Diamond ring bought for just £5 at car boot sale valued at jaw-dropping amount after gem turns out to be real stone

A RING bought for £5 at a car-boot sale has been valued at £15,000 — after its stone turned out to be a real diamond. The jewellery, with no maker’s mark, is believed to date from the 1970s or ’80s. A ring bought for £5 at a car-boot sale has been valued at £15,000 — after its stone turned out to be a real diamond Credit: BNPS The jewellery, with no maker’s mark, is believed to date from the 1970s or ’80s Credit: BNPS It was snapped up at a sale in Oxfordshire by a woman who thought it was “just an attractive piece of costume jewellery”. But when she took it to a valuation roadshow in Botley, Oxford, she was told it had a three carat natural diamond set in 18-carat gold. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! That made it worth 3,000 times more than the price she paid. The woman, who does not want to be named, said: “I was completely shocked. “It was such an incredible surprise and a moment I’ll never forget.” The ring was inspected by Asha Nayak at the WeBuyVintage roadshow, who said: “Finds like this are exactly why we love what we do. The woman, who does not want to be named, said: ‘I was completely shocked’ Credit: BNPS Asha Nayak said: ‘This ring was a fantastic example of how expert examination can uncover the hidden quality, craftsmanship and history behind a piece’ Credit: BNPS “Jewellery can often hold incredible stories. “Sometimes the most unassuming pieces turn out to be something truly special. Most read in Money “This ring was a fantastic example of how expert examination can uncover the hidden quality, craftsmanship and history behind a piece. “It’s always exciting to see what people bring.” Comment now