A metal detectorist has unearthed a 16th-century ring with eight diamonds — set to fetch up to £20,000 (roughly $26,792) at an auction.
Stuart Jones uncovered the stunning “once in a lifetime find” in the village of Wormington, Gloucestershire.
The ring is expected to attract bids of between £15,000 (roughly $20,096.55) and £20,000 (roughly $26,792) at Noonans of Mayfair on June 23.
Stuart said the find came towards the end of a seven-hour day of searching.
He said, “When I recovered the ring, I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy. I was over the moon. Everyone around me was congratulating me and taking photographs.
“Without any doubt, the ring is the best find I have ever made.
“I describe it as my ‘once in a lifetime find.’ Like many detectorists, I have always dreamed of finding something truly special, but I never imagined I would discover an item of this significance.
“I know I may never find anything that surpasses this discovery, but that is part of what makes it so special.
“Whatever happens at auction, finding the ring has already been an unforgettable experience and a moment that I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
As he pulled the ring from the soil, one diamond came loose and fell into his hand and a second jewel was also missing.
He gathered the soil around the spot where he uncovered the ring, washed and sieved the retrieved soil and found the missing diamond.
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The proceeds of the auction will be shared equally with the landowner, and the ring was examined by the British Museum.
Laura Smith, jewelry specialist at Noonans, said, “Early 17th-century baroque taste required grand rings to make an impression from a distance.
“Fashions in diamond rings moved from solitaires towards groups of small stones arranged in decorative patterns: rosettes, pansies, crosses, fleur-de-lys, etc.
“This ring has a flowerhead bezel composed of a cluster of eight ‘hogback’ diamonds (which is very rare), although two are loose.”
“According to a PMI test on the XRF Analyzer, the gold is testing as 19.2ct.
”This exact gold standard was set by Edward I in 1300; goldsmiths were forbidden to work gold of less than ‘the Touch of Paris,’ being 80% pure gold (or 19.2ct).”
