AuctionsSep 09, 2021
Marie Antoinette Diamonds Expected to Fetch $2M-$4M at AuctionAuctionsOct 14, 2021
Al Capone’s Jewels Smash Auction Estimates
The top watch and jewelry lots included Capone’s Patek Philippe pocket watch and a diamond tie bar.
A framed vintage hand-colored silver print of Al Capone and his son, Sonny, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, circa 1925. This print was among the lots at Witherell’s “A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” auction, alongside jewelry, watches, and other items.
Sacramento—Businessman-turned-gangster Al Capone is one of the most notorious figures in American pop culture.
Items from his estate hit the auction block at Witherell’s in Sacramento, California last week, prompting auction-goers to pay top dollar to take home a piece of history.
“A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” featured jewelry, watches, firearms, vintage photographs, furniture, and other items once belonging to the infamous name, which sold for more than $3 million total.
When Capone died in 1947, his widow, Mae Capone, moved into the guest quarters of their Palm Island, Florida mansion and left the main house untouched until its sale in 1952.
She passed heirlooms on to their only child, Sonny Capone, and to his daughters, Barbara, Diane, and Ronnie.
Al Capone’s granddaughters helped to orchestrate the auction, hoping to share their view of him with the world after living most of their lives out of the spotlight in Northern California.
While the public remembers Capone for his gangster reputation and life of crime, his family remembers him differently, a view shared by Diane Capone in her 2019 book, “Al Capone: Stories My Grandmother Told Me.”
“What people don’t know is his personal story as a father and grandfather and his painful path of redemption while at Alcatraz,” Diane said in a press release about the auction.
“That is the unknown Capone I talk about in my book, and it’s the story that comes to life with these family treasures.”
The top-selling lot was a Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, said to have been Al Capone’s favorite .45 firearm.
It sold for $1 million, exceeding its $100,000 to $150,000 estimate by a country mile.
The top lot in the jewelry/watches category was Al Capone’s Patek Philippe pocket watch, seen above, with 90 single-cut diamonds (0.02 carats each/VS clarity/EF) with a platinum contract case featuring a signed dial and movement.
It sold for $229,900, far surpassing its $25,000 to $50,000 estimate.
A 14-karat white gold and diamond monogram “AC” pendant, seen above, sold for $82,280, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
The above platinum Haynes Stellite pocketknife, set with 20 single-cut diamonds to spell “Al,” sold for $78,650, surpassing its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Capone’s diamond tie bar (above), set with 21 single-cut diamonds, each .005 carats, VVS, and D, E, or F in color, sold for $22,990, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Capone’s 14-karat white gold matchbook cover, set with 63 diamonds, sold for $36,300, far exceeding its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Other jewels up for auction included money clips, cufflinks, and stick pins, all of which sold for above their estimates.
Related stories will be right here …
Items from his estate hit the auction block at Witherell’s in Sacramento, California last week, prompting auction-goers to pay top dollar to take home a piece of history.
“A Century of Notoriety: The Estate of Al Capone” featured jewelry, watches, firearms, vintage photographs, furniture, and other items once belonging to the infamous name, which sold for more than $3 million total.
When Capone died in 1947, his widow, Mae Capone, moved into the guest quarters of their Palm Island, Florida mansion and left the main house untouched until its sale in 1952.
She passed heirlooms on to their only child, Sonny Capone, and to his daughters, Barbara, Diane, and Ronnie.
Al Capone’s granddaughters helped to orchestrate the auction, hoping to share their view of him with the world after living most of their lives out of the spotlight in Northern California.
While the public remembers Capone for his gangster reputation and life of crime, his family remembers him differently, a view shared by Diane Capone in her 2019 book, “Al Capone: Stories My Grandmother Told Me.”
“What people don’t know is his personal story as a father and grandfather and his painful path of redemption while at Alcatraz,” Diane said in a press release about the auction.
“That is the unknown Capone I talk about in my book, and it’s the story that comes to life with these family treasures.”
The top-selling lot was a Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, said to have been Al Capone’s favorite .45 firearm.
It sold for $1 million, exceeding its $100,000 to $150,000 estimate by a country mile.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
The top lot in the jewelry/watches category was Al Capone’s Patek Philippe pocket watch, seen above, with 90 single-cut diamonds (0.02 carats each/VS clarity/EF) with a platinum contract case featuring a signed dial and movement.
It sold for $229,900, far surpassing its $25,000 to $50,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
A 14-karat white gold and diamond monogram “AC” pendant, seen above, sold for $82,280, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
The above platinum Haynes Stellite pocketknife, set with 20 single-cut diamonds to spell “Al,” sold for $78,650, surpassing its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
Capone’s diamond tie bar (above), set with 21 single-cut diamonds, each .005 carats, VVS, and D, E, or F in color, sold for $22,990, well above its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
(Photo Credit: Sheldon Carpenter/Witherell's Inc.)
Capone’s 14-karat white gold matchbook cover, set with 63 diamonds, sold for $36,300, far exceeding its $2,500 to $5,000 estimate.
Other jewels up for auction included money clips, cufflinks, and stick pins, all of which sold for above their estimates.
More on Auctions
The Latest
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.
