Elvis Presley was known for his ostentatious taste — just take it from his collection of embellished jumpsuits and colorful Cadillacs. The king of rock’s love of luxury naturally extended to jewelry. Presley amassed a large assortment of rings, bracelets, medallions and other accessories crafted with precious metals and gemstones.
Some of Presley’s most iconic pieces were his coveted “TCB” rings. He famously gifted one to a friend on stage during a 1975 concert in Asheville, North Carolina. Ahead, learn more about Presley’s prized bauble, which is now worth more than triple its original price.
What are Presley’s “TCB” rings?
Presley’s longtime jeweler Lowell Hays crafted more than one “TCB” ring for the rock ‘n’ roll legend. Designed by Presley himself, the original piece features 14 karats of yellow gold and almost 10 carats of diamonds. During that 1975 concert in Asheville, Presley revealed that he paid $40,000 for the impressive sparkler.
Weighing 34.2 grams, the size 10 band is adorned with a 7.56-carat round-cut diamond and 2.25 carats of accent stones. A halo of diamonds surrounds the large gem, while additional jewels garnish each letter and the two lightning bolt emblems on each side of the ring.
The initials “TCB” reference one of Presley’s favorite mottos: “taking care of business.” He famously picked up the phrase after returning to live performances in 1968. The singer took a seven-year hiatus to focus on his film career, fronting a string of musical flicks including “Blue Hawaii” and “Viva Las Vegas.”
Presley also performed with a group of musicians called the TCB Band, who served as his core rhythm section from 1969 to 1977.
Hays crafted several other “TCB” pieces for Presley. He made gold pendant necklaces and cuff links bearing the acronym, as well as another “TCB” ring, which was worth $60,000 when Presley purchased it in 1975. The updated “TCB” ring features an 11.5-carat diamond plated in black onyx.
This piece of jewelry is on display at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
Who did Presley give the original “TCB” ring to?
Presley frequently gifted his cars and jewelry to close friends and family members. This includes his original “TCB” ring, which he gave to J.D. Sumner in 1975. Presley was just a teenager when he first met Sumner, who at the time played with a band called the Blackwood Brothers. Sumner later formed his own group, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps. In 1971, Presley hired them as his backup musicians. Sumner and Presley remained friendly until the latter’s death in 1977.
How much is it worth now?
The value of Presley’s original “TCB” ring has more than quadrupled. Kruse GWS has managed multiple auctions for the piece, with the most recent sale taking place in August 2023. The ring fetched a record high of $691,200.
