[1]Heyerdahl.no – iDiamond [2]
I knew that there would be a market for “gadget jewellery”, but this bling-iPod shuffle from the Norwegian Jeweller Thomas Heyerdahl in Oslo is just a bit over the top, being priced at €31.000/US $41.000. The shuffle is adorned by a total of 430 diamonds, with 312 used for the player and 118 used for the earbuds.
Looking at the “diggs” this gadget is getting, it’s a great marketing stunt by Heyerdahl. The iPod is “iconic”, but I think that it would have been much more interesting if they had made an exclusive design, instead of relying on a $79 industrial design. OTOH, linking up with the hyped Apple brand is probably a smart move, and it’s unlikely that I’d heard about it, if they had done an exclusive design.
Personally I find the details about how the gadget was manufactured, much more interesting than the gadget itself.
It was manufactured by a Dutch company called Diaro Digital Design [3], using the 3D-modelling software Rhinoceros [4].
[5]Details about the iDiamond from the Heyerdahl website:
- 1 pcs. / Special edition / Not for commercial sale.
- Produced for Heyerdahl by: Diaro Digital Design – Robert de Brueijs / The Netherlands / www.diaro.nl [3]
- 3D production: CAD / CAM 3D design / Rhinoceros
- Wax model made by: Solidcape T66Bt2 Wax printer.
- Casting method: Vacuumcasting
- Diamond setting: Handcrafted micro Pavè setting.
- Details engraved: Laser engraved details
Details about iDiamond aren’t available on the Diaro Digital Design website, but I suppose that they’ll update their site soon.
The pictures that accompanies this article were copied from the Heyerdahl website, and are most likely copyright Gullsmed Heyerdahl A.S., I consider my use of the pictures to be fair use.