I can't believe that a handbag made of platinum, over 2,000 diamonds, and valued at almost $2 million doesn't have a name other than "diamond and platinum handbag." We first mentioned this beauty of a bag about a year ago when it was on display in Tokyo and now it seems it will be making it's way around London in honor of London Jewelry Week.

Designed by Ginza Tanaka, the bag features a diamond shoulder strap that can be removed and worn as a necklace, plus the large (8ct) pear-shaped diamond decorating the front of the bag can be removed and worn as a brooch.

The bag is available for sale but due to security concerns the locations where it will appear will not be given to the public ahead of time -- I guess it's just a lucky "right place at the right time" kind of guessing situation if you want to see it!

Earlier this week, platinum rose to an all-time high of over $2,000 per ounce. Classically used for jewelry settings, and a rather popular choice for many engagement rings, platinum is also used for catalytic converters in some automobiles. So what's the reason behind the rising price? There have been energy issues in South Africa where the metal is mined, lowering production quite a bit. This drop in mining is estimated to last around four years as the national energy crisis in South Africa is resolved. In just the past four years, the price of platinum has doubled! Maybe this price surge will turn more people to white gold -- it may not have the same durable quality of platinum but it looks almost exactly the same.

Computer Choppers is at it again, blinging up your personal gadgets with platinum, gold, and diamonds. They certainly seem to have a love of everything Apple (and I can't say I blame them) since from iPods to iPhones to Macbooks they've now moved on to the 24" iMac. There's not a whole lot of info available on their site yet except to say in coming weeks they're offering the iMac all dolled up in gold, platinum, and even rose-gold (a Valentine's Day treat for your tech-loving sweetie?).


Via Bornrich

Our friends at Diamond Vues directed our attention to the simple yet pricey belts of Kale Miles. The company makes men's accessories including handsome leather belts with artistic belt buckles in a variety of metals including bronze and sterling silver. Their bank-breaking belt however is the style with the solid platinum buckle. The belt, which is available in three different styles has a buckle that is about seven or eight ounces worth of platinum and sells for $18,000. Consider it the best incentive ever to not expand your waistline.

Earlier this month I thought the Apple Crate Cake was pricey at $185, but that suddenly seems like chump change when compared to this Platinum Cake designed by a Japanese pastry chef worth $130,000. It's a white cake draped in platinum necklaces, pins, pendants, and even edible platinum foils. The creator's name is Nobue Ikara, and the cake has been dedicated to several famous Japanese women (including actress Rinko Kikuchi) in an effort to encourage more women to wear platinum jewelry.

So is it doin' it for ya? Have a hankering for a platinum necklace?

When artist Damien Hirst unveiled his platinum and diamond skull and its amazing price tag, I was skeptical that it would sell for the full $100 million. I should have learned by now to never underestimate the shrewd British artist. Hirst has gotten his asking price. The skull sold to an investment group of which Hirst is a part of for $100 million. Bloomberg reports that Hirst is keeping a stake in the skull and plans to resell it at some future date. The skull, which is covered in 8,601 diamonds has been visited by plenty of celebrity tirekickers since it went on the market earlier this year. The other members of the investment group have not been named. The skull cost around $20 million to make. The work, titled "For The Love Of God" will be go on tour to museums and galleries around the world. My guess is that the investors are hoping to sell the skull for even more after the tour.

So it's one thing to spend hundreds on a designer handbag that's sure to go out of style in a season or two, but millions? This diamond studded platinum handbag was on display recently in Tokyo by jewelry maker GinzaTanaka, and it looks like something Cinderella could have carried to the ball to coordinate with her beautiful glass slippers. Valued at approximately $1.63 million dollars, it boasts 2,182 diamonds totaling 208 carats and a fairly simple and understated style considering its over-the-top price tag. With this in hand all you need is a diamond tiara and you're ready to party!

The latest extravagant watch from Bulgari is a new Assioma model that has both a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon. The watch has a 48mm platinum case with double sapphire crystals. It uses the automatic in-house Caliber BVL 416 with 64 hours of power reserve. The watch is a limited edition of 20 pieces and sells for $155,000.

To be accurate, the guy was offered $80,000 for his fish, but he turned it down. Who knew the aquarium scene was getting so ritzy?

The fish that's getting all the attention, and is considered by some to be the most expensive aquarium fish in the world, is a 15" platinum arowana owned by a breeder in Singapore named Aro Dynasty (what a name!). The fish is completely white -- not albino pink -- but white, without a single fleck of color anywhere. Arowanas are not usually so pricey, but this platinum-colored mutation is extremely rare. And just in case you were interested, Dynasty has implied that he is not necessarily looking for an offer higher than $80,000, as the fish is now "off the market."

Off the $80,000 market? Wow, that fish must have a great personality.

Platinum Today picked up on an AME info story about the latest collection from Tiffany. The Blossom jewelry collection is a group of platinum and diamond pieces with a delicate flower theme. Pieces include a blossom ring, pendants, bracelets and earrings. So far the collection does not seem to be available in the U.S. and I haven't been able to find it on the Tiffany site but I suspect that will change since this looks like it would be very popular here.

This is one pricey action figure! Platinum plated and diamond studded, this shiny little robot worth $250,000 can do some serious damage...to your wallet. Not sure if it's for sale, although it is planning to make an appearance at Baselworld in Switzerland this month so if you're interested you might want to head in that direction.

I'm going to be really honest and say that I'm half impressed by such a classy looking "toy," and I'm thinking it's sure to bring some positive upscale press to the Gundam brand, but I'm also half laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. Come on, diamonds for eyes? Hilarious.

Sanrio is putting out a special Hello Kitty for the holiday shopping season. The figurine - and there is only one available - stand 2 1/4 inches high and weighs about 20 pounds. It is made of platinum and has seven jewel pendants that are made of rubies, pink sapphires and diamonds. The Hello Kitty will be offered for sale at the Mitsukoshi's flagship department store in Tokyo this Tuesday. The asking price is around $150,000.

[via spluch]

Thanks to an alert reader, I think we may have uncovered the most expensive keychain we have ever seen here at Luxist. Mercedes Benz Canada sells a keychain for $22,239.99 CAN (approx $19,900 USD). It is made from .950 platinum and the brushed finish bears the Mercedes logo on the sides, as well as an appliqued emblem on top. We're still wondering if they keychain includes anything with it - like a car.

They also carry an 18K gold (.750) keychain in the same style for $7,469.99 CAN.

British artist Damien Hirst recently revealed his newest project, the most expensive work of art ever created, to the Observer. It is a life-size human skull, cast in platinum and covered in about 8,500 diamonds. The largest diamond on the piece will be a 50-karat diamond in the center of the skull. The total value of the materials involved in making the skull, entitled "For the Love of God," will be £8-10 million, but the retail value of the finished piece could be up to £50 million. His motivation for undertaking such an extravagant project? Hirst said "I just want to celebrate life by saying to hell with death."

The piece will not be unveiled until 2007.

The Cartier Love Collection was recently reborn with a whole new line of pieces in addition to the classic Love bracelet. The original collection debuted in the 1970s and was designed to represent enduring love because it was fastened with a tiny, sturdy screw, which required an equally tiny screwdriver to open and close it. The screwdriver is disguised as a pendant. The current collection includes rings, necklaces, earrings, cuff links and wedding rings in metals ranging from pink gold to platinum. While all the pieces are engraved with the signature love "screw" emblem, which partially disguises the location of the real screw, many also feature diamonds or other precious stones.