CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
AuctionsNov 20, 2020
Taking Care of Business: GWS Puts Elvis Ring Up for Auction
Its “Artifacts of Hollywood and Music” sale also features Omega and Bulova watches owned by Muhammad Ali and Greta Garbo.
The first “TCB” ring designed and worn by Elvis Presley, and later given to his friend and backup singer J.D. Sumner, heads to auction at GWS this month.
Los Angeles—GWS Auctions is taking care of business this month.
At its “Artifacts of Hollywood and Music” auction, slated for Nov. 28, the company will put a ring on the auction block once owned by Elvis Presley and given to J.D. Sumner, lead singer of his backup quartet in the 1970s, Sumner & The Stamps.
The piece is the first “TCB” ring Presley designed, symbolizing the King’s personal mantra—“Taking Care of Business”—he took up when he returned to the concert circuit in 1969.
Presley was known for giving away his jewels almost as much as he wore them, be it to friends, colleagues or fans, and this one was no exception—he gave the ring to Sumner on stage in front of an audience of 14,000 people in 1975 after years of wearing it himself.
The custom-made 14-karat yellow gold piece features raised “TCB” letters and lightning bolt designs on each side, all of which are lined with diamonds.
Above the “TCB” is a large cubic zirconia where the original 7.56-carat VS2 round brilliant-cut diamond was set, surrounded by a diamond halo of 2.25 carats, making the total carat weight of the piece 9.81 carats.
The diamond was removed for grading and insurance purposes but comes with the ring, as does its GIA report.
Included in the lot are a letter and sketches from jeweler Lowell Hayes, and audio of Presley talking about the ring on stage.
According to the auction house, the piece has never been offered at auction or for public sale. It’s been in the collection of Mike Moon, once owner of the Stamps Quartet and founder of the Elvis Museum, since Sumner gave it to him in the early ‘80s.
Online bidding for lots has already begun, and as of Thursday, the highest bid for the ring was $80,000.
GWS said the Artifacts of Hollywood and Music auction is the largest entertainment memorabilia sale in its history, comprising more than 300 lots and some of its biggest names. 
Other notable lots are the diamond and platinum spiral ring pictured above, featuring 13 total carats and owned by American actress Arlene Dahl; Muhammad Ali’s Omega watch engraved “Ali 10/30/1974,” commemorating his victory over George Foreman at The Rumble in the Jungle in 1974; and a pair of Bulova watches that belonged to Greta Garbo.
It will also offer Presley’s 1975 FLH 1200 Harley Davidson, which he drove around
Graceland, and the personal contents of his Hollywood home including furnishings, art, glassware, clothing, games, and many other personal items.
The auction will also feature archive recordings of more than 700 hours of performances from Woodstock once owned by producer Eric Blackstead, a Van Halen MTV Music Award, and the prototype guitar from a custom collaboration between Eric Clapton and Strings and Things Music Store in Memphis, Tennessee.
To see all lots, visit GWSAuctions.com.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Nov. 25 to reflect the correct total carat weight of the piece.
The auction will also feature archive recordings of more than 700 hours of performances from Woodstock once owned by producer Eric Blackstead, a Van Halen MTV Music Award, and the prototype guitar from a custom collaboration between Eric Clapton and Strings and Things Music Store in Memphis, Tennessee.
To see all lots, visit GWSAuctions.com.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Nov. 25 to reflect the correct total carat weight of the piece.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
