Shirley Temple Blue Diamond Ring Fails to Sell at Auction
April 20, 16
(IDEX Online News) – A rare 9.54-carat blue diamond ring once belonging to former child star, Shirley Temple, failed to sell at a Sotheby’s auction in New York – where it had been estimated to fetch $25 million to $35 million, according to Reuters.
Temple’s father purchased the ring for $7,210 in 1940, around the time of the actress’ 12th birthday. The bidding for the jewel started at $19 million and closed at $22 million – below the ring’s reserve price.
The ring was the highlight at Sotheby's Magnificent Jewels sale, which fetched nearly $30 million across more than 300 lots.
Other top items at the auction included a platinum and fancy purple-pink diamond ring that sold for $4.5 million, a platinum and diamond ring weighing 19.25 carats that fetched $1.9 million and a fancy light blue diamond ring weighing 5.06 carats that sold for $1.2 million.
Sotheby’s was disappointed not have sold the ring, but were confident that a buyer will eventually be found.