Pearls fetch £40k in surprise sale (From Ledbury Reporter)

Pearls fetch £40k in surprise sale

12:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

THIS is the string of salt water pearls that sold for £40,000 under auction at Brightwells, Leominster, this week.

Initial estimates had the pearls – on a barrel shaped diamond set clasp – fetching £3,000 to £5,000 with the possibility of that price being pushed up when interest from both the London trade and overseas was registered.

Instead, it was showtime as four phone bidders and a couple of prospective buyers in the room contested the necklace until the hammer fell at £40,000.

The vendor had hoped to be there to see the sale for herself but accepted a last minute invitation to Cheltenham races.

It was an e-mail from auctioneer Caroline Atkinson – tagged to be read sitting down – that told her of her big win that day.

As is customary, the vendor remains anonymous, but was willing to describe herself as “absolutely speechless” at the sale price when she thought coming back from the races in pocket was amazing enough.

The pearls, appropriately enough, are now about to “cross the water” for a new owner on the other side of the Atlantic.