Luxury Products Archives
Gab on The New Solid Gold Nokia Cell Phone!
Nokia has officially released this Sirocco Gold cell phone which features white gold accents and 18-carat gold plating.
...and don't gab on the phone while you drive with this puppy..you might cause more than just your own accident.....
Via: Luxury Launches
$85,000 Gold and Diamond Teddy Bear? Believe It!
The German teddy bear company, Steiff is responsible for the production of many expensive collectible bears and also the most expensive teddy bear ever made. The Steiff company claims to have made the world’s first teddy bear and is has made this golden bear to commemorate its 125th anniversary.
The expensive bear has a mouth made of solid gold and fur made from gold thread. Topping off the teddy bear are jeweled eyes featuring sapphire pupils with diamond irises.
There are only 125 of these puppies made..so go get yours now!
Via: Most-Expensive.net
Solid Gold Ipod!!
Not quite sure what this world is coming to, given that we now have access to a solid gold Ipod!
I'm not really sure how to comment on this one, except to let you get the scoop for yourself.
Via: NJDiamonds
Check Out This Diamond Studded Mercedes!
It is truly unbelievable how everything today is open game for bling bling!
Check out this incredible Mercedes Benz studded with bling!
For more pictures please go to the source.
Real Diamond Flip Flops For The Beach!!
Pushing the envelope even further........how about diamonds across your flip-flops? Moszkito makes flip-flops with real diamonds!
The Snake Charmer flip-flop features 24 round, full-cut, high quality diamonds (6 carats total) on a black leather shoe. The Moszkito Arch Sandals offer more support than a traditional flip-flop and comes in a variety of price ranges, styles and colors.
Via: Luxist
Diamond Encrusted Skull Will Be Most Expensive Work Of Art
British artist and sculptor, Damien Hirst is no stranger to extreme forms of artistic expression. Compared with the epic works that have made his name - the shark in formaldehyde, the bisected cow - Damien Hirst's work in progress is a small, delicate object: a life-size human skull.
This skull will be cast in platinum and encased entirely in diamonds - some 8,500 in all.
It will be the most expensive work of art ever created, costing between £8m and £10m.
Unveiling his latest work exclusively to The Observer, Hirst said: 'We have been buying diamonds slowly and have worked out that it will take about eight and half thousand to completely cover the surface of the skull.'
The Skull Beneath the Skin
Silkscreen with diamond dust on Somerset satin 410gsm
100 x 66.7cm, 2005
Edition of 155 by Damien Hirst
The skull above is a previous effort by Damien Hirst. The new diamond skull will by far eclipse this work in terms of effort, cost, and value.
Hirst, who was in London for meetings with his partners in this venture , Bond Street jewellers Bentley & Skinner, added: 'The biggest expense will be the 50-carat beauty that will sit on the forehead. That one alone will cost in the region of £3m to £5m. It is certainly the biggest single undertaking by a jeweller since the Crown jewels'.
Hirst, 40, who was recently ranked as the most powerful individual in the contemporary art world by Art Review magazine, and is reported to be worth £100m.
Here is Hirst in his own words:
"This will be a lot less stressful than putting a bloody great shark in a tank of formaldehyde'".
I just want to celebrate life by saying to hell with death. What better way of saying that than by taking the ultimate symbol of death and covering it in the ultimate symbol of luxury, desire and decadence? The only part of the original skull that will remain will be the teeth. You need that grotesque element for it to work as a piece of art. God is in the details and all that.'
I've always adhered to the principle that the simplest ideas are the best, and this will be the ultimate two fingers up to death. I want people to see it and be astounded. I want them to gasp.
If it's vulgar, I'll put it on a chain and hang it round my neck - or I'll stick it on the mantelpiece."
The diamond-encrusted skull, entitled 'For the Love of God', is projected to fetch up to £50m.
Ferrari Goes Platinum and Diamonds!
Maranello, Italy—Luxury jewelry brand Damiani will serve as a sponsor of a relay honoring the 60th anniversary of Ferrari.
The relay began in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 28, and will circle the world, passing through every continent and country. More than 10,000 Ferarri owners and their cars will participate in the relay before it concludes in Maranello on June 24.
Damiani worked with Ferrari to create the relay baton, which features the Ferrari logo, a prancing horse, in platinum and diamonds.
