Watch companies like to get creative with the use of synthetic sapphire crystals, but it is difficult given the fact that the material can be very fragile. The problem isn't so much in risk of it breaking once it is made, but rather that the fabrication of synthetic sapphire crystal into all sorts of organic shapes requires a lot of stress of the material. So pieces can break with relative ease. That is why the finished result is not always as impressive as possible without knowing what a pain in the ass the watch was to make. This is probably the fact with this limited edition of just 5 pieces Corum Golden Tourbillon Panoramique Grey Sapphire watch.

What is interesting here is the application of gray PVD on the sapphire giving it that special look. The movement is a manually wound tourbillon based movement with a long 90 hours of power reserve. As you can see, the movement mainplate and bridges are all in sapphire! Something truly remarkable from a practical and aesthetic standpoint. The rest of the watch case is in 18k white gold with 309 diamonds decorating most every surface. Plus, the watch case has four sapphire crystals to help appreciate the movement from any angle. It is really a nice combination of luxury indulgence and mechanical intrigue. Expect prices to make your skin as light as the gray sapphire of the watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Sparkly and golden, this handbag is sure to make you feel like a rockstar as you make your entrance at whatever event you take it to. It's the Metallic Bracelet Bag from Roberto Cavalli and it's really a two-for-one handbag and bracelet. It features gold metallic leather with a gold bangle bracelet that can either dangle off the bag or dangle on your wrist. It has a clasp closure on the top and a shiny leopard print lining. This is the kind of bag that will make you feel beautiful no matter what kind of day you're having! $1,165

A chair completely plated in 24k gold probably doesn't strike you initially as 'environmentally friendly,' but designer Frederik Mattson had the Earth and the deforestation problem in mind when he created this unique piece of glitzy furniture. Intended as a throwback to the less wasteful varnishing ways of old, coating all the surfaces of the Golden Chair in gold means all imperfections in the wood are hidden from view, which in turn means less wood is discarded in search of knot-free and blemish free pieces. I'm not sure how completely green this chair is (considering gold is not a sustainable resource) but I will say the little heart stamped on the side is adorable.

I'm not one to drink my tea out of a fancy cup and saucer, but some of them can be so pretty I can see how people end up collecting them -- if even just to display and never use. But regardless whether you want to actually sip from them or just look at them, these Alma Fortune Cups and Saucers would make a beautiful addition to any China cabinet. Kind of like reading tea leaves, the design is based on the Middle Eastern tradition called Tasseography (or the reading of a person's fortune in coffee grounds) but instead of grounds the fortune is forever captured in 22k gold. No two are alike. $95

The question is: do you find out what fortune you got?


Via Wists

Apparently we all can't get enough of diamond earpieces for our mp3 players, because new ones keep popping up. One of the latest is the iDiamond Ear from Norwegian jeweler Heyerdahl Jewelers, and it's being marketed as "the world's most exclusive earphones for commercial sale." The iDiamond Ear is created by dipping Apple earbud headphones in 18k gold and covering them in 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 IDEX

Gaudy? Flashy? Over-the-top? These are terms that come to my mind when looking at this Santa made of pure gold, but I'm sure somebody out there has a completely different take. Somebody is going to love this golden Santa so much they'll be willing to dish out almost $2 millions dollars to have it. Or at least that's what a store in Tokyo is hoping, as they've got not just one but two of these beauties going up for sale between December 21st and 25th. And they've even said they're willing to make more if people pre-order them (warning: they take 3 months each to make!).

Guys always love tools, and although getting wrenches is almost always useful (they get left and lost everywhere) it's hardly exciting -- getting more wrenches is kinda like getting more socks: oh yay. But these wrenches are something else altogether: available from Sears, this Craftsman 4 pc. set of full polish reversible ratcheting standard wrenches is fully plated in 22k gold. Set comes in an engraved walnut display box and is adorned with the 80th anniversary logo. A truly unique luxury gift for the guy who's got everything! $119.99

In case just having an iPhone isn't good enough of a statement for you, soon you'll be able to have an iPhone plated in 24 carat gold. I'm not going to say it looks bad, because it doesn't (it is an iPhone, after all!), but I will say the concept is a little over the top and a bit ridiculous -- especially once people realize it is in fact real gold.

