Most Expensive Ring
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Fashion, Luxury on February 25th, 2009If you’re an aging bachelor and billionaire looking to wed someone half your age, you may want to look into expensive engagement rings. One such individual’s proposal to an ex-model involved a $1.5 million engagement ring. That may seem way out there, but it’s not even close to the most expensive ring in the world.
The Chopard Blue Diamond Ring is the ring that makes any other diamond ring look bad. Set with an enormous, oval-shaped blue diamond, the expensive ring also has diamond shoulders and an 18k white gold band paved with diamonds.
Blue diamond is among the most expensive diamonds in the world. It is found among boron deposits, from whence it derives its shade. This particular gem weighs in at nine carats.
The world’s most expensive ring is valued at $16.26 million, enough to put a dent in the wallets of even the wealthiest individuals.
Most Expensive Snakes
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, World on February 24th, 2009We all know someone who keeps a snake. Perhaps you’ve cringed or watched in morbid fascination as their pet python made a lunchtime snack out of some small, furry creature. Perhaps you are that person gleefully trying to convince your squeamish neighbors to hold your reptilian friend. If so, we’re certain you’d love to know which snakes are the most expensive in the world.
Anyone interested in expensive snakes should know of Bob Clark. He is, after all, responsible for breeding some of the world’s most expensive snakes. In fact, he produced the only known genetic striped ball python. The python gets its name from the wide, black-bordered, yellow stripe along its back. Clark currently sells these expensive ophidians for $5,000 apiece.
A striped ball python
Then, of course, there’s the lavender albino ball python. Another of Clark’s specialties, this red-eyed snake is spotted yellow over a lavender background. It also happens to be the most expensive snake in the world, as prices for just one may reach up to $40,000. This stunning, African-native creature was even touted as the most expensive pet in the world at one point.
A lavender albino ball python
Unfortunately, Bob Clark doesn’t seem to have any lavender albinos for sale in 2008. Currently, his most expensive snake is the leucistic ball python, a pure white snake with black eyes that sells for $15,000.
Most Expensive Nose
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, World on February 23rd, 2009Nikolai Gogol, a famous Russian satirist, once wrote of a nose that left its owner’s face to join the military. Perhaps Ilja Gort had that tale in mind when he had his nose insured for €5 million (nearly $8 million USD).
Nikolai Gogol and his nose.
The 47-year-old European claims his nose is his most important asset. Considering his vocation, that’s not surprising. Mr. Gort is a leading maker and tester of wine, working out of the Chateau de la Garde vineyard in the Bordeaux region of France.
Mr. Gort took the policy out from a Lloyd’s of London syndicate. Lloyd’s has previously insured other body parts, such as Marlene Dietrich’s legs, Keith Richards’ fingers and “Ugly Betty” star America Ferrarra’s smile. As part of the contract, Mr. Gort is not allowed to ride a motorcycle, nor is he allowed to be a boxer, a fire-breather or a knife-thrower’s assistant.
All things considered, it seems like it’d be worth the price alone to be able to tell your friends that they’re looking at the world’s most expensive nose.
Most Expensive Objects Ever Built
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Travel, World on February 20th, 2009Twenty-one million dollars for a piece of art or $2.72 million for a camel may seem like a lot of money, but the wealth of individuals pales in comparison to that commanded by nations. When nations decide to build, the cost can become astronomical. What follows are the most expensive objects ever built.
The Channel Tunnel. (By Mortadelo2005. Distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 license.)
The Channel Tunnel, an undersea tunnel reaching from the United Kingdom to France, is the second longest undersea tunnel in the world. Construction on the project, organized by Eurotunnel, began in 1988 and it was first put into service in 1994. The tunnel has seen a few setbacks in the years since its completion, including a fire in 1996 and a crisis involving illegal immigrants seeking refuge on British soil, but it continues to serve to this day and has even been identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It cost around £4.65 billion to build—80% more than its projected cost.
The Three Gorges Dam. (Photo by Christoph Filnkößl. Distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike 3.0 Unported license.)
In China, the Three Gorges Dam is expected to be completed in 2011. This hydroelectric river dam spans the Yangtze River in Yiching, Hubei. It is the largest project the nation has undertaken since the construction of the Great Wall during the time of the Ming Dynasty. The dam will be able to generate 22,500 megawatts, more than any other hydroelectric dam in the world. The dam has had its own problems, including over 1.5 million people being displaced by rising waters, adverse effects on the environment and the loss of various historical sites. Upon its completion, the project will have cost fewer than 180 billion yuan (over $25 billion USD).
The International Space Station.
