A regular and very welcome face at Hansons is TV jewellery expert Kate Bliss – and she will be with us again soon, writes Charles Hanson.
I have got to know Kate well through our TV filming and I’m pleased to say we work together in the world of antiques too.
Kate is a consultant for Hansons and carries out free jewellery valuations at our auction house in Etwall on specific dates throughout the year, the next one being Thursday, February 1, 2018, from 10am-4pm.
As you can imagine, she is popular. As well as being an expert in her field, the good people of Derbyshire enjoy having their treasures valued by someone they recognise from TV. In fact, it is not unusual for a client to ask Kate for her autograph. She is always happy to oblige.
Kate, a familiar face on BBC’s Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Secret Dealers, is looking forward to casting her eye over some Derbyshire treasures.
Antique jewellery is often much more precious than people realise – and highly sought after. That’s because it is usually well made and a million miles away from the mass-produced items you often find on the high street.
or example, a pair of beautiful Victorian diamond ear-rings sold for £860 in our January Antiques and Collectors Auction. They were made with old-cut diamonds, which means each diamond was cut with a hand tool.Back then, diamonds were cut to shimmer in candlelight.
Another star lot was a 1950s tiara by Wiwen Nilsson (crrt). Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the late 19th century, Nilsson went on to become jeweller to the King of Sweden.
In the 1940s, his minimalistic designs were so well-regarded he opened a shop in New York.
The tiara, in its original case and set with four large clear stones, sold for £1,100.
Older jewellery brings that richness of history and craftsmanship that collectors love.
Consequently, designer timepieces and quality jewellery prove irresistible to buyers across Britain and the world.
Think Rolex, Cartier or Longines when it comes to watches and simply think big when it comes to diamonds.
Sometimes, jewellery and time pieces of exquisite quality turn up unexpectedly in boxes of miscellaneous items here at Hansons.
Recently a small but beautifully formed gold, Art Deco, Cartier fold-up travel clock arrived at our saleroom in a box of other items. Its estimate is £1,000.
It is gems like this that we love to uncover, both for our vendors and buyers.
Kate Bliss will carry our free jewellery valuations at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, on February 1, 10am-4pm, no appointment necessary. On Tuesdays, jewellery and watches expert David Byrne does free valuations at Hansons from 9.30am-4.30pm and Victoria Sheppard does free silver valuations from 10am-4pm. Plus we have free general valuations at Etwall on Wednesdays, 5-7pm; Fridays, 10am-4pm and Saturdays, 9am-noon. Finally, if wish to consign jewellery, email Hansons’ head of jewellery Helen Smith: [email protected] To find out when Kate will next be with us, call 01283 733988.