There's not much space to put the gold on an iPhone so not sure if the price (which is still TBA) will reflect that or not. Just don't add any diamonds anywhere, please (although I'm sure that's next...).

Generally speaking, spending more on a bra means getting more in the way of comfort, support, and all that other good stuff -- but not in this case. This is a bra made of solid gold and diamonds, and although I'm sure it gets good scores in the support department (ouch) I'm thinking comfort and versatility probably not so much. It's priced at $108,600, but only $58,600 of that is for gold and diamonds -- all that intricate design and diamond handiwork racked up a $50,000 labor bill. Was it really worth the effort?

It is pretty, but I think I'd rather have a bra made of diamonds than gold. Maybe whoever ended up with that gold swimsuit should buy it!

I doubt my Grandfather would be very keen on wearing this hearing aid even if somebody paid him, but of course there's always somebody out there willing (even if it's only the one person who designed it!). Made by Widex, this digital hearing aid is cast in 24k gold and encrusted with 220 diamonds. And I can't help but notice that Widex gave their logo on the bottom some extra attention, so any admirers will be sure to know where they can get one of their own. Get yours for only $42,590 and let the gawking begin.

Wow, way back in the 18th century they really knew how to bling things up. And unlikely things too, like this baby's cradle. Covered in gold and set with more than 2,000 gems including diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, it's currently on display in Tokyo at a special exhibit that includes about 140 other antique treasures from the Ottoman Empire (which came before the Republic of Turkey). The items will be on display through September 24th in honor of the birth of Prince Hisahito to the Japanese Emporer's son Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko (got that straight?). No word on what the cradle's valued at, although since it isn't for sale I guess it's more about admiring it's gaudy beauty than hoping to get one for yourself.

It's hard to find the perfect suit, but this gold weave suit out of Japan is apparently "better than feeling a million diamonds" and "like swimming in gold." Well it's more than "like" swimming in gold -- if you get in the water while wearing this baby you actually are swimming in gold -- the precious metal is woven right into the fabric. Valued at $82,000 the suit goes through a month-long weaving process where gold fibers about the size of a human hair are incorporated into the material. And also available in the same sparkling golden fabric is an even more expensive long dress valued at $243,900.

I wonder if they're scratchy or silky? And an important note from the designers on the swimsuit: it's not meant to go in the water.

What?! ...whatever.

This past weekend a jewelry shop was showcasing a a pair of high heels made of pure gold (up to 680g of it) in Wuhu, Anhui Province. There's very little information available on the shoes, including who designed them (although we do know they're Italian), how much they cost, or if there's more than one pair in existence (and if not, what size is this pair?).

Although they are shiny and unique, I doubt they really expect anybody to wear them any place other than a photo shoot perhaps? I doubt you could even walk in them normally, never mind the fact that the design isn't even that flattering.



Thanks Magie!

The Golden Collection is a little too flashy to eat your cereal in or drink your OJ out of in the morning (unless maybe you're Donald Trump?), but might be nice for serving at a party. The collection includes only three pieces: the Hungry Bowl, the large Hungry Bowl, and the Big Thirsty Cup. With a pale matte finish on the outside and shiny bright gold glaze on the inside, the set is made in France and will definitely bring a feeling of warm richness and luxury to a table. Plus, you gotta love the names! Available individually, one of each will set you back a total of $242.

Apparently, this golden charm is one of the most popular cell phone accessories in Japan, with almost 3 million units sold. At this point, you're probably thinking that it looks a lot like something a dog might do on your living room rug. If so, you're right. It looks like golden poop and it is supposed to be a good luck charm.

If we absolutely had to pick one, we'd opt for the version that appears to be filled with gold dust and is slightly more tasteful than the alternatives. Under no circumstances would we want to take the catchers' mitt charms, which represents "catching money", because it would be too easily mistaken as a symbol of cleaning up after the previously-mentioned dog for our comfort.

[via Gizmodo]