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
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
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.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
