It was a normal trip to the Swap Shop in Sunrise for one man, until he came across a small statue.
He was told it was made out of marble, and he paid $90 for it.
“To me, it looked like an emerald in the sculpture,” the man said.
The buyer doesn’t want to be identified because he thinks the emerald sculpture is worth millions. He said he’s been told that by a couple jewelers in South Florida. Over the phone one gemologist told NBC 6 if you can’t see through the emerald, there’s no way it’s worth that much.
NBC 6 headed to The Crystal Cave Rock and Gem Shop in Davie.
“Yes, it is emerald,” store owner Jacqueline Yoder said. “Would I say it’s worth a fortune? No way.”
Yoder agreed that if the sculpture were transparent, it would be worth a fortune. Instead, she said it’s emerald from Brazil and it’s worth about $500, five times what it cost the man, but he’s still not convinced.
“I’ve been a collector for a long time,” he said. “Since I was a little kid, I used to dream about treasure chests and coins.”
Now, this is his dream – his new latest find. He thinks the stone itself is worth more money. He also believes the historical value may make him a millionaire. He said this statue is a Columbian goddess – a rare find, like a needle in a haystack.
“I’m overwhelmed. I feel like it’s a blessing from God. This is one of the best.”
Now, the Swap Shop buyer is searching for a historian or an antique appraiser to find out if he really did hit it big.