Given by Romania's King Carol II to his mistress as a gift, a pair of pearl earrings that lay forgotten in an English house for 35 years have fetched GBP 1.6 million ( just below EUR 2 million ) at auction in UK.

Dating from the early 20th century, the large pearl earrings were a gift from the King to his lover, Elena Lupescu. After her death in 1977, Elena's earrings were left to an English friend, who had no idea of their value and didn't particularly like them. As a result, the royal gift was left forgotten in a drawer and only came to light when the current owner had other heirlooms valued for auction. T

he Swiss Gemmological Institute appraised the pearls and described them as outstanding examples, worthy of special attention. The rose/blue iridescence is known as 'Orient of Pearl' and is particularly sought after. Both the size and the color of the large pearls match, which is apparently quite rare.

Auction house Woolley and Wallis estimated the earrings' value at GBP 80,000 to GBP 120,000, ( around EUR 100,000 to EUR 150,000) but the price went up and up as determined bidders dead set on owning the royal pearls refused to back down.

"The vendors brought them to us out of curiosity and were astonished to discover their value. We are absolutely thrilled with today's result and delighted for the family," said a representative of the auction house.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com