AuctionsJul 10, 2023
Christie’s London Sells Locket With Royal ProvenanceAuctionsJul 26, 2023
Tupac’s Crown Ring Sells for Over $1M at Auction
It more than tripled its $300,000 high-end estimate at Sotheby’s hip-hop sale.
According to Sotheby’s, this gold, ruby, and diamond crown ring that belonged to Tupac Shakur is the most expensive bejeweled memento of hip-hop history ever sold.
New York—A ring commissioned and designed by late rapper Tupac Shakur sold for just over $1 million at Sotheby’s online-only hip-hop auction on Tuesday.
According to the auctioneer, it’s the most expensive jewelry artifact related to hip-hop ever sold, more than tripling its $300,000 high-end estimate.
Worn at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996 during his final public appearance, the ring marked an important new chapter in Tupac’s life.
Following a period of incarceration in 1995, Tupac signed a deal with Death Row Records, founded by executives and artists including Dr. Dre, and representing rappers including Snoop Dogg. At the end of that year, Tupac contacted his godmother, advisor, money manager, and caretaker Yaasmyn Fula to outline his plans for the future.
Related stories will be right here …
According to the auctioneer, it’s the most expensive jewelry artifact related to hip-hop ever sold, more than tripling its $300,000 high-end estimate.
Worn at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996 during his final public appearance, the ring marked an important new chapter in Tupac’s life.
Following a period of incarceration in 1995, Tupac signed a deal with Death Row Records, founded by executives and artists including Dr. Dre, and representing rappers including Snoop Dogg. At the end of that year, Tupac contacted his godmother, advisor, money manager, and caretaker Yaasmyn Fula to outline his plans for the future.
During the first half of 1996, Tupac launched a media group and community organization called Euphanasia, which Fula headed, and focused on his music, screenwriting projects, and youth outreach programs.
Working with Fula as his go-between with various New York jewelers, Tupac designed a ring to commemorate all he was working toward. Influenced by Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Prince,” which he read in prison, as well as European Medieval crowns, Tupac’s crown ring was a symbol of his own “self-coronation,” according to Fula.
Crafted in gold with diamonds and rubies, an inscription on the outside of the band reads, “Pac & Dada 1996,” to mark the rapper’s engagement to Kidada Jones.
Tupac’s gold, diamond, and ruby crown ring features the inscription “Pac & Dada 1996,” to mark the rapper’s engagement to Kidada Jones. The ring was designed and commissioned in the first half of the year.
Tupac wore the ring on his left ring finger at the VMAs on Sept. 4, 1996. He was shot in a drive-by shooting on Sept. 7 in Las Vegas and eventually succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 13. He was 25 years old.
Godmother Fula offered Tupac’s ring at the Tuesday Sotheby’s sale.
In all, the sale featuring original art, historic studio equipment, sneakers, jackets, and archival flyers and posters garnered $1.8 million.
The sale was Sotheby’s third dedicated to hip-hop and marks what is being referred to as the 50th anniversary of the music genre this year.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
