Guest’s ‘Fake’ Ring Hides a Shocking £5,000 Secret

• An Antiques Roadshow guest believed her inherited ring was a fake made of ‘dirty glass’.
• Jewellery expert John Benjamin identified the stone as a rare, colour-changing alexandrite.
• The ring, set in Russian gold, was given a staggering valuation of £5,000.
• The owner was left visibly shocked and speechless by the unexpected revelation.

A ‘Dirty Glass’ Ring Hides a Priceless Secret

In a story that proves you should never judge a book by its cover—or jewellery by its sparkle—a guest on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow was left utterly floored after discovering the true value of a ring she had dismissed as a worthless fake. Believing the piece to be made of ‘dirty glass,’ the owner was not prepared for the shocking valuation that would soon follow.

The Expert’s Astute Observation

The episode, which took place at Stonor Park in Oxfordshire, featured jewellery expert John Benjamin examining the intriguing piece. The owner explained that the ring was a family heirloom, but she held little hope for its value, candidly telling the expert, “I think it’s a fake, I think it’s just a piece of dirty glass.”

However, Benjamin’s trained eye saw something more. He noted the ring’s unique quality: its ability to change colour under different lighting conditions. He described the stone as a ‘khaki green’ in natural light, which transformed into a ‘lovely raspberry red’ under artificial light. This remarkable characteristic was the key to its identity.

Unveiling the Rare Alexandrite

Benjamin identified the stone as alexandrite, a very rare and sought-after gemstone first discovered in Russia in the 1830s and named after the future Tsar Alexander II. He further pointed out that the gold setting bore Russian marks, dating it to the late 19th or early 20th century—a perfect match for the origin of the gem.

“So you’ve got the right stone and you’ve got the right country of origin for it to be mounted,” Benjamin explained, building the suspense.

The Shocking £5,000 Valuation

When the moment of truth arrived, the expert delivered the stunning news. “This is a very, very pretty little ring,” he began. “And the value of this, I’m going to say, is £5,000.”

The owner’s reaction was one of pure disbelief. Utterly speechless, she stared at the expert, unable to form words as the monumental value of her ‘dirty glass’ ring sank in. The moment captured the magic of the long-running show, where family heirlooms and forgotten trinkets can transform into life-changing treasures in an instant. It serves as a reminder to all that sometimes, the greatest treasures are hiding in plain sight.

Image Referance: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tv/article-15230255/Antiques-Roadshow-whopping-value-colour-changing-ring-fake-dirty-glass.html