As the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis is widely regarded a one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century – but did you know he loved jewellery? His love of luxury extended from embellished jumpsuits and Cadillacs to crazy big sparklers so join us as we explore this American singer’s impressive jewellery collection!
What Jewellery Did Elvis Presley Wear?
The actor and singer was known for his bold and extravagant fashion choices, and his jewelry collection was no exception. He favoured large, eye-catching pieces, often adorned with gemstones like diamond, black onyx, opals, and turquoise. Large diamond dress rings covered his fingers as he sang into mics whilst long necklaces dripped down his exposed chest.
Who Was Elvis Presley’s Jeweller?
On Christmas Eve 1969, Memphis’ most respected jeweller Lowell Hays met with Elvis to help him do some Christmas shopping. After selecting jewellery pieces out of Hay’s briefcase for friends and family, Lowell Hays became Elvis’ go-to jeweller.
Over the course of their 7 year friendship, Hays created multiple custom pieces for Elvis and his friends, band members and family including some of his most iconic pieces. Their close relationship meant Hays was often designing and delivering pieces within hours, always keeping pace with Elvis’s larger-than-life persona and spontaneous generosity, as he would often give away pieces to fans and friends. Hay’s would often travel with Elvis, taking a briefcase full of custom made jewels and mocking up designs on the road.
Elvis Presley’s Opal Obsession
Elvis had a particular appreciation of all thing’s opal, often incorporating the gem into various rings and jewellery pieces. Reportedly, Elvis frequently read spiritual, metaphysical, numerological books divulging information of the symbolic nature of the opal. Opals are thought to inspire creativity and emotional expression (just what a musician needs!) as well as being associated with luck and protection.
Opals have a unique look, distinctive for their “play of colour,” a phenomenon where the stone displays a range of colours when viewed from different angles. It is said that Elvis was particularly attracted to opals due to this, as he felt this effect reflected his own flamboyant personality! His opal jewellery collection included several large white opal ‘nugget’ rings as well as two distinctive ‘fire opal’ rings – one orange and one blue gifted to his girlfriend Ginger Alden and eventually sold at auction. He has bought a previous girlfriend Linda Thompson a large Ethiopian opal pendant that she wore throughout her life.
Elvis Presley’s TCB Rings and Jewellery
Some of Presley’s most prized pieces were his coveted ‘TCB’ rings, referring to one of his favourite mottos: “taking care of business.” Taking care of business was what he was all about after he returned to live performances in 1968 after a 7-year hiatus to build his film career.
There is more than one TCB ring, but the original is a large 14ct yellow gold ring, set with a large feature diamond, surrounded smaller diamonds and the letters ‘TCB’ also spelt in diamonds. The ring is one of the first designed by Elvis and Hays but was given to J.D. Sumner, a close friend of leader of the Stamps Quartet, Elvis’ backup band in the ’70s.
Another ring crafted for Elvis is known as the ‘updated TCB ring’, featuring an 11.5-carat feature diamond set black onyx, with dramatic lightning bolts to each side, ornamented with a further 3 carats of diamonds.
Intended to be a show ring, “something that would immediately make people think ‘Elvis Presley’, the ring is one of the few Elvis never parted with and is on display at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. The ring cost $35,000 at the time, with Presley being so thrilled he threw in the keys to his Lincoln Mark III Cartier edition as an additional token of gratitude!
The TCB motto become integral to the Elvis and his peers, all becoming adorned in labelled jewels. The Memphis Mafia entourage all wore golden lightning bolt “TCB” necklaces, designed by Hays from a sketch Presley and then-wife Priscilla drew out on a cocktail napkin. Hays himself was gifted one after protecting Elvis from bystanders trying to creep on stage and wore the necklace around his neck until he passed away as a symbol of honour. He later gifted his girlfriends a variation of the TCB, but spelling TLC for ‘tender loving care’!
The Aloha Horseshoe
The Aloha Horseshoe ring is an iconic piece famously worn by Elvis Presley during his “Aloha from Hawaii” concert in 1973 – the first concert broadcast live via satellite, reaching over a billion viewers worldwide. The yellow gold ring featured 11 diamonds in a horseshoe with a large central diamond in the middle.
The ring became one of his most recognised pieces. The choice of diamond studded horseshoe echoes Elvis’ desire for luck, success and positive energy. The ring was later gifted to his Las Vegas lawyer and recently sold at auction for $204,800!
Elvis owned several horse-related jewellery pieces, including a yellow gold ring featuring a horse head surrounded by a horse shoe of diamonds that he wore on his wedding day to Priscilla in 1967.
Elvis Presley’s Initial Ring
Worn throughout the late 1960s, Presley’s iconic initial ring has an interesting tale. The gold and onyx ring with a millegrain detailed ‘E’ embellished on it was gifted to John Soto, a contractor who was fixing a wall in Elvis’s Beverly Hills home on Hillcrest Road – a wall he had shot through. The generous gift came after John asked if he could keep the bullets he obtained from the wall.
The ring was later bought by Mary Pride, who became a major Elvis collector over the years after meeting Elvis in 1969 and being gifted a ring of her own.
Ram’s Head Necklace
Perhaps one of his largest pieces, this 14ct gold necklace features a large ram’s head motif, suspended from a 26-inch chain. The ram’s head is ornamented with 2 emerald eyes and 9 brilliant cut diamond down the centre of it’s head. The chunky necklace was sold at auction for $90,000 in 2008. Bold and theatrical, the ram’s head symbolises strength, determination and leadership – all qualities Elvis saw in himself. Its size, craftsmanship, and symbolism make it one of the most memorable pieces in his extensive collection.
What Happened to All of Elvis Jewellery?
Elvis was generous with his jewellery, often gifting pieces to friends and fans much to the outrage of his lifelong jeweller who recalled spending hours creating custom designs only to see them handed out on a whim. Over the years, this habit led to a wide dispersal of his collection, with pieces ending up in private hands all over the world. After his death in 1977, many of the remaining items were preserved by Graceland or auctioned off to collectors, often fetching high prices due to their provenance and connection to the King. Today, some of Elvis’s most iconic pieces can be seen in museums, special exhibitions, or continue to appear at auction, offering fans a glimpse into the flamboyant and personal world of Elvis Presley’s style.
Elvis Inspired Jewellery
The best way to replicate Elvis’s bold and unforgettable jewellery style is to seek out one-of-a-kind vintage or antique pieces that capture the same sense of drama, personality, and craftsmanship. From oversized rings to statement necklaces, vintage jewellery often offers a unique and rare charm that modern designs can’t replicate. Whether you’re drawn to the glamour of the 1970s or the timeless appeal of earlier eras, exploring vintage jewellery collections is the perfect way to channel the King’s iconic flair with a piece that’s truly your own!