This baton, created by Damiani for a relay honoring Ferrari's 60th anniversary, features a platinum and diamond prancing horse.
The cars involved in the relay will feature the Damiani logo. Other sponsors of the event include Alcoa, Post-It, Puma, Shell and System 3.
The tour will stop in the United States in Miami from March 10-11; in San Francisco on March 22; in Los Angeles on March 24; and in New York and Washington, D.C., on March 31.
Damiani is a third-generation Italian brand founded in 1924 in Valenza, Italy, by master jeweler Enrico Grasso Damiani.
BBQ Grill Covered In Gold!
For those of you "grill geeks" who spend all summer long out in the back with a pair of tongs in your hands, while standing over a smoking BBQ grill, check this puppy out!!
This grill is being touted as the world’s first fully operational gold-plated barbecue. All parts of the US$12,500 grill except for the cooking surfaces have been individually plated and dipped in 24 carat gold. Beef Eater tricked out one of its range-topping Signature Series 6 Burner SL4000 to create a uniquely lavish gold plated barbecue, “for those who want to make a statement with their barbecue and have the money to burn.”
According to BeefEater Managing Director, Peter Woodland, “it’s for the man who has everything and wants more.” The one of a kind barbecue features six high output burners plus a wok burner, roasting hood with viewing window and warming rack, quartz ignition, vaporizer grid and reflector system.
This is quite literally the most direct way of "burning your money" that I have ever seen!
Via: Gizmag
Treat Yourself To A Pure Gold Facial!
It sounds too good to be true...right?
Well if you have 30,000 per session, you are more than welcome to indulge yourself with this company's patented new facial in 24 carat gold!!
This is one waste of money you will actually feel all over your face....
I'm not really sure what kind of twisted or perverse logic or motivation there would be for even the wealthiest person to make use of this treatment...but hey...I've seen crazier things before.....maybe?
Via: Japundit
24kt. Gold Dipped Roses Makes The Perfect Gift!
I know Mother's Day is past us and what I am about to propose is not exactly an "ideal gift" for Dad...(Father's Day coming up..)
However, there really is no reason not to buy a gift for your significant other...just because it isn't Mothers Day!!
Indeed, my Mom always says, "every day is Mother's Day".
Boy is she right!
Think Gold Dipped Roses!
The Cream to Red Forever Rose is a carefully selected rose at the peak of its beauty and perfectly preserved in a durable lacquer shell and completed with a rich 24K gold finish (gold plated) to create a breathtaking masterpiece for your life-time enjoyment.. With over 40 meticulous steps and five days of hand work by skilled artisans and technicians, each forever rose is one-of-a-kind, unique and everlasting, like your love! The perfect gift for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Birthdays, Weddings, Christmas, or any occasion that warrants such a unique and precious gift. A wonderful way to show someone special that your love will last forever!
Each rose comes complete in a decorative gift box and a fact sheet telling the story of "The Forever Rose". All Forever Rose products come with an unconditional money back guarantee!
I just bought one for my wife!
A Cocktail Drink Served With Real Diamonds!
Just when you thought you heard it all...here is a new one for you!
Diamonds in your drink!
The "diamond-tini", a cocktail with a hint of lime and chilled Belvedere vodka over a 1.06-carat stone, is topping the Ritz-Carlton beverage menu at a cool 1.8 million yen ($15,000).
That price includes drink preparations table side, a serenade of "Diamonds are Forever" as a cut stone slides to the martini glass bottom, and later a ring mounting by a local jeweler.
What is the the Most Prestigious Retail Brand?
What's in a name?
If you said Tiffany's...You're wrong!
If you said Harry Winston... You're wrong!
If you said Neiman-Marcus...You're wrong!
If you said Cartier...You're wrong!
If you said Van Cleef and Arpels...You're wrong!
If you said Bulgari...You're wrong!
If you said Vuitton...You're wrong!
Give up?
Try Bergdorf-Goodman.
Yes, Bergdorf-Goodman!
A survey of the wealthiest consumers in the United States ranked Bergdorf Goodman as the country's “most prestigious traditional luxury retail brand.”
