Wolrd's Largest Diamond Mine

This diamond mine in eastern Siberia (Mirny, to be exact) is so deep that the surrounding "air zone... is closed for helicopters" after "a few accidents when they were 'sucked in' by downward air flow..."

Look for the tiny red arrow in the following photograph; it's pointing to a 220-ton rock-hauling truck more than 20' tall.

(Thanks to JavaFAQ and Javier Arbona [via Kazys Varnelis] for both the link and photos.)

Meanwhile, something altogether different and Jules Vernian is about to occur thanks to some Japanese scientists hoping to drill down into the earth's mantle: "Using a giant drill ship launched [in July 2005], the researchers aim to be the first to punch a hole through the rocky crust that covers our planet and to reach the mantle below."

And then, in an oddly Borgesian, or perhaps MC Escherian, moment of nomenclatural mise-en-abîme, "The 57,500-tonne drill ship Chikyu (Japanese for Earth) is being prepared in the southern port of Nagasaki. Two-thirds the length of the Titanic, it is fitted with technology borrowed from the oil industry that will allow it to bore through 7,000 metres of crust below the seabed while floating in 2,500 metres of water – requiring a drill pipe 25 times the height of the Empire State building."

For some sense of perspective here, the diamond mine, pictured above, is 1200 meters deep; that means that to reach the mantle, the Japanese will have to produce a drill-hole nearly seven times deeper than the mine (which sounds alarmingly easy, actually – I was expecting to be horrified).

In any case, the drill-ship is called *Earth* and it's being drilled down into the earth... The attack of the simulacra begins.

[Note: This post originally stated that the mine was in South Africa – but I've corrected myself thanks to the comment, below. And apologize. It is, in fact, in Russia, as this BBC slideshow – which I actually looked at a few days ago without noticing (uh...) – makes clear. This BBC link also inverts the figures I had, so who knows: I had 1200m deep and 500m wide (which I suppose is a bit unlikely); the Beeb says the opposite. If that is the case, however, then that Japanese bore-hole into the earth's mantle will actually be at least *fourteen times* deeper than the Mirny mine...]

World's Most Expensive Diamond Encrusted Skull

Damien Hirst unveils £50 million diamond skull

Damien Hirst has unveiled his latest bizarre creation - a £50 million diamond encrusted skull.

The "bling" work, entitled For the Love of God, is the most expensive piece of contemporary art.

Propped behind reinforced glass in a darkened room in the White Cube gallery in East London, the skull is covered with 8,601 flawless diamonds - three times the number on the crown the Queen wears on state occasions.

Even the eye sockets and the holes for the nose have been filled with hundreds of jewels. A 52-carat pear-shaped stone is set into the forehead, surrounded by 14 diamonds.

The skull is a platinum replica of a human skull bought by Hirst two years ago in a London taxidermy shop. The original is thought to be that of a 35-year-old man who lived in Europe during the 18th century. The teeth have been taken from the original, polished, and then reset in the cast.

Expensive Diamond Encrusted Cutlury Set

100,000 saucepan brings bling to your cooker

There's meant to be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But if you have cash to spare, you could find one on your stovetop.
The 11in pot, which has solid gold handles studded with 200 diamonds, is made by German cookware firm Fissler. Wealthy cooks can pick one up made to order at Harrods for £100,000.

The manufacturer insists it can be used like any other saucepan in the range.
Although decorated with almost 2lb of gold, it could be a little heavier than your average aluminium pan.

Fissler is hoping it will be included in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most precious pot.

If fine dining rather than cooking is more to your taste, you might prefer the 144-piece solid silver cutlery set, set with 4,000 diamonds, on sale at Selfridges for £200,000.

Kit Li-Perry, head of the homewares department at the London store, said: 'This wonderful cutlery set is catering for customers who have a passion for craftsmanship of the highest order where money is no object.'

And for the music fan with everything, a solid gold iPod could be the perfect choice.
A spokesman for Xexoo, the Birmingham-based firm which makes the modified iPods for £10,000, said there was a definite market for such luxuries. 'There is a demand for toys like this,' he said. 'Some customers want just one thing - the best.'

