Man Discovers Rare Diamond Ring

Published on 20/08/08

A man who was using a metal detector in a farmer's field has discovered a rare diamond ring, it has emerged.

John Stevens, 42, found the gold ring containing a black diamond in Leicestershire while out treasure-hunting with friends, reports the Daily Mail.

It has not yet been valued, but it is thought it could be worth tens of thousands of pounds and could have belonged to a wealthy person from the 11th Century.

"Some of my friends had switched off their detectors and were walking back to their cars. I was about to join them when I got a really good signal," Mr Stevens explained.

"We all realised at once that I was clutching a ring that looked at first glance like medieval gold, with what could be a black diamond."

The ring will almost certainly be recorded as treasure, experts have said.

The ownership of diamonds was traditionally limited to royalty and the upper-class.

Today, more than 75 per cent of rings sold are round brilliant cut diamond rings, Diamond Ring Specialist reports.