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Bares für Rares Draws Criticism Over 10-Euro Bids and Fresh Fraud Find

ZDF viewers criticized minimal bid steps following Wendela Horz’s discovery of a zircon masquerading as a diamond.

Overview

  • Online commentators on YouTube slammed the show’s recent adoption of 10-euro bidding increments as unprofessional and “embarrassing.”
  • Jewelry expert Wendela Horz identified a zircon in a gold ring that had been presented as a diamond heirloom, revealing the piece’s true material value at around €100.
  • The seller’s ring failed to secure a dealer card after the fraud was exposed, underscoring the show’s ongoing focus on provenance and authenticity.
  • Despite the backlash, Bares für Rares continues to attract 1.8–2 million viewers per episode with its blend of expert valuation and live dealer auctions.
  • The Austrian spin-off prepares to debut this autumn on Puls 4 with Arabella Kiesbauer replacing Roland Gruschka and Willi Gabalier as moderator.