The Rarest' and Most Beautiful Brooches Ever Seen on Antiques Roadshow!
Discover The Most Glamorous Brooches Ever Appraised on Antiques Roadshow! From Victorian diamond masterpieces to Art Nouveau enamel beauties and Art Deco gemstone designs, these antique brooches left experts and viewers speechless. Each brooch tells a story of craftsmanship, elegance, and hidden family heirlooms that turned out to be worth a fortune. Explore the rarest antique jewelry, gold filigree pieces, and vintage appraisals that reveal the true brilliance of history’s finest designs. ✨ If you love Antiques Roadshow jewelry, Victorian and Art Deco styles, and timeless heirlooms, this video is a must-watch! 🎥 Stay till the end to see which brooch was valued the highest!
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My mom passed away in 2009 and that's when I inherited it. It was given to her
by her mother and I think it might have been my great-great-grandmother's old so
I'm not sure. But my great-great-grandparents were wealthy
industrialists in Passaic, New Jersey and I know that my grandmother went on the
tour of Europe that all the fancy people used to go on. But otherwise I don't know
anything about it. It's got a pink stone that I have never seen a pink stone
anywhere before so I thought I'd bring it. What sets this brooch apart is not
simply its star shape but the extraordinary stones chosen for its
design. At the very center glows a rare pink sapphire weighing between two and
three carats. Unlike the more familiar blue variety this sapphire bursts with a
vivid purplish pink hue making it a true gemstone rarity. Surrounding it are fiery
yellow diamonds about two carats in total radiating warmth like rays of
sunlight and beyond them a ring of sparkling old-cut white diamonds
completes the celestial effect. Crafted in 18 carat gold the brooch also carries
a touch of ingenuity. A hidden mechanism allows it to transform seamlessly into a
pendant offering versatility without compromising elegance. An ingenious
feature for its time. Although the maker's name remains a mystery the
craftsmanship suggests American origins and the piece has survived in remarkable
condition. At auction this would be estimated in the thirty to fifty thousand
dollar range. Oh my goodness really? I am totally surprised. Oh my goodness really?
Wow I am amazed. If you're going to insure it I'd probably insure it around
80,000. Wow that is a complete surprise. I'm shaking. I brought in this pin it was
in my father's safe deposit box and we had to open it when he passed. We
actually had to someone had to drill it open and we found a bunch of jewelry
that I had never seen before and this is one of the things I found. I believe it
really was my grandmother's jewelry. Discovered among family heirlooms
brought from Germany during the 1930s the piece carries with it both history
and mystery. At its heart lies a sapphire of extraordinary beauty. Its
deep velvety blue is the kind of color that instantly makes gem experts pause.
While confirmation requires specialized testing the hue strongly suggests an
origin from Kashmir home to some of the most coveted sapphires ever unearthed.
