Elvis Presley’s Jewels, Watches On Auction At Graceland And Online

Elvis Presley owned and worn 1914 Indian Head gold 2 1/2-dollar coin and diamond ring

Elvis Presley had his own style and it included the jewelry and watches he wore and gave as gifts. He preferred yellow gold, diamonds, sapphires and antique coin rings. Several pieces had personal meaning to Presley and those closest to him. 

At least seven of his jewels and watches are among 126 authenticated pieces of memorabilia up for auction January 7 at Graceland, Presley’s former Memphis, Tenn., estate that is now a museum dedicated to the life of one of America’s most famous singers and actors. Bids also will be taken worldwide via mobile and online bids on Invaluable.com and on eBay.

The items include the following:

Elvis Presley Owned and Worn 1914 Indian Head Gold 2 1/2-Dollar Coin and Diamond Ring Gifted to Elvis Tour Promoter Tom Hulett (top photo)
This ring, one of several Indian Head rings he owned, was given by Elvis to Tom Hulett who, with Colonel Parker, managed Elvis’ live performances in the 1970s. Twenty-six round diamonds weighing approximately 1-ct. surround the Indian Head side of the coin. The size 8½ ring is set in gold. The reverse of the coin with eagle is visible from the underside of the mounting. It’s offered with a letter from Tom Hulett on Concerts West, Inc. letterhead authenticating the gift. Its estimate is $20,000 - $25,000.

Elvis Presley 14k "TCB" Necklace Gifted to Bodyguard Sam Thompson

Elvis gave TCB necklaces to those close to him. This one is gifted to Sam Thompson by Elvis and is accompanied by an affidavit from Thompson stating that he wore the necklace until the day Elvis died and that it was damaged during an altercation in Duluth, Minn., on April 28, 1977, and that both loops and the chain were replaced May 1-2, 1977, by a jeweler in Chicago. Thompson was Elvis’ bodyguard and the brother of Elvis’ girlfriend Linda Thompson. This TCB necklace was made by Elvis' jeweler Lowell Hays. The necklace is being offered with a copy of Sam’s book “Elvis on Tour: The Last Year,” autographed by Thompson. It includes several photos of Sam wearing his TCB necklace. The TCB with a lightning bolt through it is a symbol of Elvis and those close to him. It’s an acronym for “Taking Care of Business.” Its estimate is $12,000 - $15,000.

Elvis Presley's 10K Gold Ring with 56 Diamonds

The 10k gold men’s ring, size 10 3/4, contains 56 diamonds. The diamonds are set within a tiered octagonal design and openwork interior underneath. The ring was given to Sam Thompson by Elvis. Thompson was Elvis’ bodyguard and the brother of Elvis’ girlfriend Linda Thompson. It is accompanied with a letter from Thompson authenticating the gift, which includes an image of the ring on a man’s pinky finger. Its estimate is $10,000 - $15,000.

Gold Baume & Mercier Watch Gifted By Elvis Presley to Imperials Member Armond Morales at the International Hotel, 1969

This vintage Baume & Mercier 14k yellow gold wristwatch was a gift from Elvis to Imperials member Armond Morales. Elvis gave each member of The Imperials a Baume & Mercier personally engraved wristwatch in 1969 when they performed with him during his appearances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The receipt for the purchase of this watch is cataloged in the Graceland Archives collection. The watch is accompanied by an official letter from Armond Morales, which details the circumstances surrounding the gift, including misspellings of his name and the word “squirrelly.” The watch and letter also come with a copy of a 4-by-6 inch photo of Elvis and The Imperials. The watch is marked “Baume & Mercier / Geneve / Swiss” on the gold face. The textured gold surround on the dial with a quartz movement is mounted to a weave patterned gold bracelet with snap channel clasp. Its estimate is $10,000 - $15,000.

1969/70 Elvis Presley's Gold, Diamond and Black Sapphire Ring - The "Number 10" Ring

This 14k gold ring has an open front, squared-back band that creates the number “10” on the finger or when laying on a flat surface. The “1” is a rectangular design containing 3 diamonds. The “0” is a large black cabochon star sapphire weighing approximately 2.5 carats, surrounded by 13 diamonds, each contained in its own channel. The ring, size 9, is accompanied by a letter from Richard Davis, a prominent employee of Elvis, which authenticates that “The King” both wore the ring and gave it to Davis as a gift. Also included in the lot are five 3 by 5 inch (7.62 by 12.7 cm) copies of pictures depicting Richard Davis and Elvis over the years. Its estimate is $10,000 - $15,000.

