The bluefin tuna is a species in decline. While the Pacific variety isn’t as endangered as the West Atlantic bluefin, it’s quite telling that half of the 600 devices that researchers from Tag-A-Giant attached to Pacific bluefins were returned to the New York-based operation by fishermen seeking the $500 reward for each device. Combine the pressure from fishing with the weather experienced in the region this year and you have a species that may not be around to see 2010.

It certainly doesn’t help that it’s such a tasty fish.

In early 2009, a 282-pound bluefin caught off the northern coast of Oma was sold to a pair of rival restaurateurs who set aside their differences to procure the massive fish for $100,000. In 2001, a 440-pound tuna was sold for the phenomenal price of $220,000.

In 2010, however, the 440-pound tuna’s record was beaten by the sale of a gargantuan 513-pound bluefin. Sold at Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, the most expensive tuna in the world was also purchased by a confederacy of restaurateurs—this time the owners of two sushi restaurants in Japan and the owner of one in Hong Kong.

As the world recently celebrated the start of a new year, sushi connoisseurs worldwide also celebrated a brand new record for the world’s most expensive tuna sold at auction. Purchased at the same Japanese fish market as the previous record holder in Tokyo, this blue fin tuna is substantially bigger than its predecessor. At 269 kilograms (539 pounds), Kiyoshi Kimura purchased the delicious fish at $1,238 per pound.

When you do the math, it adds up to $736,000 US. Kiyoshi, the CEO of a popular sushi chain reportedly bought the most expensive tuna in the world to celebrate his restaurants’ obviously soaring profits while also taking advantage of the publicity that comes with such a purchase.

Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market

Part of the reason for these phenomenal prices, of course, is the bluefin’s rarity. While forty-one bluefin tuna were sold at a 2008 auction, only three were sold at the same auction in 2009. The economic crisis, however, may have been a boon for the bluefin population as consumers found the fish too rich for their wallets. In adition, The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas reduced the quota for the 2010 catch to 13,500 tons—around two-thirds of the former quota.

Still, offering a reward for the prize in the fish’s belly might not have been such a good idea after all.

In the movie Stardust Memories, Woody Allen echoed the sentiment of many Americans when he referred to pigeons as ‘rats with wings’.  Each society has their own set of rules when it comes to the ranking and treatment of different animals, so it comes as no surprise that the storied past time of pigeon racing, currently gaining popularity in China, has yet to catch on in the US.

Pigeon racing has rich cultural roots all over western Europe, and training carrier pigeons has been the privilege of noblemen throughout history.  It is said the Rothschild family banking dynasty benefited from receiving advance news of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo from their homing pigeon.  Modern pigeon racing first gained momentum in the mid 19th century, when Belgian practitioners of the sport began breeding the animals for speed and endurance.  Similar to horse-racing in the US, opportunities to bet on racing pigeons have become big sponsored events in China.

The most expensive pigeon in the world was sold to a wealthy Chinese buyer, who shelled out $200,000 at a Belgium auction for a highly pedigreed racing pigeon.  Known as Blue Prince, this ‘designer’ pigeon seems a breed apart from the plump, trash-foraging birds commonly seen in urban parks.  Currently living out his retirement on a Chinese roof top,  Blue Prince is no longer expected to race, but was purchased to breed more speedy champions like himself.

Hardly an icon of luxury, the vacuum is more commonly viewed as the weapon of choice for janitors, maids, stay at home moms, and those who rank somewhere along the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder spectrum.  Companies like Dyson, Kirby, and Hoover may offer state-of-the-art sucking technology; but the offensively loud, droning, cat-terrorizing machine is still seen as considerably less sexy and luxurious than, say, a feather duster from The Dollar Tree.

Enter the most expensive vacuum cleaner in the world: The Crystal Ergoripado by Electrolux.  Created in 2009 by Polish Fashion designer Lukasz Jemiol, the vacuum was commissioned to commemorate Electrolux’s popular Ergoripado model.  The limited edition black and white version of this model was chosen to be adorned head to toe with 3,730 Swarovski crystals.  Electrolux lovingly states “Inspired by (the Ergoripado’s) beautiful form, we decided to create something extraordinary”  Electrolux has already won several design awards for the sleek Ergoripado.

This one-off, record-breaking vacuum cleaner is still available at a hefty $19,340, leading one to question the overlap between those who could afford the pricey cleaning device and those who actually vacuum their own houses.

Not since the iconic 50’s Stepford wife glided a Hoover around in high heels has the vacuum had such an image make over.  The lesson here is that with enough diamonds, Swarovski crystals, or even just a bedazzler, the most humble household item can discover it’s inner diva.

Wayne Gretzky, also known as ‘The Great One’, is likely the most well known hockey player in the world. He also previously owned the most expensive baseball card, Honus Wagner tobacco card which later sold for $2.35 million.

One card of Gretzky himself recently sold for an astonishing $94,163. The 1979-80 Wayne Gretzky O-Pee-Chee rookie card was sold by California-based SCP Auctions in May, 2011.

You may still be asking, what is the world’s most expensive hockey card? While the Gretzky card sold for a staggering amount, two other hockey cards bested the recent sale.

