FOUND > $15 Flea Market Ring Fetches $847,000
Owner wore it 30-years... thinking it was Worthless 'Costume Jewelry'
The 19th-century Diamond Ring (pictured) was bought for $15 as Costume Jewelry.
June 7, 2017
By James Massey, What Sells Best News
LONDON (VIDEO) – Sotheby's reports, a $15 ring bought as 'costume jewelry' at a flea market, has fetched $847,000 at auction.
The Global News, with Jeff Semple, produced an excellent video of the diamond rings back story in greater depth. Note, they estimated the rings pre-sale value in Canadian dollars.
Thought to be Worthless and Worn for Decades
The owner, who thought they purchased a piece of worthless costume jewelry, reportedly wore the ring for nearly 30-years, almost daily. Until they found out the cushion-shaped diamond was real and at 26.27 carats, extremely valuable.
- VIDEO - How To Identify Valuable Jewelry
Hidden by its 19th-Century Style
A BBC interview with Sotheby's jewelry specialist, Jessica Wyndham, reveals why the ring value may have been missed. Because of the way antique diamonds can lack the sparkle of diamond today.
Wyndham states, older methods of diamond cutting were "slightly duller and deeper" than today, which can "trick people into thinking it's not a genuine stone."
Auction Details
The diamond ring was sold by Sotheby's in London, on June 7, 2017 (lot number 364). The original auction estimate for the diamond was $320,550 - $448,770 (£250,000 - £350,000). Final price including buyers premium was $847,667.
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Most-Watched Vintage "Costume Jewelry" items on eBay
The following list the Most-Watched "Costume Jewelry" items on eBay. Also see, the Top 25: Antique & Vintage Jewelry Items to see which items are fetching the highest bids, worldwide, right now.
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 | Vintage Edwardian Art Deco Rolled Gold Chalcedony Amthyst Glass Pendant NecklaceWatchers: 46 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 42 |
 | OLD 1860 Victorian Micro Mosaic GRAND TOUR WHITE DOVE Bird DAISY Flower BraceletWatchers: 42 |
 | Antique Gold Filled Victorian Salmon Coral Filigree Necklace 8.0g #798Watchers: 42 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 41 |
 | LARGE AUTHENTIC CZECH 1800'S BOHEMIAN VICTORIAN ROSE CUT GARNET CROSS NECKLACEWatchers: 41 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 39 |
 | M01280 MOREZMORE Miniature Victorian Style Purse Locket Chain Pendant DWSWatchers: 38 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 37 |
 | Repro Victorian book chain Y necklace lanyard choker charm holder chatelaineWatchers: 37 |
 | Vintage Jewellery Edwardian Silver Sapphire Faceted Paste Shawl Brooch PinWatchers: 37 |
 | Antique Victorian Etched Gold Filled Hinged Bangle Bracelet 7/8" wideWatchers: 37 |
 | Antique Hand Painted Porcelain Portrait of Victorian Woman Lady Brooch PinWatchers: 33 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED LION HEAD BANGLE BRACELET GARNET EYESWatchers: 32 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gold Filled Etruscan Picture Locket NecklaceWatchers: 32 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gunmetal Open Back Crystal Muff Guard ChainWatchers: 32 |
 | Antique Victorian/Edwardian Bracelet Oval Cut Amethyst Paste StoneWatchers: 32 |
 | Singing Birds Medal Pendant 2.75 “ HUGE vtg statement jewelry Animals PrettyWatchers: 31 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SAPHIRET CLOVER SHAMROCK PINWatchers: 29 |
 | 1 set Pocket watch chain swivel clip T- bar Toggle clasp Gold Plate 1.5" vtgWatchers: 29 |
 | Pair of Victorian Mesh Slide Bracelets Gold Filled, Pearl Mounted LovelyWatchers: 28 |
 | Antique Victorian FMCo Gold Filled Lion Bangle Bracelet, Budget Piece w/ IssuesWatchers: 28 |
 | Vintage Antique French Enamel Pendant Box CharmWatchers: 28 |
 | VINTAGE ANTIQUE SHELL CAMEO EARRINGS ------ CARVED IN ITALY. 14KT ROLLED GOLDWatchers: 28 |
 | * Antique Vintage South Sea Operculum Seashell Carved Tortoise Shell NecklaceWatchers: 27 |
 | Victorian Rose Gold Bohemian 3 Garnet RingWatchers: 27 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED HINGED BANGLE BRACELET WITH GARNETS & SEED PEARLSWatchers: 27 |
 | Antique Victorian Gold Filled Ornate Garnet ? Round Locket Pendant 1" M714Watchers: 27 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED OPAL 1.25 INCH LARGE LOCKETWatchers: 26 |
 | Antique Hand Painted Porcelain Portrait of French Woman Lady Brooch Pin 2.25"Watchers: 26 |
 | ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN JEWELLERY DELIGHTFUL LEMON GLASS AGATE GOLD BROOCH LACE PINWatchers: 26 |
 | Victorian 1880s.Cross Gutta Percha Roses Carved Necklace Choker Mourning JewelWatchers: 26 |
 | *ANTIQUE GOLD FILL CRESCENT MOON & STAR RHINESTONES HEART LOCKET PENDANT*Watchers: 26 |
 | Antique Gold-Filled Carved Carnelian Mercury INTAGLIO Watch Fob Pendant CharmWatchers: 26 |
 | LARGE Stunning ETRUSCAN gilt antique VICTORIAN micro mosaic brooch/pendantWatchers: 26 |
 | heavy Watch chain Collar Necklace Silver Stainless Steel vtg 18" 25" 31" chunkyWatchers: 25 |
 | Antique Victorian Coral Red Color Stone Glass Flower Brooch 1 1/2" M714Watchers: 25 |
