They were an example of the sparkling treasures found squirreled away at the late Margaret Hood’s home in Littleover – a surprise cache of jewelry so splendid it has been dubbed ‘The Littleover Hoard’.

Incredibly, the sapphire ring was tightly wrapped up in a supermarket carrier bag, swathed in socks and left hanging by the porch door.

When Peggy – as she preferred to be known – died in October 2022, just a month after her 90th birthday, the grandmother of four was affected by the onset of dementia.

Coupled with her tendency to collect things and her somewhat secretive nature, it created a real-life treasure hunt for her children, daughter Sue Bird, 66, from Mickleover, and Jonathan Hood, 56, who lives near Ashbourne.

As well as the sapphires, other discoveries included a pearl necklace with an emerald and diamond clasp, also sold on March 27 for £14,500.

Hundreds watched online as bidders on the internet and over the telephone battled it out for the treasures, with online bidders eventually winning the sapphires and the pearls.

Sue and Jonathan 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.”

The start of the sale was broadcast on Facebook Live [https://fb.watch/jysV2E_OLA/] and you can also watch the sapphires going under the hammer in this post on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Auctionwint/status/1640296439661182976

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.”

Before the auction, Sue and Jonathan revealed how they had no idea their mother had such a stunning collection.

“She never told us and it was only by chance we found it all,” they said.

“We could easily have thrown some of them away and never been any the wiser.”

Other finds sold previously included an Alabaster and Wilson sapphire and diamond brooch – sold at auction with Richard Winterton for £1,200 – and a gold and enamel sweetheart ring reading ‘Hope’ which made £900.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers jewelry appraisals, insurance valuations, and probate advice by appointment at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Fradley Park, and The Tamworth Auction Rooms, Church Street.

Pop-up, drop-in jewelry valuation events also take place weekly at Burton Market Hall, The Hub at St Mary’s in Lichfield, and Burntwood Library.

For auction information, to book valuations, or to discuss full or partial house clearances, telephone 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or telephone 01543 251081. For Tamworth, email tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk or telephone 01827 217746.