Antiques Roadshow guest's 'unique' collection given eye-watering value

During a memorable Antiques Roadshow episode, viewers were transported to Winchester College where people brought their treasured possessions for expert evaluation.

In this particular BBC programme instalment, which recently witnessed a programme first, specialist Hugh Scully was utterly astounded by one remarkable item.

A guest had brought along her late grandmother's jewellery collection for professional assessment, eager to discover its potential auction value.

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Providing background about her relative, the woman revealed her grandmother had died at the age of102, a few years prior.

Examining the jewellery box, he pulled open a drawer which he described as containing a "cabinet of curiosities."

He remarked: "It's an extraordinary collection of Georgian and Victorian jewellery."

Studying a necklace more closely, the BBC presenter described it as a "beautiful" piece whilst explaining to the woman it was a Georgian gold belcher link chain featuring a hand clasp, reports the Express.

Despite being mesmerised by the necklace, it was a selection of mourning rings that truly captured the expert's attention.

Hugh continued: "The thing about mourning rings is, of course, when someone died, it was customary to commemorate the person by mounting a small lock of hair in a locket centre, surrounding it quite frequently with half pearls.

"Being mourning, the colour was black, always going to be black. Then at the back of the ring, you'd find a small engraving of the person's name and the date that they passed on.

"Then, also, you might find a tiny little locket compartment where there would be a small lock of hair."

The woman revealed that she had worn one of the items from the box on her wedding day the previous year.

She admitted to the BBC expert that she had never had the jewellery pieces appraised before.

Upon learning that the chain alone could be worth up to £1,000, the woman was visibly shocked and exclaimed: "Oh my god!"

As the expert detailed individual pieces in the box and their potential values, the woman appeared overwhelmed, taking deep breaths to compose herself.

Her lips quivered as she listened to Hugh continue with the rest of the valuations.

He went on to say: "From what looks like a fairly straight Sheffield plate set, which is worth no more than about £300. You've got a lower-tiered draw which is probably worth £8,000."

Covering her mouth with her hands, the woman was astounded, remarking: "My god, I didn't realise that at all." Hugh responded: "It really is a unique collection."

Episodes of Antique Roadshow can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.