CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
AuctionsJun 19, 2017
Possessions of Infamous American Gangsters Up for Auction
RR Auction’s “Gangsters, Outlaws and Lawmen” sale will include a promise ring Clyde gave to Bonnie and a pocket watch once owned by Al Capone.
At left is Bonnie Parker, one half of the infamous duo Bonnie and Clyde. Pictured at right is the promise ring that Clyde Barrow made for her while he was imprisoned.
Boston--Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, Whitey Bulger--you know their names, and soon you could own part of their history as well.
On June 24, Boston-based RR Auction will hold its “Gangsters, Outlaws and Lawmen” sale, featuring a number of items belonging to some America’s most infamous criminals.
One of the most notable items in the sale is a ring Clyde Barrow gave to Bonnie Parker.
Though the duo robbed a number of jewelry stores in their days, this ring is attributed solely to Barrow’s “craftsmanship,” the auction house said.
Just two months after meeting, he was arrested and spent the next two years in prison, where both he and his brother engaged in a number of crafts to pass the time, including jewelry-making, leathercraft and woodworking.
“He must have crafted this ring for her during that period as a sort of ‘promise’ ring. They were never officially engaged,” said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction.
The ring features a three-headed snake set with faux green and red gemstones. The auction house said it’s likely Barrow--whom historians now know was very artistic--made this ring with a base metal (probably copper) using the lost-wax casting process and then plated it in silver.
The inside of the band contains his personal hallmark--a musical note struck by an arrow. The musical note was incorporated because playing music was one of his favorite pastimes while the arrow could represent his love for Bonnie or be referring to his last name, Barrow.
The ring, recovered in the couple’s 1933 Ford Model B after the “Sowers Raid” in Texas in 1933, is estimated to sell for at least $40,000.
“The ring is an absolutely amazing artifact of enormous significance,” said Livingston. “It is the closest thing Bonnie and Clyde shared between each other to a wedding ring.”
Another highlight in the June 24 sale is the diamond-studded pocket watch (pictured above) once owned by Chicago’s most infamous gangster, Al Capone.
Known to be a well-dressed man, Capone loved flashy suits, large pinky rings and diamonds.
“Unlike his more-maligned moniker of ‘Scarface,’ Capone preferred that those closest to him call him by ‘Snorky,’ a slang term that meant sharp or well dressed,” Livingston said.
The Illinois Watch Company made Capone’s pocket watch. The bezel is set with 72 cut diamonds, and the watch has a platinum face and gold-tone impressed numerals and hands.
The reverse side of the case bears the initials “AC,” comprised of 23 cut diamonds, encircled by an additional 26. The interior contains a 17-jewel movement with gold wheels and jewel cups.
The lot also includes the original 12-inch watch chain made of 14-karat white gold.
Capone’s pocket watch expected to go for $25,000 at RR Auction.
The sale also will include original 1933 Parker and Barrow arrest warrants, a 1934 Barrow signed letter with his fingerprints, Sheriff Schmid’s gold and diamond badge, two death masks of American gangster John Dillinger and James “Whitey” Bulger’s Alfred Dunhill aviator sunglasses.
For the full preview of the auction, visit RRAuction.com.
The lot also includes the original 12-inch watch chain made of 14-karat white gold.
Capone’s pocket watch expected to go for $25,000 at RR Auction.
The sale also will include original 1933 Parker and Barrow arrest warrants, a 1934 Barrow signed letter with his fingerprints, Sheriff Schmid’s gold and diamond badge, two death masks of American gangster John Dillinger and James “Whitey” Bulger’s Alfred Dunhill aviator sunglasses.
For the full preview of the auction, visit RRAuction.com.
The Latest
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
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.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
