He bought a second-hand item for $10: Now it’s worth 200 times more

What began as a simple visit to an antique shop turned into an unforgettable discovery for A.J., a regular buyer of vintage items. Over the recent holiday weekend, while browsing through several secondhand stores in Minnesota, he came across what he described as a once-in-a-lifetime gem.

Amid dozens of items, his attention was drawn to a small red leather jewelry box — worn, but with an unmistakable air of luxury. Upon opening it, A.J. found an exquisite platinum brooch from the renowned Japanese brand Mikimoto, shaped like a leaf and adorned with five Akoya saltwater pearls, according to Newsweek.

“It’s a leaf design dating to at least the 1960s,” A.J. explained. “I originally paid $10 for it, and I was floored. I’m getting it officially tested soon. Platinum brooches from that era are rare, but around $2,000 and the price goes up if there are gems, bigger pearls, and a lot of weight.”

Founded in Japan in 1893, Mikimoto is celebrated for its innovation in cultured pearls and for its high-end craftsmanship, particularly in bridal jewelry.

Although A.J. plans to wear the brooch as a pendant on a pearl chain, he’s reluctant to alter the original piece.

Since discovering it, A.J. says he hasn’t stopped admiring the brooch — and several family members have praised its beauty as well. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime find, and I can’t describe the pure joy I get from finding treasures buried away in shop, just collecting dust,” he concluded.

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