Bling bling: The diamond encrusted saucepan

A fork, which is part of a £200,000 cutlery set

Diamond Encrusted Knives

Bling Swiss Army Knife Picture

For those of us who prefer the finer things, here’s a diamond-encrusted swiss army knife. The “Collection Victoria” is adorned with 800 flawless diamonds, and limited to 120 pieces. From photopress.ch
I’ve actually seen one of these (behind glass) at the Victorinox UK flagship store. It’s pretty!

Based on three-inch Executive-Type knife, the new knives feature a nail file and nail cleaner, orange peeler with screwdriver, ring and tweezers next to a couple of blades. To be the one amongst 120 lucky chaps, you will have to shell out $50,000 for the yellow gold version while the the platinum one will set you back $70,000.

Nesmuk Diamond-Studded Kitchen Knife

This is what happens when a jeweler and a blade-smith come together: a beautiful (if totally impractical) diamond-studded kitchen knife. Quintin Nel and Hoffmann/Pieper are the experts behind this creation, which is part of an exclusive group of handmade knives called "Nesmuk" that are said to be the sharpest and most expensive knives in the world. Each features a sterling silver handle, a carbon steel blade, and 8 diamond accents. It all comes nestled neatly in a piano box along with a coordinating diamond ring for €31,000 (a ring and a knife seems like a strange combo but who am I to judge).

Diamond Keys

Beautifull Diamond Encrusted Keys

Big Jewelry-particularly bling, as some may refer to it, seems like it is here to stay. With no decline of decoration pieces looming on the horizon, it seems that we can now coin items like giant necklaces "investment pieces". If I am sinking the dough into an item, my pick would be this Theo Fennell cross. I like the size and chunkiness, but most of all I like the diamond-encrustment. As they say, diamonds are a girl's best friend.

A celebratory symbol, the Keys collection evokes both mystery and preciousness. The Theo Fennell logo plays an integral part in the design, giving this classic piece an elegant signature.This white gold pendant is adorned with brilliant cut black and white diamond pavé.

Special Diamond Key For Heart from Tiffany & Co.

Diamond Encrusted Glasses

TAG Heuer L-Type Series Diamond Shield Opticals

With the holidays creeping up faster than you can think, TAG Heuer is releasing new eyewear with stunning results.
My favorite series of the TAG Heuer’s new eyewear offerings is the L-Type Series, particularly the Diamond Shield opticals. TAG Heuer Diamond Shield glasses have too many features to count including alligator mat brown gold temples, palladium coated metallic parts, black elastomere, 23 diamonds, and a patented design.
However, the Diamond Shield glasses patented design is the most appealing attribute of these eye-catching glasses. The elastomere is embedded underneath the embroided leather to increase flexibility. Each and every metal component is also brushed by hand increasing quality and endurance.
Finally, the luxurious feel of the L-type collection is worth every penny you will spend on the Diamond Shield glasses. The entire L-type collection is made from diverse materials including alligator skin from Louisiana, calf skin, python skin, palladium, and ceramic… and of course diamonds.

D&G tiny diamond sunglasses

It is whole world that prevail circle D&G to attract attention focus, not merely often there is a lot of dramatic exciting behavior among the beautiful field, pour into a lot of magnificent unique styles too on the glasses of D&G, with one’s own unique magnificent style, merge sharp fashion create glamour, mirror type of arc full of women arcual lines of glamour walk back and forth Buddha to be fashionable to cut on your face, that garrulous diamond arranged like Milk Way glitters in your eyes border above the lens, D&G design style making people crazy about is changeable, bring the fashion element into full play to show the luxurious prevailing custom of shining that has star’s makings very much even more.

