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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| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 55 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 53 |
 | Repro Victorian book chain Y necklace lanyard choker charm holder chatelaineWatchers: 50 |
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| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 44 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 43 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER FOX RUBY PASTE WATCH CHAIN FOB PENDANTWatchers: 35 |
 | Blue Guillochè Enamel Photo Locket Charm Pendant Victorian Sterling SilverWatchers: 34 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SAPHIRET STERLING BRACELET WITH 7 HUGE STONESWatchers: 34 |
 | Victorian 1880s.Cross Gutta Percha Roses Carved Necklace Choker Mourning JewelWatchers: 34 |
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 | Antique Gold book chain necklace lanyard charm holder collar wide Statement 18"Watchers: 33 |
 | heavy Watch chain Collar Necklace Silver Stainless Steel vtg 18" 25" 31" chunkyWatchers: 32 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED GF NATURAL GARNET FLOWER BROOCH PINWatchers: 32 |
 | Vintage Antique French Enamel Pendant Box CharmWatchers: 32 |
 | 1874 VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED RBM ATRIC CRESCENT MOON & STAR PASTE LOCKET NECKLACEWatchers: 32 |
 | 1 Victorian parts guard chain lanyard necklace stainless steel brass gold silverWatchers: 32 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED LION HEAD BANGLE BRACELET GARNET EYESWatchers: 30 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gold Filled Etruscan Picture Locket NecklaceWatchers: 30 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SAPHIRET CLOVER SHAMROCK PINWatchers: 30 |
 | Vintage 16x12mm Shell Cameo Earrings Carved in Italy 14kt Rolled Gold SettingsWatchers: 30 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED HINGED BANGLE BRACELET WITH GARNETS & SEED PEARLSWatchers: 29 |
 | Victorian fob locket pendant rhinestones paste star gold signed seed pearlsWatchers: 28 |
 | *ANTIQUE GOLD FILL CRESCENT MOON & STAR RHINESTONES HEART LOCKET PENDANT*Watchers: 28 |
 | VINTAGE ANTIQUE SHELL CAMEO EARRINGS ------ CARVED IN ITALY. 14KT ROLLED GOLDWatchers: 28 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN VULCANITE NECKLACE HEART PENDANT GOTHIC WHITBY JET MOURNINGWatchers: 27 |
 | ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN FOILED SAPHIRET GLASS STERLING SILVER VINTAGE EARRINGWatchers: 26 |
 | Antique Victorian Pendant Locket chain Necklace GF aesthetic period EtruscanWatchers: 26 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gunmetal Open Back Crystal Muff Guard ChainWatchers: 26 |
 | VICTORIAN GOLDTONE REPOUSSE BLUE STONES HUGE DOUBLE LOCKET BOOK CHAIN NECKLACEWatchers: 26 |
 | VICTORIAN Gold Filled Ladies Slide NecklaceWatchers: 26 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CUT STEEL & TURQUOISE GLASS FLOWER FORGET ME NOT EARRINGSWatchers: 25 |
 | Pair of Victorian Mesh Slide Bracelets Gold Filled, Pearl Mounted LovelyWatchers: 25 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED OPAL 1.25 INCH LARGE LOCKETWatchers: 25 |
 | Mint!! Antique Pinchbeck 2 color gold Etruscan Victorian large Ornate earringsWatchers: 25 |
 | ROSES~Antique Victorian~Vintage Micro Mosaic FESTOON Necklace~Italy Micro MosaicWatchers: 25 |
 | Necklace Earrings Brooch Coral Filigree Demi ParureWatchers: 25 |
 | Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Gilt Brass Glass Snake Bird Sash Pin BroochWatchers: 24 |
 | Vintage STERLING SILVER ENAMEL CIGARETTE HOLDER & Case Charm PendantWatchers: 24 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN STAMPED BRASS FLORAL PURPLE GLASS V SHAPES SASH BROOCH PINWatchers: 24 |
 | Antique Victorian Nouveau French Enamel hair locket memorial pendant earring setWatchers: 24 |
 | ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU PANSY FLORAL REPOUSSE PASTE YELLOW GOLD FILLED LOCKET ESTATEWatchers: 24 |
