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: 60 |
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 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ETRUSCAN REVIVAL GOLD FILLED TURQUOISE PASTE BRACELETWatchers: 47 |
 | Victorian Locket necklace gold watch chain chatelaine assemblage long ooak vtg 2Watchers: 45 |
 | INCREDIBLE Antique GOLD FILLED SEED PEARL SLIDE MESH BRACELET NEEDS TLCWatchers: 44 |
 | Antique Victorian Halo Amethyst Foiled Rose Cut Paste Sterling Silver PendantWatchers: 43 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN FAMILY LOCKET 4 PHOTOS FOLDING GOLD TONE PENDANT CHARMWatchers: 43 |
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 | ORNATE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED FOB PENDANT NECKLACEWatchers: 41 |
 | Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Natural Sodalite Bookchain Festoon NecklaceWatchers: 40 |
 | Antique Victorian Locket necklace Star Rhinestone paste diamond Pendant gfWatchers: 38 |
 | ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN FOILED SAPHIRET GLASS STERLING SILVER VINTAGE EARRINGWatchers: 37 |
 | Antique Victorian Gold Filled GF Repousse Star Flower Paste Locket PendantWatchers: 37 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ENGRAVED STERLING SILVER BANGLE BRACELETWatchers: 37 |
 | Vintage Antique Shell Cameo Earrings Italy .925 Sterling Silver SettingsWatchers: 36 |
 | Micro Mosaic BUTTERFLY Sterling Silver Ring, Italian Grand Tour SouvenirWatchers: 36 |
 | ANTIQUE VICTORIAN GOLD FILLED LOCKET OR PENDANT HOLDER CHAIN NECKLACEWatchers: 36 |
 | BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE VICTORIAN ERA BOHEMIAN GARNET BROOCH WITH C CLASP #8102-5Watchers: 36 |
 | * Antique Vintage South Sea Operculum Seashell Carved Tortoise Shell NecklaceWatchers: 34 |
 | Antique Victorian Gold Filled GF Bangle Bracelet Bracelets Set LotWatchers: 34 |
 | Antique Edwardian Gold Filled Purple Stone Large Photo Locket Pendant NecklaceWatchers: 34 |
 | Antique + Vintage White Metal Cameo Lot Brooch Bracelet Pendant Shell FiligreeWatchers: 34 |
 | LOT OF 2 ANTIQUE VICTORIAN OVAL FRAMED JEWELED STICK PINS - ORIGINAL BOX #8102-2Watchers: 34 |
 | Antique Victorian Oval Gold Filled Seed Pearl Locket Pendant 18" GF NecklaceWatchers: 33 |
 | Crescent Moon Star Locket Gold fill rhinestone Paste Stones Antique victorian #2Watchers: 32 |
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