860.

GUEST:
Oh, my.

APPRAISER:
So it's quite old. And what I also love about the piece is that it's sort of filled with Victorian romanticism. We've got the bird motif, which represents swallows.

GUEST:
Oh.

APPRAISER:
And as we know, swallows return to Capistrano every year.

GUEST:
Right.

APPRAISER:
And to other parts of the world, as well. This was probably a gift given to somebody who was going away, but it was a reminder that they would also return.

GUEST:
Aww.

APPRAISER:
We also have the forget-me-nots. So, someone who is going away has got a flower here that's referring to, "Do not forget me, I will return."

GUEST:
Isn't that nice?

APPRAISER:
Isn't that lovely? It's a great sentiment.

GUEST:
Oh, gosh, yes.

APPRAISER:
And then the grape clusters, many times, this refers to bountifulness, fulfillment of a relationship or a great bounty. So it's, it's filled with a great deal of Victorian romanticism, sentimentality. It's actually in extremely good condition. These pieces are very delicate.

GUEST:
Yeah, they are.

APPRAISER:
So it's unusual to find them in this good condition. And because of that, this is a piece that collectors would really respond well to. And so if this item came to auction, I would put a value on this of between $6,000 and $8,000.

APPRAISER:
You're kidding!

APPRAISER:
No, I'm not kidding.

GUEST:
Oh, my goodness gracious me! (laughs)

APPRAISER:
Isn't that great?

GUEST:
Oh, I'm rich and didn't know it. (laughs)

APPRAISER:
It's a great investment off your original ten cents.

GUEST:
A lot better than my IRA. GUEST and

APPRAISER:
(both laugh)

Support provided by: Learn more

Appraisal Details

Appraiser
Peter J. Shemonsky
Jewelry
Heritage Auctions
San Francisco
Appraised value (2009)
$6,000 Auction – $8,000 Auction
Featured In
San Jose, Hour 2 (#1417)
Natural Wonders (#2623)
Event
San Jose, CA (August 15, 2009)
Category
Jewelry
Period
19th Century , Victorian
Form
Necklace
Material
Coral , Enamel , Gold , Pearl , Turquoise

Executive producer Marsha Bemko shares her tips for getting the most out of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.

Value can change: The value of an item is dependent upon many things, including the condition of the object itself, trends in the market for that kind of object, and the location where the item will be sold. These are just some of the reasons why the answer to the question "What's it worth?" is so often "It depends."

Note the date: Take note of the date the appraisal was recorded. This information appears in the upper left corner of the page, with the label "Appraised On." Values change over time according to market forces, so the current value of the item could be higher, lower, or the same as when our expert first appraised it.

Context is key: Listen carefully. Most of our experts will give appraisal values in context. For example, you'll often hear them say what an item is worth "at auction," or "retail," or "for insurance purposes" (replacement value). Retail prices are different from wholesale prices. Often an auctioneer will talk about what she knows best: the auction market. A shop owner will usually talk about what he knows best: the retail price he'd place on the object in his shop. And though there are no hard and fast rules, an object's auction price can often be half its retail value; yet for other objects, an auction price could be higher than retail. As a rule, however, retail and insurance/replacement values are about the same.

Verbal approximations: The values given by the experts on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW are considered "verbal approximations of value." Technically, an "appraisal" is a legal document, generally for insurance purposes, written by a qualified expert and paid for by the owner of the item. An appraisal usually involves an extensive amount of research to establish authenticity, provenance, composition, method of construction, and other important attributes of a particular object.

Opinion of value: As with all appraisals, the verbal approximations of value given at ROADSHOW events are our experts' opinions formed from their knowledge of antiques and collectibles, market trends, and other factors. Although our valuations are based on research and experience, opinions can, and sometimes do, vary among experts.

Appraiser affiliations: Finally, the affiliation of the appraiser may have changed since the appraisal was recorded. To see current contact information for an appraiser in the ROADSHOW Archive, click on the link below the appraiser's picture. Our Appraiser Index also contains a complete list of active ROADSHOW appraisers and their contact details and biographies.

More from PBS

American Masters: Saul Bellow

Discover this Nobel Prize Winner's impact on American literature.

NOVA: Rebuilding Notre Dame

Explore the challenges of restoring this iconic landmark.

Craft in America

Experience the magic and influence of craft.

"I know there's a lot of envious people hearing that story..." Antiques Roadshow on Facebook

What’s inside the case?

@RoadshowPBS on Instagram

William Austin Burt patented the U.S.'s first "typographer” on July 23 in 1829. 110 year later came this "The Gold Royal" typewriter… @RoadshowPBS

We're soaking up the story behind this @LeslieKeno appraisal! #antiquesroadshow @RoadshowPBS

  • Connect with us
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • ABOUT ROADSHOW
  • Schedule
  • Contact Us
  • Credits
  • Press
  • For Teachers
  • Telephone Scam Warning
  • Roadshow Imitators Warning
  • Doing Business with Appraisers
  • Our Sponsors
  • Our Funders
  • Corporate Sponsorship

Funding for ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is provided by Ancestry, American Cruise Lines, and Consumer Cellular. Additional funding is provided by public television viewers.

Produced By

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is a trademark of the BBC and is produced for PBS by GBH under license from BBC, Worldwide. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. ©1997 – 2023 WGBH Educational Foundation.

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Copyright
Subscribe Hide  ×

A weekly collection of previews, videos, articles, interviews, and more!