We all dream of finding some ancient artifact in our house or a bargain at a thrift store that could sell for a large amount of money... and for one woman, this became a reality.
Sometimes I'll find myself watching clips of shows like Pawn Stars and I get sad that I'm not sitting on a gold mine or have any valuable family heirlooms.
Then occasionally I'll find myself in a thrift store and get genuinely disappointed when I don't find anything worth thousands being advertised for $3.
That being said, I am incredibly jealous of 23-year-old Jess Smith who is apparently living my dream after finding a valuable necklace for a bargain price.
Smith, an avid seeker of unique accessories, described her discovery in a small Pittsburgh shop, recalling to Business Insider: "I saw this really weird necklace hanging there with this giant clear pendant on it. And when I say giant, I mean it was a big pendant, easily two by two or three by three inches."
Intrigued by the '70s vibe of the piece, another shopper pointed out its likely vintage nature. Smith, drawn to its neon, translucent appearance, decided to take a closer look. It was priced at a mere $1.99.
"It was neon, translucent, and I thought it was made of plastic," she shared. "It was $1.99, so I figured I might as well get it. It's pretty funky-looking. I'll wear it."
Before trying it on, Smith turned to Google Lens to identify her newfound accessory. She uploaded a photo and, after a few attempts, stumbled upon the work of Pittsburgh artist Aaronel deRoy Gruber, known for her distinctive 3D plexiglass sculptures.
Excited about the potential authenticity, Smith reached out to the Irving and Aaronel deRoy Gruber Foundation via Instagram, a group dedicated to preserving and sharing the late artist's work.
"The first thing she said to me was, 'I don't even have to see it in person. I know that is a real Gruber necklace,'" Smith recounted after the foundation's director, Brittany Reilly, responded within 12 hours.
Reilly not only confirmed the necklace's authenticity but also revealed its estimated value between $2,800 and $3,200 due to its exceptional quality.
Documenting her discovery on TikTok, Smith's video garnered over 391,000 views, with viewers noting the necklace's resemblance to a Tide Pod.
On the subject of what to do with the necklace, Smith was faced with a choice of selling it or keeping it for herself. She has opted to hold onto it but loan it to a gallery for a year so others can enjoy it.
For all you treasure hunters out there, Smith's advice is simple: "If you have eight or so necklaces on one hook, people are going to miss pretty cool stuff hanging there."