AuctionsAug 12, 2022
2 Rolexes Paul Newman Gave to Stuntman Stan Barrett Head to Auction AuctionsSep 06, 2022
Elvis’ ‘That’s the Way It Is’ Lion Ring Among Top Lots at Auction
“The King” had the gold, tsavorite, and red garnet ring made prior to the filming of the 1970 MGM documentary of the same name.
A buyer paid more than $160,000 for this lion ring with tsavorite eyes and a red garnet in its mouth at Kruse GWS Auctions’ recent sale of Elvis memorabilia. The King had the ring made prior to the 1970 MGM documentary, “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is.” (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)
Los Angeles—Even though the “lost” jewelry Elvis Presley gifted longtime manager Col. Tom Parker was billed as the highlight in Kruse GWS Auctions’ recent sale, in the end, the top lots were all Elvis.
A buyer paid $162,500 (including buyer’s premium) for the solid 18-karat gold “That’s the Way It Is” lion head ring with tsavorite eyes and a red garnet in its mouth, making it the sale’s highest-grossing jewelry lot.
According to Kruse GWS, “The King” had his Beverly Hills jeweler custom-make this ring prior to the filming of the 1970 MGM documentary, “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is.”
A 14-karat yellow gold “TCB” necklace with 1 carat total weight of diamonds Elvis gave to Denver police officer Ron Pietrafeso sold for a total of $150,000.
The two met in 1969 after Elvis performed in Denver and became friends over the years.
Elvis later invited Pietrafeso and several other police officers to one of his Las Vegas shows. The King gave Pietrafeso the necklace following the concert and had diamonds set on the “T,” “C,” and “B” later.
A buyer paid $87,500 for a custom diamond music note ring Elvis personally owned and wore on stage, later gifting it to actress Mindi Miller, whom he dated in the mid-1970s.
The custom-made 18-karat yellow gold ring was made in the shape of a record with a large white gold music note featuring a blue stone in the center surrounded by 0.60 carats of full-cut diamonds in white gold.
A buyer paid $162,500 (including buyer’s premium) for the solid 18-karat gold “That’s the Way It Is” lion head ring with tsavorite eyes and a red garnet in its mouth, making it the sale’s highest-grossing jewelry lot.
According to Kruse GWS, “The King” had his Beverly Hills jeweler custom-make this ring prior to the filming of the 1970 MGM documentary, “Elvis: That’s the Way It Is.”
A 14-karat yellow gold “TCB” necklace with 1 carat total weight of diamonds Elvis gave to Denver police officer Ron Pietrafeso sold for a total of $150,000.
The two met in 1969 after Elvis performed in Denver and became friends over the years.
Elvis later invited Pietrafeso and several other police officers to one of his Las Vegas shows. The King gave Pietrafeso the necklace following the concert and had diamonds set on the “T,” “C,” and “B” later.
A buyer paid $87,500 for a custom diamond music note ring Elvis personally owned and wore on stage, later gifting it to actress Mindi Miller, whom he dated in the mid-1970s.
The custom-made 18-karat yellow gold ring was made in the shape of a record with a large white gold music note featuring a blue stone in the center surrounded by 0.60 carats of full-cut diamonds in white gold.
This “TCB” necklace Elvis gave to Denver police officer Ron Pietrafeso sold for $150,000. TCB stands for “Taking Care of Business,” one of The King’s mantras. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)
Elvis wore this 14-karat gold and onyx ring during a 1972 performance in Las Vegas and later gave it to his doctor there, Dr. Elias Ghanem. A buyer paid $56,250 for the piece. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)
A buyer paid nearly $27,000 for this Corum Gold Coin watch, which originally belong to Elvis before he gifted it to longtime manager Col. Tom Parker. (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)
The custom-made gold and diamond music note ring Elvis wore then gave to Mindi Miller sold for $87,500. The pear-shaped stone set into the music note is described only as a “blue stone.” (Photo courtesy Kruse GWS Auctions)
Another piece personally worn by Elvis on stage, a 14-karat gold and onyx ring, also was among the auction’s top jewelry lots, selling for $56,250.
The King wore the onyx ring on Aug. 18, 1972, while performing at the Las Vegas Hilton, according to the auction house. He later gave it to his Las Vegas physician, Dr. Elias Ghanem, and it was acquired from his estate.
The highest-grossing piece in the sale that belonged to Parker was a Corum Gold Coin watch, which sold for $26,875.
Parker was Elvis’ longtime manager, and their sometimes-tumultuous relationship has been back in the spotlight lately thanks to “Elvis,” the Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic starring Tom Hanks and Cartier ambassador Austin Butler that’s one of the top-grossing films of the year.
Presley, who was known for giving watches to friends and family, wore the Corum before gifting it to Parker. It is 18-karat gold with an 1892 U.S. $20 gold coin that was sawed in half to serve as both dial and case back.
Kruse GWS Auctions’ “The Lost Jewelry Collection of Elvis Presley & Col. Tom Parker and Iconic Elvis Presley Memorabilia” took place Aug. 27.
The top lot overall was the Elvis Presley’s ‘68 Comeback Special Hagstrom V-2 guitar, which sold for $937,500 including buyer’s premium, while the singer’s Lincoln Continental “Last” Limo garnered $500,000.
Based in Los Angeles, Kruse GWS Auctions specializes in Hollywood memorabilia, as well as fine jewelry and watches, royal artifacts, and more.
It’s auctioned off pieces from The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll before, including a chunky 14-karat gold and diamond “Taking Care of Business” ring in late 2020.
The top lot overall was the Elvis Presley’s ‘68 Comeback Special Hagstrom V-2 guitar, which sold for $937,500 including buyer’s premium, while the singer’s Lincoln Continental “Last” Limo garnered $500,000.
Based in Los Angeles, Kruse GWS Auctions specializes in Hollywood memorabilia, as well as fine jewelry and watches, royal artifacts, and more.
It’s auctioned off pieces from The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll before, including a chunky 14-karat gold and diamond “Taking Care of Business” ring in late 2020.
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsJul 26, 2024
Diamonds Direct Opens Store in AtlantaIt’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ EarringsCommemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest StateEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price StabilityAs the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ MarketLab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard DiesA longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2 The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
MajorsJul 25, 2024
Shane Co. Partners With Kids In Need Foundation to Donate 7,200 BackpacksThe fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High JewelryThe Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance ProviderUnion Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship WinnerLos Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod VacationThe giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ CampaignThe ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant WinnersThe grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With CustomerGhazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJCThe organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEORentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor BoutiqueThe 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ NecklaceDance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