Barton Perreira Diamond Sunglasses

Summer may be over but not sunglasses season, instead of beach glare those of us who live in winter climates will soon be fighting the harsh reflections of sun off snow. So, what better time to invest in some new chic shades like these from Barton Perreira? This is the "Emmanuelle" in silver and it's my favorite of the Jeweled Collection. The gems are tastefully placed to accent the designs instead of overtake them -- just a little bit of rock star diva glamor for those who want the bling without the tacky (that would be me!). $300-$600+

Diamond Harlot Sunglasses

Between losing them and accidentally sitting on them, I'm pretty rough on my sunglasses and usually end up going through several pairs every year (or sometimes just in a season). So although I usually stick with fairly inexpensive brands this Diamond Harlot makes me want to rethink that decision. We first covered the Harlot by Oliver Peoples a couple years ago and now the glamorous, over-sized oval design has made a not-to-be-missed return, except this time with the added glitz of an 18k gold lug and 1.5 carats of glittering diamonds on each temple.The Diamond Harlot is currently available in 3 color schemes (white, black, and pearl) at English and Mulley for £2720.

Coach Diamond Sunglasses - SG_CO005

Coach's Diamond Sunglasses is one of the season's hottest items. Fabulously shaped! Adorned with colorful diamonds on the arms. Yellow frame and dark lens. Coach logo on arms. A must have accessory all year round!Price : US $59.00

Gold and Diamond encrusted sunglasses by Franco

The worlds most expensive sunglasses, as worn by the Hollywood A-listers themselves, Franco´s Luxuriator Collection is the definition of cool.

A true must have for fashionistas around the world, Franco´s Luxuriator collection came to life in the year 2004 when he created his first pair of luxury handcrafted diamond sunglasses for a celebrity friend.

Since then, Luxuriator has grown, as has the impressive client list seen wearing this truly unique and exclusive eyewear. Last year, Franco collected the tag of the worlds most expensive sunglasses with a due-style 23 shade with 132 hand-set pave diamonds in an 18k gold frame, a large two carat canary accent diamond, and ivory buffalo horn temples, priced at $65,000.

Celebrity wearers of Franco’s distinctive and exotic designs include rock legend Meat Loaf, and many Hollywood A-listers such as actor and producer Daniel Baldwin, Oscar-winner Martin Landau, Christopher McDonald and actresses Cherish Lee, Charlene Tilton, Elke Sommer, Stephanie Powers and Tracy Bingham.

Franco’s current collection is a fashion-forward blend of exquisite jewelley and top of the line optics that was created for high-end jewellery stores and optical boutiques. The collection consists of 2 main styles; Luxuriator Uno, a single bridge chassis, and Luxuriator Due, a double bridge chassis.

The Luxuriator line showcases eyewear encrusted with diamonds and featuring the most technologically-advanced lenses. Frames are available in 18k gold, with subtle shades of yellow, white, gold and rose. All frames are made of solid buffalo horn and exotic leathers and unique diamond rings on each side are a design trade mark created exclusively by Franco.

Custom design - Bespoke EyewearFranco offers a custom design service, working with your wants and needs to create a tailored design just for you. Contact him for a personal appointment.

Prescription Eyewear - Optical wear need not compromise your style. Franco will work with your prescription needs; lenses can be made in a given clients own prescription.

Wolrd’s Most Expensive Diamond Encrusted Machines

Diamond-Encrusted Espresso Machine for the Rich and Tasteless

If you've been wondering what to get your rich, caffeine-addicted, bling-loving uncle for his birthday, we've got the perfect gift. Feast your eyes on the Nespresso Crystal Edition coffee machine. This decadent espresso making machine is encrusted with 3,100 Swarovski crystals, which have apparently become little more than accessories for gadgets. For almost $4,000 you get what appears to be a decent, if more or less pedestrian espresso machine:- cup warmer in aluminum- removable grill for the preparation of Latte Macchiato- automatically remove of used capsules- illuminated collecting pan for used capsules- high pressure pump with 19 bar- electronic temperature control (Thermoblock)- removable water tank- automatic functions. Choose with one push at a button between Espresso and Lungo.The only thing that sets this apart from the pack is the unbelievably gaudy crystal facade.


Electrolux Diamond Encrusted Vacuum Cleaner

Promises to put the sparkle in your cleaning 17 March 2009 14:04 GMT
If you've got £13,825 to spend and the urge to look good when you do the house work then maybe you need one of these. Created as a one-off by Lukaz Jemiol, the young Polish fashion designer has created a vacuum cleaner that is blinged to the hilt.