A mint graded 1911-12 Imperial Tobacco Georges Vezina hockey rookie card sold for $100,000 in April, 2007. Vezina was a legendaly goalie playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

This expensive hockey card sale was tied by a September 207 sale of a rare 1910-11 C56 Edword “Newsy” Lalonde hockey card. Lalonde previously held the record fothe most goals scored by a player.

Tired of shelling out dough on your Mach3 replacement razor heads? Have you been waiting to upgrade your current razor, sure that a razor with 7 blades will soon trump the 5 present on a Gilette Fusion? Anyone who owns the Zafiro Iridium razor won’t care about the blade coutn on your expensive razor. Their razor blades are made out of pure sapphire.

We found the answer to your razorburn and to the question on your mind: what is the world’s most expensive shave. Some purists contend that only a straight razor can truly create a close shave. With sapphire blades with an edge is less than 100 atoms across, 5000 times thinner than a strand of your hair, the Zafirro may have even the best straight razor beat.

The handle is made out of 99.95% pure iridium, one of the rarest elements present in the earth’s crust. The hexagonal screws used in the razor are 99.95% pure platinum.

How much will this luxury razor cost you? Quit asking, why are razor blades so expensive, and pick up one of the 99 limited edition razors for just $100,000 USD.

Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, that adorable cartoon cat that comes to us from Japanese popular culture, has appeared on a host of commercial products from credit cards to the Hello Kitty Jet (an Airbus A330-220). The character, designed by Yuko Shimizu, debuted in 1974 as a decoration on a vinyl coin purse.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Hello Kitty in 2009, Sanrio partnered with crystal maker Swarovski and Japanese jeweler I.K. to create the Super Hello Kitty Jewel Doll. This 4-inch “doll” is made of solid platinum studded with thousands of precious gems, including 1,939 pieces of white topaz, 403 pink sapphires, a pair of black spinels for her eyes, a citrine for her nose and a 1.027-carat diamond on her signature bow.

The ultimate Hello Kitty doll was unveiled at Switzerland’s Baselworld watch and jewelry show and is valued at 15 million yen—about US $167,000!

A person typically spends a third of their life sleeping, so why not make the most of that time by spending a ridiculous amount of money on an extravagant bed? Each supremely expensive bed is luxurious in its own way, and we’re certain almost anyone will find one of these beds most desirable.

Parnian Furniture bed – over $210,000

Furniture designer Abdolhay Parnian treats his furniture like works of art and it shows in the final product. It’s taken him two years to design this bed and I think you’ll agree that it was well worth the wait. It’s not only visually striking, with the eyelike headboard that will surely dominate any bedroom, but also equipped with features sure to intrigue even the most jaded of millionaires. The purchaser may choose from a variety of materials, including the ebony, sapele and curly maple in the pictured display model, as well as technological features such as iPad holders and charging stations, hidden compartments and pop-up swiveling televisions and computer monitors.

Jado Steel Style Gold Bed – $676,550

If you want to go all out with a bed that conveys wealth like no other, you can’t go wrong with the Gold Bed. As its name suggests, the luxurious waterbed is coated in 24k gold and features Swarovski crystals along the sideboard. It’s equipped with a DVD player and Bose sound system, Blu-ray player, Playstation 3, a foldaway plasma television coated in gold and can even be connected to the internet.

Magnetic Floating Bed – $1.6 million

The 2006 Millionaire Fair in Kortrijk, Belgium saw the debut of a magnetic floating bed that pretty much takes the cake for the coolest bed in the world—and the most expensive. Conventional beds and mattresses haven’t changed much over the years, and that’s where Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars comes in. The goal in his project was to make a usable piece of furniture that wasn’t constrained by the laws of gravity.

Ruijssenaars reportedly worked on the technology for six years in collaboration with Bakker Magnetics. Permanent opposing industrial-strength magnets allow the bed to float around 1.3 feet off the floor while holding almost 2,000 lbs. This aesthetically pleasing technology could also be applied to other areas in home furnishings like coffee tables, sofas, and Japanese dining tables. How cool would it be to eat sushi and drink sake off a floating table?

While the expensive bed will run you €1,200,000 (US $1.6 million), a smaller unit, one fifth of the full size, costs €115,000 (US $153,000). If you are a millionaire and simply must have this eye-catching bed, the people at Universe Architecture would be happy to make it happen for you.

Baldacchino Supreme – $6.3 million

After four years on the top, the magnetic floating bed has been unseated by luxury designer Stuart Hughes. whose collaboration with Italy’s Fratelli Basile has created nothing short of the most expensive bed in the world–the Baldacchino Supreme.

Fratelli Basile’s Hebanon furniture evokes the timeless qualities of 18th century furniture while making use of modern craftsmanship. This bed, with its chestnut structure and ash wood canopy, is no exception. The exterior is lacquered, patinated and decorated with 107 kg of 24k gold. The bed also features the finest Italian silk and cotton.

There are many treatments available to prevent or even reverse thinning hair and baldness. If you want to use one of those most technological advanced means available, however, look no further than what is likely the most expensive hair brush in the world—the Viatek HairPro Luxor Laser Hair Brush.

This hair brush uses nine lasers and six LEDs to stimulate hair growth via a technique called laser hair therapy. The theory behind laser hair therapy is that the lasers stimulate red blood cell production, causing resting hair follicles to become active.

