Yahoo Finance The world’s most expensive advent calendar is coming to Australia
Most advent calendars come with small chocolates or little toys and if you’re lucky, your advent calendar might come with small bottles of alcohol.
But if you’re really lucky – and insanely rich – your advent calendar is embellished with precious gemstones, silver and gold, and each day you will receive a new piece of precious jewellery.
Created by Sydney resident, Tim Garside, the world’s most expensive Advent Calendar is heading to Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building on 1 December to celebrate the building’s 120th birthday.
“This has been over 18 months in the making and we are so thrilled to finally see our vision come to life,” the co-director of Mondial, which is unveiling the calendar, Michael Neuman said.
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“For us, it really is about adding that spark of wonder and excitement back into Christmas and we are looking forward to seeing the faces of both adults and children light up as they look into our shop windows and see the incredible and totally unique display.”
“While we understand that very few people can afford to purchase the Calendar, we do hope it draws attention to the magnificent coloured diamonds and gemstones that Australia produces as well as our fine timbers.
“In this current age of suburban shopping centres, we also wish to renew excitement in visiting the city for those unique experiences, where for 120 years the QVB has been serving the community as a central and often premium shopping destination.”
The calendar will open one of its 24 doors every day in the lead up to Christmas and has been designed to reflect the architectural style of the Queen Victoria Building.
What’s inside?
Good question.
The calendar took 18 months to design and build and was specifically commissioned to celebrate Mondial’s 25th birthday and the QVB’s 120th birthday.
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Inside there’s the Mondial Red, considered to be beyond rare. It retails for a smooth $690,000.
The “unique and handcrafted” Aria is also inside, with a price tag of $58,000.
Then there’s the one of a kind Celestia. The Yellow Argyle Diamond retails for around $275,000.
What’s outside?
It’s still pretty fancy.
“One half of the calendar consists of predominantly Australian Red Cedar, along with Australian walnut, and Forest Red Gum, features of Gold Leaf, natural gemstones and crystal,” the master craftsman, Tim Garside said.
“The other side consists of predominantly Huon Pine, Birds Eye Maple, Silky Oak and Red Gum Burl along with features of Silver Leaf, natural gemstones and Crystal.”
He said the calendar has been designed to capture the public’s imagination and provoke curiosity about what’s behind the doors, and building it required gilding, inlay, veneer and metal work, French polishing, glass cutting and fine wood-work.
“I would like the calendar to re-awaken the public’s appreciation of the natural unique precious materials found here in Australia with their beauty and wonderment to be seen through the calendar and the jewellery on display.”
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The regional manager of Vicinity Centres, which manages the QVB added that the Romanesque Revival style of the calendar reflects the building’s style.
“The truly breathtaking diamonds, jewellery and coloured gemstones which are part of the calendar are a brilliant addition to our iconic QVB Swarovski Christmas tree, Santa’s Enchanted Garden, and festive activities we have available for shoppers and visitors at the Queen Victoria Building during this Christmas season.”
