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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
MajorsJan 30, 2025
WJA Chapter Leaders Resign as Fallout From DEI Remarks SnowballsThe boards of at least five chapters have resigned in response to controversial statements the WJA national board president made last month.
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. CollectionFive new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
Weekly QuizJan 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Elects 5 New MembersJewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. are among the new members.
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year DownWatch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USOlivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
Events & AwardsJan 29, 2025
Chris Ploof To Teach Mokume Gane at AJSThe jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
WFDB Joins Efforts to Promote Natural Diamonds With New CampaignThe “Moments” social media campaign emphasizes the emotional ties between natural diamonds and life’s special milestones.
CollectionsJan 28, 2025
Bliss Lau Celebrates the Intricate Mosaic of Identity in New CollectionThe versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
Botswana’s First Olympic Gold Medalist Is Now a De Beers Ambassador Letsile Tebogo will help to promote natural diamonds and the good they have done for his country.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
NouvelleBox Show Returns to New York CityThe showcase, in its second year, will feature more than 20 international brands at its curated event from Feb. 2-4.
Recorded WebinarsJan 28, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025 “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Le Vian Corp. Chairman Larry LeVian, a Man of Faith and Family, Dies at 73 LeVian is remembered for his leadership in the jewelry industry and for being a selfless and compassionate person.
CrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
SourcingJan 27, 2025
Dev Shetty To Head New Auction House for Rare Colored GemsJemora Gemhouse’s inaugural auction, slated for March, will take place in Dubai and feature polished sapphires.
CollectionsJan 27, 2025
Rachel Quinn Embodies Feelings of Falling in Love in New CollectionQuinn partnered with Gemfields to create “Crazy Love,” which features Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies across 10 pieces.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Arch Crown’s 2025 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is Out Now The catalog is 48 pages and features more than 100 styles.
CollectionsJan 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s Lunar New Year NecklaceThe one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
SourcingJan 24, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Tucson The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Policies & IssuesJan 24, 2025
These Designers and Retailers Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
CrimeJan 23, 2025
4 Men Arrested After Allegedly Plotting to Kidnap JewelerThe suspects are accused of planning to kidnap a Miami jeweler and rob him of his cryptocurrency.