The most expensive object ever built puts these architectural and technological marvels to shame, though. The International Space Station, being assembled in space, is a joint effort between the United States, Japan, Russia, Canada and the European Space Agency. The project was first announced in 1993 and is expected to be completed in 2010. It has had a crew in residence since late 2000. While it currently only holds a crew of three, it will be able to house a crew of at least six members when it is completed. Its size and the fact that it’s in a low Earth orbit allow it to be seen with the naked eye if one is in the right place while it’s visible. The project is expected to have cost around $157 billion by its completion.
Most Expensive Cloth
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Fashion, Luxury, World on February 19th, 2009Holland and Sherry—a Scottish textile company that has outfitted George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise—has recently announced their production of the most expensive cloth in the world.
The fabric is the first in the world to be woven from 100% worsted vicuña. Vicuña, as you may recall, is the world’s most expensive wool and can [...]
Most Expensive USB Flash Drive
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, Luxury, Real Estate on February 18th, 2009What could be more useful than a USB stick made of gold?
Actually, don’t answer that.
White Lake’s golden USB flash drive is, at least, sure to make an impression. Custom made with either fourteen- or eighteen-karat gold and maybe even some diamonds thrown into the mix, the most expensive USB drive is guaranteed to suit your [...]
Most Expensive Gold
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, World on February 17th, 2009If you think all gold is the same, think again. Scotgold, an Australian mining company, has recently purchased the Cononish mine in Tyndrum, a small village in Scotland, which produces the most expensive gold in the world—Scottish gold.
A ring made of Scottish gold
from the Scottish Gold Collection.
Scottish gold is heavily valued for its yellow color, [...]
Most Expensive Charles Dickens Book
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury on February 16th, 2009Victorian novelist Charles Dickens, lauded as one of the greatest novelists in history, penned such classics as A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. It’s no wonder, then, that early editions of his work can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
Until recently, the most expensive Charles Dickens book [...]
Most Expensive Insect
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: World on February 13th, 2009Bug collecting can be seen as a hobby, a zoological science or, perhaps most commonly, an icky thing to do. There are over 1.3 million described species of insect (not including arachnids, centipedes and other myriapods, earthworms or slugs—none of which are truly insects), meaning that over 2/3rds of all known organisms are insects. Enthusiasts [...]
Most Expensive College in the World
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: World on February 12th, 2009We’ve already told you that George Washington University in Washington, DC, is the most expensive college in the US. What we didn’t tell you, however, was that GW is also the most expensive university in the world. The university—known for its undergraduate liberal arts programs and its graduate programs in social sciences, international affairs, law, [...]
Most Expensive Party
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Music, Travel, World on February 11th, 2009Luxury resort Atlantis, The Palm was the first resort to open on one of Dubai’s infamous artificial islands, The Palm Jumeirah. Of course, no grand opening would be complete without a party and, since it’s in Dubai, it just had to be the most expensive party in the world.
The luxurious beach party was set to [...]
Most Expensive Social Issue in the US
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: United States on February 10th, 2009George Takei and Brad Altman
You’ve probably heard of Proposition 8, the Californian ballot measure that denied gays the right to marry as of November 2008. What you might not know is that the battle over Prop. 8 was the most expensive social issue campaign in US history.
The effect of Proposition 8 was simple—it added a [...]
Most Expensive Pool Table
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Luxury, World on February 9th, 2009How much do you love the game of pool? Do you love it more than your car? More than your house? Well, thanks to Vincent Facquet, you now have the option to really vote with your wallet by buying the world’s most expensive pool table.
The Luxury Billiard is a 117-by-67-inch table with a 100-by-50-inch playing [...]
Most Expensive Hotel to Build
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, Real Estate, Travel, World on February 6th, 2009The Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi may or may not be a profitable enterprise, but it’s certainly an impressive one. Costing over three billion dollars to build, the Emirates Palace is the most expensive hotel ever built. The hotel is, reportedly, intended to raise Abu Dhabi’s profile among international travelers.
And what a profile it [...]
Most Expensive Presidential Election Campaign in US History
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: United States on February 5th, 2009November 2008 marked the end of what was the most expensive election in US history, which culminated in the election of Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Now, it’s likely true that every presidential election could claim that title until the next one came around—and that will probably continue to be true in 2012—but this last [...]
Most Expensive Driver’s License
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Vehicles, World on February 4th, 2009The most expensive driver’s license in the world isn’t some revenue-generator for a local government. In fact, the license allows you to drive all over the world—as long as you’re driving in a Formula One Grand Prix.
The FIA Super License is issued only to holders of Grade A competition licenses—and even then only if the [...]
