O Christmas Tree

Certainly when it comes to decorating one of the season's most important adornments comes in the form of a Christmas tree. Whether it's decorated with garland, lights, fake snow, or ornaments, the Christmas tree is often the centerpiece of festive homes. To underscore its importance, consider this: nearly 38 million Christmas trees were purchased in 2006 alone. And this year, in lieu of your usual Noble Fir strewn with golden tinsel, you have the option of purchasing a tree that is studded with real gold and diamonds.

Steve Quick Jeweler, a boutique custom jeweler located in Chicago, Illinois, has created what it is calling the world's most valuable Christmas tree. The "tree" is crafted out of five pounds of solid 18-carat gold and features diamond-briolette ornaments, with an additional 200 carats of diamonds serving as snow. Of course, no Christmas tree is complete without the topper. So to properly crown its tree, Steve Quick Jeweler has attached a platinum star encasing a 4.52-carat stone.


The tree, which has been appraised and valued at $500,000, will be unveiled at the jeweler's flagship store in Chicago's Lincoln Park on December 7th and will be on display throughout the holiday season. Ten days later, on December 17th, the tree will be auctioned off on eBay. To underscore the tree's price, the jeweler has registered it with Guinness World Records.

The gold and diamonds certainly make the tree expensive, but can it be considered the world's most valuable Christmas tree? According to Steve Quick Jeweler, it is valuable not only because of the materials that comprise it; more importantly, all of the proceeds from the tree will go directly to the American Cancer Society. The company's website explains, "Our tree was created to bring hope and help to people battling cancer. To us, helping others is priceless!"

Steve Quick Jeweler has also been mindful of those who may not be able to afford the tree, as well as those who are not fortunate enough to win it during the auction, and has also created miniature trees that are available for purchase. Three options are being offered: one version comes in sterling silver and sells for $20, the second is gold plated and sells for $25, and the third is made of 14-carat gold and sells for $195. As with the large tree, all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

The company adds that "the spirit of our tree is the spirit of the season," and the spirit of the season is to bring hope, happiness, and help to others. With the purchase of this Christmas tree, you will do just that.