Stunned Antiques Roadshow Guest has Heirloom Valued at $120,000

(IDEX Online) - A guest on the Antiques Roadshow TV show was stunned to learn that a five-carat Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ring was worth up to six times the $20,000 she'd last had it valued at.

The emerald-cut stone, estimated as an I color, is a platinum four-pronged setting, with two tapered baguettes, and come complete with accompanying paperwork from the French luxury jeweler.

It is one of the most expensive items of jewelry (pictured) seen on the PBS TV show, since it launched in the USA in 1997.

The owner said her mother received it as a gift from her stepfather from Beverley Hills during a very short-lived marriage.  They'd eloped after a whirlwind two-week romance in 1970.

"She was either the fourth or the fifth wife. At least she has a nice wedding... Nice ring to show for it," she told appraiser Kaitlin Shinnick.

The ring was last valued at $20,000 back in 1972.  It would fetch $80,000 to $120,000 at auction today, said Kaitlin, who advised her to insure it for $140,000.

Pic courtesy PBS