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The sparkler was discovered by a pensioner while clearing out her home. The OAP, who wants to remain anonymous but is from Northumberland and in her 70s, had no idea of its value until she took it to an auctioneer. She presented it to him, alongside the costume jewellery it had been kept with. Now the precious stone, which is the size of a pound coin, is set to make her a multi-millionaire.

Mark Lane is owner of Featonby’s Auctioneers and Valuers in North Shields, North Tyneside.

He said: “I didn’t think it was anything special at first. I actually assumed it was a synthetic diamond lookalike, which is probably worth around £2,000.

“It sat on my desk for two days before I put it in the diamond machine and it lit up straight away.

“We sent it off to our London office before it was certified by experts in Antwerp, Belgium, who said it was 34.19 carat colour HVS1 – which is extremely rare. There’s no comparison to it on the market.

“It could be worth £10million, we don’t know.

“Antwerp estimated between £1.6million and £2.2million. But no one knows for sure.”

The carat measurement relates to the weight of the diamond, whereby heavier stones have a higher carat, and therefore value.

Mark added: “I was in shock when I was told how much it was worth.

“It was an out of body experience – the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It’s crazy how it all happened.

“We get everything from jewellery, to fine art and furniture.

“I’ve seen everything across the board but nothing of that magnitude in the five years I’ve been here.

“This is why I’m in this industry.”

The gem is currently being held at Hatton Garden in London where it will stay until the lucky new owner collects it.

The sale takes place at Featonby’s on November 30.

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