Aside from the lasers and LEDs, the luxury hair brush features 26 removable bristles and a rechargeable battery.

This expensive hair brush retails at $499.99, but compare that to the $1,000 to $2,000 price per session for laser hair therapy at the salon or clinic.

Maybe the world’s most expensive bikini is out of your price range, but there are other ways to show off while you’re lounging at the beach or poolside. You could, for instance, be lounging on the most expensive beach towel in the world.

This beach towel by Hermès, that hundred-plus-year-old Parisian design house famous for their printed silk scarves, measures 36″ by 60″ and is made of 100% cotton terrycloth. Hermès currently offers twenty different prints, with some designs available in multiple colors. The design shown above can be purchased in blue or red. Other designs may come in hot pink, orange or yellow.

At $530, you’re not likely to find a more expensive beach towel. Will anyone else on the beach know you’re using such a luxurious towel? Maybe not, but you certainly will.

The Jacht was originally a lightweight Dutch naval vessel used to pursue pirates in shallow waters. When King Charles II chose to sail in one on his return to England in what would later be known as the English Restoration, the Jacht became a symbol of important and, eventually, wealth and luxury. Today, that tradition is still quite alive and nothing demonstrates that fact better than the most expensive yachts in the world.

Octopus – $200 million

Owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Octopus is the world’s eighth largest yacht. The 414-foot yacht was first launched in 2003. The yacht has two helicopters, a submarine with room for ten men and seven boats. For those who’d like to see the ocean floor, the yacht even includes a remote controlled vehicle to do so.

Rising Sun – $200 million

Co-owned by Oracle’s Larry Ellison and media mogul David Geffen, Rising Sun is 453-feet and five stories of oceangoing luxury. It was built with one goal in mind—to exceed the size of Paul Allen’s Octopus, above. This pricey yacht has 8,000 feet of living space with onyx countertops and Jacuzzi bathrooms, a spa and sauna, a gym and even a private movie theatre with an enormous plasma screen.

Lady Moura – $210 million

This 344-foot mega-yacht is owned by billionaire Nasser Al-Rashid. It features a pool with retractable roof, a 75-foot dining table crafted by Viscount Linley and a helicopter. Lady Moura’s most remarkable feature, however, is the beach resort that slides out of one side of the boat. The mini resort features not only sand and deck chairs, but even includes palm trees for a truly authentic resort experience.

Dubai – $350 million

This costly yacht has gone by three names since its conception—Platinum 525, Golden Star and, most recently, Dubai. The Platinum 525 was commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei in 1996, but a lack of funds caused the project to be abandoned a scant couple of years later. In 2001, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Crown Prince and now ruler of Dubai, took over the project and renamed it the Golden Star. Dubai is as expansive as it is expensive. The 525-foot yacht features an owner’s suite, five VIP suites and a number of guest bedrooms. The bridge features the captain’s quarters, an office and a lounge. The foyer and atrium connects each deck while lighting them from above via skylight. The luxury yacht is powered by four diesel engines with over 9,000 horsepower altogether.

Streets of Monaco – $1.1 billion

The amazing Streets of Monaco yacht will not only rival Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse (below) in price, but also in sheer audacity. Rather than being the largest or most secure yacht in the world, Monaco will feature scaled-down reproductions of landmarks from its namesake city-state. This 500-foot yacht will feature a go-kart track on deck inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix, as well as reproductions of the Hotel de Paris, La Rascasse and the Loews Hotel. It’s being designed by Yacht Island Design of Derbyshire County in England and will accomodate 16 guests and 70 crewmembers. For the owner, a 4,800-square-foot suite with three floors is planned.

Eclipse – $1.2 billion

Russian billionaire and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich’s super-yacht will be a 560-foot monster requiring a minimum of 70 crewmembers and featuring eleven guests. Abramovich and his guests will be protected by a security system that uses laser bursts to foil digital paparazzi photography when activated, anti-bugging and anti-intruder systems and a missile detection system. They’ll also enjoy a swimming pool that can be drained and used as a dance floor, an additional swimming pool and an aquarium. The yacht holds two helicopters, three boats and a submarine.

As any chef can tell you, olive oil is among the healthiest cooking oils you can use. Studies have shown benefits for those suffering from ulcers, heart disease and high cholesterol. Of course, it’s also one of the most expensive cooking oils.

The most expensive olive oil in the world is called Lambda and is produced by Speiron Co. in Greece. The oil is labeled as an “Ultra Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil,” and the Koroneiki olives used to make Lambda are harvested by hand and first cold pressed to produce a fruity and well balanced flavor. The oil is even packaged by hand in an attractive 500 ml bottle.

Ordered directly from Speiron, Lambda costs €40.90 (US $54) per bottle or €150 (US $200) in a special gift box. For the truly extravagant, Speiron offers a bespoke, hand-crafted case with two 18k gold plates—one of which, along with the bottle, bears the owner’s name—for a price of €11,000 (US $14,698).

What better way is there to give your kids an early start on life than to get them their own kid-sized home? Sure it doesn’t come with a mortgage or monthly utility bills, but this Tudor House by Flights of Fantasy has a price to match some adult-sized houses.

