A Treasure That Bought New Memories: Margaret’s story with J&J Antiques and Collectables

We’ve met many wonderful people through our work in retirement estates, but every so often a story lingers in our hearts, like Margaret’s.

Margaret first heard about J&J Antiques and Collectables through a close friend living on an estate we had visited. Her friend had attended our J&J Antique Roadshow, where we presented an engaging on-site showcase and offered residents the opportunity to access fair, immediate purchase offers for their antiques and fine Jewellery. That very afternoon, Margaret came across one of our posts on Facebook and decided it must be a sign.

Bringing the Roadshow Home

Inspired by her friend’s experience and intrigued by what she had seen online, Margaret reached out to us personally. She wanted to bring that same opportunity to her own community, so she asked if we would consider hosting the J&J Antiques Roadshow at her estate.
With her enthusiasm and initiative, planning quickly began. Margaret worked closely with our marketing team and the estate’s management to spread the word, ensuring that every resident knew they’d soon have access to J&J’s trusted service, right on their doorstep.

When the day finally arrived, the venue reflected everything we strive for: professionalism, warmth, and elegance. Soft lighting, polished displays, and delightful refreshments created a welcoming atmosphere. As Margaret looked around at her neighbours arriving with Jewellery boxes and other items in hand, she felt a sense of pride. She had helped make it possible for others to experience something truly special.

A Jewellery Box Full of Memories

When it was finally her turn to visit our assessment table, Margaret carried a small wooden Jewellery box, the kind that clearly held a lifetime of love and history.
Inside were her grandmother’s gold locket, a sapphire ring her late husband had given her on their tenth anniversary, and a delicate diamond brooch that had been in her family for generations. As she placed each piece carefully onto the velvet cloth, her eyes reflected a mix of pride, nostalgia and emotion.

For Margaret, these weren’t just jewels. They were memories, her mother’s perfume as she pinned on the brooch, the laughter of her wedding day, the gentle moment when her husband slipped that sapphire ring onto her finger.

The Appraisal and the Realisation

We carefully examined each piece for authenticity, craftsmanship, and condition, explaining every step of the process. When we confirmed that her grandmother’s brooch was an authentic Victorian diamond piece, Margaret smiled through tears of disbelief and gratitude.

She hadn’t come with the intention to sell that day, only to understand what her treasures might mean. But as we spoke about how the value of these pieces could help her create new experiences and memories, she realised that letting go wasn’t a loss, it was the beginning of something new.
With our immediate payment process, transparent appraisal model, and personal approach, Margaret chose to sell, not because her Jewellery had lost meaning, but because it had gained a new purpose.

The Beginning of a New Journey

A few weeks later, Margaret wrote to tell us that selling her Jewellery had given her something more valuable than gold: time. She used the proceeds to visit her children and grandchildren overseas, a trip she had dreamed of for years.
She shared, “The memories will always be with me, but now I get to make new ones because of them.”
That’s the heart of what we do at J&J Antiques and Collectables. We don’t just buy your valuables; we help people unlock new opportunities and experiences from them.

The J&J Antiques Roadshow is Coming to You in the New Year

Stories like Margaret’s are exactly why we’re continuing the J&J Antiques Roadshow across South Africa in the new year.
You’ll have the chance to experience the same professional, confidential service, with free access to our roadshows, where trusted J&J specialists provide fair, immediate purchase offers on coins, war and Airforce memorabilia, antiques, watches and fine Jewellery.
If you’ve ever wondered about the worth of your family Jewellery and are considering selling it, this is your opportunity to do so, and perhaps, like Margaret, you’ll discover that letting go can create something beautifully new.