These legendary stones were first discovered in the Himalayas in the late
19th century but by the 1920s the mines were nearly exhausted leaving only a
handful of exceptional gems in circulation. This particular sapphire
weighing about a carat is cushion cut and framed by sparkling rose-cut diamonds
and additional sapphires in bold geometric patterns a hallmark of the art
deco movement. The design with its Greek key motifs epitomizes the glamour and
precision of jewelry around 1915. Crafted in platinum topped 14 carat gold
the brooch hints at American manufacture though its journey may have crossed
continents. Even with one small stone missing its rarity is undeniable. Who
knows where it came from but I'm very glad it's here. If we get that lab report
and it is a Kashmir sapphire and it is about a carat I would have no problem
estimating this for auction in the 15 to 20 thousand dollar range. Oh my
goodness I guess we're gonna have to reopen the estate I'm gonna have to
divide this three ways. If the sapphire is not from Kashmir I would still say in
the five to seven thousand dollar ballpark. I inherited it from my mother
who received it from her grandmother. They lived in New York City and this was
part of a longette. I'm gonna take it off so you can show everybody the way you
showed me. It was opera glasses and it had the glasses and then it had the
piece that you held the glasses with so that you could look at the libretto at
the opera and they were members of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Few
pieces capture the elegance of the Belle Epoque era as beautifully as this
dazzling pearl and diamond brooch. Dated between 1905 and 1915 the brooch is
crafted in platinum a metal celebrated at the time for both strength and
sophistication. Its design is a harmony of brilliance and luster. Twelve old
European cut diamonds each weighing around half a carat combine for an
astonishing total of ten carats. Their quality is exceptional graded in the F
to G color range and virtually flawless to the naked eye. Yet it is the central
jewel that elevates this piece to rare heights. Nestled among the diamonds is a
natural button shaped pearl measuring 10 millimeters across its surface
gleaming with an iridescent depth only nature can produce. Such pearls formed
without cultivation are extraordinarily scarce today making this one as valuable
as the diamond surrounding it. So if I put this into auction I would put it in
for $12,000 to $18,000 all right. I would expect it to do exceedingly well I don't
see it selling at the low. I would insure it for $28,000. Thank you. Delicate
colorful and filled with artistry this pendant brooch from the 1890s represents
the height of the Art Nouveau movement in American jewelry. Crafted by Bippart,
Griscombe and Osborne, a New York firm known for elegant designs of the era, it
captures the natural grace and flowing lines that defined the style. The piece
is brought to life through the use of plique-a-jour enamel, a highly skilled
technique where translucent enamel is suspended within fine gold frameworks
allowing light to shine through like stained glass. Its sinuous curves ripple
with color, a miniature window of artistry worn close to the heart. At the
top rests a dainty seed pearl adding softness and elegance while at the
bottom once hung a natural freshwater pearl likely a wing or dog-tooth
variety now lost to time. Even with this absence the jewel retains all the
hallmarks of its period, a celebration of nature, light and femininity. If a
piece like this came to auction the estimate I would suggest would be $3,000
to $5,000. Oh my goodness. And my grandmother you know she would just love
this moment. It's like she's here with us now. Absolutely. My parents bought a dry
cleaning business and this brooch was an envelope in the extra button drawer.
Well it sort of looks like a button. Yeah kind of. When you opened it and when you
got it from your mother what did you discover about it? That it's Tiffany and
company on the back. Terrible, terrible news don't you think? Oh yeah. Designed in
the late art deco period the brooch takes the form of a circle, a style both
timeless and versatile. Circle pins have long been favored for their adaptability
subtly transforming with each fabric they adorn. What makes this piece
exceptional however is its combination of gems. Two slender rows of vibrant
emeralds flank sparkling baguette cut diamonds creating a bold contrast of
green fire and icy brilliance. Every detail remains intact from its original
clasp to its precise deco fittings a mark of Tiffany's craftsmanship and
enduring quality. Jewelry of this era often embodied modern elegance, clean
lines, symmetry and a dash of vivid color and this brooch captures that aesthetic
perfectly. Its discovery is almost as remarkable as its beauty. Do you have any
idea what it's worth? I really don't. I have no idea. It's never been appraised, never
been looked at. I have no idea. Retail value I think you're talking $65,000 not
bad to find in a button drawer. No it's not. It is not.
I can't wait to get it home. This breathtaking Tiffany and company brooch
created around 1920 is a perfect example of Art Deco elegance at its height.
Tucked away for decades after being purchased privately for just $3,000 it
now shines as a reminder of how timeless beauty can prove to be an extraordinary
investment. Set entirely in platinum the brooch dazzles with a mosaic of diamonds
in multiple cuts each chosen to emphasize light and symmetry. You have
diamonds in a variety of shapes. There's the European cut diamond in the center.
You have French cut diamonds, baguette cut diamonds, there are round cuts. They're
all set in a beautiful platinum frame. This is magnificent Art Deco craftsmanship.
What makes this piece especially striking is its art modern influence
with sweeping lines that feel more like miniature sculpture than mere ornament.
Tiffany's craftsmanship is evident in every detail combining bold modern
design with the finest materials of the time. If you were to go to a high-end
retail store today you could look at $25,000 to $30,000 for this piece.
