Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa helped Sam Frost put the past behind her once and for all. Source: Supplied
IT’S finally all over.
Sam Frost’s engagement ring has been sold to the highest bidder, selling at auction for $31,720, which includes a buyer’s fee of 22 per cent. Frost will receive $26,000 of that figure.
Nova breakfast boys Fitzy and Wippa helped the 25-year-old bachelorette bid farewell to the bling this morning, skyping a Nova rep who was present at Melbourne’s Leonard Joel auction house to oversee the sale.
MORE: Sam Frost is getting rid of her ring
The radio duo, who had Frost with them in the Sydney studio, were nervous as the sparkler went under the hammer but were thrilled with the result. “I’m so happy, thank you so much,” she said after it was all over, adding: “I’m still feeling a little bit shaky, I need to call my sister and let her know.”
The three carat diamond ring was valued by an auctioneer last week at just $18,000, a far cry from the $58,000 it was hyped to be worth on The Bachelor.
An anxious Sam Frost and Nova’s Wippa waiting for the big auction to kick off. Source: Supplied
John D’Agata, National Head of Jewellery for Leonard Joel, confirmed the hammer price was $26,000, but the auction house charges a buyer’s premium of 22 per cent, so the buyer will actually purchase the item for $31,720.
Mr D’Agata, who was present during the auction, said the successful buyer was female and bought the piece of jewellery to be her own engagement ring. The female who wished to remain anonymous, was one of five individuals bidding over the phone.
“Females are very discerning buyers, they know what they want,” Mr D’Agata said, adding: “With a purchase like this, and especially an engagement ring, the girl has most of the say, the guys just fork out the money.”
Frost celebrated with Fitzy and Wippa after her Bachelor bling was finally sold. Source: Supplied
Frost confirmed to news.com.au that the bulk of the proceeds will go to her two chosen charities, Beyond Blue and The Stroke Foundation, save for a small sum which will be used to pay off her debts and be gifted to family.
The blonde beauty was reluctant to share exactly how big her credit card debt was, but she told news.com.au exclusively, “It’s not too bad. The majority of it is going to charity, but I just want to pay off a few bills and give some thank yous to my brothers.
“They’ve had my back the entire time so it’s important to look after them ... I think that’s what some people forget is that it’s not just me going through this huge crazy journey, it’s my siblings and my parents. They’re just dragged through this whole thing as well so it will be nice for them to be able to be at peace with the whole thing and hopefully we can all just go ‘remember that weird time?’”
Here’s how the auction panned out.
The ring, given to her by Blake Garvey during last year’s Bachelor finale, has plagued the reality TV star since he left her for second runner-up, Louise Pillidge, and has been locked away in a safe until last week, when she happily handed it over to Fitzy and Wippa to help her get rid of.
“It’s 2015 now so let’s just focus forward,” Frost said, admitting she doesn’t have a plan for this year just yet, but “takes every day as it comes and at the moment.”
Frost did confirm one thing for us: Definitely no Bachelorette. “I couldn’t think of anything worse than doing that.”
Fitzy and Wippa even filmed a hilarious infomercial with Sam to sell the Bunda diamond ring. Source: Supplied
Fitzy and Wippa seemed just as pleased that the whole saga was finally done and dusted. “We obviously supported her - as the rest of the nation did - when Blake made a fool of himself so to be here to wrap the whole thing up, it’s worth the celebration,” Wippa said.
“It’s good to get closure on Sam’s behalf,” Fitzy added.
The support has been amazing, so unbelievable and I feel so fortunate to have so many people around me support me. I certainly wouldn't be able to keep on keeping on without that support so I’m very appreciative.”
Looks like The Bachelor 2014 is finally all wrapped up. Source: Supplied