The 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey, conducted by the New York City-based Luxury Institute, asked 1,500 wealthy consumers in the US to rate eight traditional luxury brands including Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Brooks Brothers, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Those surveyed have an average income of $319,000 and an average net worth of $3 million, the institute stated.
The results showed that Bergdorf Goodman ranked as the favorite, while its parent company Neiman Marcus came in second and Nordstrom a close third. Although not on the list, Internet retailer Vivre scored extremely high marks across the board, earning it an unofficial honorable mention.
"This category's rankings are generally stable, although the addition this year of ratings for the growing luxury e-tailer category changes the overall ratings dynamics significantly," said Milton Pedraza, chief executive officer of the Luxury Institute. "Wealthy consumers tell us that highly exclusive e-tailer Vivre outscores all traditional luxury retailers when the sub-categories are combined. No other e-tailer comes close."
"While smaller, and not as well known, Vivre has managed to become a highly exclusive e-tailer at a transitional time in the history of luxury when wealthy consumers tell us that a trusted brand, exclusive product relevance, convenience, and security are the hallmarks of a great luxury retailing website, and that offline presence matters far less than executives believe," Pedraza added.
Diamond Studded Skull Getting Big Press!
A short while ago I blogged on Diamond Vues regarding Damien Hirst's new creation; an incredible diamond encrusted skull.
Well, since that time, this diamond skull has garnered tremendous attention in the press and on the Internet.
Heres are a few links to a web forum discussion and article regarding the diamond coated skull.
It seems people are really intrigued by a diamond skull worth a whopping $98 million dollars!!!
Cartier "Love Day" is June 8, 2007
Cartier has launched a new promotional campaign called "Love Day", which is being celebrated on June 8, 2007.
For more information, visit Cartier
Luxury Goods and Poor Service
A recent Luxury Institute survey found that more than half of shoppers are unhappy with their experience at luxury-goods stores.
In a survey of 17 brands, Hermes was best and Fendi worst.
Luxury Institute boss, Milton Pedraza indicated that the ideal barometer for a luxury goods company is an 80% rate of satisfied customers.
Seems that some of these companies are getting a failing grade.................
Remember The Slinky? Get One In Gold.
Guys,
Remember the slinky craze?
This company just brought it back in 14kt. gold plate with a special presentation case for just $69 bucks!
Via: Luxury Launches
Pure Gold Shoes On Display
I'm not quite sure how comfortable these shoes are...but they certainly do make a statement!!
The shoes are said to be made of up-to-680g pure gold by an Italian designer in Wuhu, Anhui Province under the invitation from World Gold Council. There is no information available on its price.
Via: Born Rich
Luxury Retailers on the Internet ? Look Again.
Consumers are increasing their buying of high ticket items on the Internet but Luxury Retailers are not keeping up with this demand and not selling their products on their web sites. You have to go into their store in order to buy.
More on this puzzle here:
Tiffany Diamond Engagement Rings: Joining The Faceless Crowd?
Shares of Tiffany and Co. jumped more than 6 percent on Monday, following speculation that LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton has shown interest in purchasing the luxury retailer, according to a Reuters report.
Reuters reported on Monday that Tiffany shares had closed up nearly 4 percent at $51.91, after rising to $53.36 on the New York Stock Exchange. A total of 5.6 million shares traded in Tiffany in composite trading, according to Reuters data.
Market research firm Track Data reported that 21,395 calls, compared to 1,951, puts changed hands in Tiffany, nearly 11 times its average daily volume.
Among the busiest options were the July calls permitting market participants to acquire Tiffany shares for $55 each, Reuters reported. With strike prices of $3 above the spot stock price, cost 55 cents a contract, up 45 cents on the day, Reuters reported.
Earlier this year, Tiffany said it retained Evercore Partners to advise on two potential transactions, according to Reuters.
Say it ain't so, Joe. The venerated and distinctive Tiffany name possibly gobbled up by a larger faceless corporate entity much the same way family owned Harry Winston was bought by the Aber Mining Corp. of Canada two years ago. Just not the same.
What's this?
Just not the same.
Diamond Accesories: What Will They Think of Next?
The celebrities and the rich love their gadgets covered in diamonds, which we have chronicled on this Blog with photos showing diamond covered cellphones, cars, watches and laptops, bras, and headgear.
What's next you may ask?
