Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
