AuctionsJul 10, 2023
Christie’s London Sells Locket With Royal ProvenanceAuctionsJul 12, 2023
Tupac’s Crown Ring Expected to Go for $200K-$300K at Auction
The rapper and actor designed the ruby and diamond piece himself and wore it during his last public appearance in 1996.
This gold, ruby, and diamond crown ring Tupac Shakur personally designed is expected to be the top lot in Sotheby’s third annual hip-hop auction, which opens for bidding next week. The pre-sale estimate is $200,000-$300,000. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
New York—Sotheby’s upcoming auction of hip-hop memorabilia will feature another crown but, this time, it is from the collection of a West Coast rapper.
Musician and actor Tupac Shakur designed a gold, ruby and diamond crown ring, and wore it at his last public appearance, the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
Expected to sell for as much as $300,000—a conservative estimate considering Biggie’s plastic crown sold for nearly $600,000—it is set to be the highlight of Sotheby’s online-only hip-hop auction, which opens for bidding next week.
Shakur, who went by the stage name 2Pac and, later in his career, Makaveli, had just been released from jail when he commissioned the piece in early 1996.
The ring represented both a coronation and rebirth for the rapper, who was looking to start over personally and professionally.
As Sotheby’s put it, “To commemorate this momentous arrival into a new stage of life and illustrious career, Tupac got new bling.”
His godmother, adviser, money manager, and lifelong supporter Yaasmyn Fula served as liaison between the young musician and jewelers in New York to craft the ring according to Shakur’s specifications.
Influenced by Niccolo Machiavelli’s political manifesto “The Prince,” which he read while incarcerated, Shakur modeled his ring after the crowns of medieval kings of Europe in “an act of self-coronation,” according to Fula, and a celebration of survival.
The inscription on Tupac Shakur’s crown ring is a reference to his engagement to actress Kidada Jones, daughter of music producer Quincy Jones and actress Peggy Lipton. Sotheby’s noted the band of the ring is “visibly abraded” on one side, likely because Shakur wore it next to his pinky ring. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
The crown in Shakur’s ring sits atop a diamond-encrusted gold band and features diamonds, faceted rubies and, at the center, a cabochon ruby.
Sotheby’s said the musician picked rubies for the piece because of their symbolic ties to monarchy and wealth, a continuation of the ring’s royal narrative.
Shakur, who was described as “always one to love out loud,” had the outer, palm-facing side of the band inscribed with “Pac & Dada 1996,” a reference to his then-recent engagement to actress Kidada Jones.
He typically wore the ring on the ring finger of left hand, and that’s where it was spotted at the VMAs on Sept. 4, 1996 in New York.
Shakur was murdered in Las Vegas a little over a week later. He was 25.
The Sotheby’s sale is one of several events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the style of music known as hip-hop, which originated in a basement in the South Bronx in 1973.
Earlier this year, De Beers Group sponsored a talk at the 92nd Street Y centered on Vikki Toback’s book “Ice Cold. A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” which came out last year.
It’s also Sotheby’s third annual sale dedicated to hip-hop, once again organized in collaboration with former Tommy Boy Records President Monica Lynch.
The auction house is presenting the sale in collaboration with media and content company Mass Appeal.
In addition to Shakur’s ring, the auction will include art, sneakers, studio equipment, flyers, posters, and more from artists including Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Ice-T and Afrika Islam, Fab 5 Freddy, Big Daddy Kane, Futura, Lee Quiñones, and UNKLE & Mo’ Wax founder James Lavelle, among others.
The online-only auction will be open for bidding from July 18-25, with a public exhibition scheduled for July 20-24 at Sotheby’s New York.
More on Auctions
The Latest
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
Weekly QuizApr 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 BoardThe organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.
Policies & IssuesApr 10, 2025
Trump Presses Pause on Higher Tariffs for 90 DaysAn across-the-board tariff of 10 percent remains in place for all U.S. trading partners, except China.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Brilliant Earth Taps Influencers, Their Moms for Mother’s Day CampaignBrigette Pheloung and Tania Sarin, and their mothers, star in the campaign wearing medallions they co-designed.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Pary LeVian, Matriarch of the LeVian Family, Dies at 96LeVian is remembered for her unwavering commitment to her family, community, and helping others.
Events & AwardsApr 10, 2025
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Debut This SummerThe retail show is open to the public and will run July 24-27.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Opens Flagship in BrazilThe new store in the upscale Iguatemi São Paulo mall is the storied brand’s first flagship in Brazil.
AuctionsApr 09, 2025
Bonhams to Offer Selection of Chaumet JewelsThe pieces span from the Art Deco period to the 1970s and will go up for auction at the Paris Jewels sale later this month.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Pandora Names Tyla as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who is set to perform at Coachella this month, also debuted a curated selection from the brand.
WatchesApr 08, 2025
Here Are the New Rolex Watches for 2025The introductions include the Land-Dweller, Rolex’s first new model since 2012, as well as several new dials for its classic timepieces.
MajorsApr 08, 2025
Willis Cowlishaw, Zale Executive and Mentor to Many, Dies at 98Cowlishaw earned a degree in horology after serving in World War II, working at one of the first Zales stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Heading to Auction in Hong KongBonhams will offer the “Kat Florence Lumina” at its May 22 jewelry auction.
CrimeApr 07, 2025
Third Man Involved in $2.7M Smash-and-Grab Is SentencedIn March 2022, the men went into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills and smashed the display cases with sledgehammers and crowbars.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
Sotheby’s ‘Area_51’ Watch Auction Totals $1.6MThe 51 unique watches from Sotheby’s three-day sale and immersive exhibition all found buyers, with the top lot selling for $229,955.
