A sparkling relic of vintage glamour lay unnoticed until a routine jewelry valuation in Staffordshire, England revealed a dazzling surprise: an authentic Art Deco diamond brooch tucked discreetly among inexpensive costume pieces.
Discovered by Lisa Spence, head of jewelry at Richard Winterton Auctioneers, the brooch featured a luminous 1.20-carat oval-cut diamond framed by 1.80 carats of old-cut and single-cut diamonds in a classic rectangular design—complete with its original pin and safety clasp in excellent condition.
Spence, whose keen eye quickly caught the elegance and symmetry typical of Art Deco craftsmanship, emphasized the importance of careful scrutiny when assessing mixed jewelry boxes. “It became clear this was far from ordinary,” she said.
The brooch, a genuine treasure of 20th-century design, ultimately fetched more than $3,100 at auction, far exceeding the average value of the surrounding items, which were mostly under $300.
“It’s always a special moment when a piece of fine jewelry resurfaces,” Spence noted, celebrating not only the find itself but the joy of delivering such an unexpected delight to its owner.
The sale contributed to a record-breaking quarter for Richard Winterton Auctioneers, with jewelry, gold, and silver sales exceeding $676,000—a testament to the enduring allure of quality materials, timeless design, and expert valuation.