Most Expensive Public Transit in the US
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Travel, United States on February 3rd, 2009How much does public transit in your town cost? According to a recent survey by Citizens Taking Action, a transit watchdog group, most Americans pay a basic fare around $1.53. According to the group, Chicago’s public transportation system is the most expensive in the US at $1.50 for bus fare and $2 to ride the [...]
Most Expensive Dog Ever Sold
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury on February 2nd, 2009A Florida couple just has just become the proud owners of the world’s first commercially cloned puppy—Lancelot Encore, the most expensive dog ever sold.
The Labrador retriever was cloned from samples thoughtfully taken by the couple five years ago from their beloved pet Lancelot. The cloned puppy looks just like his predecessor and the couple hopes [...]
Most Expensive Homes Ever Sold
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Real Estate, World on January 28th, 2009The true measure of an expensive home isn’t how much it cost to build or how much you’re selling it for. After all, who cares how expensive a home is if no one is buying? All of the following homes have passed the test of the real estate market with flying colors. They truly are [...]
Most Expensive Corvette
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, United States, Vehicles on January 27th, 2009The long anticipated Corvette ZR1 may finally see the light of day in 2009. First unveiled at the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 2005, the car was supposedly the result of GM CEO Rick Wagoner wondering what his Chevrolet designers could do for $100,000. The answer, of course, is the most powerful and most [...]
Most Expensive Vibrator
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, Luxury on January 26th, 2009Economic stimulus
Vibrators and “marital aids” may be available at your local drugstore in this day and age, but you’re not likely to see this lascivious luxury item warming the shelf at CVS. The gold-plated Yva is, after all, the world’s most expensive vibrator.
Made in Sweden by Lelo, the 18-karat gold-plated vibrator boasts a bent-egg shape [...]
Most Expensive Bullets
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Fashion, Luxury on January 23rd, 2009Bullet Forge, an online retailer of custom bullets, may be offering the most expensive bullet in the world.
The retailer sells gold bullets, platinum bullets and, of course, a whole lot of silver bullets. Their premier offering, however, is this 45 ACP hollow-point made of 14-karat white gold. Mounted within the hollow-point are ninety diamonds surrounding [...]
Most Expensive Club Membership
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Real Estate, World on January 22nd, 2009Most Expensive Television Spot - The Super Bowl
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: United States on January 21st, 2009The price of Super Bowl advertising has steadily increased since the event’s inception in 1967. Forty-two years later, Super Bowl advertising is as popular, if not more so, as the game itself. A thirty second advertising spot during the first Super Bowl cost a nominal $40,000. The same spot during Super Bowl XLII cost $2.7 [...]
Most Expensive Tolkien Books
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Collectibles, World on January 20th, 2009Starting in 2011, J. R. R. Tolkien fans across the globe will be able to see two of the world’s most expensive Tolkien books in person. GTC AG, a Swiss company, has recently acquired both books and is planning an exhibition that will bring them to the general public.
In early December, GTC AG acquired a [...]
Most Expensive iPhone App
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Luxury on January 19th, 2009
The most expensive iPhone app ever sold was one aptly called “I Am Rich”—one of the first apps to be offered on iTunes. It consisted of a small icon with the subtext “I Am Rich.” Clicking on the icon would fill the screen with a large, ruby red gem on a red and black background. The purpose of this app, as stated in the product description, was to let your friends and acquaintances know that you have a whole lot of money. It also included what the developer, Armin Heinrich, called a “secret mantra” that you could use to stay rich and healthy.
The price for I Am Rich was set at $999.99 before it was pulled from the App Store.
The problem, of course, is that of the eight people who purchased I Am Rich, at least one only clicked “buy” to see what would happen. Imagine his dismay when he discovered that his wife had enabled one-click purchasing (or so he said) and he had just spent $1000 on what he’d thought was a gag.
So Apple pulled the plug on I Am Rich, ending its brief career as the world’s most expensive iPhone app.
Of course, that left room for a new most expensive app—and Lextech Labs were more than happy to fill the void. Rather than sell an app whose sole purpose was to cost a bucketload of cash, though, Lextech Labs’ iRa Pro actually does something.
Intended for security professionals who need to maintain unlimited mobility, Ira Pro allows users to monitor IP-based surveillance equipment. The app interfaces with a video management server to provide that extra sense of security that comes from knowing that you can always check in on whatever it is you’re protecting. I imagine this will be quite popular in casinos.
The most expensive iPhone app on the market sells for $899.99. Another version of iRa, iRa Direct, costs significantly less at $499.99 but only allows direct interface with the cameras rather than a video management server.