Elvis Presley "Aztec" Ring with Jaguar Head

The Aztec-patterned, 14k yellow gold men’s ring contains an opaque green, chrysoberyl, calcite cabochon above a protruding stylized jaguar head set with green tourmaline eyes. This ring is offered with a letter from Sam Thompson authenticating that it was given to him by Elvis. In addition, the ring comes with a letter from Robert M. Triplett confirming that he purchased the ring directly from Sam Thompson and the name of the person to whom Robert traded the ring. The size 9 ring has an estimate of $10,000 - $15,000. 

1973 Gold Omega TC1 Digital Watch with Inscription Gifted to Charlie Hodge from Elvis Presley

This futuristic style digital watch with LED screen on its rectangular face was produced by Omega as its TC1 (Time Computer) model. The watch, with 14k gold-filled bezel, quartz movement and 10k gold-filled top caps and deployment clasp, was gifted to Charlie Hodge by Elvis and is inscribed on the stainless steel back “To: Charlie From: E.P.” The buttons to set the minute and hour displays are located on the stainless steel back cover plate, and are activated by a magnet housed in a small compartment on the back of the watch’s clasp. Elvis purchased 30 watches for a total of $8,000 from Lowell Hayes on August 30, 1974, to give as gifts to friends and family. The receipt for the purchase of this watch is cataloged in the Graceland Archives. Also included is a photo of Elvis in 1974 in which one of his guys can be seen wearing this same watch. Its estimate is $4,000 - $6,000.

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Collectible Jewelry, Watches In Demand At Hong Kong Jewelry Fair

The “Antique & Vintage Jewellery” section of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair is perhaps the least talked about area of the world’s largest jewelry trade fair. This year, from my perspective, it was among the busiest, if not the busiest, section of the show. This is despite the fact that prior to fair there was a sense that sales would be down based on recent headlines concerning the turbulence in China's stock market. 

“The world press exaggerated the negative business in Asia,” Edward Faber, co-owner of Aaron Faber Gallery, said at his very active booth. The retailer specializes in vintage and period jewelry and timepieces and in contemporary collectible jewelry. 

Faber said for both jewelry and watches, buyers are looking for unique, unusual pieces at a good price.

“Value is winning out in watches and motivating buyers,” he said.

Patricia Kiley Faber, the other half of the husband and wife team, said buyers are looking for jewelry they can “easily resell”. Also, one-of-a-kind pieces that are a bit different. 

This didn’t surprise specialists in the international auction houses I contacted prior to the show.

“Many collectors that we work with in the mainland are still buying. If anything the pressure on the financial markets pushes collectors to invest more of their wealth into a hobby that they love and enjoy,” said Sam Hines, Phillips International Head of Watches, who is based in Hong Kong. “They also feel more comfortable having something with intrinsic value rather than a piece of paper that can suddenly be worth much less. Many collectors also say to us that they prefer having something to wear and enjoy which is hopefully increasing in value.”

Graeme Thompson, Bonhams Asia director of Jewellery, added, “Colored stones are doing incredibly well. Vintage (pieces over 100 years old) and period jewelry (representing a specific time frame and style) markets are up. There are opportunities to be had.” He also notes that wealth is being created in China “unlike anywhere else in the world. That’s going to have a clear impact on collectible market in the next five to 10 years.” 

The bottom line is that in good times or in bad, there always seems to be demand for collectible jewelry and watches. 

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Ralph O. Esmerian Pleads Guilty to Fraud

Former owner of Fred Leighton Jewelry, Ralph Esmerian, on February 19, 2007.  (Photo by Marsaili McGrath/Getty Images)

The former owner of Fred Leighton pled guilty to bankruptcy fraud and other crimes Friday in a U.S. District Court in New York.

Ralph O. Esmerian pled guilty to a three-count indictment charging him with wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud and concealment of assets before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, according to media reports.

Fred Leighton specializes in vintage jewelry and is often referred to as the “Jeweler to the Stars,” where its museum-quality jewelry, rare artifacts and gems are often found on well-known actors and celebrities during “Red Carpet” events. Esmerian bought Fred Leighton in 2005 as a retail outlet for the inventory of his company, R. Esmerian Inc. (Left photo: Nicole Kidman in a 150-ct. 19th Century Riviere diamond necklace by Fred Leighton at the 2011 Oscars. )

Prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office said in November, at the time the charges were filed, that Esmerian borrowed $210 million against the jewels to help finance his businesses. About $177 million was borrowed from Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital Inc. to buy Fred Leighton, a rare antique and vintage jewelry dealer, according to media reports.

Esmerian reportedly told Cote that the assets and jewels he had embezzled and double-pledged were worth at least $20 million, according to reports. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Massey told the judge that the government valued the assets at between $20 million to $50 million.

under a plea agreement, Esmerian faces from 97 months to ten years in prison when he is sentenced on July 22, according to reports. He could have faced 30 years in prison.