Here it is!
Diamonds for your Sneakers that fit on via a jewel-encrusted shoelace clip.
The Kickbar shines with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds that are set in white gold. If you’re loaded and want something special for your pricey sneakers then these $7500 Kickbars are the right accessory for you.
54 G color, VS1 diamonds pave set into the rectangular bar (a total weight of 2 carats).
Pretty sure you'll be seeing your favorite Rap Stars wearing these very soon.
Now, THAT's What I'M Talkin' ABOUT!
A Diamond Studded Saucepan!!
Hmm... just wondering what kind of market this diamond covered saucepan would cater to??
This saucepan is covered with 200 diamonds!
Via: Luxist
$12 Million Dollar Wedding Dress, Not For Everyone!
Jeweler Martin Katz and dressmaker Renee Strauss teamed up to create the most expensive wedding dress on record, featuring a stunning 150 carats worth of diamonds sewn throughout the dress.
Via: Diamond Blog
A MacBook Computer In Pure Gold!
Barry points to this beautiful (and ostentatious..) Apple MacBook computer layered in pure gold!!
TUAW, is showing a one-off example MacBook Pro, which features gold-plating on the aluminum casing which they also paint match on the keyboard and trackpad as well as re-engrave the keyboard letters. In addition, you can even replace the Apple with "your logo in diamonds."
Buy yours today!!
Jacob The Jeweler Now Selling Vodka!
Jacob The Jeweler, known for his "blinged out watches," is currently being investigated for allegedly using his watch empire to launder $270 million in drug money.
Well, it seems Jacob has recently turned his interests to Vodka and is now manufacturing a new Vodka brand of his own exclusive label!
Luxist reports, the new Vodka is named for Jacob...and is actually his own name spelled backwards..."Bocaj".
We wish him all the best of luck with his new Vodka.........he's probably gonna need it during his featured trial and verdict. :-) ;-)
An IPhone for $40,000!!
Alexander Amosu, the London based mobile entrepreneur, is offering a limited edition iPhone with 420 diamonds totaling 5.65 carats set in 18k white or yellow gold. The phone is available with a choice of white, black or pink sapphires. The Diamond iPhone went on sale November 9, with a starting price of $41k!
Get yours!
Get Your Cartier Umbrella Ring Tree
I saw this beautiful vintage Cartier silver umbrella ring tree on Ralph Lauren.com.
I thought it would make a perfect Holiday gift...until I noticed that it "sold out".
Not sure if that means it was a one-of-a-kind piece, or whether it was simply being sold in limited quantities...
Oh well...
$62,000 Lipstick With Diamonds!
French cosmetics house Guerlain is releasing KissKiss Gold and Diamonds this week, and for the $62,000 price tag you'll get a consultation with Guerlain's artistic director Olivier Echaudemaison and a lipstick shade customized just for you that comes in an 18-karat gold lipstick tube encrusted with 199 conflict-free diamonds, plus rubies and emeralds. It can be engraved and comes in a black lacquer case with a suede pouch.
Via: Luxist
Sit On a $75,000 'Blinged Out' Toilet! {Pic.}
This incredible toilet comes from the “Isis” collection featuring blinged-out bathroom fixtures designed by Jemal Wright of Hollywood, Florida.
The iced-out toilet is fully encrusted with Swarvoski crystals. The artist also has a matching sink up for sale.
For the small asking price of $75,000...um.....you could...uh...defecate like a king!
A Solid Gold Christams Tree For An Honorable Cause
This Christmas Tree was designed and created by Steve Quick Jeweler in time for this holiday season. The tree was created by this special company for a beautiful and honorable cause, to help people who are battling cancer.
It is my pleasure to bring this effort to the attention of our many readers and encourage you to patronize this company.
Here is the initiative in their own words....
"Our tree was created to bring hope and help to people battling cancer. To us, helping others is priceless! Weighing 5 pounds of solid 18 karat gold, decorated with 250 carats of diamonds and topped with a 4.52 carat round brilliant cut diamond set in a platinum star, our tree is valued at over $500,000.00!
Creating the tree was a lengthy process which used innovative techniques just invented. Designing the tree took many months and the wax carving, which created the lifelike detail, added many weeks. The casting process required specialized equipment, which was purchased and specially modified for this project. The tree is made of reclaimed gold so even though it appears very yellow, it is actually quite “green”! After weeks of assembling and decorating, our end result is spectacular.
