Assay Office

MY ANCHORCERT

EXPERT ANALYSIS ACROSS A RANGE OF SECTORS

Go to...

Submit a Sample
for Testing

Research and
Consultancy

Leading auction house launches campaign to find the nationâs hidden treasures

A TREASURE trove of at least Â£50 million worth of unwanted jewellery is gathering dust in Britainâs homes and attics, according to new research.

Figures from Bonhams suggest millions of pounds worth of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and other expensive pieces are simply forgotten, stashed on top of wardrobes or in bedside drawers, as a result of changing tastes.

The leading international auction house is inviting people to bring their unwanted jewellery in for a free valuation as part of its nationwide Jewellery in June campaign â and has highlighted details of its most incredible âfindsâ. Bonhams used the data from the past five years of June sales to create a jewellery hot-spot map, showing some of its most lucrative sales as a result of the campaign. While some jewellery is deliberately squirreled away for a rainy day, many more items are simply lost and forgotten among general household clutter, or are passed down through the generations without their true value being realised, rarely worn and left to gather dust. With prices rising, and increasing numbers of investors turning away from stocks and shares to more tangible commodities such as diamonds, gem stones and historically significant pieces, the figures suggest people should pay more heed to the value of their family jewellery. Last yearâs sales included a new world record price for a blue diamond âTrombino ringâ, which sold for Â£6.2million at Bonhams in London. Jean Ghika, head of jewellery in the UK and Europe at Bonhams, said: âWe estimate that there is at least Â£50 million worth of unwanted jewellery that owners have forgotten or never worn just waiting for a new home. We're urging everyone to have a look in their drawers and jewellery boxes, dusting off any items they haven't worn for several years or may have been bequeathed and not know much about. Jean Ghika added:âItâs incredibly exciting not knowing what pieces will be brought in. Over the years weâve had some astonishing finds, often brought to us in carrier bags or wrapped in tea towels! âMany clients tell us they had simply forgotten about a piece of jewellery that might have been handed down to them when an elderly relative passed away. A lot of them have no idea just how valuable these pieces could be.â Some of the most extraordinary âfindsâ include: London:

A rare art deco diamond, seed pearl, onyx and coral shoulder brooch, by Cartier, circa 1922. It had been worn by several generations of the same family but more recently it lay unused on the top of a wardrobe. It sold for Â£97,250.
A pair of art deco natural pearl and diamond ear pendants, circa 1925. Brought to Bonhams in a supermarket carrier bag and sold for Â£157,250.
A rare black enamel and diamond art deco bangle by Cartier sold for Â£96,000. Its previous owners hadnât imagined it was worth a fraction of the final price when they brought it in for an assessment by Bonhamsâ experts.
Bonhams estimate Â£9.5m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

South East:

A rare art deco aquamarine and diamond bracelet sold for Â£46,850 after being brought in wrapped in a tea towel. Jean Ghika adds: âWe were quite astonished. It was unwrapped and just dazzled everyone.â
A 1950s floral spray brooch took Â£27,500 at auction after its owners uncovered it at the back of a drawer in their late motherâs house. It had not been worn for at least 20 years. Jean says: âThis was typical of a several lovely pieces that really hadnât been worn or appreciated for decades.â
Bonhams estimate Â£4m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

Oxford and Thames Valley:

A belle Ã©poque diamond pendant/necklace, c1905, sold for Â£64,800.
A 6.44 carats diamond single-stone ring sold for Â£35,000.
A 5.50 carats marquise diamond single-stone ring sold for Â£19,200.

Jean Ghika said: âInternational buyers are increasingly turning to London to source rare pieces and investment jewellery. Weâre seeing growing interest in jewellery from Europe and the Far East.â

Bonhams estimate Â£4m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

South West:

A Burmese sapphire, mounted by Cartier, was one of the stunning gems uncovered by the Jewellery in June campaign. It sold for Â£23,750.
An unusual art deco emerald and diamond bracelet, circa 1935 which had been in a bank vault for many years sold for Â£48,000.
Bonhams estimate Â£3.5m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

East Anglia:

Beautiful antique jewellery and diamonds from the 19^th and early 20^th centuries including a 19^th century emerald and diamond girandole brooch/pendant which sold for Â£34,850.
An Edwardian pearl and diamond ring which sold for Â£12,000.
An Edwardian diamond single-stone ring weighing 4.03 carats which sold for Â£22,500.
Bonhams estimate Â£4m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

Midlands:

Pieces uncovered included signed art deco jewellery worth a total of Â£427,510. Much of it had been kept under lock and key and rarely enjoyed by its owners.
A fine aquamarine, sapphire and diamond sautoir, by Cartier, c1920, sold for Â£216,000.
An emerald and diamond ring, c1925, sold for Â£162,000.
A natural pearl and diamond lavaliere, c1910, sold for Â£199,250.

Jean Ghika said: âThere is increasing demand for jewellery that is signed. The addition of a âlabelâ seems to provide prospective buyers with added confidence.â

Bonhams estimate Â£5m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

Wales:

AÂ rare natural pearl necklace which was thought to be cultured and of noÂ particular value sold for Â£12,500.
AÂ marquise-cut diamond single-stone ring, weighing 5.55 carats, sold for Â Â Â Â Â£19,200. This was kept in the pocket of an old evening handbag. Jean Ghika Â Â Â Â said: âThe granddaughter who discovered the ring was astonished as bids soaredÂ at the Bonhams auction and used the money for a deposit on her first Â Â Â Â flat.Â She described it as a life-changing day.â
Bonhams estimate Â£3m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

Yorkshire:

A diamond necklace sold for Â£39,650.Â Jean Ghika says: âThis was kept in a wooden box at the back of a wardrobe.Â The owner only had it insured for Â£4,000 so was speechless when the hammer came down.Â It meant that she had the money to pay off her mortgage and did not have to move house.â
A 3.37 carat diamond single stone ring sold for Â£15,625.
A pair of diamond single-stone earstuds, weighing 1.60 and 1.61 carats sold for Â£10,625.
Bonhams estimate Â£4m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

North East:

A gorgeous diamond-set necklace was turned up during a house clearance. It sold for Â£39,650. In total, some Â£250,000 worth of gems were auctioned during the Jewellery in June campaign last year.
A beautiful diamond single-stone ring, weighing 3.37 carats sold for Â£15,625.
Bonhams estimate Â£2.5m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

North West:

A fine quality diamond single-stone ring came to light when their owners, who had inherited it, brought them in on the off chance Bonhams might be interested. It sold for Â£74,400.
A beautiful belle Ã©poque sapphire and diamond heart-shaped pendant by Cartier astonished the owners when it sold for Â£55,250, five times its original estimate.
Bonhams estimate Â£3.5m worth of unwanted jewellery gathering dust in this area.

Scotland:

Traditional Scottish jewellery, as popularised by Queen Victoria, were among pieces unearthed and auctioned for an amazing Â£454,000 in total by Bonhams following the Jewellery in June campaign last year.

(Courtesy of Bonhams) If you have jewellery, watches or silverware that require an independent valuation go to www.vipvaluations.co.ukÂ and book an appointment TODAY.

Recent

Featured