Most Expensive Presidential Inauguration
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: United States on January 16th, 2009
You might have heard that the 2008 presidential election was the most expensive election season in the history of the United States. Surprise, surprise—it’s being followed up with the most expensive inauguration.
The ceremony, which President-elect Barack Obama has attempted to make as accessible as possible, is expected to attract 1.5 to 2 million attendees—around three to four times the normal population of Washington, DC. In response, the outgoing Bush administration has declared a state of emergency in the District of Columbia. That decision allowed the allocation of emergency funds to cover the costs of the influx of people flooding the capital.
The inauguration will be preceded on the 18th by a free concert featuring Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Beyoncé. On the 19th, Obama and Biden will celebrate Martin Luther King Day at various events around Washington. The ceremony proper will begin at 10:00 AM (EST) on the steps of the Capitol building and the first African-American President of the United States of America will be sworn in by noon.
All told, the event is expected to cost over $150 million—more than three times the cost of President Bush’s inauguration in 2005. Forty-nine million of that has been budgeted by the federal government. The rest will be paid for by donations, including $43 million raised by Obama for the ceremony.
Most Expensive Tuna Fish
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Food, Luxury, World on January 14th, 2009The bluefin tuna is a species in decline. While the Pacific variety isn’t as endangered as the West Atlantic bluefin, it’s quite telling that half of the 600 devices that researchers from Tag-A-Giant attached to Pacific bluefins were returned to the New York-based operation by fishermen seeking the devices’ $500 reward. Combine the pressure from fishing with the weather experienced in the region this year and you have a species that may not be around to see 2010.
It certainly doesn’t help that it’s such a tasty fish.
A 282-pound catch off the northern coast of Oma was recently sold in a Tokyo auction. The winners, a pair of rival restaurateurs, set aside their differences to acquire the mammoth fish. All told, the two paid over $100,000 for the fish, making it the world’s most expensive tuna fish.
The 282-pound tuna wasn’t the only bluefin up for auction. The two others sold this year, however, don’t quite compare to the forty-one that were sold at the same auction last year.
Maybe offering a reward for the prize in the fish’s belly wasn’t such a good idea after all.
A bluefin tuna fish.
Most Expensive Antique Car in the World
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Vehicles, World on January 13th, 2009
When relatives of the recently deceased and “eccentric” Dr. Harold Carr opened the garage he’d left to them in his will, they had no idea what to expect. Sure they’d heard that there might be a Bugatti in there, but that was just a bit of local legend. As it happened, there really was a Bugatti in there—and, when it goes to auction in February, it will likely prove to be the most expensive car ever sold.
This 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante was originally purchased by Earl Howe a month after it left the Bugatti works. Over the 8 years that he owned the car, Howe added new bumpers, a luggage rack and rearview mirrors. It was later brought up to SC specification with the addition of a Marshall K200 supercharger by its next owner, J P Tingay. Eventually, the car found its way into the hands of Lord Ridley who held it for a year before selling it to Dr. Carr.
Combine this pedigree with the fact that only seventeen Type 57S’s—a version of the Type 57 modified specifically for competitions—were created and you have quite an expensive car.
The world’s most expensive antique car is expected to sell for £6 million (over US $8.8 million) at Bonham’s Retromobile car show in Paris.
Most Expensive Diamond
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Fashion, Luxury, World on January 12th, 2009Diamond-owners rejoice—even in a recession, diamonds command a hefty price. In fact, the first half of 2008 saw a 32% increase in jewelry sales at Christie’s auction houses when compared to sales in the first six months of 2007. They saved the best for last, however, as the world’s most expensive diamond was sold in [...]
Most Expensive Television Commercial
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: World on January 9th, 2009Norwich Union, one of Britain’s most trusted insurance brands, is changing its name and they’re celebrating with Bruce Willis, Elle Macpherson and the world’s most expensive commercial.
The expensive advertisement shows celebrities Bruce Willis, Elle Macpherson, Alice Cooper and Ringo Starr alongside their younger selves at the height of their fame. What do these celebs have [...]
Most Expensive Earbuds
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, Fashion on January 7th, 2009The Sennheiser Orpheus may be a great pair of headphones for audiophiles, but what about those who prefer style over sound quality? Well, that’s what the world’s most expensive earbuds are for.
Created by Thomas Heyerdahl of Heyerdahl Jewellery, the same person behind the iDiamond iPod, these blinged out buds aren’t just a one-off for charity—they [...]
