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
CrimeOct 03, 2022
Delaware Jeweler Viciously Attacked During Robbery The jeweler was left in critical condition after a suspect pistol-whipped and beat him before stealing jewelry out of the display cases.
CollectionsOct 03, 2022
Vrai, Brides Magazine Partner on Lab-Grown Diamond CollectionReaders are taking a “strong interest” in lab-grown jewelry, said Brides’ editorial director.
WatchesOct 03, 2022
‘Unicorn’ Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $1.1MOne of only four in existence, it more than doubled its pre-sale estimate at the Sotheby’s Paris auction.
Brought to you by
Sarine’s Second Generation AI-Based Diamond GradingThe diamond industry is dramatically evolving from manual to AI-based 4Cs grading. Stay up-to-date and discover the new AI-powered advances.
IndependentsOct 03, 2022
Day’s Jewelers Names New VP of MarketingLong-time employee Nikia Levesque takes on the role as former owner Jeff Corey retires.
Weekly QuizSep 29, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
EditorsSep 30, 2022
The Best of Betty White’s Jewelry Sold at AuctionMichelle Graff recaps the cats, fortune cookies, and charm bracelets that caught her eye while covering the late actress’ estate sale.
Policies & IssuesSep 30, 2022
Voting Is Open for the Fairmined 100 Challenge’s Best CollectionThe winners, picked by a group of judges and voted as the public’s favorite, will be announced in a webinar on Oct. 11.
Brought to you by
6 Steps to Start a Dynamic Company CultureLearn how to better serve your employees, customers and community by having a dynamic and supportive company culture.
CollectionsSep 30, 2022
Piece of the Week: Fewer Finer’s ‘Family Bracelet’The engravable piece is a perfect family heirloom.
GradingSep 30, 2022
GSI India Names Ramit Kapur Managing DirectorKapur has spent nearly two decades working in the gemological labs sector of the jewelry industry.
Supplier BulletinSep 29, 2022
How to Create an Engaging Experience and a Sparkling ReputationSponsored by Synchrony
SourcingSep 29, 2022
Q&A: Constantin Wild Celebrates 175 Years in the Colored Stone Business The family business’ fourth-generation eponymous owner reflects on the milestone and the market today.
CollectionsSep 29, 2022
Trove Has a New Proposal: Ring BoxesThe jewelry box brand is expanding with both single and double ring boxes in red, mint green, and white.
SourcingSep 29, 2022
AGTA Names Jennifer Heebner Editor-in-Chief of its PublicationsThe association has also hired a new marketing manager and announced two staff transitions.
Policies & IssuesSep 29, 2022
JA Members Return to Capitol Hill to Voice Jewelers’ ConcernsThe topics up for discussion with lawmakers included inflation, rising interest rates, hiring challenges, and crime.
AuctionsSep 28, 2022
The 18-Carat ‘Fortune Pink’ Diamond Could Sell for $35M The pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond will lead the Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on Nov. 8.
SurveysSep 28, 2022
Consumer Confidence Rises in SeptemberU.S. consumer confidence rose for the second consecutive month as gas prices fell.
MajorsSep 28, 2022
Artistry’s 2023 Catalog Is Out NowThe jewelry catalog features an updated layout and 160 pages of product.
MajorsSep 28, 2022
JFC’s 2022 ‘Hope for the Holidays’ Program Is an Adorable Menagerie There are three designs to choose from this year, all featuring animals drawn by kids who have had wishes granted through Make-A-Wish.
AuctionsSep 27, 2022
In Betty White’s Blockbuster Estate Sale, Jewelry Held Its Own Fine jewelry comprised three of the auction’s top 10 lots, though it could not top her director’s chair or scripts from “The Golden Girls.”
CrimeSep 27, 2022
3 Suspects in Beverly Hills Smash-and-Grab Robbery ArrestedA total of four suspects are now in custody with police still on the lookout for the remaining two.
ColumnistsSep 27, 2022
Creative Connecting: Fun Ideas for Holiday 2022 In-Store EventsFrom a “whodunnit” murder mystery to a permanent jewelry party, Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share a wealth of suggestions.
MajorsSep 27, 2022
Stuller Releases 2 Updated Catalogs Ahead of the Holiday Season “Mountings 2023-2024” and “Diamonds & Gemstones 2023-2024” offer a vast selection of options to create custom pieces.
Events & AwardsSep 27, 2022
ICA’s 2023 Congress Will Be Held in Dubai The event will be hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre from Feb. 15-17.
IndependentsSep 26, 2022
Roberson’s Fine Jewelry to Close After 42 YearsThe store’s liquidation sale will showcase the mix of classic and unique jewels it’s known for stocking.
CollectionsSep 26, 2022
Go ‘Inside the Dream’ of Bulgari Via a New Documentary on Amazon Prime It follows Creative Director Lucia Silvestri as she crafts the brand’s high jewelry collections.
Recorded WebinarsSep 26, 2022
Watch: What Jewelers Should Know About InsuranceFrom safeguarding showcases to appraisal liability, insurance experts Mark Devereaux and Andrew Chipman share insurance tips for jewelers.