Okay. So your $3,000 investment was money well spent. I think so too. It's awesome.
I am happy that I purchased it and and I appreciate the craftsmanship in it.
So I guess I'll have to wear it from now on. You should. My grandmother received it when
she was 18 years old in 1910. She got it from a boyfriend. She's cherished it all
these years and when I turned 18 she had handed it down to me. Did she marry the
boyfriend? No unfortunately she didn't. I really don't even know what his name was.
Wish I would have known that. Poor guy. What makes this brooch so remarkable is
its choice of stones. At first glance many mistake the glowing green gems for
emeralds. In truth they are demantoids, a rare variety of green garnet first
discovered in Russia in the 19th century. Revered for their fiery brilliance and
distinctive hue, demantoids quickly became favorites among English and
French jewelers who prized their vivid color above almost any other green
gemstone. Today they remain more valuable than emeralds. The turtle's shell is set
with these brilliant garnets, accented by glittering diamonds while its tiny eyes
sparkle with rubies. Crafted in 15 or 18 carat gold, the brooch was meticulously
handmade, its frame carefully carved to hold each stone. Ingeniously designed
it can also be worn as a pendant, practical as well as enchanting. Beyond
its craftsmanship the symbolism adds layers of meaning. The turtle, long
associated with luck and longevity, gives the jewel both cultural resonance and
personal sentiment. As a retail value today you're talking about 12,000, 15,000
and possibly even 18,000. I mean it's really quite a wonderful thing and a
very saleable thing. I plan on continuing the history and giving it to my
granddaughter and hoping she will do the same with her granddaughter. Good.
This brooch was commissioned by my grandfather for my grandmother, we think
to commemorate the birth of my father, and this was down in Ohio outside
Cincinnati. This would have been the sketch that would have been approved by
my grandfather on his concept. Created by the respected jeweler Asia Card of St.
Louis, Missouri, the brooch survives not only with its original bill of sale but
also the detailed sketch approved by the Commissioner. A rare pairing of jewel and
documentation, the design features a medley of diamonds in varied hues.
Incorporates multiple color diamonds, so you have many different colors here. You
have the white marquee, you've got the brown pear shape, you've got the yellow
pear shape, and then there's a sort of limey yellow color diamond right in the
center, and out to the corners here these are a very faint brownish pink, and this
is probably one of the earliest pieces I've ever seen that has a triangular
diamond in it. Most extraordinary is the inclusion of a triangular diamond, a cut
seldom seen in jewelry of 1900 and typically associated with the art deco
era decades later. Family lore adds another layer of romance. It is said the
diamonds were originally smuggled out of France during the Revolution, later
finding new life in this brooch. A story made all the more plausible given the
Jacquard family's Huguenot roots. More than just jewelry, it became a talisman
of good fortune within the family, treasured through generations. Today, its
auction value is estimated between, I would say somewhere around forty to
forty-five thousand as an insurance value. Well, it's always been sort of the
good luck talisman of our family, so it's not going anywhere.
Some jewels are born not from fashion, but from memory. This remarkable enamel
turkey brooch was commissioned in New York City during the 1940s or early 1950s,
created in honor of a most unusual companion, a wild turkey named Napoleon.
And the turkey strutted around the yard and interacted with them, and they called
him Napoleon because he strutted. When he disappeared, probably to a bobcat, the
wife was very, very sad. Her name was Catherine Jennings. So Mr. Jennings
commissioned this pin in New York City. It was given originally to Cousin
Carolyn. A tribute to the bird who had brought such joy to their lives. Though
heavy in hand, the brooch is crafted not of base metal, but 18-karat gold,
richly enameled in vibrant, naturalistic detail. The technique is vitreous enamel,
which requires firing powdered glass onto metal at high temperatures to
achieve brilliant, enduring colors. On the reverse, the presence of contra-enamel
helps preserve the piece's three-dimensional shape, evidence of the
No maker's mark survives to reveal its origin, but the craftsmanship speaks
volumes. A jewel like this, both whimsical and sentimental, would have been a costly
commission at the time, a perfect blend of fine jewelry and personal storytelling.
