Ten pound Pom sparkler

A DIAMOND ring bought for £10 at a car boot sale is expected to fetch £350,000 at auction. The owner wore it for three decades, unaware of its value until a jeweller suggested that she have it assessed.

“It was bought as a costume jewel,” said Jessica Wyndham of Sotheby’s, which is auctioning the gem in July.

“This is a one-off windfall, an amazing find.” The 26-carat white diamond was presumed of little worth because it was cut in the 19th century, when gems were not shaped to show their brilliance.