From safe to sale: Jewellery locked away for years makes £30k at Lichfield auction

Collection included 5ct diamond ring sold at £13,500

A FAMILY from Yoxall is enjoying a new year windfall after a collection of inherited jewellery notched up almost £30,000 at auction in Lichfield.

The ‘impressive’ cache of 20th century jewellery – 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.

The collection went under the hammer at The Lichfield Auction Centre on Monday, January 6, and hammer prices totalled £29,815.

Catalogued across 50 lots, the collection of mostly gold jewellery included rings, bracelets, necklaces, charms, fobs, sovereigns and ladies’ pocket watches was assessed by head of jewellery Lisa Spence and valuer Natalie Brandon.

“From the moment our clients sat down and opened up the box, I knew we were looking at an impressive collection,” said Natalie.

“As the jewellery was unpacked, I was able to categorise it and pass pieces which need further investigation to Lisa whilst continuing to discuss the collection with our clients.

“It was super to be able to work together to ensure we could really do this lovely collection justice.”

Lisa added: “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 in the collection included an 18ct gold diamond cluster ring set with a central diamond of 1.50ct within a surround of 0.60ct diamonds, sold at £2,800.

A platinum three stone diamond ring made £2,000 and a rose long guard belcher chain sold at £1,350.

“It was a stunning collection and we are delighted to have been able to handle it and achieve such great results for our clients,” added Lisa.

Consigned by clients from Yoxall, the collection came into The Lichfield Auction Centre for a routine valuation towards the end of 2024.

“This was my late mother’s jewellery which had just been sitting in a safe for 20-odd years,” said the client, who prefers not to be named.

“We decided to book in a free valuation with Richard Winterton Auctioneers and saw Natalie and Lisa.

“They were extremely enthusiastic and went through the whole collection very diligently, giving us a good feeling about the firm.

“We took on board the advice over a lab report for the large diamond and, having decided to proceed to auction, were impressed with the cataloguing and all the pre-sale promotional work which was carried out.

“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.”

Free valuations of jewellery are offered at The Auction Café in Market Street, Lichfield, every Tuesday from 10am-3pm.

Jewellery valuations can also be booked at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park – telephone 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk – and, most Wednesdays, at The Tamworth Auction Rooms – email tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk or telephone 01827 217746.