Antiques Roadshow Guest Has Big Response After Host Tells Her The Price Of Her 'Worthless' Brooch

Nobody in the crowd could blame the owner of the brooch for being nervous. Would her prized possession actually live up to her wildest dreams? Or would it be completely worthless? Then she heard the truth from the Antiques Roadshow expert. And as she finally responded, the crowd couldn't hold in their gasps.

Low expectations

When one woman decided to approach Antiques Roadshow expert John Benjamin for an examination of her sapphire brooch, she arrived with very low expectations. Previously, she had tried to get it valued by an array of jewelers, all of whom either gave conflicting reports on the brooch's true value or were simply unsure. Fortunately for her, John had the expertise she desperately needed.

The lady's tiring journey

In a soul-crushing series of valuations, numerous jewelers told the woman that her brooch was nothing more than an "inconsequential piece of costume jewelry mounted on a piece of blue glass worth nothing." Little did they know how wrong they truly were.

Getting a first look

At the center of the lady's brooch was an enormous cushion-shaped sapphire. While a heavy stone, it was still entirely possible that the sapphire could be a well-made imitation that was nowhere near as valuable as the real thing. Either way, it was John's turn to give his take on the piece.

The man of the hour

Having left school at just 17 years old, John Benjamin served a four-year apprenticeship at an antique jewelry shop. From there, his career soared, ultimately becoming the International Director of Jewelry at Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers. If anyone could give this woman the accurate valuation, it was John.