Antiques Roadshow guest in tears over staggering value of 'unique' collection

In an episode of Antiques Roadshow, viewers were taken to Winchester College to see rare and unique items people have brought in to get valued.

During an old episode of the BBC programme, which recently saw a show first unfold, expert Hugh Scully was blown away by one item in particular.

One woman had taken her late grandmother's jewellery collection to be inspected by the expert, curious to see what it would make at auction. Sharing more information about her relative, the woman said her grandmother had died at the age of 102 a few years beforehand.

While looking at the jewellery box, he opened a pull-draw which he referred to as holding a "cabinet of curiosities." He commented: "It's an extraordinary collection of Georgian and Victorian jewellery."

Looking closer at a necklace, the BBC star called it a "beautiful" piece as he informed the woman it was a Georgian gold belcher link chain with a hand clasp.

Although he seemed captivated by the necklace, it was a collection of mourning rings that the expert wanted to know more about.

Hugh added: "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."

Wondering if the woman had ever worn some of the items inside the box, she revealed that she had worn one on her wedding day the year before.

However, during their conversation, she told the BBC expert that she's never had the jewellery items valued before.

When told the chain alone could fetch up to £1,000, the woman was taken aback and laughed while replying, "Oh my god!"

Detailing singular pieces in the box and listening to their prices, the woman was overcome with emotion as she could be seen taking in some deep breaths.

As her lips started to shake, the woman looked down while listening to Hugh continue the rest of the valuations.

He continued: "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."

Putting her hands over her mouth, the woman was gobsmacked, as she commented: "My god, I didn't realise that at all." Hugh replied: "It really is a unique collection."

Episodes of Antique Roadshow are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.