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: 44 |
 | 1 Vtg Owl Crescent Moon Pendant - Antique Clay Poker Chip stars Deco pictorialWatchers: 41 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 37 |
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| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 36 |
 | OLD 1860 Victorian Micro Mosaic GRAND TOUR WHITE DOVE Bird DAISY Flower BraceletWatchers: 36 |
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 | ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU GOLD FILLED BAROQUE PEARL CITRINE PASTE NECKLACEWatchers: 35 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SILVER PLATE AMETHYST CRYSTAL EMERALD PASTE INSECT BUG PINWatchers: 34 |
 | Repro Victorian book chain Y necklace lanyard choker charm holder chatelaineWatchers: 34 |
 | ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN GOLD FILLED SEED PEARL SAPPHIRE PASTE LAVALIER PENDANTWatchers: 34 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED LION HEAD BANGLE BRACELET GARNET EYESWatchers: 33 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 33 |
 | Antique Victorian Etched Gold Filled Hinged Bangle Bracelet 7/8" wideWatchers: 33 |
 | LARGE AUTHENTIC CZECH 1800'S BOHEMIAN VICTORIAN ROSE CUT GARNET CROSS NECKLACEWatchers: 33 |
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 | 1 Victorian parts lanyard necklace enamel charm holder diy chain 29" Haute VtgWatchers: 32 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gold Filled Etruscan Picture Locket NecklaceWatchers: 32 |
 | CZECH Victorian Antique Bohemian Rose Cut Garnet GRAPED SHAPED PIERCED EarringsWatchers: 30 |
 | ELEGANT ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN 18CT ROLLED GOLD PLATED TURQUOISE SEED PEARL BANGLEWatchers: 29 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gunmetal Open Back Crystal Muff Guard ChainWatchers: 29 |
 | * Antique Vintage South Sea Operculum Seashell Carved Tortoise Shell NecklaceWatchers: 27 |
 | Victorian 1880s.Cross Gutta Percha Roses Carved Necklace Choker Mourning JewelWatchers: 27 |
 | Vintage Antique French Enamel Pendant Box CharmWatchers: 27 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED HINGED BANGLE BRACELET WITH GARNETS & SEED PEARLSWatchers: 27 |
 | Antique old VICTORIAN Czech Bohemian Garnet star FLOWER gold metal PIN / PendantWatchers: 27 |
 | Antique VICTORIAN Gold filled Taille D’Epargne seed pearl TASSEL Pin NECKLACEWatchers: 26 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED OPAL 1.25 INCH LARGE LOCKETWatchers: 26 |
 | *ANTIQUE GOLD FILL CRESCENT MOON & STAR RHINESTONES HEART LOCKET PENDANT*Watchers: 26 |
 | ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU FLORAL WATER LILY REPOUSSE YELLOW GOLD FILLED LOCKET BB Co.Watchers: 26 |
 | VICTORIAN WIDE 9ct GOLD ON SOLID SILVER HINGED BANGLE BRACELET 35.7 g NICE!Watchers: 25 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SAPHIRET CLOVER SHAMROCK PINWatchers: 25 |
 | ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED BOHEMIAN GARNET STAR EARRINGS NO RESERVE #3557-8Watchers: 25 |
 | Huge Antique Victorian Lot, Rolled gold Gold Filled , Silver, Locket , Fobs!Watchers: 25 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ART NOUVEAU GEORGE L PAINE GOLD FILLED AMETHYST PASTE BRACELETWatchers: 25 |
 | LARGE Stunning ETRUSCAN gilt antique VICTORIAN micro mosaic brooch/pendantWatchers: 24 |
 | Antique Chatelaine Brooch Cameo Locket Carved MOP Hand Urn Vase Book ChainWatchers: 24 |
