Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, you didn't just watch basketball. You watched a coronation that lasted a decade. We all remember the shrug, the flu game, and the "Last Shot" in Utah. But for the players, the ultimate receipt for all that sweat and internal drama wasn't the trophy—it was the jewelry. The chicago bulls championship rings are more than just gold and diamonds; they are a literal timeline of a dynasty that refused to lose.
Six rings. Two three-peats. Zero Finals losses.
That kind of perfection is rare. Kinda impossible by today’s standards, really. Each ring was designed to tell a very specific story about that season's struggle. They weren't just pumping out the same design every year. They got bigger, heavier, and way more expensive as the 90s rolled on.
The First Three: Building the Foundation
When the Bulls finally got past the Pistons in '91, the relief was palpable. That first ring reflects that. It's almost "modest" compared to what came later. It features the classic Bulls logo on a black onyx stone, surrounded by 30 diamonds. Simple. Elegant. It says, "We finally arrived."
Then came 1992. The "Back to Back" era.
This one stepped it up. They used 33 diamonds to spell out "BULLS" over a black stone, but they added 28 baguette diamonds around the edge. You’ve probably seen the photos—it’s the one where the gold starts looking a bit thicker. It commemorated a 67-15 regular season, which, at the time, felt like the ceiling.
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The 1993 ring is where things got weirdly creative. It’s got a triangular shape—a nod to the "Triple-Post" or triangle offense that Phil Jackson made famous. The center is a red garnet shaped like a Bull's head. It’s got "3-Peat" engraved on the side. They really thought that was the end of the story.
Nobody knew Michael was about to go play baseball in a Birmingham Barons jersey.
The Second Three: The "Greatest Team Ever" Era
Fast forward to 1996. Jordan is back. Rodman is there. They win 72 games.
The 1996 ring is a monster. It has 72 diamonds around the bezel. Think about that—one diamond for every single regular-season win. In the center, there are four mini-trophies, because by then, the Bulls had four titles. It’s heavy. It’s flashy. It’s arguably the most famous of the bunch because it represents the "Greatest Team Ever."
- 1997: This one is unique because it used a polished 14-karat gold base with a platinum Bulls logo. It has 46 diamonds total.
- 1998: The "Last Dance" ring. Five trophies on one side, and the big number 6 on the other. It’s the heaviest of the set.
What most people don’t realize is that these rings weren't just for MJ or Scottie Pippen. Every staff member, from the trainers to the security guards, got something. Long-time Bulls security guard John Capps, who became a minor celebrity during The Last Dance documentary, actually had a full set of all six rings. When his set went to auction at Sotheby's in 2020, it became a massive deal for collectors.
The Price of Greatness (Literally)
You’re probably wondering what these things are actually worth. Well, a lot.
A player-issued ring from one of the "smaller" names on the roster can easily fetch $60,000 to $100,000 at auction. If a Michael Jordan original ever hit the open market? You’re looking at millions. Even the "staff" rings—which are real gold and diamonds but sometimes slightly smaller—go for $20,000 to $30,000.
There are plenty of replicas out there for $20 on eBay. They look okay from five feet away, but they’re usually made of zinc alloy. The real ones? They feel like carrying a small rock on your finger.
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Why the 1993 Ring is the Collector's Favorite
There’s a lot of debate among sports historians about which ring is the "best." Most fans point to '96 because of the 72 wins. But purists love the '93 ring.
Why? Because of the garnet.
Most championship rings are just a sea of white diamonds. The 1993 ring uses that deep red stone to make the Bulls logo pop. It looks aggressive. It looks like the team felt that year—exhausted, angry, and determined to get the third one before the wheels fell off.
How to Value a Real Bulls Ring
If you ever find yourself in a position to buy a piece of this history, you have to be careful. The market is flooded with fakes. Real chicago bulls championship rings have very specific markers:
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- Manufacturer Marks: Most were made by Jostens or Balfour. Look for the 14K stamp inside the band.
- Weight: A real 1998 ring is incredibly dense. Replicas feel hollow or "tinny."
- Diamond Quality: The Bulls didn't use "cloudy" stones. They used high-quality, brilliant-cut diamonds.
- The Name: Real player rings have the name deeply engraved on the shank, not just etched on the surface.
The 1990s Bulls didn't just win; they dominated the culture. These rings are the physical evidence of that dominance. When you look at all six together, you see the evolution of a team from hungry underdogs to global icons. It’s a level of success we might never see again in the NBA.
If you’re looking to start a collection, start by researching auction houses like Heritage or Sotheby's. Don't trust "authentic" listings on social media without a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) from a reputable source. Owning a piece of the 90s dynasty is the ultimate goal for any basketball fan, but you’ve got to do your homework first.
Practical Next Steps for Collectors
- Verify Provenance: Always ask for the original presentation box and any paperwork linking the ring to a specific player or staff member.
- Check the Year: Different years have different "tells." For example, the 1996 ring must have 72 diamonds on the bezel; any other count is a red flag.
- Consult an Appraiser: Before dropping five figures, have a professional jeweler check the gold purity and diamond quality to ensure it's not a high-end "super-fake."
- Follow the Auctions: Keep an eye on the "Ring of Honor" news from the Bulls organization, as legacy events often cause a spike in the market value of original memorabilia.