AuctionsSep 09, 2021
Marie Antoinette Diamonds Expected to Fetch $2M-$4M at AuctionAuctionsOct 14, 2021
Al Capone’s Jewels Smash Auction Estimates
The top watch and jewelry lots included Capone’s Patek Philippe pocket watch and a diamond tie bar.
A framed vintage hand-colored silver print of Al Capone and his son, Sonny, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, circa 1925. This print was among the lots at Witherell’s “A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” auction, alongside jewelry, watches, and other items.
Sacramento—Businessman-turned-gangster Al Capone is one of the most notorious figures in American pop culture.
Items from his estate hit the auction block at Witherell’s in Sacramento, California last week, prompting auction-goers to pay top dollar to take home a piece of history.
“A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” featured jewelry, watches, firearms, vintage photographs, furniture, and other items once belonging to the infamous name, which sold for more than $3 million total.
When Capone died in 1947, his widow, Mae Capone, moved into the guest quarters of their Palm Island, Florida mansion and left the main house untouched until its sale in 1952.
She passed heirlooms on to their only child, Sonny Capone, and to his daughters, Barbara, Diane, and Ronnie.
Al Capone’s granddaughters helped to orchestrate the auction, hoping to share their view of him with the world after living most of their lives out of the spotlight in Northern California.
While the public remembers Capone for his gangster reputation and life of crime, his family remembers him differently, a view shared by Diane Capone in her 2019 book, “Al Capone: Stories My Grandmother Told Me.”
“What people don’t know is his personal story as a father and grandfather and his painful path of redemption while at Alcatraz,” Diane said in a press release about the auction.
“That is the unknown Capone I talk about in my book, and it’s the story that comes to life with these family treasures.”
The top-selling lot was a Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, said to have been Al Capone’s favorite .45 firearm.
It sold for $1 million, exceeding its $100,000 to $150,000 estimate by a country mile.
The top lot in the jewelry/watches category was Al Capone’s Patek Philippe pocket watch, seen above, with 90 single-cut diamonds (0.02 carats each/VS clarity/EF) with a platinum contract case featuring a signed dial and movement.
It sold for $229,900, far surpassing its $25,000 to $50,000 estimate.
A 14-karat white gold and diamond monogram “AC” pendant, seen above, sold for $82,280, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
The above platinum Haynes Stellite pocketknife, set with 20 single-cut diamonds to spell “Al,” sold for $78,650, surpassing its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Capone’s diamond tie bar (above), set with 21 single-cut diamonds, each .005 carats, VVS, and D, E, or F in color, sold for $22,990, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Capone’s 14-karat white gold matchbook cover, set with 63 diamonds, sold for $36,300, far exceeding its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Other jewels up for auction included money clips, cufflinks, and stick pins, all of which sold for above their estimates.
Related stories will be right here …
Items from his estate hit the auction block at Witherell’s in Sacramento, California last week, prompting auction-goers to pay top dollar to take home a piece of history.
“A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” featured jewelry, watches, firearms, vintage photographs, furniture, and other items once belonging to the infamous name, which sold for more than $3 million total.
When Capone died in 1947, his widow, Mae Capone, moved into the guest quarters of their Palm Island, Florida mansion and left the main house untouched until its sale in 1952.
She passed heirlooms on to their only child, Sonny Capone, and to his daughters, Barbara, Diane, and Ronnie.
Al Capone’s granddaughters helped to orchestrate the auction, hoping to share their view of him with the world after living most of their lives out of the spotlight in Northern California.
While the public remembers Capone for his gangster reputation and life of crime, his family remembers him differently, a view shared by Diane Capone in her 2019 book, “Al Capone: Stories My Grandmother Told Me.”
“What people don’t know is his personal story as a father and grandfather and his painful path of redemption while at Alcatraz,” Diane said in a press release about the auction.
“That is the unknown Capone I talk about in my book, and it’s the story that comes to life with these family treasures.”
The top-selling lot was a Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, said to have been Al Capone’s favorite .45 firearm.
It sold for $1 million, exceeding its $100,000 to $150,000 estimate by a country mile.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
The top lot in the jewelry/watches category was Al Capone’s Patek Philippe pocket watch, seen above, with 90 single-cut diamonds (0.02 carats each/VS clarity/EF) with a platinum contract case featuring a signed dial and movement.
It sold for $229,900, far surpassing its $25,000 to $50,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
A 14-karat white gold and diamond monogram “AC” pendant, seen above, sold for $82,280, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
The above platinum Haynes Stellite pocketknife, set with 20 single-cut diamonds to spell “Al,” sold for $78,650, surpassing its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
Capone’s diamond tie bar (above), set with 21 single-cut diamonds, each .005 carats, VVS, and D, E, or F in color, sold for $22,990, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
Capone’s 14-karat white gold matchbook cover, set with 63 diamonds, sold for $36,300, far exceeding its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Other jewels up for auction included money clips, cufflinks, and stick pins, all of which sold for above their estimates.
The Latest
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
