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The items were hotly contested and attracted intense bidding, finally being secured by online bidders over the internet.
Richard Winterton Auctioneers broadcast the sale across Facebook Live – and a video is also available on request.
The ring sold for £11,000 and the earrings made £6,800.
Vendors, sister and brother Sue Bird and Jonathan Hood said: “We are just delighted. We are so happy how the sale went – it was very exciting. Richard was an amazing auctioneer and we couldn’t have asked for better service.”
Auctioneer Richard Winterton said: “What beauties these sapphires are, ticking those crucial boxes of origin and no heat treatment. Unsurprisingly, there was a tremendous amount of interest from all over the UK leading up to the auction, with phone bids on the day and hundreds watching online trying to get in on the bidding. It’s a wonderful result for our clients Sue and Jonathan, made all the more special due to the story behind the stones. To think that this £11,000 sapphire and diamond ring was discovered wrapped up in a supermarket carrier bag inside some socks and left hanging in the porch! A hidden treasure indeed.”
The cache of jewelry discovered following the death of Margaret Hood was so splendid it has been dubbed the Littleover Hoard’.
It also included a pearl necklace with emerald and diamond clasp, selling in the same auction today for £14,500.
The original press release from March 13 is below, with photos attached including a new one of the pearls.
