Hallmark Jewelers of Titchfield, Hampshire, U.K., created an 18-karat white gold sphere set with diamonds that they are calling the Christmas Tree Bauble. The decoration was hand pave set with 1,578 diamonds. Three 1-carat diamonds adorn the center band of the sphere and the ornament rests within orbiting rings that are set with 188 rubies. christmas bauble
The decoration took almost one year to make and it was unveiled at a VIP gala evening at Hallmark Jewellers' Titchfield village shop. The Christmas Tree Bauble is presented in a bespoke hand made wooden box complete with a stand. The jeweler stated that the National Association of Goldsmiths valued the ornament at $135,300 (GBP 82,000).
Bauble creator and Hallmark partner Mark Hussey said that it was the second decoration the company has created for Christmas, but this was the most valuable and special of the two. "As the name 'Faberge' has become synonymous with Easter Eggs, I hope the name of Hallmark Jewellers will be forever linked to Christmas," he said. Hussey told the Daily Telegraph that if the ornament doesn't sell, he'd be happy to place it on his own Christmas tree.
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