MOST families have them: jewellery boxes hidden away at the back of a drawer, usually ignored from year to year, but which nevertheless contain items of sentimental or cash value. The jewellery is often decades old, and would once have been favoured by a mother, or grandmother, or long-dead great-grandmother.

Unexpectedly, the humble jewellery-box and its contents have become a source of revenue. Changing fashions, a rise in insurance costs, and the fact that banks no longer store jewellery in safe-deposit boxes, together mean that people are selling off once-prized possessions.

In the last three months one auction-house has seen a long line of jewellery items being brought in for appraisal. As is often the case with antiques, people can be taken aback by the quoted value. Sometimes it is much more than expected; at other times, much less. One woman brought in what she thought was mere costume jewellery. It was valued at £2000.

Even the considerable sentimental value attached to some items can be overcome by the realisation that they hold no appeal for future generations. In short, the three ‘D’s - death, debt, divorce - are tempting more and more people to have their heirlooms valued professionally. Who knows what cash rewards lie in your own jewellery box? Assuming you can still put your hands on it, of course.