The handcrafted two-storey playhouse is just over 10 feet tall. Made primarily of moisture-resistant marine plywood, the home features oak floors and stairs as well as hardwood trim and doors. The Tudor House is built to last—the pictured playhouse was built in 1987.

Selling for £25,500.01 (US $36,036) at Hamleys, and shipping only to the UK mainland, this is the most expensive playhouse on the market—but what about custom jobs for millionaires?

Well, Flights of Fantasy does that, too.

The Wendy playhouse, commissioned by a Swiss millionaire as a magnificent Christmas surprise for his children, is modeled after the father’s chalet in the foothills of the Alps. Not only that, but it’s specifically suited to the climate in Switzerland, as Flights of Fantasy’s Russell Bowlby visited the country to study the weather conditions.

The Wendy playhouse features underfloor heating, an LED-lit chimney, a well-appointed kitchen and a large living room.

The most expensive playhouse in the world cost $155,000 to manufacture, including materials and 2,000 man hours, and another $95,000 to ship from Norfolk to Switzerland.

The sticker price only tells half the story when it comes to purchasing a new auto. Beyond that price tag, there’s maintenance and, of course, auto insurance. Luckily, Insure.com has made a list of America’s most expensive 2010 cars to insure.

The list includes only 2010 models and is based on the average insurance for a 40-year-old male with a good driving record and a 12-mile commute. The policies surveyed include liability protection and uninsured motorist coverage. The prices set by the insurers are based not just on the cars themselves, but also on the driving habits of those most likely to own such a car.

They found that the least expensive 2010 car to insure is the Mazda Tribue i at $1,070.25 annually.

The most expensive 2010 car to insure is the 6-cylinder Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 2-door coupe. That’s no surprise, as this sort of luxury vehicle appeals to those who’d like to test the car’s top speed of over 200 mph. The price to insure this 500+ hp monster of a sports car averages at $2,943.78 annually.

America’s most expensive 2010 vehicles to insure
Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 – $2,943.78
Mercedes S65 AMG – $2,863.03
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe – $2,851.89
Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD – $2,837.39
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible – $2,815.90

In winter, it’s very important to maintain your tan. That’s why Indianapolis-based ETS Tan sells the most expensive tanning bed in the world, despite that pesky 10% tax hike.

As you can see, the Velocity HP1000 tanning bed has many attractive qualities. With the variable speed body cooling system, it cools as it tans. The integrated 4-speaker and subwoofer stereo system has four inputs, including one for your iPod. Most notably, though, the rotisserie open design allows for full body tanning with a minimum of privacy.

For a mere $33,999, you could bring the future of tanning to your salon. At the very least, hot girls will stand in front of it. Who doesn’t want that?

A pair of designer sunglasses can easily become one of the most expensive accessories in your wardrobe. With sunglasses priced in the thousands and even hundreds of thousands, there’s evidence aplenty that a good designer will never lack for work.

Louis Vuitton Evasion – $1,200

The omnipresent LV rears its fashionable head again. In this case, their Damier motif is feature on the wide temples of these titanium frames. The sunglasses come with a Damier graphite case.

Chrome Hearts Kufannaw I – $1,350

Chrome Hearts are known for their stylish sunglasses featuring fleur-de-lis, dagger and floral cross designs. The rims are made of titanium decorated with sterling silver and the temples are made from exotic wood.

Moss Lipow sunglasses – up to $3,800

A pair of Moss Lipow sunglasses

New York artist Moss Lipow may not have been trained in the design of eyewear, but that hasn’t stopped him from producing a variety of uniquely eccentric sunglasses. One of those designs, framed in ostrich and alligator leather and priced at $3,800, has become one of the most expensive pairs of sunglasses in the world. Lipow, a former student of NYU’s film school, has a broad visual arts background and can reasonably claim to have the largest collection of vintage 20th century eyewear in the world; his collection includes over 3,000 different frames. For the most part, his inspiration comes from early rock n’ rollers and that preference can easily be seen in his favorite piece from his collection—a pair of Buddy Holly style frames from the 50s that he used to wear regularly.

Luxuriator Style 23 – $65,000

Buffalo ivory temples and 132 diamonds set in 18k gold frames set this pair of luxury sunglasses apart. The fact that one of those diamonds weighs in at 2 carats and accents the right lens only adds to the appeal of these designer sungasses.

Dolce & Gabanna DG2027B – $383,609

Completely blowing those pricey frames out of the water, Dolce and Gabanna recently released a pair of sunglasses whose price easily overshadowed that of Lipow’s $3,800 shades. The brown-tinted shades are framed in gold and appear to have the brand’s logo written on the arms—in diamonds.

True pearls are always formed within the mantles of oysters and other shelled mollusks. In general, perfectly circular, iridescent pearls are the most prized, but other shapes are possible.

In late 2010, a 5-foot, six ton “pearl” was unveiled in China. This gem, while magnificent and quite valuable, was obviously not produced by any clam. Indeed, it is composed of fluorite and was ground into a pearl shape over the course of three years after the enormous gem’s discovery in Mongolia. The gem is valued at a staggering £88 million (US $139 million).

The most expensive genuine pearl in the world is likely the Pearl of Lao Tzu, also known as the Pearl of Allah. Despite its unappealing shape, this pearl is valued at $3.5 million due to its astounding size. At 9.45 inches in diameter and just over 14 lbs, it is the largest pearl ever discovered. It was formed within a giant clam, which accounts for its dull surface as clams produce no nacre—the iridescent substance also known as “mother of pearl.”

