New In High-End Bling: 18 Carat Gold Mobile Phone

This item, expected to sell for more than $60,000, isn't for the technology-conscious. The Æ+Y is a cell phone, but it's not a smart phone; hence, it lacks internet access. Its designer, Yves Béhar, is betting that some rich people will adopt a standoffish stance towards the latest in cell-phone tech.

He said: 'In an age when the industry seems to think that phones aren't for speaking anymore, I wanted to focus on the idea of voice, clarity and simplicity.

'The Æ+Y champions the idea of craftmanship in an age that's obsessed with more and making last year's products obsolete.

'Instead, we propose better and long-lasting as our starting criteria.'

Although this phone is pricey, it's far from the most expenive cell phone made. A custom-modified iPhone 2 encrusted with diamonds was commissioned for about $8 million.


Here's a picture of the keypad, from that same article: