‘Costume jewellery’ diamond really worth hundreds of thousands
LONDON — Some people have all the luck.
A large 26.27 karat diamond ring, which is expected to fetch £350,000 at auction 30 years after its owner paid £10 for it at a car boot sale, thinking it was a costume jewel. Photo: AP
LONDON — Some people have all the luck.
Consider the person who dropped about 10 pounds (about S$18) around 30 years ago on what was thought to be a piece of costume jewellery — it turned out to be a 26.27 carat white diamond.
The gem bought at a flea market is expected to fetch about 350,000 pounds (about S$630,490) when it is auctioned by Sotheby’s next month.
The buyer had no idea of the ring’s value because 19th-century diamonds were not cut to show off their brilliance and clarity.
The auction house’s jewelry department chief, Jessica Wyndham, said Monday the owner wore it on a daily basis, unaware that it was a real diamond.
She called it “an amazing find”. The owners have asked not to be identified. AP
Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.
Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.
By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.
