Elvis adored bling. He enjoyed having and giving it.
Lowell Hays says. Presley’s jeweler from 1969 until 1977, Hays would know.
Hays, 30, worked at his father’s Memphis-renowned diamond company. Hays was called to the Memphian Theater on Christmas Eve 1969 to meet a special customer.
Elvis was the client.
“His doctor, Dr. Nick, was my dad’s friend, his doctor, and I had gotten to know him pretty well as a friend and customer as well,” Hays recalled of George Nichopoulos, Presley’s famed and contentious personal physician.
The Graceland-dwelling Tupelo native.
Elvis had no Christmas gifts for his family, so Hays was summoned to the Memphian. Elvis requested a variety of jewelry.
“He knew I was a jeweler because of my Memphis reputation, and Dr. Nick had recommended that he call me,” Hays recalled. “He did, and I got out of bed, dressed, and went to the Memphian Theater.”
Hays entered the theater with his brown leather case. Elvis couldn’t view Hays’ jewels privately. He brought Hays to the men’s room.
“He folded down a toilet seat and sat on it and asked me to set my case on his lap, which I did,” Hays claimed. He bought three diamonds from my choosing. His father, Aunt Delta, and girlfriend received one each. My first Elvis sale.”
Hays had met Elvis before, but that was their first commercial transaction.
“Dr. Nick took me to Graceland one night earlier this year. Hays remembered the rain and chill. “When we got there, he was in his backyard, laying down in a prone position and shooting at a target in his dad’s office.
“That’s how my relationship with Elvis began,” Hays added.
Elvis called Hays everytime he wanted to buy jewelry. Hays says Elvis bought 200 items from him throughout their almost eight-year friendship.
Hays saw Elvis often. Elvis flew Dr. Nick to Las Vegas in 1970. Hays joined.
Hays said, “You bet I would.” In 1970, Elvis and I got to know each other, and I would go back to Vegas occasionally.”
Elvis advised Hays to bring his valuables when he visited Memphis.
“He said he was always looking to buy new pieces and gifts for friends,” Hays added. “Everywhere I went with Elvis, I brought a case of jewelry with stuff he liked to get.”
Elvis liked diamonds and gold. He preferred sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
“He likes the bling,” Hays laughed.
Hays traveled with Elvis to gigs around the country, always bringing jewels. He stated Elvis bought more jewels for pals than for himself.
Hays stated, “He gave away almost all the jewelry he bought and hardly had any for himself when he died.
Hays could make personalized items for the King since his father’s jewelry store manufactured jewelry rather than buying it. Hays sells reproductions of his Elvis jewelry molds online. In 2005, he shuttered his family’s 68-year-old store.
“They sell worldwide,” he remarked.
Elvis requested the TCB jewelry from Hays in 1970. The 14K gold charm necklace costs $250 and the 1 carat diamond necklace costs $3,000. The website sells rings, necklaces, earrings, and crosses.
Hays always visited Elvis late at night in Memphis, so he called for a police escort.
“They wanted to meet him too,” Hays added.
Naturally, Elvis paid Hays for his jewels
Hays claimed Elvis wanted a ring that people would easily recognize as Elvis. “So I made it, and he liked it—but he gave it away. He informed me he was traveling to Hawaii and requested me to design a beautiful display ring. I did that, and George handed that away.”
When Elvis returned to Memphis, Hays sat down with him to choose what he wanted to preserve.
Elvis wants a large TCB-logo ring. Hays said he wanted black and bling.
“I designed the iconic big onyx TCB ring,” Hays remarked. I created it, carried it to Graceland, and we sat at the dining table beneath that lovely chandelier. He lighted up when he saw it. ‘Man, even Sammy Davis Jr. doesn’t have a ring like this. Let Liberace see this.
Hays claimed he departed with an invoice for the ring and a new Lincoln Mark IV in front. He wanted to present it to me since he understood how hard I worked on it.
Hays didn’t keep the automobile since it was too huge and hard to drive, unlike his Porsche 911S.
“If I kept it, it would be worth a fortune,” he remarked.
Hays, 84, hopes to keep crafting and selling jewelry.
“It’s just blowing and going,” he remarked. Graceland’s gift shop offers a lot of my stuff. Too much fun. I’m in business with family, and it’ll last.”
Hays lovingly recalls his 30s touring with Elvis, gaining numerous memories and experiences.
“Wild fun and crazy time in my life,” he remarked.