Luxury Collectibles From Hot Wheels, Lego and Swarovski

In the last few years, we have seen how some collectibles reached record figures, becoming unachievable pieces for the rest of the mortals, and belonging to the selected Mount Olympus of collectors, where a few chosen people can enjoy them in their collections.

Among those coveted and unique pieces, we can see some interesting examples where some of those treasures were literally decorated with jewels and precious metals, truly being worth their weight in gold and they are now part of the living History of collecting. So, it’s time to put on the jeweler’s lens to learn about some of these invaluable masterpieces.

It is not a shock to start this exclusive luxury toys list with the Queen of fashion dolls. In 2010, Mattel commissioned the Australian jeweler Stefano Canturi to create a jewelry set to promote its new Barbie collection. This limited-to-one piece doll is adorned with a necklace made from three carats of white diamonds set around a one-carat square emerald-cut pink diamond.

Before the charity auction at Christie’s in New York, the company behind the world’s most famous doll, promoted it in a worldwide tour, including the cities of London, Geneva, and Hong Kong. This Barbie was auctioned for the very significant figure of $302,500.

In 2008 following with another Mattel brand, and in close collaboration with the jeweler Jason Arasheben, to celebrate the Hot Wheels 40th anniversary, the most expensive 1:64-scale car ever made was unveiled at the American International Toy Fair, New York, the Custom Otto. All the details were carefully chosen for this one-of-a-kind four-wheeled custom precious piece.

It has about 2,700 gemstones that together weigh 22.94 carats in total, including rubies, blue, white, and black diamonds, highlighting that all of them are mounted in 18-karat gold with enamel accents. The jewels used in this shiny car were valued at $140,000.

Now it is time to go back to the late 70s to find the Holy Grail for Lego collectors. From around 1979 to 1981, the Dane company awarded with an anniversary gift a group of selected business partners and Lego employees who worked 25 years at the brick-building factory in Hohenwestedt, Germany.

The item in question is a Lego brick (2X4) which was made in 14-karat gold. The golden brick comes in a special and original ring-size plastic box with a velvet interior; the Lego logo of the time is embossed on the fabric. There are only twelve in existence and this brick holds the title of being the highest price ever paid for a Lego item (some $20,000).

To commemorate its 20th anniversary, the Pokémon Company made the most luxurious Pokémon card ever with the collaboration of Japanese jeweler Ginza Tanaka to create the golden Pikachu. This Pokémon card is made from 11 grams of solid 24-karat gold and comes with a fancy box and acrylic stand. It is hard to believe that this limited edition is not in the top ten list of the most valuable Pokémon cards, considering that the lucky lottery winners of that contest had to pay $2,000 in 2016 to get one.

Closing this review with another celebration, the 160th anniversary of FAO Schwarz. During its birthday party in October 2022, one of the surprises was the launch of its traditional Toy Soldier with a Funko touch. For this special occasion, one of the FAO X Funko Pop! was embellished with Swarovski crystals, representing one of the traditional hallmarks of New York’s iconic toy store.

This unique treasure is limited to five pieces, and only time will tell if it reaches the podium of highest sales for a Funko figure.

These fine pieces make me feel like Long John Silver going to Treasure Island, in the end, they represent the prize that every collector would wish to have in their collection. After all, such as diamonds, it seems that some toys are forever.

I hope you find this information helpful. Have an excellent week. Let me know if you’d like to know more in the comments below.