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: 52 |
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| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 48 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 43 |
| Heavy Watch chain Necklace Gold Solid Brass lanyard vtg 16-31” Victorian reproWatchers: 41 |
 | Repro Victorian book chain Y necklace lanyard choker charm holder chatelaineWatchers: 41 |
 | Antique Victorian GF Locket Watch Fob Added Lovers Eye PhotoWatchers: 41 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN FRENCH JET BLACK GLASS BEAD SNAKE SERPENT MOURNING BRACELETWatchers: 34 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE SAPHIRET CLOVER SHAMROCK PINWatchers: 34 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER MOLDED GLASS AGATE CAMEO BROOCH PINWatchers: 33 |
 | Antique W&H Co. Wightman & Hough Gold Filled Locket FobWatchers: 33 |
 | VICTORIAN ANTIQUE GOLD FILLED LION HEAD BANGLE BRACELET GARNET EYESWatchers: 31 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gold Filled Etruscan Picture Locket NecklaceWatchers: 31 |
 | Victorian 1880s.Cross Gutta Percha Roses Carved Necklace Choker Mourning JewelWatchers: 31 |
 | heavy Watch chain Collar Necklace Silver Stainless Steel vtg 18" 25" 31" chunkyWatchers: 30 |
 | Vintage Antique French Enamel Pendant Box CharmWatchers: 30 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN HAND CARVED CORAL ROSES BRACELET 18 K GOLD 70.6 GRAMS!Watchers: 29 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SAPHIRET STERLING BRACELET WITH 7 HUGE STONESWatchers: 29 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ENGRAVED GOLD FILLED MINIATURE SCENIC LOCKETWatchers: 29 |
 | Victorian Saphiret Glass Berries Brooch Pin Jewelry Berry (AF328)Watchers: 28 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED HINGED BANGLE BRACELET WITH GARNETS & SEED PEARLSWatchers: 28 |
 | VINTAGE ANTIQUE SHELL CAMEO EARRINGS ------ CARVED IN ITALY. 14KT ROLLED GOLDWatchers: 28 |
 | Vintage Antique Victorian Gunmetal Open Back Crystal Muff Guard ChainWatchers: 27 |
 | *ANTIQUE GOLD FILL CRESCENT MOON & STAR RHINESTONES HEART LOCKET PENDANT*Watchers: 27 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN VULCANITE NECKLACE HEART PENDANT GOTHIC WHITBY JET MOURNINGWatchers: 27 |
 | SHELL CAMEO EARRINGS ------ CARVED IN ITALY......14KT ROLLED GOLDWatchers: 27 |
 | Antique Victorian Locket Necklace Fiery Opal & Seed Pearls Gold Filled 100 yearsWatchers: 27 |
 | ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN FOILED SAPHIRET GLASS STERLING SILVER VINTAGE EARRINGWatchers: 26 |
 | * Antique Vintage South Sea Operculum Seashell Carved Tortoise Shell NecklaceWatchers: 26 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN BOHEMIAN NATURAL GARNET CHOKER 13.5" NECKLACE WITH FANCY CLASPWatchers: 25 |
 | Large Lot Victorian to Older Vintage Repair Parts Jewelry Cameos Mourning...Watchers: 25 |
 | ANTIQUE ART NOUVEAU PANSY FLORAL REPOUSSE PASTE YELLOW GOLD FILLED LOCKET ESTATEWatchers: 25 |
 | 1 Victorian parts guard chain lanyard necklace stainless steel brass gold silverWatchers: 25 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN STAMPED BRASS FLORAL PURPLE GLASS V SHAPES SASH BROOCH PINWatchers: 24 |
 | ANTIQUE RARE 19c Earrings Victorian FAB Condition Dangling Pearl Grape ClustersWatchers: 24 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN FRENCH PASTE LOCKET PENDANT - ENGRAVED DESIGN & TINY RED STONEWatchers: 24 |
 | Antique Victorian 12K Yellow Gold Filled Braided Peacock LOCKET Bracelet SafetyWatchers: 24 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN HAND PAINTED CHERUB PORTRAIT ON PORCELAIN PICTURE / BROOCHWatchers: 24 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CUT STEEL & TURQUOISE GLASS FLOWER FORGET ME NOT EARRINGSWatchers: 23 |
 | Antique Gold Filled Rhinestone Crescent Moon Lady 1 1/2" Photo Locket PendantWatchers: 23 |
 | Pair of Victorian Mesh Slide Bracelets Gold Filled, Pearl Mounted LovelyWatchers: 23 |
