When Kyle Lowry first laid eyes on the prototype for the Toronto Raptors championship ring, he didn't just nod in approval. He stared at it. He walked around the room. He eventually blurted out a string of expletives that would make a sailor blush. Honestly, that was the only appropriate reaction.
You see, this wasn't just a piece of jewelry. It was a 14-carat middle finger to everyone who said a Canadian team couldn't reach the summit of the NBA. Most championship rings are flashy, sure. But the Raptors' 2019 hardware was basically a portable lighthouse. It broke records. It ignored traditions. And it was designed by a guy who spent the summer telling jewelers to "glass it out" with more diamonds.
Why it broke the NBA record books
Most fans know it’s big. They don't realize it's "largest in history" big.
When Baron Championship Rings—a family-run business in Tecumseh, Ontario—won the contract, they knew they had to go nuclear. Peter Kanis, the CEO, has spoken openly about the pressure. You don't just hand a standard ring to a team that just dethroned a dynasty.
The stats are actually ridiculous:
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- Over 650 diamonds in total.
- More than 14 carats of total diamond weight.
- A 1.25-carat solitaire diamond sitting on top of the Larry O’Brien trophy.
That single diamond on the trophy? It’s the largest single diamond ever put on a championship ring in any professional sport. Period. It makes the previous year’s rings look like something you’d find in a cereal box.
The Kyle Lowry touch
If you want to know why the ring looks the way it does, look at Kyle Lowry. He was the official liaison between the players and the designers.
Lowry had a very specific vision. He didn't want the team logo to be the centerpiece. That's what everyone else does. He felt a logo only represented the team, but this win was about the city of Toronto and the entire country of Canada.
He pushed for the Toronto skyline to be front and center.
Look closely at the face of the ring. You’ll see the CN Tower and the Scotiabank Arena. The skyline is "blinged out" with custom-cut baguettes. It’s sitting right on the "North" chevron from the team’s jerseys. Lowry’s logic was simple: make it a showpiece. He wanted his teammates to say "wow" in a spectacular way. He succeeded.
Hidden details you probably missed
There’s a lot of "math" hidden in the sparkle. Every stone has a job.
- 74 diamonds on the face represent the total wins from the regular season and the playoffs combined.
- 16 rubies are set into the side of the ring. Why 16? That’s the number of playoff games it takes to win the title.
- Each ruby sits next to a player’s jersey number.
The inside of the ring is where things get personal. There’s a ruby set inside a maple leaf, a nod to the "We The North" identity. There’s also the series score of the NBA Finals (4-2). But the coolest part? The players got to customize the bottom of the shank.
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Pat McCaw put "Three-Time Champ" on his. Serge Ibaka had a silhouette of Africa engraved. Nick Nurse chose the phrase "Expect the Win." It wasn't just a corporate gift; it was a diary entry in gold.
The Canadian connection
It would have been a PR disaster if a Canadian team won their first title and the rings were made with foreign materials. Thankfully, they weren't.
Every single diamond and every ounce of gold used in these rings was sourced from Canada. This was a huge selling point for Baron Rings. It added a layer of authenticity that the fans really connected with.
Speaking of fans, the Raptors did something pretty unprecedented on opening night. They didn't just give rings to the players and staff. They produced about 20,000 replica rings for every single fan in the arena. Even Nav Bhatia, the "Superfan," received a genuine, player-grade ring. It was a gesture that solidified the bond between the franchise and the city.
Drake’s "other" ring
We can’t talk about the Toronto Raptors championship ring without mentioning the 6ix God himself. Drake wasn't satisfied with the official version he received as a team ambassador.
He commissioned a separate, custom masterpiece from Jason of Beverly Hills.
While the team ring is massive, Drake’s custom version is on another planet. It features over 30 carats of diamonds. The center features a massive Raptor head, and the side has the nickname "The Boy" etched into the band. It’s reportedly worth over $150,000. It’s a bit gaudy, maybe, but perfectly on brand for the guy who spent the entire 2019 season pacing the sidelines like a manic coach.
How to tell if yours is real
Since the 2019 win, the market has been flooded with replicas. You can find "championship rings" on eBay for $20. Obviously, those are made of zinc alloy and glass.
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The real deal—the fan version sold by Baron—usually comes in different tiers.
- The Replica: Given to fans at the arena. Shiny, heavy, but not real gold or diamonds.
- The Fan Ring: Sold to the public. These range from "budget-friendly" to "actual mortgage payment" prices.
- The Player Ring: You probably can't buy this. If you see one for sale, it’s either a scam or a player is in a very tough financial spot.
If you’re looking to buy a high-end fan version, look for the Baron hallmark and the "Canada Mark" on the diamonds. Real Canadian diamonds come with certificates. If it doesn't have a serial number, it’s just a very pretty paperweight.
Why this ring still matters years later
In the world of sports, jewelry is the ultimate proof of life. The Raptors’ 2019 run felt like a fever dream for many. Kawhi’s shot, the overtime wins, the parade that shut down the city for half a day.
The ring is the anchor for those memories. It represents a specific moment in time when Toronto was the center of the basketball universe. It’s a heavy, diamond-encrusted reminder that "We The North" wasn't just a marketing slogan; it was a fact.
Actions to take if you're a collector
- Verify the Maker: Always check for the Baron Championship Rings stamp inside the band.
- Check the Carats: Official mid-tier fan versions usually use 10K or 14K gold; anything less is likely a mass-produced knockoff.
- Sourcing: If you're buying a genuine piece, ask for the "Conflict-Free Canadian Diamond" documentation to ensure it's from the original run.
The 2019 championship season was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Whether you own a $20 plastic replica or a $15,000 fan edition, the weight of that history is exactly the same.