Diamonds are a tree's best friend. Photo: Caters News via The Telegraph
I know, you're hoping that title was a typo. No, ma'am -- we're talking the real deal here. According to The Telegraph, the $136,000 ruby-encrusted Christmas ornament was created by 38-year-old Mark Hussey, owner of family business Hallmark Jewelers. A hefty 18 carat white gold ornament, plastered with over one and a half thousand stunning diamonds and surrounded by rings featuring 188 red rubies, the bauble took an entire year to design and manufacture.
Hussey told The Telegraph, "It was never about the value of the bauble, we just wanted to do something special for Christmas... We researched other amazing baubles [and] we discovered the most expensive one was £26,874. We thought, why not see if we can beat it - but we were bowled over when it was valued at £82,000."
Hussey said that over 130 hours were spent setting the gems onto the ornament. Although he would love to keep the bauble for his jewelry shop, the ornament is, indeed, for sale. "But if I'm honest, if it's still here on Christmas Eve I'd love to put it on our Christmas tree," says Hussey.
If you happen to be planning a trip to the U.K. for the holidays, the ornament is being held in Titchfield, Hampshire. Of course, you'll have to get through a healthy dose of security first, and we're not talking airports. The bauble is being kept in a steel-framed case surrounded by 6mm thick laminated glass and is surrounded by a high tech microwave bubble, which sounds if it is broken. Also included? An extra internal alarm which fills the shop with smoke when disturbed.
Somehow, my new holiday ornaments are beginning to pale in comparison...
Read more outlandish luxuries:
-Thrones Fit For a Queen: 5 Quirky Toilets
-A $50,000 Christmas Tree