Most Expensive E-Book
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, World on January 5th, 2009Nothing drives home the fact that information is a commodity in this day and age like a survey of the world’s most expensive e-books. For example, one such book is an apparently untitled book available through DailyVariance.com which to improve its purchaser’s poker skills so much that it pays for its $1,850 price tag. In [...]
World’s Most Expensive Cell Phone Plans
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, World on January 5th, 2009If you think your cell phone bill is high, try moving to New Zealand. According to a recent survey by the Kiwis’ Commerce Commission, New Zealanders are paying for some of the most expensive cell phone plans in the world.
Due to a network duopoly between service providers Vodafone and Telecom, the typical New Zealander pays [...]
Most Expensive Umbrella
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Fashion, World on January 4th, 2009When Italian Formula One mogul Flavio Briatore and designer Angelo Galasso partnered up to create Billionaire Italian Couture, the “first international couture line exclusively for men” (according to their website), nobody could have foreseen this—the world’s most expensive umbrella.
Made of high quality and, shockingly, water resistant crocodile skin, this umbrella will certainly help you stand [...]
Most Expensive Rubik’s Cube
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Luxury on January 4th, 2009You’ve probably spent hours in frustration trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube. Maybe you’ve even solved it a few times. Maybe you’ve even figured out how to solve the thing consistently. Wouldn’t you feel smarter, though, if you solved the most expensive Rubik’s Cube in the world?
Yeah, I thought so.
The Masterpiece Cube, created by Fred [...]
Most Expensive Christmas Tree
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, World on December 24th, 2008‘Tis the season the empty your wallet—as if it wasn’t empty enough already. Despite any global economic crises or whatnot, this year marks the unveiling of yet another world’s most expensive Christmas tree.
Outdoing last year’s tree, a million-dollar Soo Kee Jewellery masterpiece displayed at the Bugis Junction shopping mall in Singapore, Ginza Tanaka’s 24k gold [...]
Most Expensive Kennel
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, Real Estate, World on November 30th, 2008We all know that some dog owners are a bit too attached to attached to their canine companions—bringing them to family gatherings, restaurants or even that unexpected visit to your place. So what happens when a person like that also happens to be a surgeon who can afford to drop nearly $400,000 on a whim? [...]
Most Expensive Wedding Cake
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Food, Luxury, United States on November 11th, 2008The world’s most expensive cake may look tasty, but was it? If this glitzy wedding cake’s creators are to be believed, no one ever knew.
Unveiled in 2006 at the Luxury Bridal Show on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the expensive cake was created by cake designers Nahid La Patisserie Artistique along with jewelers Mimi So. [...]
Most Expensive Refrigerator
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, Luxury on November 11th, 2008If you’re one of the richest of the rich, your kitchen is no doubt full of expensive appliances for all your culinary needs—and that’s just the one you use to make your snacks. Unfortunately for you, it’s not yet complete if you don’t have the world’s most expensive refrigerator.
Northland, a 100-year-old provider of custom refrigerators, [...]
Most Expensive Bicycle Wheels
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, Vehicles, World on October 28th, 2008We’ve already told you about the world’s most expensive bicycle, but what if you’re only in the market for wheels? Well, you’re covered as well now that Lew Racing has produced the world’s most expensive bicycle wheels.
Lew Racing proudly trumpets their Pro VT-1 as “the strongest 880 gram wheel set in the world PERIOD.” The [...]
Most Expensive Golf Cart
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, Vehicles on October 27th, 2008Based on the military’s HMMWV, or Humvee, the Hummer brand proved popular in the States. In the heyday of Hummer fever, it not only invaded the links but also produced a pricey golf cart. That’s right; the favored gas guzzler of football players everywhere is also the world’s most expensive golf cart.
Licensed by General Motors, [...]
Most Expensive Broadway Musical
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Music, United States on October 27th, 2008Broadway theatre has its roots in the very end of the 18th century, when New York’s first theatre companies were formed. Nowadays, Broadway audiences can expect to see a mixture of well known television and movie stars and stage actors who only play bit parts outside of theatre. Considering the salaries commanded by film actors, [...]
Most Expensive Pacifier
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Fashion, Luxury on October 22nd, 2008If you think rich people like to waste their money, then I promise that the following won’t dispel that belief. After all, what could be a bigger waste of money than giving your baby a diamond-studded anything?
The world’s most expensive pacifier features a silicone nipple sporting over 278 pave cut diamonds totaling 3 carats. The [...]
World’s Most Expensive Bras
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Fashion, Luxury, World on October 22nd, 2008You may have heard recently that Victoria’s Secret has recently been displaying the world’s most expensive bra. It’s not true. In fact, there are several bras that we know of that were more expensive than that one, all products of Victoria’s Secret.
Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra
$5 million
Modeled by Brazil’s Adriana Lima, the bra features [...]
Most Expensive Blog Ever Sold
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: World on October 8th, 2008A multimillion dollar purchase by BankRate, a financial information site, has just made one savvy blogger the owner of the most expensive blog in the world.
Johns Wu, founder and sole employee of Bankaholic, has been paid $12.4 million for his financial blog and may receive up to an additional $2.5 million over the next year. [...]
Most Expensive Magazines
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, World on October 7th, 2008How much would you be willing to fork over for a subscription to a magazine about quantitative finances? Forget the ten to twenty dollars you’d pay for a subscription to Maxim, Cosmo or Rolling Stone. Quantitative analysts who want to keep up to date in their chosen profession may need to pay up to nearly [...]
Most Expensive Grapes
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Food, Luxury, World on October 6th, 2008Wines made in the Bordeaux region of France have a wide range of quality, from table wine to some of the most expensive wines in the world. Of course, fine wine doesn’t just fall out of the sky—which is where the world’s most expensive grapes come in.
Called Premier Grand Cru—the “best of the first growth”—these [...]
Most Expensive Desk
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury on October 6th, 2008If you’ve ever wondered what the most expensive desk in the world looks like, you need look no further. The unique desk pictured below commands a six figure price tag and lets you know that the person sitting behind it boasts a few more figures in their income.
Created by Parnian Furniture Design & Manufacturing of [...]
Most Expensive Go-Kart
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, Luxury, Vehicles on September 29th, 2008Are you a Ferrari enthusiast? Do you think your kid should get an early start on his or her own addiction to luxury sports cars? Well, you’re in luck. FAO Schwarz and Neiman Marcus had someone just like you in mind when they sold the most expensive go-kart in the world.
This stunningly accurate replica of [...]
Most Expensive Razor
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Luxury, World on September 26th, 2008
If you’re the kind of guy who manages to cut himself with a safety razor, the world’s most expensive razor is not for you. If you have steady hands, an appreciation of fine craftsmanship and the kind of budget that lets you buy a $30,000 razor, though, then you may want to take a look at what Hommage has created for people like you.
Known for their luxury personal grooming products, Parisian company Hommage certainly lives up to their reputation with the Damascene Razor. The name comes from the Damascus steel used to make the blade. While the technique for making the True Damascus encountered during the Crusades has been lost since the 1700s, modern pattern welding techniques have produced similar blades. The 128 layers of steel in the Damascene Razor produce a rose and torsion pattern much like those seen in True Damascus blades.
The blade isn’t the only expensive material used to make this extravagantly crafted straight razor, though. The razor’s sheath is platinum plated and it comes in a lacquered gift box of Tanzanian anigré wood.
If you want one, though, you’d better buy it now. The most expensive razor in the world is a limited edition item.
Most Expensive Aircraft
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: United States, Vehicles on September 24th, 2008Anyone who’s ever read anything about US military spending shouldn’t be surprised that the world’s most expensive aircraft was a Department of Defense project.
Created as part of a secret project in the 1980s, the expensive plane is a design executed with the Soviet Union in mind. The Northrop Grumman ATB (Advanced Technology Bomber) was designated the B-2 Spirit after it was chosen over a Lockheed/Rockwell design in 1981. The stealthy bomber was meant to be able to penetrate even the most impregnable anti-aircraft defenses.
The project didn’t turn out quite as expected, though. A redesign from high-altitude to low-altitude mission profile added two years and $1 billion to the project’s cost, bringing the total expenditure up to a reported $23 billion. Furthermore, the dissolution of the Soviet Union resulted in the production being limited to 20 planes—21 if you count an upgraded test bomber.
Reports on the cost of a single B-2 bomber vary from $737 million to $2.2 billion, but the most often cited figure for the most expensive aircraft in the world is $1.3 billion.
Most Expensive Barbie Dolls
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Collectibles, Fashion on September 5th, 2008
1959 No. 1 Barbie
The first Barbie dolls were introduced by Mattel, Inc. in 1959. Produced in Japan, their clothing was hand-stitched by home workers. Creator Ruth Handler based them on a German doll called Bild Lilli, which was itself based on a comic strip character. Since then, of course, the Barbie doll has become a household name. Having been around that long, Barbie’s been through quite a few editions.
On her 40th birthday, for instance, we were introduced to the most expensive Barbie doll at the time. Created by jeweler De Beers, this unique Barbie’s dress is covered in diamonds—160 of them, to be exact. She also wears 18k white gold jewelry. This expensive Barbie has an extraordinary price tag of $85,000.
