June sale tops auction record as costume jewellery sparkles

Chilcotts Auctioneers has revealed that its June sale was the most successful to date.

The total achieved at hammer price was £280,000. This success reflects the current spike in silver and gold prices with top performers including gold proof coin sets from the Royal Mint.

A 2013 gold proof coin set in a presentation box fetched £17,700, a Charles III Royal Mint gold proof coin set, dated 2024 sold for £14,500, while an Official London 2012 Olympic £5 gold proof coin set achieved £6,200. Single sovereign gold coins went for £600 or more.

There was also good success with branded costume jewellery, mainly from the 1980s. Brooches, necklaces and earrings from the likes of Givenchy, David Andersen, and Butler and Wilson, once a favourite of Princess Diana, all performed well.

Auctioneer and Jewellery Valuer, Jennifer Bell said: “While Victorian and Georgian costume jewellery has been popular for some years, we’ve recently seen a rise in interest in costume jewellery from this more modern era, especially pieces from contemporary designers which are favoured by the influencer community.

“Plenty of these are fun and whimsical, worn to make a statement of individuality. And branded costume jewellery is often of very high quality.”

Many of the jewellery lots sold at the auction comprised sets, but individual pieces did well too, such as a gold elephant charm that sold for £140 and a vintage gold plated musical box pendant fetching £130. Top performer in this category was a 14ct yellow gold oval link bracelet which went under the hammer for £2,350.

The next sale, featuring Good Antiques & 20th Century Design takes place at the Dolphin Saleroom on July 11.