ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

'Antiques Roadshow' seller gets chills after expert reveals the value of her 120-year-old ring

The expert also told the guest to get the ring insured for an amount twice that of her appraisal.
PUBLISHED MAR 11, 2025
The guest looking at the expert describing the ring's value (Cover image source: YouTube | PBS Antiques Roadshow)
The guest looking at the expert describing the ring's value (Cover image source: YouTube | PBS Antiques Roadshow)

Artifacts on "Antiques Roadshow" could be captivating for fans and fascinating for experts, but despite that, most guests who have been in possession of these items have no clue about their true worth. This is clear from their reaction after being told about the true worth of these heirlooms and collectibles, which also makes the show entertaining. One guest brought a Marcus & Co. ring to the show but had no idea about the maker of the item and was left in shock after the expert enlightened her.

After bringing the item to the show, the guest shared that she got the ring in an estate sale for quite a bargain. "I thought it was cool-looking, the colors. It was about $200," she shared. Taking over from the owner, expert Lucy Grogan Edwards explained that it was indeed a wonderful piece of jewelry. "What you have here is an 18-karat yellow gold enamel diamond and ruby ring. It's from the Art Nouveau period," the expert explained. She added that the item dates all the way back to 1905.

Screenshot showing the expert examining the ring (Image source: YouTube/Antiques Roadshow PBS)
Screenshot showing the expert examining the ring (Image source: YouTube/Antiques Roadshow PBS)

Looking at the ring, the expert noted that on the face of it, it seemed to be worth $2,000 to $3,000, but there is more to it than what meets the eye. "On the inside is a very clear signature, 'Marcus & Co., 18 karat.' Marcus and Company was a very prominent New York maker," the expert noted. She went on to explain that the company was founded in 1892 by Herman Marcus, who migrated to the United States from Germany in the middle of the 19th century. The creator initially worked at the famed Tiffany and Company and then went off on his own to form Marcus and Company, Edwards added.

"This is very characteristically Marcus. It's Mughal-designed, sort of Indian-inspired, which you can see," she said. She pointed out that the shape of the ring resembled a sultan's turban and the colors and the material was also very Mughal-inspired.

Screenshot shwing the expert pointing out the markings (Image source: YouTube/Antiques Roadshow PBS)
Screenshot shwing the expert pointing out the markings (Image source: YouTube/Antiques Roadshow PBS)

She explained that the Art Nouveau period was inspired by nature with a lot of Orientalist interest. She added that the center stone of the ring was a cabochon ruby, which is smooth over the top, with a rich pink hue. "The pinker saturated rubies, like this, are most often from Burma," she explained. She added that historically, Burmese rubies weren't much exported, so there aren't many in the marketplace today. Furthermore, the green enamel work is also very characteristic of Marcus and Company, she noted. 

Thus, coming to the numbers, the expert shared a fresh estimation of the ring's value in the context of its maker and the materials used. "I would say, at auction today, it would be worth between $7,000 and $10,000," Edwards noted. 

Screenshot showing the guest's reaction (Image source: YouTube/Antiques Roadshow PBS)
Screenshot showing the guest's reaction (Image source: YouTube/Antiques Roadshow PBS)

The appraisal left the guest shocked as she wasn't expecting her $200 ring to be worth that much. "Whoa! No way! Oh, my gosh. Wow. Whoa, I got chills," the guest exclaimed.



 

The expert added that despite a chip on the ruby, the ring's value was unaffected, and for safety, the ring should be insured for around $20,000, which was double the estimation that she previously shared.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The video showed how the new tech takes even more time to unlock doors.
8 hours ago
Harvey later regretted clapping for the controversial answer, being a married man.
8 hours ago
Harvey was very invested in the game and reacted to every answer with enthusiasm.
14 hours ago
The creator's simple hack can make sure that people avoid splurging too much on groceries.
1 day ago
The contestant's answer wasn't the only one that made the host crack up.
1 day ago
The company received multiple complaints from customers finding wiry pieces of metal in the product.
2 days ago
The survey results were nothing like any of them had anticipated.
2 days ago
The soon to be birthday girl, Ja-Juana fell into temptation and lost the big prize.
2 days ago
The player, Gary got too excited and almost tore down the prize board off the roof.
3 days ago
The player, Megan Zandrowicz, walked away with a fantastic $65,000 from the show.
3 days ago
In the end, the guest regretted using the beautiful Mettlach Cameo Platter for her parties.
3 days ago
The contestant Mary, won a trip to Vancouver as a perfect birthday present.
5 days ago
The player was in for another heartbreak after she failed to solve the puzzle.
5 days ago
The player, Elisa Butcher's risky dice roll stunned everyone as she won a brand new Volkswagen car.
5 days ago
The star of Boyz II Men got sentimental after looking at the item from their first album cover.
6 days ago
It wasn't an ordinary ring but the 2004 Patriots Super Bowl Ring, which Harrison refused to let go.
7 days ago
Harvey was in disbelief after he misheard what Ming-Na Wen's teammate said.
7 days ago
Harvey could feel the pain as he collected the answers from the contestants.
7 days ago
The owner of Harry Karstens' First Ascent Denali Ice Axe was shocked to learn how valuable it was.
Oct 22, 2025