An opulent jeweled cross and ring once owned by Pope Paul VI sits in a North Carolina jewelry store awaiting the winning bidder for an eBay auction.
As odd as it may sound, it is true; the Wilmington store owner is a Southern Baptist with a flair for self-promotion - allowing him to meet with figures such as UN Secretary General U Thant and Evel Knievel. This interesting journey began with Paul VI's decision to have some of his jewelry to be sold to raise money for charity.
One of the jewelry pieces is a pectoral cross, given to clergy who achieve a rank as bishop or higher. The eBay post advertises that the ring is a 12.75-carat diamond solitaire cut encircled with smaller diamonds. The cross holds 12 main diamonds over 60 carats in total diamond weight, and is coated in smaller diamonds and emeralds.
Paul VI donated the ring and cross to the UN during a 1965 visit, requesting that they be auction and the proceeds to be used to charity. Chicago jeweler Harry Levinson purchased the set in 1967 for $64,000, and the money was divided among 4 UN agencies. Over the years, the jewels changed hands several times, and was even owned at one point by Evel Knievel.
Presently the owner of jewelry store, Perry's Emporium, has ownership of the papal jewelry.
"This is new for me," said owner Alan Perry, who estimates that the items may fetch somewehere between $800,000 and $900,000 at auction. "That's why we're going to put it up on eBay. It's only worth what someone's willing to pay for it, and eBay might be a good measure to see if people are interested."
Perry plans to put the jewelry set on public display starting April 14 through Holy Week, with armed security watching closely.
Source:
Associated Press
