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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 | Antique Victorian Edwardian Belle Epoque Bohemian Garnet Dangle NecklaceWatchers: 75 |
 | Antique Victorian Natural Pink 10mm Coral Bead 800 Silver Clover WIDE BRACELETWatchers: 70 |
 | Stunning Antique Saphiret Glass BraceletWatchers: 69 |
 | Antique Victorian GF Locket Watch Fob Added Lovers Eye PhotoWatchers: 65 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 60 |
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| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 59 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 56 |
 | Antique Victorian Gold Pocket Watch Key Fob Talon Claw Red Coral Charm PendantWatchers: 55 |
 | Antique Victorian Bohemian Garnet Four Row Graduating Bangle BraceletWatchers: 54 |
 | Repro Victorian book chain Y necklace lanyard choker charm holder chatelaineWatchers: 54 |
 | Antique Victorian Mourning 800 Silver Seed Pearl Enamel Flower Bangle BraceletWatchers: 53 |
 | heavy Watch chain Collar Necklace Silver Stainless Steel vtg 18" 25" 31" chunkyWatchers: 50 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 50 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ITALIAN 800 FINE SILVER MICRO MOSAIC FLOWER BROOCHWatchers: 49 |
 | Victorian gold fill fob Locket w paste Ruby & star. Large Gold pendant charmWatchers: 46 |
 | Antique Victorian 10k Yellow & Rose Gold Filled GF Bangle Bracelet Bracelets LotWatchers: 43 |
 | Victorian 18k Gold French Enamel Lovebird Letter 4 Leaf Clover Pendant WatchWatchers: 39 |
 | Antique fob Locket pet Memento Mori Sterling Silver pendant Dog Photo HallmarksWatchers: 37 |
 | Repro Victorian charm necklace Star mother of pearl Hand chatelaine gold ooakWatchers: 37 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SAPHIRET STERLING BRACELET WITH 7 HUGE STONESWatchers: 35 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED LION HEAD BANGLE BRACELET GARNET EYESWatchers: 34 |
 | Victorian 1880s.Cross Gutta Percha Roses Carved Necklace Choker Mourning JewelWatchers: 33 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SAPHIRET CLOVER SHAMROCK PINWatchers: 32 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED HINGED BANGLE BRACELET WITH GARNETS & SEED PEARLSWatchers: 30 |
 | Vintage Antique Cameo Earrings in 14kt Rolled Gold Settings 1940sWatchers: 30 |
 | Old1800's Antique VICTORIAN CZECH BOHEMIAN ROSE CUT GARNET Gold Filled EarringsWatchers: 30 |
 | 1 Victorian parts guard chain lanyard necklace stainless steel brass gold silverWatchers: 30 |
 | Micro Mosaic BUTTERFLY Sterling Silver Ring, Italian Grand Tour SouvenirWatchers: 29 |
 | Antique Victorian 1800's Czech Rose Cut Bohemian Garnet Chandelier EarringsWatchers: 29 |
 | Vintage Antique French Enamel Pendant Box CharmWatchers: 29 |
 | Victorian Scottish agate Padlock Pendant Sterling silver charm fob Shield claspWatchers: 29 |
 | ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN FOILED SAPHIRET GLASS STERLING SILVER VINTAGE EARRINGWatchers: 28 |
 | FABULOUS VICTORIAN GARNET GILT BANGLE BRACELETWatchers: 28 |
 | ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU PANSY FLORAL REPOUSSE PASTE YELLOW GOLD FILLED LOCKET ESTATEWatchers: 28 |
 | Vintage Antique Shell Cameo Earrings Italy .925 Sterling Silver SettingsWatchers: 27 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gold Filled Etruscan Picture Locket NecklaceWatchers: 27 |
 | Horse fob. Hand carved. mother of pearl. Horse head Pendant gold victorian vtgWatchers: 27 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN VULCANITE NECKLACE HEART PENDANT GOTHIC WHITBY JET MOURNINGWatchers: 27 |
 | Victorian Gold Filled Bohemian Garnet Edelweiss Flower Locket Charm PendantWatchers: 27 |
 | Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Gilt Brass Glass Snake Bird Sash Pin BroochWatchers: 26 |
 | Victorian Antique Blood Stone FOB Pendant 9K Rose GoldWatchers: 26 |
 | Victorian Antique Jewelry Junk Lot 4AWatchers: 26 |
 | Antique Victorian Scottish Moss Agate Sterling Silver Kilt Brooch Circular PinWatchers: 26 |
