When it comes to inherited heirlooms , it can be difficult to know whether it’s worth selling to make your dreams come true or pass it on to future generations.
But one woman was left slack-jawed when she went on the Antiques Roadshow to find out that something she had been handed down was much more than expected.
Jewellery is beautiful and when it has history, it makes it even more magical.
Advert
However, when expert Sarah Churgin was presented with a wonderful amethyst necklace, she was wowed by what it had been through in its lifetime.
According to the guest, this necklace belonged to socialite Lillie Langtry and was passed down from her husband’s family into her hands.
She explained: "I have an amethyst necklace that was my husband's great-grandmother's. I inherited it last year from my mother-in-law when she died.
“All we know is that she bought it at auction in 1929 in Atlantic City and it was the year that Lillie Langtry died and it's supposed to have been one of her necklaces.
Advert
"She loved amethyst, because we have an amethyst letter opener, amethyst rings, she was really excited about amethyst which I read Lillie Langtry also was."
Though the guest couldn’t confirm that it did belong to Langtry, documents that came with the necklace stated it once belonged to the socialite.
Langtry, an actress, moved to London in 1876 and met the future king, Edward VII, Prince of Wales just one year later at a party.
Advert
Churgin explained to the guest: "He manoeuvred to sit next to her and it began a relationship that lasted many years.
"They were lovers for three years and then she got pregnant with another man's child, now interestingly, Edward VII purchased a house for her in Bournemouth and actually paid for her confinement in Paris. She ended up with property in California and she died in Monaco in 1929."
But this is where things get interesting.
Advert
She continued: "And here in June in 1929, Harold A Brand has an auction that includes her jewellery from which your husband's great-grandmother purchased this necklace. So we have to ask ourselves, how does a royal piece, a piece of royal provenance, end up in New Jersey?
"I take a look at what paperwork is represented, because provenance is very important, but I have a couple of questions here. One of the questions is, why is this royal piece remounted?
"In the description, the original yellow gold mounting that Edward gave for this amethyst which is a beautiful amethyst but he gave her this amethyst in a yellow gold mounting, has been remounted."
In a devastating blow, it turns out it was actually a product of alleged fraud.
Advert
She said: “Unfortunately, we find in 1949 that Harold A Brand is brought up on multiple conspiracy charges, for conspiracy of fraud."
The guest exclaimed in shock: "Oh my goodness!".
But the expert said it was from the ‘art deco period’ and didn’t have any ‘maker marks’ on it to suggest that King Edward, who was known to buy from famous makers, had purchased this exact necklace.
Instead, it was likely to be a commercial product.
She said: "Had it been given by Edward VII to Lillie Langtry, it would be one thing but nonetheless, a fair auction value would be $3,000 to $4,000.
"If it had royal provenance, we can double that price."
Topics: Money, TV, Antiques Roadshow
Britt Jones