The $4m Chess Set with 513 carats of Diamonds, Pearls and Sapphire

(IDEX Online) - An Australian goldsmith has crafted the world's most expensive chess set, costing $4m.The pieces are made of 18k white gold, adorned with a total of 513 carats of fine white diamonds, South Sea pearls and AAA Ceylon Blue sapphires.  Colin Burn's Pearl Royale chess pieces replicate those from the standard 1849 Staunton set found in millions of homes, made originally from boxwood and ebony. But his dazzling take on their classic design comes as a limited edition of just three.The kings, for example, are made of 162 grams of solid white 18k gold and include 33.974 carats of diamonds and 2.775 carats of sapphire (full specification below).Colin has one set on permanent display, by appointment only, at the ACCA Gallery, in Beverly Hills, California, USA."I wanted to create the most beautiful chess set???,? ?" he said. "With the world's most beautiful diamonds and rich blue sapphires fit for a king and queen. "My dream was to create the world's finest chess set for the world's greatest players to do battle."

Pics courtesy Colin Burn

Specifications (Single Piece) KingsGold: Approximately 162 Grams 18k Solid White Gold - Rhodium Coated. South Sea Pearls: 1 x 16 mm Round, Australian Silver White, Excellent, Clean. 1 x 16 mm Round, Tahitian Peacock Black, Excellent, Clean. Ceylon Blue Sapphires: 40 x 2 mm Princess Cut AAA, 8 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut AAA, 1 x 6x4 mm Pear Cut AAA. Fine White Diamonds: 20 x 4x2 Baguette Cut IF/D, 1 x 5 mm Princess Cut IF/D, 22 x 3.5 mm Princess Cut IF/D, 20 x 4 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D, 1 x 3 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D, 4 x 2.5 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D, 8 x 2.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 92 x 2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 126 x 1.9 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 42 x 1.8 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 115 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 109 x 1.7 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 84 x 1.6 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 123 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 84 x 1.4 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 84 x 1.3 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 46 x 1.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 84 x 1.2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 168 x 1.1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G, 76 x 1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G. Total Carats Single Piece: Diamonds 33.974ct Sapphires 2.775ct.