At auction today, its estimated value stands between...
I would put an auction estimate of $3,000 to $4,000.
No, really? Oh gosh, Cousin Carolyn may want it back.
Graceful and refined, this Tiffany and Company diamond brooch embodies the
elegance of the Belle Époque era, when flowing ribbon motifs and delicate
patterns defined the height of fashion. Likely dating to around 1900, it has been
lovingly preserved through generations, passed down from grandmother to
granddaughter. So you have yellow gold on the back side and platinum on the front
side, and the reason that is, it's to make those diamonds really pop up and shine.
So we have a total carat weight of two and a half carats. A clever pairing
typical of the period, gold provided strength and support, while platinum
allowed diamonds to shine with unmatched brilliance. Their light
enhanced by the platinum setting and arranged in fluid, ribbon-like curves.
What makes this jewel especially significant is the tiny hallmark, the
unmistakable signature of Tiffany and Company. Without that name, its auction
estimate might have been modest, only around $1,000 to $1,500. But with
Tiffany's mark, the value leaps dramatically. If this was in a retail
shop, we found some that are selling closer to $20,000 to $30,000.
That's a little shattering. It's a family piece, it's probably not going anywhere.
That may be back in the safety deposit bag. Some jewels carry not only beauty, but
also profound stories of love and resilience. This diamond and gold maple
leaf brooch, created around 1915 to 1925, was treasured by a Belgian woman whose
husband endured the horrors of World War II. It was something that was really
special to her because her husband, my grandfather, they were both around during
World War II. My grandfather was in a concentration camp for printing false
documents for Jewish people to help them. And when he came back, he had brought
this for her. And he was not Jewish. No. Yeah, so extremely noble. A symbol of
devotion, survival, and hope. The brooch itself is distinctly European in design,
crafted in rich gold with a heavy natural patina that speaks to its age.
Shaped as a maple leaf, it sparkles with rose-cut diamonds, a cut popular in the
18th and 19th centuries that lingered in early 20th century jewelry. Each stone
reflects light in a soft, candle-lit glow, rather than the brilliance of modern cuts,
giving the piece an antique charm perfectly suited to its era. Though modest
in size, the brooch holds layers of meaning. To the family, it was a reminder
of endurance and love after unimaginable hardship. To collectors, it represents a
fine example of early 20th century European craftsmanship. At auction, it
carries an estimated value of... If I had it at an auction, I would put it in for
$2,000 to $3,000. I know a lot of people don't wear pins today, but it's really
wonderful. I would say that the ladybug ended up being good luck. Sometimes the
most unassuming objects carry the weight of artistic genius. This brooch, fashioned
from simple nickel silver, was created by none other than Alexander Calder, the
pioneering sculptor best known for his iconic mobiles. Gifted in the late 1950s
to a magazine editor who visited Calder's studio... He would do these as just sort of
these little quips and studies and give them to friends. It wasn't about making
money. They were just these wonderful little kind of experiments that he did
using form and shape and forging wire, et cetera, and they became gifts. Working
with forged wire and elemental shapes, he transformed ordinary materials into
wearable works of art, each piece a small extension of his larger sculptural
vision. Unsigned, as many of Calder's jewelry creations were, the brooch
nonetheless bears his unmistakable style, bold, abstract, and alive with the energy
of modernism. These pieces were never about luxury in the traditional sense.
Rather, they embodied the same spirit of innovation that made Calder one of the
20th century's most celebrated artists. Over time, Calder's jewelry has become
highly sought after, collected not just as adornment, but as miniature sculpture.
At auction today, a brooch like this carries a conservative estimate of...
And I would say at auction, conservative estimate would be between $20,000 and
$30,000. You're kidding me. No, I'm not.