The Pearl of Lao Tzu was first discovered in the Philippines and was brought to America in 1939.

England’s long and storied history has produced one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, various masterful literary works and some equally masterful pieces of furniture.

The Harrington Commode—no, not that kind of commode; it’s a chest of drawers—broke a record for English furniture when it was sold at a Sotheby’s in London auction in late 2010. The chest is thought to have been crafted around 1770 by London cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale, whose Rococo and Neoclassical works informed the style of the period. The most expensive piece of English furniture is made of gilt-lacquered fustic, rosewood and tulipwood mounted with brass.

The chest sold for £3,793,250—just under US $6 million. That’s ove three times its estimate and £1 million more than the holder of the previous record, another of Chippendale’s works.

At $12 for a box of four, I’d hesitate to call these Xocolatl de David salted caramels the most expensive caramels in the world. They are, however, a luxury treat worthy of those with discriminating taste.

The caramels hail from Portland, Oregon, where chocolatier David Briggs sells premium handmade chocolates and other confections from his Xocolatl de David store. These particularly rich delicacies are each made with a different type of sea salt—Pangasinan Star Phillipine sea salt, Amabito No Moshio Japanese seaweed salt, Halen Mon Gold gourmet finishing salt and Iburi Jio Cherry Japanese smoked sea salt.

If the sleek design of your iPad doesn’t quite fit your aesthetic preference, then you may benefit from a case designed for Apple’s must-have tablet—and what could be classier than the most expensive iPad case in the world?

David August, based out of Costa Mesa, California, has been creating custom men’s wardrobes for more than 20 years and has outfitted stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Will Smith and Robert Downey, Jr. Now he has produced a collection of exotic leather goods that includes the priciest iPad case to date.

Like the other items in the collection, the iPad case is made with hand cut alligator skin of the finest quality and stitched by a skilled family of Italian artisans. The case itself is priced at $6,900, and the whole collection—also including a laptop attaché case, Dopp kit, watch holder and change tray—can be yours for $37,800.

People have been decorating their nails since before the rise of the Roman Empire, so it’s only natural that someone would create a truly extravagant nail polish. Well, look no further as these are the most expensive nail polishes in the world.

I Do by Ellie Cosmetics – $55,000

You won’t find this expensive nail polish at your local Sephora store. Created as a collaboration between women’s beauty magazine Allure, Essie Cosmetics, Platinum Guild International (PGI) and British platinum supplier Johnson Matthey, I Do is made with powdered platinum and debuted at JCK-Las Vegas in 2005. The first batch of this luxury nail polish was displayed in a special bottle created by PGI and designer Henry Dunay and made of—you guessed it—pure platinum.
A normal bottle of the platinum polish can be purchased for a more affordable $250.

Gold Rush Couture by Models Own – $130,000

While this golden nail polish will certainly draw attention as your completely smooth nails glitter like diamonds set in delicate gold leaf, it’s the bottle that steals the show once again. This time, the posh polish features a hand-crafted gold lid inlaid with 1,118 diamonds. While this exclusive bottle is on display and available to order from Frost of London, an inexpensive “ready to wear” version will soon be available from Models Own and Boots.

The bracelet is one of the oldest forms of jewelry. Fortunately for the owners of these expensive bracelets, they’re not likely to go out of fashion in the near future.

Martin Katz diamond bracelet – $1 million

In 2008, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted the 80th Annual Academy Awards Fashion Preview. The show celebrated the fashion trends created by actresses as the Oscars became not just an awards show but also an important event in the fashion world. The show was coordinated by Patty Fox, author of Star Style and Star Style at the Academy Awards, and featured works by designers like Oscar De La Renta, Randolph Duke and Kevan Hall. Also included was this mesmerizing diamond bracelet by Martin Katz.

Wallis Simpson onyx and diamond panther bracelet – $7 million

This bracelet is not just a piece of expensive jewelry–it’s a piece of history. Part of a collection owned by Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII of England, it became the most expensive bracelet in the world when that collection was auctioned in 2010. Simpson, an American socialite, became the center of a royal scandal when the king abdicated the throne in order to marry her. His reign had lasted less than a month and he was succeeded by his younger brother, King George VI. The newly crowned king granted Edward the title of Duke of Windsor and Wallis, upon her marriage to the former king, became Duchess of Windsor (although she was not to be addressed as Her Royal Highness).

The collection was auctioned, bracelet included, for an astonishing price of £8 million (US $12.5 million).

Expensive truffles are notoriously pricey because they are difficult to cultivate. This makes them a true delicacy that some have called the king of all fungi. White truffles are more expensive than black truffles, but what are the most expensive truffles in the world?

The Associate Press reported in 2006 that Hong Kong real estate investor Sir Gordon Wu and his wife paid €125,000 (US $160,787) at an annual truffle auction in Grizane, Italy, for a gigantic Italian White Alba truffle, reportedly the most expensive ever. This pricey truffle weighed in at 1.51 kilograms (3.3 lbs).

In 2007, the record was beaten by a truffle weighing 3.3 lbs. Casino tycoon Stanley Ho purchased the white truffle, hailing from Tuscany, for US $330,000 at an annual auction in Hong Kong.

