Discover, learn, and collect: antiques and jewellery secrets revealed.

One of the joys of running our antique and vintage valuation days is never knowing what someone might bring in. It could be a family heirloom, a quirky collectible, or simply something they’re curious about. But every so often, someone walks in with a story — and a surprise — that reminds us exactly why we love what we do.

The Jewellery Box on Its Way to the Charity Shop

A lovely lady arrived carrying a small jewellery box she described as “just a few old bits.” In fact, she told me she had been on her way to donate it to a local charity shop, but decided to stop by our valuation event first, just to check if anything inside was worth keeping.

Inside were the usual odds and ends you’d expect in a well-used jewellery box: tangled chains, missing earrings, broken clasps, and plenty of costume pieces from various decades. She apologised for the mess, but I reassured her — these boxes are exactly where hidden treasures like to hide.

The Sparkle That Stood Out

As I sorted through the pieces, one brooch immediately caught my attention. It had a weight and craftsmanship that didn’t match the other items. While everything else was lightweight costume jewellery, this piece felt different the moment I picked it up.

And with good reason — it turned out to be a beautiful 1920s platinum and diamond brooch.

The lady stared at me in disbelief when I told her. She had assumed it was just costume jewellery like the rest and had absolutely no idea of its age, quality, or value. It had simply been sitting in the box for years, unnoticed.

From “Probably Nothing” to Something Special

What she thought was a box destined for donation actually held a piece worth hundreds — possibly even thousands — of pounds, depending on the final valuation. The expression on her face was priceless: shock, excitement, relief, and a little disbelief all at once.

Moments like these are genuine highlights of our valuation days. It’s wonderful to help people uncover the history — and the hidden value — inside items they’ve overlooked for years.

Why It Pays to Have Items Checked

This story is a perfect example of why it’s always worth getting old jewellery checked before donating, discarding, or selling it. Genuine antique pieces, especially from eras like the 1920s, often end up mixed with costume items and forgotten.

You never know what treasure might be waiting inside a little box of “bits and pieces.”

And for this lady, a quick stop at our event turned out to be very much worth the detour.

The Newark Antiques & Collectors Fair is known across Europe for its sheer scale, electric atmosphere, and remarkable variety of treasures. Thousands of dealers gather from across the UK and beyond, creating a paradise for collectors, traders, and antique enthusiasts of every kind. On my latest visit, I was reminded why this fair remains one of the highlights of the antiques calendar — and I came home with a very special find.

The Buzz of Newark

From the moment you step through the gates, Newark greets you with a vibrant mix of stalls, friendly chatter, and the unmistakable thrill of discovery. Rows upon rows of tents and tables stretch across the showground, each one filled with unique objects: Victorian trinkets, Georgian silver, mid-century homeware, militaria, fine art, jewellery, toys, maps, clocks — and everything in between.

Part of the fun at Newark is the unpredictability. You never quite know what you’ll find until you’re standing right in front of it. Every aisle holds the potential for something extraordinary.

A Treasure Found: The 15ct Gold Horseshoe Brooch

Somewhere between a table of Art Deco glassware and a display of early postcards, I spotted it — a delicate, beautifully preserved 15-carat gold horseshoe brooch. The warm tone of the 15ct gold immediately caught my eye. As collectors know, 15ct gold was only produced between 1854 and 1932, making genuine pieces increasingly rare.

Horseshoe motifs were especially popular in the Victorian era, symbolising luck and protection. This particular brooch, with its crisp detailing and original fittings, had all the charm and craftsmanship one hopes to find but seldom does. It was one of those unmistakable moments: the brooch wasn’t just an object — it was a piece of history waiting for someone to appreciate it again.

The Joy of the Hunt

What makes Newark so special is not just the items themselves, but the experience of searching for them. I spent hours browsing everything from Edwardian luggage to retro enamel signs, chatting with dealers who each had stories as interesting as the pieces they sold. Antique fairs are as much about the people as the objects — collectors passionate about what they do, eager to share knowledge and discoveries.

And that’s the magic of Newark: whether you're a seasoned dealer or a casual visitor, you always leave with something — a purchase, a new contact, or simply a great story.

Why Newark Is a Must-Visit

• Unmatched variety: More antiques in one place than you could see in a month of shop visits.
• A collector’s treasure hunt: Every walk down an aisle reveals something unexpected.
• Rare finds: Like my 15ct gold brooch — pieces that simply don’t turn up anywhere else.
• Atmosphere: Friendly, lively, and full of character.

I left the fair tired, a little sun-worn, and absolutely thrilled with the day’s adventure — and with a beautiful Victorian horseshoe brooch safely tucked away. Newark never disappoints, and I’ll certainly be back for the next fair. If you love antiques, history, or the thrill of the hunt, it’s a day out you won’t forget.

I’ve always admired Art Deco design — the elegance, the stylised forms, the craftsmanship. But my appreciation reached a new level when I came across a badly damaged Art Deco lamp featuring a kneeling nude lady, a classic motif of the 1920s. She was stunning, even in her condition, but she needed far more than a gentle clean. This became my very first attempt at a full restoration.

The State She Arrived In

The lamp had suffered years of mishandling. Her neck had snapped completely, a large section from her back and shoulder was missing, and there were numerous chips across the surface. What should have been a graceful figure looked fragile and tired — but the beauty of the piece still shone through.

Behind her sat a gorgeous cut-glass circle, painted gold in typical Art Deco style, and the figure was mounted on a chrome base that perfectly reflected the glamour of the era. Even with the damage, the lamp had a presence I couldn’t ignore.

Diving Into Restoration

With no formal training, only determination and a growing love for restoration, I began researching everything I could. Tutorials, forums, conservation tips — anything that helped me understand the best materials and techniques to use.

Piece by piece, I started rebuilding her:

• Reconstructing the missing shoulder and back section
• Reinforcing and reshaping the broken neck
• Smoothing and filling chips without losing the original curves
• Matching the period-correct finish as closely as possible

Slowly, she began to return to the elegant figure she once was.

Seeing Her Come Back to Life

The moment everything was smoothed, painted, and reassembled was extraordinary. The figure looked whole again — not perfect, but respectfully restored, with her character intact.

Once the gold-painted glass disc and chrome base were cleaned and polished, the lamp suddenly transformed into the breathtaking piece she was always meant to be. And when the light was switched on for the first time… she looked fantastic. The soft glow through the cut glass surrounded her with that iconic Art Deco radiance.

Why This Piece Matters

This lamp taught me more than techniques — it taught me patience, respect for craftsmanship, and the joy that comes from saving something beautiful rather than discarding it. For a first restoration project, it couldn’t have been more rewarding.

Now she stands proud once again: a glamorous 1920s Art Deco lady, restored, admired, and glowing — quite literally — with new life.