Gem bought at flea market worth £350k

london — Some people have all the luck. Consider the person who dropped about £10 (about $15) around 30 years ago on what was thought to be a piece of costume jewellery — it turned out to be a 26.27 carat white diamond.

The gem bought at a flea market is expected to fetch about £350,000 ($454,000) when it is auctioned by Sotheby’s next month.

The buyer had no idea of the ring’s value because 19thcentury diamonds were not cut to show off their brilliance and clarity.

The auction house’s jewellery department chief, Jessica Wyndham, said on Monday the owner wore it on a daily basis, unaware that it was a real diamond.

She called it “an amazing find.” The owners have asked not to be identified.