Bargain hunters often dream of stumbling upon rare treasures at thrift stores or flea markets. For one woman, that dream became a reality when a simple garage sale purchase turned into a life-changing windfall.
Back in the late 1980s, she visited a car boot sale, casually browsing through a box of costume jewelry. Drawn to a set of bangles, she purchased the entire lot without a second thought.
Representative photo by Sabrianna | Unsplash
Tucked among the accessories was a striking cocktail ring, which she assumed was nothing more than an inexpensive trinket. She paid just $10.92 for the piece and wore it regularly on errands and shopping trips for over 30 years.
Decades later, while cleaning her home, the ring slipped from her hand and caught the light in a way she had never noticed before. The unusual sparkle intrigued her, prompting a visit to a local jeweler. To her surprise, the jeweler admitted that the stone was far beyond his expertise and suggested she take it to Sotheby’s for further evaluation.
Experts at Sotheby’s confirmed that the ring contained a 26.2-carat diamond with a color grade of I and a clarity grade of VVS2. Nicknamed the "tenner diamond," the piece went to auction in 2017, ultimately selling for an astonishing $717,338.
Jessica Wyndham, Head of Sales for Jewelry in Europe, was fascinated by how such a valuable gem had ended up at a garage sale in the first place. She explained to The Guardian that the diamond had an old-style cushion cut, which made it appear less brilliant than modern diamonds. In previous centuries, cutters prioritized preserving as much of the original crystal as possible rather than enhancing its sparkle.
Despite not having any experience collecting antiques or diamonds, the woman had unknowingly purchased a priceless gem. Wyndham called it "a one-off windfall, an amazing find."
Representative photo by Bas van den Eijkhof | Unsplash
Reflecting on her good fortune, the woman shared that she had always believed older stones had a unique charm. "The older stones have quite a bit of personality," she said. "They sparkle in a different way."
The unexpected discovery left many wondering how often valuable treasures go unnoticed in secondhand shops. As Wyndham told the BBCBBC, "A 26-carat, cushion-shaped diamond, no matter how filthy or dark that mount was, maybe that stone still speaks to people."
A simple shopping trip turned into a once-in-a-lifetime moment of serendipity. For those who love hunting for hidden gems, this story is proof that sometimes, a little curiosity can lead to something priceless.
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