Elvis Presley's Personally Owned 0.50ct Ruby, Emerald, and Solid 10K Yellow Gold Lion Head Ring W/LOA From Sam Thompson - This gold lion head shaped ring was personally owned by Elvis Presley. The ring is crafted of 0k yellow gold and has an approximately 0.50ct ruby in the mouth and emerald accents for eyes. The ring was eventually given by Elvis to Sam Thompson, Elvis' good friend and personal bodyguard. Sam Thompson met Elvis in 1972 when Elvis was dating his sister, Linda Thompson, and Sam was working as a police officer in Memphis. Elvis and Sam became fast friends, and Sam went on to head security on several tours before becoming Elvis' personal bodyguard in 1976. The pair were such good friends that Elvis purchased a home in Memphis for Sam in 1973, and Thompson accompanied Elvis on what would be his "Last Vacation" in Hawaii in March, 1977. The ring comes with a letter of authenticity from Thompson which states in part, "During this period of time, Elvis gave me many gifts and all of them spontaneously. In January 1977 while celebrating Elvis' 42nd birthday in his Chino Canyon home in Palm Springs, Dr. Max Shapiro was married to his fiance at the Chino Canyon home by Larry Geller...Afterwards, I admired a ring Elvis was wearing. He took it off and handed it to me and I put it on my finger and he told me to keep it. Ring size: 9.5. (WEIGHT: 9.7 grams)