A remarkable 400-year-old diamond cluster gold ring, unearthed by a metal detectorist in Gloucestershire, has achieved a significant sum at auction, selling for £17,000. Described as a "once in a lifetime find" by its discoverer, Stuart Jones, the piece is believed to date from the late 16th or early 17th Century, offering a tangible link to Tudor and early Stuart history.
Mr Jones, from Solihull, discovered the exquisite 19.2 carat ring in Wormington, Gloucestershire, in November 2024. He expressed being "absolutely overwhelmed with joy" at the find and later stated that the final sale price was "beyond anything he could have imagined." In line with common practice, Mr Jones will share the proceeds of the sale with the landowner, a standard arrangement that often encourages cooperation in reporting such finds.
Prior to its auction at Noonans Mayfair, the ring underwent examination by the British Museum. Laura Smith, a jewellery specialist, noted that the piece aligns perfectly with the fashion of its era, when "grand rings to make an impression from a distance" were highly prized. The ring features a distinctive flowerhead bezel, comprising a cluster of eight 'hogback' diamonds – a particularly rare configuration, though two of the diamonds were noted as being loose.
Mr Jones highlighted the rewarding aspect of knowing that such a "beautiful piece of Tudor jewellery, lost for centuries, had been appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts." He recounted the journey from the initial signal on his detector, through the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the official Treasure process, culminating in the successful auction.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme, jointly run by the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, plays a crucial role in encouraging the public, particularly metal detectorists, to report and record archaeological objects found across England and Wales. This initiative helps to preserve and document the nation's heritage, ensuring that significant discoveries like this ring contribute to our collective understanding of the past.