In fact, Ho won the auction again in 2010 and even beat the previous record—pound for pound, at least. The latest auction was for two truffles weighing just under 3 lbs total. Once again, Ho paid $330,000 for the fungal delicacy.

With the current popularity of culinary television shows like Iron Chef, expensive truffles are being exposed to a wider audience than ever before. Who knows how much the price for a kilo of truffles will cost in the near future?

Considering phones, watches, MP3 players and desktop computers are all too happy to tell you today’s date, it seems as if traditional calendars lack a place in the modern world. If your calendar is one of the most expensive calendars in the world, well, the form may be more important to you than the function.

Ginza Tanaka 2011 Gold Miffy Calendar – $655,000

Two-thousand eleven is the year of the rabbit, and Japanese jewelry house Ginza Tanaka is celebrating that fact with a solid gold calendar featuring Dutch artist Dick Bruna’s creation, a rabbit called Miffy. The calendar is made with 6 ounces of pure gold and measures 2 feet tall and over 1 foot wide.

Porsche Design Advent Calendar – $1 million

This ultra expensive calendar is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Not only is the calendar itself almost 6 feet tall and made with brushed aluminum with double-coat finished surfaces, it’s also filled with exciting Porsche items. Behind the twenty-four lit windows marking the days leading up to Christmas, Porsche Design has placed an array of goodies including a Porsche Design P’6910 Indicator watch in rosé gold, an individually customizable Porsche Design Kitchen P’7340 and a 27-foot motor yacht.

Only five of these calendars have been created and only one will be sold on any continent.

For those who like their pets to be seen and not heard or touched or cleaned up after when they’ve done a number on the new carpet, fish seem like an obvious choice. After all, these pets don’t need to be petted, taken outside or disciplined in any way. As for cleaning the tank and changing the water, well, the more expensive your aquarium, the less of that you’ll have to do.

The most expensive aquarium in the world is the Aquavista Dinosaur Gold Edition Aquarium by Aquavista and luxury goods designer Stuart Hughes. This extravagant wall-mounted aquarium is made with around 150 lbs of gold and gets its name from the mammoth tusk side veneers with Tyrannosaurus Rex bone shaved in. The aquarium is available in various sizes from 5 feet to 10 feet wide and, best of all, includes a host of features like an automatic feeder, dual filtration system, heater, air pump, lighting and CO2 generator that reduce the necessary maintenance to a negligible fifteen minutes every month.

Only three of these handmade luxury aquariums will be produced and sold at the appropriately eye-popping price of $4.8 million.

Selling a Most Expensive home can take awhile and, especially in this day and age, may end up disappointing the seller. Dunnellen Hall, for instance, was originally listed at $125 million, but is now being offered for less than half that. With that in mind, we present these—the most expensive homes on the market.

Versailles (Windermere, Florida) – $100 million ($75 million as-is)

At 90,000 square feet, this magnificent work in progress has been dubbed the “largest single family home under one roof in America.” Featuring thirteen bedrooms and twenty-three bathrooms, no one living in or visiting this palatial estate will lack for privacy. It’s based on Louis XIV’s Versailles royal palace and is currently owned by Jacqueline and David Siegel of Westgate Resorts.

Eurasia Estate (Moscow, Russia) – $100 million

Located 15 miles from Moscow’s city center, Eurasia consists of an 11,700-square-foot mansion with a 91,000-square-foot recreation center. The recreation center features a pool, Turkish and Russian baths and a sauna to keep the water bill high. For visitors, there are two 4,000-square-foot guest houses on the property.

Tranquility (Lake Tahoe, Nevada) – $100 million

What could be more tranquil than watching movies in your nineteen-seat private theatre with the knowledge that you’re not paying taxes on your lavish estate? Located on a 210-acre stretch of land, Tranquility is being sold by Tommy Hilfiger co-founder Joel Horowitz. The mansion itself is 20,000-square-feet and features a 3,500-bottle wine cellar and an indoor swimming pool and atrium.

Fleur de Lys (Beverly Hills, California) – $125 million

This 45,000-square-foot home was modeled after the palace of King Louis XIV in Versailles. It was built over five years after Texas billionaire David Saperstein and former wife Suzanne secured five acres in the Holmby Hills section of Bel Air. It was put up for sale soon after Suzanne was awarded the estate in the couple’s divorce. The home features a fifty-seat screening room, nine-car garage and library of first-edition books.

Updown Court (Windlesham, Surrey) – $140 million

This courtly estate aims for a more sophisticated occupant with its ballrooms and grand entryways. Of course, the 103-room Updown Court also has all the basic amenities—a fifty-seat cinema, heated marble driveway, helipad and indoor spas, Jacuzzis and pools. If that isn’t enough for you, there are also 58 acres of gardens and woodlands.

Mansion on Avenue Foch (Paris, France) – $140 million

This 28,000-square-foot mansion was built in 1912 for the Duchesse de Montmorency and purchased upon her death fifteen years later by mining tycoon Antenor Patino. The mansion’s decor includes historically important elements such as 18th century wood paneling, marble fireplaces and an impressive ceiling painted by the famed French Post-Impressionist, Henri Rousseau. The mansion also boasts twelve bedrooms and bathrooms, crystal chandeliers, Corinthian columns, gilded moldings and marble floors.

