Dickens' Diamond Ring Sold

Published on 24/02/09

A ring which is believed to have once belonged to Charles Dickens has sold at auction.

The item, which is claimed to have been given by the writer to his sister-in-law with whom he is said to have had an affair, went under the hammer earlier this week, fetching £26,000.

In news which may interest owners of gold diamond rings, the band is believed to support the claim that the couple had a child together.

An anonymous bidder from Northern Ireland won the item at the Nigel Ward and Company sale in Herefordshire.

The band bares the inscription 'Alfred Tennyson to Charles Dickens 1854'.

Auctioneer Nigel Ward commented: "I don't think there was any really any doubt about the authenticity of the ring."

He added he had been visited by a person with connections to a distant relative of the playwright who said he was able to confirm the story.

Recently, Sotheby's announced it will hold a sale of jewel-encrusted watches in the Middle East, lovers of gold diamond rings may be interested to hear.