For those who prefer the nostalgia factor to the bling factor, the most expensive classic Barbie is naturally the very first—Barbie No. 1. Featuring a ponytail and zebra-striped bathing suit, this vintage Barbie doll is considerably cheaper than the De Beers Barbie at an estimated $8,000.
Currently, the world’s most expensive Barbie doll is one that was introduced in Mexico City. The doll was created to promote a new Barbie movie, Barbie and the Diamond Castle. According to Giancarlo Melloni, Barbie’s brand manager in Mexico, the film has themes near and dear to the hearts of young women—“friendship, music and shiny jewels.”
Barbie and the Diamond Castle promotional doll
Mr. Melloni is clearly breaking new ground there.
The most expensive Barbie doll was not created for sale but has been valued at 1 million pesos (US $95,361). It features a total of 318 diamonds weighing in at 20.66 carats. Forty-four of the gems decorate her dress while the rest adorn her white gold accessories.
Most Expensive Knife
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Luxury, World on September 4th, 2008
In 1966, a twenty-something named Buster Warenski decided that he’d like to make his own knife. Forty years later, he is considered one of the greatest knife makers of the last century. At the age of thirty, he became one of the handful of knife makers to join the Knifemakers Guild. He ended up serving two terms as the guild’s president.
His Legacy Series of four 18k gold knives includes the most expensive modern knife in the world—Gem of the Orient. Designed for a Japanese customer, the knife’s jade and gold filigree handle is encrusted with 153 emeralds (10 carats) and nine diamonds (5 carats). In all, the knife was made with 28 ounces of gold. Supposedly, it took Warenski 10 years to make.
The world’s most expensive modern knife was originally sold for $1.2 million. The buyer, in turn, put Gem of the Orient up for sale for $2.1 million.
Most Expensive Car Insurance
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Vehicles, World on August 29th, 2008Car insurance can be an expensive prospect for automobile owners. If you think you’re paying too much, though, maybe you should compare your insurance rates to those of the most expensive car insurance in the world.
In 2005, New Jersey had the most expensive auto insurance in the nation. The average insurance expenditure, at the time, [...]
Most Expensive Car Ever Sold in the U.S.
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, United States, Vehicles on August 21st, 2008(Image via The German Car Blog.)
One of the world’s most prestigious car auctions has produced some very impressive figures this year. Part of the famed Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, Gooding & Company’s auction has set several world records since its inception in 1990. Now it has hosted the auction of the most expensive car ever [...]
World’s Most Expensive Cigars
Written by: tom Filed Under: Collectibles, Luxury, World on August 20th, 2008Cigar tobacco is grown in many places throughout the Americas and Caribbean, but certain cigars manufactured in Cuba are widely considered the best cigars in the world. Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar. As expensive cigars are symbols of wealth and success, the world’s most expensive cigars may hold far more value than their [...]
Most Expensive Office Chairs
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, World on August 19th, 2008Pininfarina’s Aresline Xten
How much time do you spend in your office chair? For some, the comfort offered by an office chair is important as that of a bed. After all, anyone with a desk job can spend over half of their day in one or the other. If that sounds like your typical day and [...]
Most Expensive Trailer Parks
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Real Estate, United States on August 19th, 2008If you think “most expensive trailer park” sounds laughable at best, then you need to check out these luxury trail—uhm, mobile home parks in Malibu. Located in the same areas as the multi-million dollar homes of celebrities, these two parks both include homes that sell for over $1 million.
The Paradise Cove mobile home park started [...]
Most Expensive Paintball Guns
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, United States on August 19th, 2008Paintball was originally inspired by Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, a short story in which a Russian big-game hunter, bored with hunting animals, turns to hunting humans for sport. Since its inception in 1976, the game has exploded in popularity. Each year, over 10 million people play paintball in the US alone. It’s little [...]
Most Expensive Stadium in the World
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Real Estate, World on August 18th, 2008When future archaeologists study the remains of the 21st century, our stadiums may be some of the most some of the most visited historical sites. Like the Colosseum of Rome, these structures aren’t just places of human struggles for the entertainment of the masses; they’re also works of art. Currently, London’s Wembley Stadium is the [...]
Most Expensive Doghouse
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Luxury, World on August 18th, 2008Does your purse-ridden poodle get hives just looking at a standard doghouse? If so, then he may be in luck as the world’s most expensive doghouse will appeal to even the princeliest pup’s sensibilities.
This unique doghouse, featuring the face of Japan’s famous feline, was created by Sanrio for a sales event at a department store [...]
