Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
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.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