The Manor (Los Angeles, California) – $150 million

This incredible mansion, built in 1988 for television producer Aaron Spelling, is the largest home in Los Angeles County. Located on the former site of Bing Crosby’s manor, which Spelling had demolished, the 56,500 square foot manor in Holmby Hills was the center of some controversy based on its shameless extravagance. The widowed Candy Spelling has now put the enormous estate on the market. The Manor has 123 rooms, including three gift-wrapping rooms, a gym, four two-car garages, a bowling alley, a pool and a screening room.

Villa Leopolda, France – $500 million

Originally built for the mistress of King Leopold of Belgium, this mansion overlooking the French Riviera has been said to be owned by several prominent people over the years, including Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Fiat Group’s Gianni Agnelli. Sketchy reports of a “mysterious Russian billionaire” said that he had purchased the villa it from the widow of a Lebanese banker who was killed in an arsonist’s fire in 2003. Now that billionaire has backed out of the deal—and lost his $50 million down payment.

Carat for carat, rubies and emeralds generally outprice the common diamond. Certain rare specimens of diamond, however, will eclipse even the priciest examples of those other gemstones. While some priceless gems exist, such as the world famous Hope Diamond, these are the most expensive diamonds ever sold.

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond – $23.4 million

The Wittelsbach-Graff diamond is a 35.56-carat blue diamond mined in India. The historic diamond was chosen by King Philip IV of Spain as part of the dowry for his daughter, the Infanta Margarita Teresa. Her suitor, Leopold I, later became Holy Roman Emperor and passed the diamond on to his heirs after she died in 1673. When the Archduchess of Austria married Bavaria’s Crown Prince in 1722, the diamond became known as “Der Blaue Wittelsbacher” (The Blue Wittelsbach) after the Crown Prince’s family. This diamond became the most expensive diamond in the world after being sold to London-based jeweler Laurence Graff in 2008. Graff immediately had the gem altered in order to enhance its color and remove some damage to its girdle, an action decried by some gemstone experts.

The Graff Pink – $46 million

Before this 24.78-carat “fancy intense pink” diamond was sold in 2010 to Mr. Graff at a Sotheby’s in London auction, it had last been sold by renowned jeweler Harry Winston. Pink diamonds are extremely valuable and only the rarest weigh more than 20 carats. It is unknown whether or not Graff plans to alter the Graff Pink. Sotheby’s made an additional $60 million on diamonds at the same auction.

In its original form, the word “whisky” meant “water of life.” I’m sure some of you readers out there will agree with that sentiment. Luckily for you, there’s quite a variety of different whiskies (or “whiskeys,” if we’re talking about American or Irish liquors). Check out the most expensive whiskies in these popular varieties.

The Most Expensive Bourbon Whiskey
$300

The most expensive Bourbon is the 16 Year Old A. H. Hirsch Reserve, one of the few remaining examples of the Kentucky pot-still tradition.

The Most Expensive Canadian Whisky
$10,000

The world’s most expensive Canadian rye whiskey was presented to Queen Elizabeth II at the Kentucky Derby in 2007. If it were sold, it would be expected to go for over $10,000

The Most Expensive Irish Whiskey
$143,020

One of the last remaining whiskeys from the Nun’s Island Distillery in Galway, Ireland, this particular elixir is still up for sale at £100,000. If purchased, it will be the most expensive whiskey ever sold.

The Most Expensive Scotch Whisky
$460,000

A bottle of 64-year-old Macallan, the oldest whisky ever bottled by the Macallan distillery, became the most expensive whisky in the world when it sold at a charity auction in November, 2010. The catch, however, is that the auction also included a one-of-a-kind crystal decanter.

Scotch whisky is produced and aged, as the name suggest, in Scotland. By law, Scotch must be made from malted grain, must be matured in oak casks for at least three years and must have an alcoholic strength of less than 94.8% by volume. The age statement on a bottle of Scotch is determined by the youngest stock used in its production. The most expensive scotch whiskies in the world were each produced in one of the regions traditionally considered part of the Highlands region.

The Macallan 1926 – $54,000

This whisky, bottled in 1986 and rebottled in 2002, was auctioned in 2007 at Christie’s in New York. The auction was the first liquor auction allowed in New York state since the prohibition in 1920, and the Macallan was only expected to sell for between $20,000 and $30,000. The Macallan was produced in Speyside, formerly considered part of the Highlands region.

Dalmore 62 – $58,000

This single Highland malt Scotch whisky from the Dalmore Distillery in Inverness, Scotland, was one of only twelve bottles produced in 1943 from four single malts dating from 1868, 1876, 1926 and 1939. Each was labeled with its own unique name, this one being called Matheson after the Dalmore Estate’s owner, Alexander Matheson. It was purchased for £32,000 at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, where the anonymous buyer reportedly shared it with five of his friends. It has been speculated that the buyer and his friends are the only people to have actually enjoyed a bottle of the expensive vintage.

Dalmore 64 Trinitas – $160,100

Yet another product of the Dalmore Distillery, Trinitas is so named because only three bottles of this expensive whisky have been made. The whisky is a blend of rare stocks, including some that have been maturing at the distillery for more than 140 years. Two bottles were sold in Glasgow in 2010, one to a US-based collector and one to a UK-based investor. It is the first Scotch to sell for six figures.

