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‘Costume jewelry’ diamond really worth hundreds of thousands

'Costume jewelry' diamond really worth hundreds of thousands | iNFOnews.ca
This is an undated image issued by auction house Sotheby's on Monday May 22, 2017 of a large 26.27 karat diamond ring, ‘Costume jewelry’ diamond really worth hundreds of thousands. Consider the person who dropped about 10 pounds, US Dollars 15, Thirty years ago on what was thought to be a piece of costume jewelry, it turned out to be a 26.27 carat white diamond. The gem bought at a car boot sale is expected to fetch about 350,000 pounds ($454,000) when it is auctioned by Sotheby’s next month (Sotheby's via AP)

LONDON – Some people have all the luck.

Consider the person who dropped about 10 pounds (about $15) around 30 years ago on what was thought to be a piece of costume jewelry — 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 ($454,000) 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.

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