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Heirloom Bracelet Exposed With Fake Stones on ZDF, Sells for €1,800

An expert appraisal found swapped stones that cut the bracelet’s value.

Overview

  • The bracelet, shown Wednesday on Bares für Rares, came from seller Anke of Menden and was identified as a 1970s piece in 750 (18‑carat) white gold.
  • Expert Wendela Horz found that several diamonds around the center had been replaced with imitations such as YAG, a synthetic garnet, which shocked the owner.
  • The remaining genuine stones totaled about 1.9 carats, leading Horz to value the piece at roughly €2,300 after the discovery.
  • Dealer bidding led by Julian Schmitz‑Avila ended with a purchase at €1,800, which fell below both the expert estimate and the seller’s €3,000 goal.
  • Host Horst Lichter suggested unproven scenarios like a dishonest goldsmith or a past resale of the originals, underscoring how undocumented alterations to heirlooms can be hard to prove and can lower market interest.