The official unveiling of the tree will be on December 7th at 6:00 pm and it will be on display in our store through the holiday season. Then, beginning December 17th, the tree will be auctioned on eBay. 100% of the profits will be donated to the American Cancer Society. We have also registered the tree with the Guinness Book of World Records (claim #204422) and are awaiting our final designation and category for a record attempt.
Wishing you the hope and joy of the holiday season,
Steve Quick Jeweler
Another Diamond Studded Bra For You {Pics.}
A model wears a bra made of over 2,500 diamonds weighing over 100 carats, which is worth 10 million yuan, at a department store in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province Dec. 8, 2007. (Xinhuanet Photo)
Thanks Tamar
Are These Diamond Earphones For You??
Jeweller Thomas Heyerdahl in Oslo / Norway is launching ”iDiamond ear” for commercial sale.
Earlier this year, Heyerdahl created the world’s most expensive iPod, named ”iDiamond”. This was crafted as one unique and single piece of jewellery, not for commercial sale, and will be auctioned away for charitable cause in London 13th of March 2008.
Apple earbud headphones are covered in 18k gold and feature 204 brilliant cut diamonds. There will be only 1,000 pairs created, which will be numbered and sold exclusively in the Heyerdahl store starting this upcoming February. $6,400
Via: Luxist
What Precious Commodity Do Wealthy People Value The Most??
Hmm... well, I would say wealthy people value diamonds, jewelry and precious metal the most. After all, these are the surest symbols of a persons material success.
Well, think again.
The answer my friends, is TIME.
Yes, the most valuable and elusive commodity wealthy people desire above all else, is TIME, plain and simple.
Time is the ultimate luxury
For many wealthy people, the biggest luxury is having more time. Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of all respondents believe their wealth has brought them more leisure time, while more than half of respondents believe that it has allowed them to spend more or better quality time with their family, the findings show.
More often, wealth brings people greater opportunities for how they spend their time. However, respondents in the higher wealth brackets also are more likely to say that increased wealth has brought them more stress, according to the report.
Buying time
Avoiding stress and saving time is encouraging more wealthy individuals invest in services that help them make travel arrangements, select and purchase clothes and household goods, as well as cooking and cleaning services according to the report. More wealthy people plan to make greater use of time saving services such as private jets and personal shoppers. They also want more services brought into their homes, such as a fitness trainer.
The use of private jets by the wealthy is also set to increase significantly around the world with over half of the respondents in the US and Canada (64 per cent), Italy (58 per cent), Singapore (56 per cent) and Portugal (51 per cent) planning to fly privately as they prefer this to first-class services on airlines.
Via: Barclays
$20,000 Diamond Studded Blackberry Case!
Have $20,000 to spend?
Check this out!
From Case-Mate comes this diamond encrusted case with 3.5 carats and 15 grams of gold that will give your BlackBerry Curve that blinged out look. It’s valued at $20,000!
Try checking your e-mails with all of this bling going on!
Via: ChipChick
A Belt With A Platinum Buckle For $18,000
Kale Miles is a small men’s-accessories company whose belts usually run $240 to $380. This one is $18,000. Kale Miles designer Kristina Pitaniello and co-founder Bill Miles were recently asked what makes their belt cost more than a car, or 400 times more than the $45 version from Banana Republic.
The bulk of the price comes from the buckle: It’s platinum, about seven-to-eight ounces’ worth. Currently, an ounce of platinum is $1555. If the price goes up or down in a day, that will change the cost of the belt.
It takes about three weeks for Pitaniello to make the buckle in a Boston workshop. Of course, no two are alike.
People who willingly spend 18k on a belt makes me wonder how much their trousers are worth!!
Gold Roses and Gold Trimmed Roses, The Forever Rose and 24kt. Gold Roses!
We are now offering a beautiful collection of gold trimmed roses in many colors on our website!
The story of this gold dipped rose.
The Red Forever Rose is a 12 inch 24kt. gold dipped red rose which is selected at the height of its beauty and maturity. It is skilfully and perfectly preserved in a durable lacquer shell and then trimmed with a 24K gold finish (24kt. gold plated)!
