Bling buyers bag hot deals

RALEIGH — The diamond-studded gold gorilla has a new bargain-savvy owner.

The gorilla-shaped pendant was among hundreds of pieces of jewelry that authorities seized from drug dealers and sold in a public auction Thursday. Appraised for $21,600, the gorilla sold for only $3,800.

Department of Revenue spokeswoman Jill Warren Lucas said there were plenty of other hot deals.

A diamond-encrusted men’s Breitling 1884 chronometre watch valued at $38,000 sold for only $8,000. A heavy gold curb link chain appraised at more than $32,000 went for $10,500.

The items were seized over the past year during drug busts by the department’s Unauthorized Substance Tax Division.

Auction profits will mostly benefit state departments and arresting agencies. Totals should be available later Thursday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)