A woman who wore her grandmother’s ring believing it was pink quartz was staggered to learn it was a rare Bulgari pink diamond worth more than GBP 1 million.
The find was revealed in Turin, Italy, where auction house Aste Bolaffi said on 18th September that the jewel would go under the hammer on 7th and 8th October.
The gem was a 3.18-carat Natural Fancy Intense Pink diamond of type IIa.
It was mounted in a Bulgari “Trombino” ring made of platinum and dating from the early 1970s.
The jewel also included 64 brilliant-cut round and baguette diamonds with a combined weight of 1.93 carats.
The owner, identified only as Laura, had worn it for years believing the stone was simple rose quartz.
Experts at Aste Bolaffi confirmed its true nature and certified it through Gia.
Matteo Armandi, head of Aste Bolaffi’s Passion division, said: “Already a natural pink diamond is a very sought-after piece, but over three carats it becomes an absolute rarity.
“If it is set in a Bulgari creation, it becomes a one-of-a-kind.”
The estimate placed the value of the jewel between EUR 800,000 (GBP 698,000) and EUR 1.2 million (GBP 1.047).
The ring will be exhibited in Milan before the sale in Turin.
The auction catalogue includes about 530 lots, but this ring is the star lot.
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