A DIAMOND cluster gold ring thought to date from the late 16th or early 17th Century and found near Broadway has sold for £17,000 at auction.
The Tudor discovery in Wormington, Gloucestershire by metal detectorist Stuart Jones from Solihull was bought by a UK phone bidder at Noonans Mayfair sale on June 23.
Following the sale, the 42-year-old, who works as a welder fabricator at Jaguar Land Rover said he was “absolutely delighted” and that finding the ring in November 2024 was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.
The 19.2 carat ring was found near Broadway. Picture Stuart Jones
“Seeing it achieve such a fantastic result at auction is beyond anything I could have imagined,” he said and added he would split the proceeds of the sale with the landowner.
“The sale is not just about the value of the ring, it is about the history behind it and the privilege of being the person who helped bring an important piece of the past back into the public eye.
“Knowing that a beautiful piece of Tudor jewellery, lost for centuries, has now been appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts is incredibly rewarding.
Stuart, who is engaged to Iren with a two-year-old son called Leonardo thanked everyone who supported him throughout the process, including the landowner, the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and specialists at Noonans Mayfair.
“It has been an unforgettable journey and one that I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
