MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
EditorsFeb 05, 2008
A few of our favorite (ridiculous) things
By Michelle Graff and Catherine Dayrit I've (this is Michelle writing) not been at this job all that long (my first day was Nov. 12), but one thing I have noticed in my short tenure is the amount of over-the-top...
By Michelle Graff and Catherine Dayrit
I've (this is Michelle writing) not been at this job all that long (my first day was Nov. 12), but one thing I have noticed in my short tenure is the amount of over-the-top diamond-jewelry items that companies take the time to create and people, presumably, buy.
The first one to float into my Google-news-alert-wired inbox was an $85,000 Barbie doll designed by none other than De Beers itself. Now, you might be saying to yourself, why is this Barbie doll $85,000? Well, the doll is outfitted in a dress adorned with 160 diamonds complemented by white gold miniature jewelry. The doll was produced in 1999 to mark Barbie's 40th anniversary, but still is tagged as the "world's most expensive Barbie doll."
If there was an award for "most expensive doll wearing the least amount of clothing possible without falling into the category of being sold in a sex shop," I think it might take that one too. You can check it out here, on a Web site called Pricy-Spicy.
Next on the ridiculous express was this journey into the stratosphere of teeth-cleaning extravagance. Priced from $800 to $3,000, these diamond-encrusted toothpick sleeves are, according to the Web site, one step beyond gold toothpicks, which used to be the gift of choice, apparently, for "the person who has everything."
If somebody has everything, then why get that person anything? Why not make a donation to a charity in his or her name instead of buying them a $3,000 toothpick holder? I have a friend from college, Melissa, who was raised in an upper-middle-class suburb of Cincinnati. She has a good job, as do both of her parents and her three siblings. Several years ago, she and her family quit giving each other Christmas gifts. Instead, the family now takes the money they would have spent buying each other things they don't need and donates it to a charity. I think this is a great idea, and a wonderful substitution from buying "people who have everything" $3,000 toothpick holders.
But, I digress: next up is a $20,000 iPhone case. According to its manufacturer, CaseMate, this case is handcrafted with 3.5 carats of diamonds that are H color and VVSI clarity. In other words, the diamonds, though individually small, are very nice. The diamonds are embedded in a rare, gold carbon fiber
leather case. On the back of the case is a CaseMate emblem of 14-karat gold.
This all explains the $20,000 part, but still doesn't explain why anyone would need a cell phone case that costs more than some cars. Also, and maybe I'm alone here, but my cell phone takes a lot of abuse. It gets tossed around in my purse, dropped, spilled on, you name it. In my hands, a case like this for any cell phone would be worth about $5,000 after a week. Phone home here.
As for my (Cate's) contribution to this madness, I'm currently scratching my head about French cosmetic house Guerlain's $62,000 lipstick, named "KissKiss Gold and Diamonds."
I made my first true makeup splurge two weeks ago, spending $27 on a tube of Chanel mascara, and fantastic as it is, I think I spent $20 too much. So suffice to say, a $62,000 lipstick seems over the top by about $61,993.
KissKiss Gold and Diamonds, which comes in 15 colors, is encased in a solid 18-karat yellow gold tube studded with 199 diamonds for a total carat weight of 2.2. The tube can also be customized with rubies, emeralds and engraving.
For some reason, I can fathom there being in existence a diamond-encrusted toilet (how else are the rap stars going to step things up on Cribs?), but I'm having a problem processing this thing. The upside for any ladies who take the bait: The tube is refillable. To get your own, make a private appointment with Guerlain at New York's Bergdorf Goodman by calling (212) 872-2734.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