There are more than 40 meticulous steps and five days of hand work applied by skilled artisans and technicians to complete each one-of-a-kind red rose. Our authentic gold dipped roses, makes the perfect gift for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Birthdays, Weddings, Christmas, or simply to say "I love you".
Each rose is beautifully packaged in a gold foil gift box with an accompanying gold ribbon.
The Psychology Of Luxury and The Perception Of Value
Pricing on the brain and the beauty of "branding" is an amazing phenomenon!
People do not just say they enjoy expensive things more than cheap ones. They actually do enjoy them more.
I have said for a long time that the intrinsic or inherent value of an item is the least significant arbiter of what it is actually "worth" on the open market.
I would say that the perceived value of any given item for an individual consumer accounts for about 80% of this persons purchasing decision.
The fact is, people are tremendously influenced by the "psychology of luxury" and its resultant impact on the perception of actual value.
EVERYONE loves a bargain. But retailers know that people will sometimes turn their noses up at a cheap version of a more expensive item, even if the two are essentially the same. That suggests something is at work in the mind of the consumer beyond simple appreciation of a product's intrinsic qualities.
This is exactly the reason consumers will opt for the incredibly expensive Hearts On Fire Diamonds instead of entirely comparable and equally beautiful diamonds (without the "name") at an absolute fraction of the price.
I was quoted in this recent article by Deidre Woollard of Luxist.com where she points to the perception of value as a result of an effective marketing strategy and brand image.
The something in question is expectation, according to research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Antonio Rangel of the California Institute of Technology. Dr Rangel and his colleagues found that if people are told a wine is expensive while they are drinking it, they really do think it tastes nicer than a cheap one, rather than merely saying that they do.
Rangel figured this out based on a unique an interesting test he performed.
Read about it here in The Economist.
Tiffany Not Up Scale Enough for Louis Vitton
Tiffany & Co. considers itself the world's premier jeweler since 1837. For the French, that may simply not be good enough.
Early last week rumors abounded that French luxury-goods house LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton was considering a bid. Tiffany (TIF) shares advanced more than 8% to $40.46 in a single day, their biggest percentage gain in two and a half years.
While a bid from LVMH would help Tiffany expand abroad more quickly, some analysts warn that the blue-box brand may not be sufficiently upscale for the French luxury empire.
LVMH could well afford the transaction, even assuming a bid of $50 a share, or a roughly 25% premium, though the rationale for a tie-up remains dubious, said analysts at Societe Generale.
A merger could or could happen. The SocGen analysts said Tiffany has a "mid-range" positioning in the market, while LVMH has indicated it would like to shift even further upscale in the jewelry segment.
Although Tiffany is perhaps best known for selling diamond engagement rings -- the company claims to have introduced the ring as it is now known -- it derives a significant percentage of sales from its silver jewelry collection. This features trademark items such as its $125 heart tag charm bracelet.
What's more, Tiffany recently emphasized the opportunities it sees in that silver jewelry segment, saying it want to in wants to increase store traffic by driving more business at more modest price points.
On the other hand, a merger with LVMH would greatly benefit Tiffany to expand in International markets and increase the number and quality of name brands that it can sell with the Tiffany name. LVMH has huge marketing clout in Europe and this would positively help Tiffany's sales.
Finally, Tiffany may find it hard to avoid a merger. The company abandoned poison pills that could have protected it when it voted in early 2006 to terminate the right to issue shares in case of a hostile bid.
Stay tuned.
Will Tiffany Sales Predict The US Economy?
With the stock market booming over the past few days, Market Watch asks if the overall solid results reported by Tiffany last quarter is a harbinger of better economic times ahead.
Their opinion is that it doesn't.
TIF 42.59, +4.00, +10.4%) reported solid results, but a good quarter doesn't necessarily indicate that the consumer, worried about jobs and pay for basics such as gasoline and groceries is back in spending mode.
Tiffany's results show some shoppers are still cautious, particularly on the lower price points geared to the budget conscious customer. And since fortunes can dissolve at a chilling pace -- hello, Bear Stearns -- even more affluent shoppers aren't spending as freely as in the past.