Among the most mesmerizing gems in the world are black opals, prized for their
fiery play of color. And this brooch, crafted by Shreve and Company of San
Francisco around 1910, showcases one of the finest examples.
What we have here is a black opal, diamond, and demantoid garnet brooch.
Now, based on the stones that are in the item and the design, I would date this
around 1910. Now, the center stone here is the black opal. The reason these are
called black opals is because they have a very dark contrasting background.
Unlike lighter opals, the dark body tone of a black opal provides a dramatic
backdrop for flashes of vivid color. This stone dances with every hue imaginable,
yellow, orange, green, blue, and most importantly, red. Red fire is the rarest
and most coveted in opals, instantly elevating this gem into the realm of the
extraordinary. Framing the opal are brilliant accents chosen with care,
sparkling old European-cut diamonds, weighing a combined three carats,
add light and brilliance, while vibrant green demantoid garnets echo and intensify
the opal's own flashes of color. The other nice thing is that it's a very
simple design, it's very streamlined, and also is very typical of this time period.
On the back of the brooch, it says Shreve. Now, Shreve is a very well-known jeweler
in the San Francisco Bay Area. These garnets, a rare variety once mined
in Russia, were especially treasured in the early 20th century and remain highly
sought after today. At auction, this jewel carries an estimate of...
This would bring anywhere between $15,000 and $20,000.
Wow. Wow. Ooh, it's quite a bit.
Delicate and full of charm, this pansy watch pendant brooch, created around 1900,
reflects the artistry of one of America's celebrated jewelers, Cremence and Company.
She said that my great-grandparents brought it from Russia when they came in the 1890s.
This piece, in fact, did not come from Russia, but is of American make.
Crafted at a time when fine enamel jewelry was at the height of popularity,
the brooch was designed with versatility in mind. It could be worn pinned to clothing as a brooch,
or suspended from a chain as a pendant, thanks to a discreet loop at the top.
Many of these pieces don't have the added seed pearls,
so that makes your piece slightly higher in value.
Its highlight is the vivid enamel work, which brings the pansy flower to life in soft,
shaded tones. Enamel jewelry of this period required incredible skill,
each color painstakingly applied and fired to create depth and realism.
Adding further refinement are delicate seed pearls,
which are not always present in pieces of this type,
making this particular jewel stand out for its rarity and craftsmanship.
At auction, the brooch carries an estimate of...
We would put an auction estimate of $800 to $1,200 on it.
I'm going to have to wear it. It's beautiful.
I think you should.
This was my grandmother's, and it was given to me on my wedding day by my mom and my grandma.
Have you ever had it looked at?
No.
So, what can you tell me about what it's made out of?
Coral and diamonds.
Mm-hmm.
Can you tell your age?
I'm assuming it's Victorian, but I don't really know.
Well, good assumption. It is a Victorian brooch.
At first glance, this delicate Victorian brooch might appear to be set with coral,
but in truth, it holds something far rarer and infinitely more precious.
Conch pearls.
Created between 1880 and 1890, the piece is crafted in silver-topped gold
and adorned with old mine-cut diamonds,
its design reflecting the naturalistic style so admired during the late 19th century.
The pink gems at its heart are not coral, as the family long believed,
but conch pearls, among the rarest treasures of the sea.
Found within the Queen Conch of the Caribbean,
these pearls appear in only about one shell out of a thousand.
Unlike the more familiar nacreous pearls, conch pearls display a unique flame-like sheen,
a shimmering pattern that makes each one a true natural wonder.
Because they are not cultivated and occur so infrequently,
conch pearls have always been prized by collectors and jewelers.
Their rarity is only increasing,
as overfishing has made them harder to find and subject to conservation regulations today.
If it were coral, your brooch with these old mine-cut diamonds and the apparent age that it is
would have a value in the range of $2,000 to $3,000, give or take.
That's a fair auction estimate, but they're conch pearls and it has a higher value.
A fair auction estimate for this brooch we see to be in the range of $15,000 to $20,000.
A jewel of extraordinary beauty and astonishing rarity, it is more than a family heirloom.
