SURPRISES AT OUR VALUATION MORNINGS LAST MONTH!

It’s amazing what turns up in bags destined for the charity shop. Among the jumble of old scarves, mismatched china, and well-loved paperbacks, there can sometimes be a real surprise. Just last month, a local lady popped in with a bag of costume jewellery she was planning to donate. Nestled among pendants was something rather special, a 9ct gold necklace, worth several hundred pounds!

She was delighted when we pointed it out, and even happier that we were able to buy the necklace from her. To her eye it was “just another trinket,” but it turned out to be a very welcome find indeed. It’s a reminder that valuable items often get swept up in the clear-out, especially when jewellery boxes contain a mix of costume and fine pieces that have been sitting together for years.

And the surprises didn’t stop there. At the very same valuation morning, another lady brought along a ring she assumed was just made of paste. Imagine her shock when we revealed it was actually 18ct gold set with real diamonds! She couldn’t believe its value. Rather than part with it, she decided to keep the piece and have the stones transformed into a bespoke item of jewellery she could treasure and eventually hand down to her family.

These little tales have happy endings and serve as gentle reminders to us all: before you bag up jewellery for the charity shop, take a moment to have it checked by someone who knows what they're looking for. Gold, silver, and even precious stones can easily hide in plain sight.

So next time you’re sorting through your drawers, remember: that “costume” necklace or “paste” ring might just be a treasure in disguise!

November's birthstones are ones that glow in the sunlight of a crisp autumn day. Topaz and citrine share the spotlight this month, and both stones bring a golden sparkle that feels just right for cozy evenings and festive gatherings.