On a conference call with analysts, Tiffany said fourth-quarter sales of silver jewelry were "soft" below the $500 range. On the higher end, fine jewelry sales from $10,000 to $50,000 were "relatively stronger," than in the $1,000 to $10,000 range. Even sales over $50,000, which the company says makes up nearly 10% of U.S. retail annual sales, were "modestly lower" than the prior year.
Sales at Tiffany's New York flagship store jumped 10% in the quarter, with the majority of sales due to the foreign tourists. For the year, sales to foreign tourists represented 14% of U.S. retail sales, up from 11% in the prior year.
Investors want to be upbeat after a grisly and gloomy spell. If Home sales rebound, Oil prices come down, the dollar rebounds against the major currencies, consumer confidence will increase and luxury goods will robustly sell.
That's alot of "IF's" and it's going to take more than a few days of good economic news to convince the U.S. consumer to open his wallet.
This Diamond Cell Phone is Da Bomb!
Emirates Business News today features the GoldVish Le Million cell phone, which costs $1.45 million and is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive phone in the world!
Designed by Emmanuel Gueit, production was limited to three units. Called “LeMillion”, it is handcrafted from 18-carat gold and is available in rose, yellow or white gold, with 120-carat diamonds encrusted all over it.
Handmade in Switzerland, it comes with a 2GB memory, quad-band for worldwide reception, an 8x digital zoom camera, MP3 player, Bluetooth and FM radio.
However, GoldVish also offers other diamond-encrusted 18k gold models starting at the more reasonable price of $25,600.
Those who would love a less expensive rival can go for the iPhone Princess Plus made by Australian designer and jeweler Peter Aloisson, which costs only $176,400.
The Princess Plus iPhone is encrusted with 318 diamonds of 17.75 carats – 138 of which are princess-cut, which is why the phone is named Princess Plus – with the other 180 brilliant-cut, all set in an 18-karat white gold rim.
The Princess Plus already has its first customer: the phone has been purchased by a Russian businessman, who received his extravagant handset earlier this year.
And there seem to be others in Russia willing and able to flaunt such uber-luxury mobile handsets. Euroset in Russia has imported a GoldVish phone and plans to open a GoldVish boutique in Moscow some time next year.
The Princess Plus has the same 8GB iPhone chassis and incorporates the same features on the regular iPhone, such as the touch screen, e-mail capability, video camera and web browser.
Those who want the glamor of GoldVish, but not on the iPhone chassis, can find an array of phones that have received the Aloisson treatment, such as the Nokia Communicator E90.
The device is made of solid platinum and 18-carat rose gold, and lined on both sides by 25 half-carat princess cut diamonds.
There is also the Ancort Diamond Crypto Smartphone with 3,000 diamonds of top quality priced at $7000,000, the Motorola V4688-90 studded with 1,200 diamonds going for $78,000, and the Sony Ericsson T68, an 18-carat yellow and white gold-studded phone with 892 diamonds, priced at $29,000.
Aloisson is a jeweller renowned for mixing latest technology and gadgets with art and jewelery.
In 1998, he designed his first diamond encrusted phone, the Motorolla V4688-90, and later broke the record for the world’s most expensive mobile phone with the Le Million. Aloisson also designs interiors and furniture.
Diamonds For The Rich, Famous, and Infamous.
A New York luxury car dealer has commissioned one of the most outrageous and expensive car accessories yet.
It's a one-of-a-kind Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament made of diamonds and Platinum and mounted on a very expensive surface coating.
This Roll-Royce "Spirit of Ecstacy" bonnet ornament is encrusted with $200 000
worth of diamonds.
The ornament was designed by jeweler Jean Kemanjian for Manhattan Motorcars as "a tribute to the car itself."
It's covered in diamonds, laid out in a pavé surface similar to bathroom tiles - except that this is the most expensive surface coating in the world.
150 carats of top-quality, super-white diamonds and some fancy intense yellow diamonds on the wings were used.
This is the only one of its kind in the world.
KOOL!
This Gal Will Need An Expensive Diamond Engagement Ring
Danielle Luminita, a model from Romania, is carried on the shoulders of two other models as she displays a diamond-studded thong during Viva La Eve by Triumph at the Singapore Fashion Festival April 3. The thong, valued at $121,106, is decorated with 518 diamonds totaling 30 carats.
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.