World’s Most Expensive Vacations
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, Travel, World on August 12th, 2008Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi
The competition is fierce as two giants in the hotel industry vie for the right to call their package the most expensive vacation in the world. The two competitors, Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and The Leading Hotels of the World, both offer $1 million vacation packages.
Lead Hotels’ package, “Around the [...]
Most Expensive Cantaloupe
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Food, World on August 10th, 2008Yubari melons
Have you ever considered melons to be luxury items? Perhaps you should have. After all, a pair of cantaloupes just sold for quite a hefty sum in Japan’s Sapporo City Central Wholesale Markets.
The world’s most expensive cantaloupes are a pair of Yubari melons and were the first auction of the 2008 season. They had [...]
World’s Most Expensive Golf Bag
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Fashion, Luxury on August 6th, 2008Forget that cheap golf bag you’ve been using. If you need a bag to go with your expensive golf clubs and expensive golf ball marker, and you really want to impress people then what you want is the most expensive golf bag in the world.
The Damier Geant Golf Bag, created by Louis Vuitton, is named [...]
World’s Most Expensive Streets (Residential)
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, Real Estate, World on August 6th, 2008Despite everything you’ve heard about the housing market, the residents of these swanky streets aren’t sweating it. That’s because they live on the most expensive residential streets in the world. A recent survey by Wealth-Bulletin places the following five streets at the top of the list.
5. Avenue Montaigne, Paris - $5,046 per square foot.
Site of [...]
Most Expensive Star Wars Memorabilia
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury on August 6th, 2008Since the original release of the franchise’s first movie in 1977, Star Wars has become one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. Six movies, hundreds of novels and comics, video games, a pair of tabletop role-playing game lines and thousands of toys—there’s no end to the products an avid Star Wars fan [...]
Most Expensive Mr. Potato Head
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Collectibles, Luxury on July 31st, 2008Originally released in 1952 as a collection of body parts and accessories that could be attached to a real potato (or many other fruits and vegetables), Mr. Potato Head has become one of the most widely recognized toy brands in the US. It was more than ten years before a plastic potato body was added [...]
Most Expensive Coffeemaker
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Luxury, United States on July 25th, 2008Coffee has a long history dating back, as far as we can tell, to 9th century Ethiopia. The first coffee aficionados, though, weren’t the native peoples. Rather, it was their goats whom they noticed “dancing” after eating certain wild beans. It wasn’t until they reached Arabia, however, that they were first roasted and brewed into [...]
Most Expensive Necktie
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Fashion, World on July 24th, 2008Views on neckties tend to vary widely. To some, a necktie is a symbol of success and/or authority. To others, it can be seen as a leash or even a phallic symbol. Some think that only men should wear them, others see the tie as unisex. Regardless of what you may think of ordinary ties, [...]
Most Expensive Audio Cables
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Electronics, Luxury on July 16th, 2008For years, audiophiles have been dishing out dollar after dollar to attain the highest level of sonic perfection. Have they achieved it or have their efforts been a total waste? There are many who will argue one way or the other but, whatever the case, expensive speaker cables aren’t going away.
Pear ANJOU Speaker Cables - [...]
World’s Most Expensive Watches
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Collectibles, Fashion, Luxury, World on July 16th, 2008Watch collecting may be one of the most expensive hobbies in the world, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. Many antique timepieces are a testament to the brilliance of early and modern innovators.
Vacherin Constantin’s Tour de l’Ile - $1.5 million
Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin marked its 250th anniversary in 2005 with the world’s most [...]
Most Expensive Sunglasses
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Fashion, Luxury on July 14th, 2008A pair of designer sunglasses can easily become one of the most expensive accessories in your wardrobe. With sunglasses priced at hundreds and even thousands, there’s evidence aplenty that a good designer will never lack for work.
A pair of Moss Lipow sunglasses
New York artist Moss Lipow may not have been trained in the design of [...]
Most Expensive Silent Film
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, World on July 14th, 2008It’s being claimed by some that Pixar’s latest offering, Wall-E, is the most expensive silent film ever made. While it’s true that the film’s staggering $180 million budget places it within the top 20 most expensive films of all time, the film is not technically a silent film.
The story of the last—and loneliest—robot on earth, [...]
Most Expensive Record
Written by: jeremy Filed Under: Art, Collectibles, World on July 14th, 2008Have you ever heard of The Quarrymen? No? Well, it may shock you to find out that that a vanity record pressed by this group is worth something like £100,000 ($200,000 USD). Even more surprising, the world’s most expensive record is a single—a cover of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day.”
If you’re wondering how [...]
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