It is a miracle of nature preserved in Victorian gold and diamonds,
a treasure as rare today as it was over a century ago.
My grandmother had these pieces and she liked to collect things that had animal imagery on them.
And when she passed, she passed these things along to me directly because
we both shared an affinity for beautiful objects.
From the early 19th century, when jewelry was as much about symbolism as adornment,
come these remarkable Georgian animal brooches.
One a coiled serpent, the other a graceful bird.
The snake brooch, dating to the 1830s or 1840s, is a striking creation in 18-carat gold.
Its body winds in a sinuous curve, the tail cleverly forming the pendant bail.
At its head gleams a pear-shaped old mine-cut diamond of over a carat,
surrounded by smaller accent stones.
The body rests against a rich panel of lapis lazuli,
its deep blue adding drama to the serpent's glittering form.
Far from fearsome, snakes in this period symbolized eternity and wisdom,
making this jewel as meaningful as it is beautiful.
The bird pendant, slightly earlier, reveals the delicate artistry of kanatil work,
where gold is drawn into hair-thin wires and curled into intricate filigree.
Georgian jewelers perfected this technique at a time when gold was scarce,
creating light yet elaborate designs.
Originally meant to dangle from a long chain, the bird has since been adapted into a brooch.
Despite restorations, its airy form still carries the charm of its original purpose,
an ornament that swayed gently with the movement of its wearer.
Though unmarked, both pieces exemplify the imagination of Georgian jewelers.
This retail value on the snake is about four to six thousand dollars.
Oh, wow, okay.
All right. Now, on the bird, even in this condition, even though it's been,
what we call a marriage, has been changed from its original function,
in a high-end retail situation, the bird is going to be five to seven thousand dollars.
Wow, okay.
We got it, oh, about 40 years ago on 47th Street in Manhattan.
Few periods in jewelry history married elegance and modernity
as brilliantly as the Art Deco era, and this diamond pendant brooch,
dating to around 1920, captures that spirit in every detail.
The design is a showcase of deco aesthetics.
At the top, delicate floral motifs soften the geometry,
while below, bold angular patterns define its structure.
Contrasts were central to the movement,
and here the jeweler used black onyx and white diamonds to striking effect,
a timeless play of light and shadow.
Adding to the richness, the brooch also incorporates fine enamel work,
another hallmark of deco craftsmanship.
At its heart, dangling elegantly at the bottom,
is the pièce de résistance, a pear-shaped old-cut diamond weighing about three carats,
its brilliance amplified by the brooch's articulated design,
which allows it to move gracefully as it's worn.
Though unsigned, the piece is numbered,
indicating it was crafted by a serious jeweler of note,
someone who took pride in documenting their work,
even if the name has been lost to time.
Versatile as both brooch and pendant,
it's a jewel designed to dazzle in multiple settings,
embodying the glamour of the Roaring Twenties.
Today, collectors of deco jewelry would eagerly compete for such a piece.
At auction, it carries an estimate of...
$18,000 to $22,000.
Oh, that sounds very interesting.
It's a family piece, and I don't know much about it
other than it came down through a cousin to my grandmother,
then to my parents, and then to me.
Delicate yet dazzling,
this Tiffany & Co. pansy brooch from the early 1900s
is a perfect example of how nature inspired
some of the finest jewels of the Belle Époque era.
Unlike the more common single-flower designs,
this brooch blossoms with three enamel pansies,
their petals shaded in rich, lifelike color,
that has survived more than a century,
with remarkable brilliance.
Nestled at the center of each flower are old European-cut diamonds,
each weighing about a quarter of a carat.
Most pansy brooches of the period featured much smaller stones,
making these diamonds unusually large and of particularly fine quality.
One diamond even shifts slightly within its setting,
sparkling playfully with movement,
affectionately described in the family as
drops of dew resting on the petals.
The brooch bears the discreet signature of Tiffany & Co.,
cleverly hidden along the textured back of one stem.
