I don’t know how many rings Elvis owned in his lifetime, but ElvisBlog has reported on 33 of them so far in the first three parts of this series. Here are nine more.
Horse Head/Horseshoe Ring
This gold and diamond ring sold for $18,800 at a Christie’s auction in 2001. According to the auction website information, Elvis acquired this ring in 1956 and wore it on May 1, 1967 when he married Priscilla. Sometime later he gave it to Memphis Mafia member Alan Fortas.
It is 14k gold with fourteen single-cut diamonds around the surface in the shape of a horseshoe. Elvis must have liked this design concept, because he had another one we looked at in Part 1 of the series. This later design had 20 diamonds and a larger horse head facing front and containing two of the diamonds.
41-carat Ruby and Diamond Ring:
This ring was shown in a November 29, 2013 Associated Press online article about a new Elvis memorabilia exhibit opening at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The only information given was that Elvis bought it in 1975, and that it has a 41-carat ruby surrounded by fourteen diamonds.
Gold Ring with Diamonds and Citrine:
Elvis owned this one in the 70s when he seemed to prefer big showy rings. It sold for $15,000 at the August 2014 Heritage Entertainment and Music Memorabilia Auction. The auction website calls the ring a “stunner” because it weighs 20.9 grams and contains 11 full-cut diamonds and an 8 x 6 mm citrine set in 14k gold.
The ring’s history is interesting. In 1973, Elvis was hospitalized for three weeks. During his stay, girlfriend Linda Thompson stayed with Elvis 24/7, and her brother (and Elvis’ bodyguard) Sam Thompson visited the hospital every day. Near the end of the stay, Elvis took the ring from his finger and gave it to Sam in appreciation of his friendship and loyalty.
Gold Ring with Diamonds:
This ring and the next one sold at another Heritage entertainment memorabilia auction in April 2014. It is 14k gold with 28 full and single-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.25 carats. Overall the ring has a gross weight of 44.5 grams. The winning bid was $12,500, which seems like a bargain for a ring this stunning and with a notable history. Elvis was supposed to wear it on June 26, 1977 in Indianapolis, his final live performance. This is another ring with a Sam Thompson connection, and here is his story:
“Backstage, in the dressing room just before he went onstage, Elvis was having Band Aids applied to his fingers to keep this ring from coming off and the Band Aids became uncomfortable. Irritated, he removed the ring from his hand and it was placed on a table in his dressing room. As we left the dressing room for the stage, I put the ring in my pocket for safekeeping. It was the only concert I remember where Elvis wore no rings while he performed onstage. Later, back in Memphis at Graceland, I offered the ring back to him. He just smiled and said it looked good on me and told me to keep it.”
The auction story mentions two Elvis websites with photos of the concert confirming he wore no rings for his last appearance on stage.
Hawk’s Eye Quartz 14k Gold Ring:
Yet another Sam Thompson ring. It is rather small by Elvis standards and sold for just $4,062 at the auction. Thompson frequently travelled on tour with Elvis, and enjoyed the unique benefits that came with it. Elvis loved jewelry, but he may have loved giving it away even more. After Sam admired this ring, Elvis gave it to him, saying he had gotten it in Hawaii during the time he performed the Aloha from Hawaii special.
One More Sam Thompson Ring:
On February 1, 2013, an Elvis website showed this picture and accompanied it with a short article. Sam Thompson said, “I just found this gold nugget pinky ring that Elvis gave to me that I had forgotten I had. I found it in an old jewelry box of mine. It’s the real deal and I’ve had it since 1977. Between June and August of 1977, while at Graceland, I admired the pinky ring Elvis was wearing. He took it off and said ‘It’s yours” and handed it to me.” Thompson was thinking about selling the ring for $4,000.
Turquoise and Citrine Ring:
Someone from ElvisArtifacts.com recently placed a comment on an ElvisBlog article. I clicked on their URL and found out they have three Elvis rings for sale – the next three of this article.
Ownership of this ring has passed from Elvis’ barber, Homer Gilleland, to his Optician, Dennis Roberts, to his eyeglass technician, Artie Dadyan, and finally to Elvis Artifacts. It is currently offered for sale at $35,000.
Gold Nugget and Diamond Ring:
Elvis owned and wore this 14k gold ring and later gave it to his uncle William Earle Pritchett (husband of Vernon’s sister Nasval). Over the years, Elvis gave many items to them, including a concert cape.
The ring is missing one diamond, which the Pritchetts never replaced because that is the way it was received from Elvis. If you want to buy an Elvis ring with a missing diamond, this one is for sale at $25,000.
7 carat Diamond Ring:
This seven carat diamond ring was worn by Elvis in various photographs in the early to mid 1970s. It is featured on the cover of the album His Hand in Mine, as well as shots taken of Elvis backstage before a show modeling various jumpsuits.
It can be yours for $35,000.
Elvis’ Fabulous Rings — Part 1
Elvis’ Fabulous Rings — Part 2
Elvis’ Fabulous Rings — Part 3
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