The Jewel Lab

Auction listings aren’t always the final word… 👀

Every Wednesday I catch up with Bree, a vintage jewellery curator with an incredible eye for beautiful pieces. You’ll find many of her treasures at The Mill Markets in Daylesford and Geelong, and this week’s find was one of my favourites.

Bree purchased this ring at auction, catalogued as an Art Deco silver ring with a synthetic sapphire.

But when we put it through my testing process, the story changed.

The auctioneer had only been able to see the top half of the hallmark, leading to an understandable mistake. After testing and examining the construction, I confirmed it is actually an antique Art Deco ring crafted in 9ct white gold by Angus & Coote, still in its original presentation box.

The centre stone is a synthetic sapphire—a perfectly authentic choice for the Art Deco era, when laboratory-grown sapphires were celebrated for their vibrant colour, durability and innovation. Surrounding it are sparkling marcasites, adding the unmistakable geometric elegance and refined glamour that made Art Deco jewellery so iconic.

Sometimes the smallest detail—a partially hidden hallmark—can completely change the story… and the value.

That’s why I always say:
Never rely on a description alone. Test. Examine. Verify.

👇 Have you ever bought something that turned out to be better than you expected? Or have you ever spotted a mistake in an auction catalogue? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

💎 If you’ve inherited jewellery or bought something at auction and you’re wondering what it really is, send me a DM with photos or book a Private Wealth Reveal (online) . You might be holding a hidden treasure without even knowing it.❤️