This subtle mark links it to the era
when Louis Comfort Tiffany himself was guiding the company's designs,
blending artistry with natural forms
to create jewels that were both precious and poetic.
While smaller Tiffany pansy brooches
have sold for around $5,000 in retail settings,
this larger and more elaborate example,
with its superior stones and rare triple flower design,
commands far greater value.
In today's market, it is estimated between...
You could easily get $15,000 to $20,000 for this.
Okay, that's excellent. Thank you so much.
This brooch belonged to my grandmother.
She always called it the Phoenix.
It was forbidden to touch the Phoenix,
but I would go and touch the Phoenix,
and I looked at it, and it's a stork.
But all the time I was growing up, it was the Phoenix.
My grandmother died in 2012.
It came to my mom and to me.
In 2018, our house burned down.
I had time to get my dogs out, thankfully,
but I couldn't grab anything.
Everything was flattened, but this we found in the rubble.
I was lucky to have it in an old, gentle cabinet.
Some jewels carry not only beauty, but resilience.
This stork brooch, dating to around 1890 to 1910,
survived both generations of family lore
and even the devastation of a house fire.
Long known within the family as the Phoenix,
it was considered untouchable by its grandmotherly guardian.
Yet, in a twist of fate,
it lived up to that mythical name
when it was discovered intact in the rubble after the flames.
Crafted in 18-carat gold,
the brooch captures the bird in exquisite detail,
its feathers finely engraved to create a lifelike texture.
Along its wings and edges,
shimmering accents of platinum and diamonds add brilliance,
highlighting the naturalistic form
so popular in turn-of-the-century animal jewelry.
During this era,
jewelers delighted in transforming creatures of the natural world
into elegant adornments,
from insects and serpents to birds such as this.
Though the piece shows some surface burn damage from the fire,
skilled restoration can bring it back to its full splendor.
And even as it stands,
the craftsmanship and materials preserve its charm and value.
At auction, it carries an estimated worth of
auction estimate on the piece of $2,000 to $2,500.
Okay, wonderful.
Well, thank you so much.
Thank you.
The piece belonged to my grandmother.
She was from Italy and then New York City in about 1907.
My grandfather who purchased it
was the maitre d' at the Waldorf Astoria.
The Tiffany jewelers used to come in
and he got to talking to them and wound up at the store
and picked out this piece of jewelry for his wife.
Few names in American jewelry
inspire as much admiration as Louis Comfort Tiffany.
And this moonstone and sapphire brooch,
created around 1905,
reflects the artistry that made his designs legendary.
Purchased directly from Tiffany's New York showroom
by a maitre d' of the Waldorf Astoria as a gift for his wife,
it carries not only beauty,
but a story of romance and refinement.
At its center glows a luminous cabochon moonstone,
likely sourced from Ceylon.
Moonstones of this quality shimmer
with an otherworldly play of light,
their surface shifting with soft,
bluish flashes that seem almost magical.
Surrounding it are richly hued Montana sapphires,
prized for their vibrant blues and unusual provenance.
Though the mines were American,
much of the output ended up in English jewelry,
making this Tiffany setting especially significant
as an American creation using these rare stones.
The craftsmanship is as impressive as the gems.
The brooch is built with a gold backing and platinum top,
adorned with intricate filigree made entirely by hand.
Tiny wires were twisted, soldered,
and pierced to create a delicate lace-like frame,
a hallmark of Tiffany's artistry during this era.
On the reverse, the jewel bears
the unmistakable Tiffany and Company signature.
In today's retail market,
replacing such a piece would cost around...
I'd say you'd have to spend around $18,000.
Whoa.
It's a wonderful thing.
I had no idea.
It's a wonderful thing.
None at all.
And that brings us to the end of this remarkable journey
through one of the most stunning brooches ever seen
on Antiques Roadshow.
But the story doesn't stop here.
If you loved this, you'll want to explore more.
Click on the video appearing on your screen right now
to discover the most extraordinary bracelets and necklaces
ever featured on the show,
and keep the adventure going
into more dazzling treasures from history.