FASHION FIND
I found a bracelet worth $25,000 while browsing a thrift store – I immediately knew it’s value when I saw a gold detail
And check out some other major thrift finds
A 25-YEAR-old digital archivist stumbled upon a stunning antique bracelet valued at approximately $25,000 during a recent charity shop visit.
This exciting discovery by the digital archivist from Houston, Texas has taken social media by storm, amassing 1.6 million views on TikTok.
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While perusing a local thrift store, TikToker Jessa spotted what she described as a “large chunk of gold” gleaming in the window, per her video, which she captioned, "When you go thrifting and accidentally find a 25k bracelet."
Thrilled by her find, she quickly recognized its historical significance.
With her expertise as an antique jewelry historian, Jessa dated the bracelet to the late Georgian to early Victorian era, around 1835.
Crafted from 18k gold, the bracelet featured exquisite enamel portraits and a variety of gemstones, including vitrine, topaz, turquoise, pearl, and ruby.
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Remarkably, the bracelet was listed for only $5,000 at the thrift shop, which Jessa noted was approximately its gold weight value.
However, given its superior quality, rarity, and intricate craftsmanship, she estimates the piece could fetch up to five times that amount in the right market.
“I was very excited because although there is jewelry at the thrift store now and again, rarely do they have something antique, much less antique and in good condition and with enamel – which has a habit of chipping,” Jessa explained in an interview with What's The Jam.
“And 18k and above in heavy quantities is rare to find in older jewelry, as usually, someone along the line would have been able to sell it for scrap or melted metal and recoup some quick money – so I was especially thrilled at the rarity.”
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IT'S THE LOOKS
The intricate craftsmanship of the bracelet stood out to Jessa, who elaborated on its design.
“The bracelet is likely late Georgian to early Victorian, circa 1835, made out of 18k gold, with the name of the Swiss canton on the back of the shields,” she said.
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“These bracelets usually go anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000, all depending on condition, gold weight, enamel portraits, and of course, the seller.”
Historically, such bracelets were created to celebrate the heritage and cultural garb of specific regions in Switzerland.
This makes Jessa's discovery not just a financial windfall, but also a significant piece of history.
LUCKY FINDS
Jessa's find is not the only unique one out there, though.
Valuable thrifting finds revealed
Here are some of the best thrift store finds:
- Tiffany & Co. earrings that sold for $0.34 and are valued at $430
- American Girl doll that sold for $5.99 and is valued at $300
- Bionicle toy that sold for $14.95 and is valued at $18.101
- Gold record plaque for DJ Quik's 1992 album Way 2 Fonky that sold for @20 and is valued at $200
- Rothy's brand Sugared Berry pointed-toe flats that sold for $155 retail and are valued at $250
One fortunate thrift shopper experienced an astonishing surprise after buying what she believed to be an ordinary bank.
The amazed buyer shared her discovery on Facebook, explaining that she bought the red and gold bank, only to find something rattling inside.
"I went to a thrift store today, found this bank and just had to have it," wrote Morgan Alexandra in the social media group Weird (and Wonderful) Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared.
"When I took it to my car I noticed it made noise and found money in it."
Her social media post included several photos of the bank, along with a picture of Morgan holding a pair of exceptionally rare $2 bills.
Some people don't really know the worth of their items until they get them assessed.
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This was the case for a stunned man had a life-changing revelation when he uncovered the true value of his childhood blanket years later.
Another shopper got their hands on a find they thought was just worth a dollar, but was actually worth 300 times that amount.