AN ANTIQUES Roadshow guest was left open-mouthed after discovering the truth behind her £1 charity shop ring.
The owner of the item told BBC expert John Benjamin that she found the ring in the costume jewellery section and thought it was pretty.
She explained: “I bought it in a local charity shop and it was with the costume jewellery. It cost me £1. There’s no hallmarks or anything.
“So I just thought it was a nice ring with pretty glass inside.”
The expert examined the ring and revealed a surprise discovery – the piece of jewellery had a “rather unusual fluted back”.
John revealed that the “sunburst effect” design on the back of the ring is typical of of Georgian times, between 1790 and 1800.
He continued: “This is actually really rather rare. It’s grey because it’s actually quite a heavy spotted diamond but it doesn’t matter – it’s a rare stone.”
The TV expert told her that the stones around the outside were rubies, leaving the guest stunned.
He then revealed the gold ring was made in India, he said: “This is a Mughal ring that’s somehow found its way from somewhere near the Taj Mahal over to a charity shop here 200 years later.
“It’s really quite an extraordinary thing.”
John said that her lucky had soared in value and was worth significantly more than she had paid for it.
He said: ” It’s really quite an extraordinary thing.
“Your £1 investment is worth £2,000.”
The chuffed guest couldn’t believe her ears, she said: “Wow, I think I’ll take it out of the drawer now and wear it.”
Viewers were left speechless, with one writing: “What a lucky woman to buy a ring for £1 and now worth £2k.”
Another posted: “This gorgeous Indian Moghul 22ct diamond and ruby ring! Bought for a quid…worth £2k!!”
“Gobsmacked at this ring, why don’ I ever stumble upon this kind of stuff in charity shops?!”
