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 Blue Micro Mosaic Micromosaic Dove Bird Silver PendantWatchers: 62 |
 | 1 set Pocket watch chain swivel clip T- bar Toggle clasp Gold Plate 1.5" vtgWatchers: 59 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 57 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 56 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 55 |
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 | Antique Victorian 800 Silver Natural Large Pink Coral Bead Crown Brooch PinWatchers: 54 |
 | Antique Victorian French 800 Silver St. Esprit Bird Bow Paste PendantWatchers: 53 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED GF ETCHED DOUBLE SIDED LOCKET PENDANTWatchers: 52 |
 | Repro Victorian book chain Y necklace lanyard choker charm holder chatelaineWatchers: 52 |
 | VTG ANTIQUE ART DECO VICTORIAN GLASS SILVER ENAMEL NECKLACE BROOCH BRACELET LOTWatchers: 52 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED HALLOW BANGLE BRACELET ETCHED ROSE GOLD .25"Watchers: 51 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 49 |
 | Antique Victorian 9k 9ct Gold Cherub Putti Enamel Portrait Pendant LocketWatchers: 48 |
 | Victorian double sided locket fob 9k gold fill Lucky Horseshoe pendant glass vtgWatchers: 48 |
 | Antique Victorian Bird scene bracelet Sterling Silver Aesthetic period wideWatchers: 45 |
 | heavy Watch chain Collar Necklace Silver Stainless Steel vtg 18" 25" 31" chunkyWatchers: 44 |
 | 6 BEAUTIFUL LARGE SAPHIRET BEADS FOR REMAKINGWatchers: 44 |
 | Antique Victorian Rose Gold Filled GF Wide Bangle BraceletWatchers: 43 |
 | VINTAGE STERLING SILVER SWALLOW BIRD DOUBLE BROOCHWatchers: 43 |
 | Victorian Snake Brooch.Gold fill with red and green garnets serpent pin antiqueWatchers: 42 |
 | Rare Fine Antique Victorian Edwardian 12K/10k Gold Givre Glass PendantWatchers: 42 |
 | Antique Victorian Natural Pink Coral Branch and Fly Bug PendantWatchers: 42 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED PASTE HALLEYS COMET PINWatchers: 40 |
 | Antique Victorian Edwardian Gold Gilt Bohemian Garnet Dangle Brooch PinWatchers: 40 |
 | Antique Victorian French 800 Silver Enamel Bow Chandelier Pink Paste PendantWatchers: 39 |
 | Victorian fob locket pendant rhinestones paste star gold signed seed pearlsWatchers: 37 |
 | VTG ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ART DECO RING BRACELET DISPLAY JEWELRY BOX LOTWatchers: 36 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SILVER REPOUSSE GLASS PHOTO LOCKET PENDANTWatchers: 35 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SAPHIRET STERLING BRACELET WITH 7 HUGE STONESWatchers: 35 |
 | BIG ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU PERUZZI STERLING SILVER LAPIS LAZULI GRIFFIN BROOCHWatchers: 35 |
 | Victorian 18k Gold French Enamel Lovebird Letter 4 Leaf Clover Pendant WatchWatchers: 34 |
 | Antique Victorian Turquoise Crystal Paste Cluster Halo Gold Gilt Brooch PinWatchers: 34 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN EDWARDIAN ENGRAVED GOLD FILLED MONOGRAM BW BANGLE BRACELETWatchers: 33 |
 | Victorian 1880s.Cross Gutta Percha Roses Carved Necklace Choker Mourning JewelWatchers: 33 |
 | 1 Victorian parts guard chain lanyard necklace stainless steel brass gold silverWatchers: 33 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED LION HEAD BANGLE BRACELET GARNET EYESWatchers: 32 |
 | Antique Art Nouveau Austro Hungarian Lady Alloy Enamel Brooch PinWatchers: 30 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SAPHIRET CLOVER SHAMROCK PINWatchers: 30 |
 | VINTAGE ANTIQUE SHELL CAMEO EARRINGS ------ CARVED IN ITALY. 14KT ROLLED GOLDWatchers: 30 |
 | * Antique Vintage South Sea Operculum Seashell Carved Tortoise Shell NecklaceWatchers: 29 |
