Players, management, and staff of the Oklahoma City Thunder received their bejeweled 2025 NBA Championship rings in an emotional on-court ceremony ahead of their season opener against the Houston Rockets — a game that stretched into double overtime before the Thunder sealed a thrilling 125–124 victory. But the drama wasn’t confined to the court. The evening also marked the debut of one of the most innovative championship rings ever created — an exquisite “ring-in-a-ring” design that fuses fine craftsmanship, gemstone artistry and groundbreaking engineering.
The Thunder’s championship ring dazzles with more than 800 custom-cut, hand-set gemstones set in 14-karat gold. At its crown, the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy gleams amid 100 brilliant diamonds, while the diamond-studded OKC Shield symbolizes unity and resilience. Surrounding this centerpiece, 46 taper-cut blue sapphires and 34 emerald-cut diamonds shimmer along the outer edge — an homage to the Thunder’s bold colors and Oklahoma’s wide-open skies.
Side panels celebrate both team pride and personal achievement. The left proudly proclaims “Oklahoma City,” framed by princess-cut blue sapphires, while the right reads “Thunder,” bordered by a burst of blue and orange sapphires that echo the team’s vibrant spirit. Each player’s name and number appear in yellow gold and diamonds, accented by lightning-bolt motifs that embody the team’s energy and drive. Even the Thunder’s record-breaking 68–14 regular season is immortalized in alternating rows of blue and orange sapphires.
At the heart of the design lies its signature innovation — a removable inner band revealed when the ring’s top opens. This refined inner ring, edged with 94 diamonds, features the player’s signature and jersey number engraved in miniature, along with the numbers of every teammate. Inside, a tiny illustration of the Thunder lifting the championship trophy completes the intimate, wearable tribute. The concept allows players to wear a bold, gem-laden statement piece for special occasions — or the elegant inner ring as an everyday symbol of victory.
Emotional symbolism deepens the artistry. The outer palm side of the ring features an engraving of the Gates of Time and Reflecting Pool at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, surrounded by round sapphires. Inside, the state motto, “Labor Omnia Vincit” — “Work conquers all things” — is inscribed in tribute to Oklahoma’s enduring spirit and the dedication that powered the Thunder’s first-ever NBA title.
“This ring is a fusion of artistry, engineering and storytelling,” said Chris Poitras, SVP & GM of The Champions Collective, the Jostens division that designed the piece. “Every detail — from the sapphire palette to the modular ring-in-ring construction — was created to honor Oklahoma City’s championship journey.”
Credits: Images courtesy of The Champions Collective, a Jostens Company.