A LOCAL family has enjoyed a windfall after a collection of inherited jewellery fetched almost £30,000 at auction.
The “impressive” cache of 20th century pieces – which had been locked away in a safe for many years – included a stunning 5ct natural diamond ring which especially excited valuers at Richard Winterton Auctioneers.
Spread across 50 lots, the collection went for a total of £29,815 in the sale earlier this month.
Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ head of jewellery Lisa Spence said:
“The natural 5ct diamond single stone ring, set in hallmarked 18ct white gold ring, was a real showstopper.
“For a stone of this magnitude we advised obtaining a Birmingham Assay Office Gemmology Lab report and with the clients’ approval arranged this.
“It is an extra element of detail which is particularly advisable for natural diamonds in order to achieve the best possible price at auction.
“We were delighted when the ring was won for £13,500 by a bidder in the room, who had a real battle against online and telephone bidders.”
Other highlights included an 18ct gold diamond cluster ring set with a central diamond of 1.50ct within a surround of 0.6ct diamonds, which sold for £2,800, while a platinum three stone diamond ring made £2,000 and a rose long guard belcher chain fetched £1,350.
The owner, from Yoxall, said the collection had been taken to The Lichfield Auction Centre for a routine valuation towards the end of 2024.
They said:
“This was my late mother’s jewellery which had just been sitting in a safe for 20-odd years.
“We decided to book in a free valuation with Richard Winterton Auctioneers – and we took on board the advice over a lab report for the large diamond.
“Come sale day, everything sold at either the high end of the guide or above and we are very pleased to split the proceeds with our two daughters.”
