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: 67 |
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 | Vintage Antique Shell Cameo Earrings Italy .925 Sterling Silver SettingsWatchers: 38 |
 | INCREDIBLE Antique GOLD FILLED SEED PEARL SLIDE MESH BRACELET NEEDS TLCWatchers: 38 |
 | ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN FOILED SAPHIRET GLASS STERLING SILVER VINTAGE EARRINGWatchers: 36 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN PINCHBECK BOHEMIAN GARNET GLASS SNAKE BRACELETWatchers: 36 |
 | Rare 1886 Patek Philippe 16s Swiss Pocket Watch Movement #74398 Parts/RepairWatchers: 36 |
 | Victorian gold fill hand fist faceted saphiret art glass drop fob charm pendantWatchers: 35 |
 | Antique Victorian Rose Flower Fleur De Lis Gold Filled GF Repousse Paste LocketWatchers: 35 |
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 | Antique gold fill Lion head bracelet Paste Ruby eyes Victorian Statement hauteWatchers: 33 |
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 | Antique Victorian Gold Filled Heart Padlock Charm Curb Bracelet Key BlackintonWatchers: 32 |
 | Steampunk Necklace pendant charm locket jewelry Wicca Victorian GOTH choker FIREWatchers: 32 |
 | Vintage Edwardian Bohemian rose cut garnet Sterling Silver Estat dangle EarringsWatchers: 31 |
 | Antique Victorian Edwardian Gold GF Peridot Paste Lavaliere Pendant NecklaceWatchers: 31 |
 | ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU PANSY FLORAL REPOUSSE PASTE YELLOW GOLD FILLED LOCKET ESTATEWatchers: 31 |
 | Victorian Locket necklace gold watch chain chatelaine assemblage long ooak vtg 2Watchers: 31 |
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