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 |
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 | Vtg Antique Victorian Edwardian Sterling Silver Filigree French Link NecklaceWatchers: 42 |
 | Victorian Scottish agate Padlock Pendant Sterling silver charm fob Shield claspWatchers: 42 |
 | Antique Victorian Giardinetti Chalcedony Garnet Turquoise Opal Flower Brooch PinWatchers: 40 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SAPHIRET CLOVER SHAMROCK PINWatchers: 40 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SAPHIRET STERLING BRACELET WITH 7 HUGE STONESWatchers: 38 |
 | Victorian 1880s.Cross Gutta Percha Roses Carved Necklace Choker Mourning JewelWatchers: 38 |
 | Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Amethyst Paste Riviere BraceletWatchers: 38 |
 | Antique Spider Web charm necklace chatelaine gold ooak assemblage vtg victorianWatchers: 37 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN EDWARDIAN ENGRAVED GOLD FILLED BANGLE BRACELETWatchers: 37 |
 | Antique Victorian 800 Silver Natural Amethyst Clover Bangle BraceletWatchers: 36 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ETRUSCAN REVIVAL GOLD FILLED BRACELETWatchers: 36 |
 | Victorian 18k Gold French Enamel Lovebird Letter 4 Leaf Clover Pendant WatchWatchers: 35 |
 | Antique Victorian Pin Lot of 13 Micro Mosaic - Enamel - Sterling - Photo EC NRWatchers: 35 |
 | ANTIQUE GEORGIAN VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER CUT STEEL PORTRAIT MINIATURE NECKLACEWatchers: 35 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN BOOK CHAIN NECKLACE Pendant GOLD FILLED Ruby Colored StonesWatchers: 33 |
 | Antique fob Locket pet Memento Mori Sterling Silver pendant Dog Photo HallmarksWatchers: 33 |
 | Antique Victorian Bohemian Garnet LARGE Heart Cluster PendantWatchers: 33 |