The Macallan 64 Year Old in Lalique – $460,000

A bottle of 64-year-old Macallan, the oldest whisky ever bottled by the Macallan distillery, became the most expensive whisky in the world when it sold at a charity auction in November, 2010. The catch, however, is that the auction also included a one-of-a-kind crystal decanter.

The decanter was created by Lalique using lost-wax casting, called “cire perdue” in French. The decanter was created to celebrate the anniversary of master glassmaker René Lalique’s birth. It is based on a decanter from the 1920s, when The Macallan distillery was founded. The crystal decanter and its expensive cargo have toured twelve cities to raise awareness for charity: water, including Paris, London, Hong Kong and its final stop at Sotheby’s in New York.

The entirety of the sale price of this expensive whisky was donated to charity: water. In addition, US $145,000 were raised for charity: water during the Macallan’s “tour du monde“.

Charity: water is a non-profit organization that distributes water to developing countries.

The most important element of a vacation, aside from the destination, is the hotel where you spend your downtime. If you’re going to take a true luxury vacation, of course, it won’t do to have anything less than one of the most expensive hotel suites in the world.

Grand Resort Lagonissi in Athens, Greece – The Royal Villa
$32,000/night

Another three-bedroom suite, the Royal Villa has two pools—an indoor pool and a heated outdoor pool. The nearby marina and beach cement the fact that this suite is a swimmer’s paradise. Visitors will also have access to a private chef to accompany the fully equipped kitchen, a butler and even a pianist.

Hotel Cala di Volpe in Costa Smeralda, Italy – Presidential Suite
$34,000/night

Costa Smeralda—the “Emerald Coast”—in northern Sardinia, is home to many draws for the obscenely wealthy, not the least of which is this fabulous suite. The duplex suite has three bedrooms and as many bathrooms, an outdoor saltwater pool and a private gazebo and solarium.

Four Seasons Hotel in New York, USA – Ty Warner Penthouse suite
$35,000/night

With a carpet that’s so expensive that anyone who walks across it must wear special booties provided by the hotel, ample views of the nation’s largest city, a 700 square foot library and even a waterfall in its Zen room, this suite—which covers the hotel’s entire 52nd floor—is truly a luxury location. It’s named after the founder of Ty Inc., manufacturer of the popular Beanie Babies stuffed toys.

The Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France – Penthouse Suite
$35,000/night

This luxurious suite is located on the seventh floor of the Hotel Martinez, already a ritzy location with its Michelin-starred restaurant and prime location on the Croisette in Cannes. The suite itself consists of four bedrooms and an impressive terrace—complete with Jacuzzi—which commands an equally impressive view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada – Hugh Hefner Sky Villa
$40,000/night

The City of Sin’s most expensive suite is appropriately named after the Playboy Mansion’s famed resident, and it shows in the 250-person capacity and the extravagant amenities. This suite houses a poker table, wet bar, full size gym with sauna and spa, and a balcony with a spectacular view of the Vegas strip as well as an equally spectacular infinity edge jacuzzi. All of this is centered around an 8-foot rotating round bed.

Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland – Royal Penthouse suite
$65,000/night

If you’d prefer a secure suite to an extravagant one, look no further than Switzerland. The Royal Penthouse suite, renamed and repriced from the $35,000 Imperial Suite, boasts a private elevator, bulletproof windows, armored doors, surveillance cameras and even bedside panic buttons. Of course, it’s not all about security; the suite also features a number of period pieces and stunning views of Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva.

Taj Boston $6 million Hotel Suite in Boston, USA
$6 million/two nights

Less than 5 miles from Logan Airport and overlooking Boston’s majestic Public Gardens, Taj Boston will be king of the crop for a very limited time. On the weekend of October 15-17, 2010, the hotel’s presidential suite became the most expensive hotel suite in the world to comemmorate the new theatre complex at the Boston Conservatory.

Along with two nights in the 1,540 square foot presidential suite, the $6 million price tag included transportation to Boston on a private jet, limo service, a Jaguar XJ, an engraved Chistofle sterling silver platter, etched Tiffany Champagne flutes and a magnum of Cristal Rose Champagne. The guest also received two lifetime services–valet parking at the hotel and tickets to performances at the Boston Conservatory.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of this expensive package is that the guest’s name will be engraved on the Conservatory’s new theatre.

Look, you may have a Toto Neorest 600 or a “Dagobert” Toilet Throne, but that amounts to absolutely nothing if you’re leaving the cleaning brush in some piece of plastic garbage you got from your local department store. That’s why a Spanish company called Windisch has created the most expensive toilet brush holder in the world.

The Rock Star Toilet Brush Holder is 3.25” X 15.25” and plated in oven varnished 24k gold. This expensive brush holder is guaranteed never to corrode, pit or tarnish. Even if you don’t own one of the world’s most expensive toilets, you can be sure this toilet brush holder will look great in your personal yacht or your company jet.

Windisch was founded in 1934 as a metallurgical company and now focuses on luxurious bathroom accessories.

The Rock Star Toilet Brush Holder can be purchased from Pioneer Linens for $575. Presumably, the brush is included.