Click play at right to see a sample of the video.
The offered gold ring with 14 diamonds and a large lapis lazuli center stone was owned by Elvis Presley, and he gave it to Memphis Mafia member Joe Esposito. The ring was sold to Elvis by his Memphis jeweler Lowell Hays, and interestingly, Joe Esposito eventually sold the ring back to Lowell Hays in the late 1970s.
Elvis was fond of a variety of stones and gems with the enchanting blue of lapis lazuli being one. Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious stone that has been prized since ancient times for its celestial blue color. Since lapis lazuli is a symbol of royalty, no stone is more fitting to adorn the finger of the King than the offered 14-karat yellow gold ring with a deep blue, oval lapis lazuli stone. The photo presented here shows Elvis boarding a plane in Kansas City, Missouri on his way to a concert in Omaha, Nebraska on April 22, 1976. Though not a photo match, it can be discerned that Elvis is wearing a ring of this style, a blue stone flanked by diamonds, on his left hand. The photo is shown for reference but is not included with the lot.
The ring is accompanied by a copy of a 1978 letter from Lowell Hays detailing the purchase of the ring back from Joe Esposito, as well as a 1980 "Bill of Sale" from the gentlemen to whom Lowell Hays sold the ring, Jack Johnson and James Ledford, when they in turn sold the ring to Mike Moon's Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Whew! A ring this beautiful is likely to get around! Finally, a Certificate of Authenticity from the Moon family's Elvis & Hollywood Legends Museum is included which also details all the history of the ring. The ring remained with Mike Moon's collection for more than 35 years.
The size 9 ring weighs 22.9 grams and presents with the interior stampings worn away. The lapis stone measures 7/16 x 5/8 inches and has an identifiable silver impurity in one small spot. Excellent to Mint condition.