Sobranie Luxury Cigarettes - Smoking Rich

If you wish to brag about how much money you have without being too obvious, smoking a luxury cigarette can do the trick. Sobranie cigarettes is one of the top premium tobacco brands in the market. While they produce many varieties, the two premium varieties are: Sobranie Cocktail (pastel colours) and Sobranie Black Russian (black paper). These are bought by the super rich and other high fliers, who can afford to pay the price for them.

Sobranie Premium Cigarettes: Black Russian on the left, Cocktail on the right

Unlike Cuban cigars, which most rich people like to stash, Sobranie premium cigarettes are completely legal. Both the Cocktail and Black Russian variety of luxury cigarettes have filters made of pure gold foil, and are a pure joy to hold between the fingers of your hand.

Black Russian cigarettes in the beautiful Sobranie case

The original Sobranie cigarettes were handmade in Russia, before the Redstone family developed the tobacco blend and began manufacturing them in London. The royals of various countries such as Russia, Greece, England, Spain and Romania ordered them, and they became very popular amongst the rich and super elite. A pack of 20 Sobranie Cocktail or Sobranie Black Russian cigarettes costs about 12 UK pounds.

Lamborghini Veneno – Only Three Cars Available For Sale

Take a look at the new Lamborghini Veneno car. This car has taken the world by storm. Even though it is priced at a huge US $3.9 million, it got sold out within a very short time. The name of this car ‘Veneno’ comes from one of the fastest and most aggressive fighting bulls in Italy.

Side-view of the grey Veneno

It was launched at the Geneva Motor Show held in March 2013, to celebrate the golden jubilee of Automobili Lamborghini. This is very limited-edition car, and only three models of the car will be built. The sports car has strong aerodynamics, and is like a race car which can be used on normal roads.

Features of the Lamborghini Veneno 

The Lamborghini Veneno has a maximum output of 552 kW/ 50 hp, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 2.8 seconds. Speed guns beware! It has an astonishing top speed of 355 km/h, and obviously cannot be chased by cops in their simple cars.

Interior of the awesome Lamborghini car

The exterior of the car is made from carbon-fiber materials, with the car’s complete chassis being manufactured as a CFRP monocoque, as is the outer skin. The interior of the Veneno sports car is made from Lamborghini’s finest patented materials, such as Forged Composite and CarbonSkin.

Overhead view of the silver Veneno racing car

The sports car has alloy wheels of different sizes. While the rear alloy-wheels measure 21-inches, the front alloy wheels measure 20-inches. The Lamborghini Veneno has a grey metallic color, with individual parts painted with black paint. Each model of the car has accents in a single colour of the Italian flag, which is red, green and yellow.

What do you think of the Lamborghini Veneno car? Wouldn't you like to zoom down your neighborhood streets in this machine?

From: Automobili Lamborghini

The Stunning Ferrari LaFerrari Car

Check out this awesome machine. This is Ferrari’s new Ferrari LaFerrari car that was launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. This luxury car is a limited-edition Ferrari car, of which only 499 models will be built.

Scissor-doors of the LaFerrari Car

It has been named the LaFerrari car, and has the famous ‘prancing horse’ logo on its bonnet and the sides of its butterfly doors. This fast car has F1-inspired aerodynamics, and the latest driving technologies. Just imagine the thrill of driving it in your town. I was simply amazed when I saw photos of it.

Side-view of the sexy LaFerrari

The Ferrari LaFerrari car has been targeted at people who like to collect Ferrari cars, and sell them at a later date for huge premiums. It has dynamic controls, which were previously seen only on Formula One Ferraris, like the one Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso used to drive.

Top view of the LaFerrari F1 machine

The interior design of the car is very luxuriousm, and features a human-machine interface that is usually seen in single-seater F1 cars. It also has the advanced HY-KERS system. In fact, the LaFerrari is the first Ferrari car to be powered by this system, and also has an amazing 6262 CC V12 engine. Everyone wants to know about the price of this car, but no information about this car's price has been announced as yet.

From: Ferrari 

The Kohinoor Diamond

The Kohinoor Diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in the world. It is also one of the oldest. It was discovered in the late 13th or 14th century, and originally belonged to the Delhi Sultanate of India, which was at that time, led by Sultan Allaudin Khilji.

The Kohinoor Diamond

There is also a bit of superstition associated with the Kohinoor diamond. While the Koh-i-noor diamond is held to bring misfortune or death to any man who wears or owns it, it is supposed to bring good luck to any woman who does the same.

The Diamond in the British Crown Jewels

In the fifteenth century, the Kohinoor Diamond passed into the hands of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Dynasty of emperors. During this period, the diamond was known as the Babarnama diamond. The Kohinoor diamond continued to be in the ownership of the Mughal emperors, until it was grabbed by Nadir Shah, an invader from Persia.

The Babarnama diamond was renamed the Kohinoor Diamond by Nadir Shah, who took the diamond from Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, after he captured Delhi and Agra in 1739. Kohinoor means ‘mountain of light’. Check out this video:

In 1851, the Kohinoor Diamond was surrendered by Emperor Ranjit Singh, its last owner, to Queen Victoria of Britain. This was after Emperor Ranjit Singh lost a battle against the mighty British forces in India. It was later added to the British Crown Jewels.

The Koh-i-noor Diamond originally weighed a huge 186 carats. It was cut and polished down to the size of 108.93 carats, when it was made a part of the British crown jewels.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 Convertible - Thrill To Drive

Chevrolet has launched the 2014 model of its Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and here is what it looks like. This car is the 7th generation model of the classic Corvette convertible (launched in 1953), which was named after a World War Two warship. The last Corvette Stingray (C6) was unveiled to the public in 2005 and will be used till 2013).

Exterior of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray car

The engine of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray sports car is a 6.2-liter V8 engine, and packs 450 horsepower, which ensures acceleration from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. This horsepower also attains more than one gram in cornering grip.

Compared to the previous Corvette Stingray convertible, this car has an all-new frame structure and chassis, with a new powertrain and supporting technologies. It also has a fully revamped interior and exterior look. In fact, it has only two functional parts in common with the previous Corvette car, and can be called revolutionarily different.

Rear of the C7 Corvette Stingray sports car

This Corvette sports car is being referred to as the ‘C7′ Stingray sports car by car enthusiasts. It was presented to the public at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2012, and is believed to be the most fuel efficient car brought out by Corvette. Two other super luxury cars that were also launched at the Detroit Auto Show were the Bentley GT Speed Convertible and the Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet.

Some of the features of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible car are:

• Light-emitting diode lighting. 
• Superior ventilation systems.
• High-end functional exterior vents. 
• Modern high-intensity discharge.

Plush red interior of the 2014 C7 Corvette

The interior of Chevy’s new Corvette Stingray (C7) is made from real carbon fibre, aluminium and leather, in a new sleek design. The seats have a lightweight magnesium frame, while there are also dual driver’s 8-inch infotainment screens. All interior furnishings are made from fine materials, to ensure a high amount of comfort for the driver and the passenger.

The C7 Chevrolet Corvette at the Detroit Motor Show

The first C7 Corvette Stingray to roll off the Chevrolet production facility will be auctioned by General Motors on the 19th of January, at Barrett-Jackson’s 2013 Scottsdale auctions in Arizona. The proceeds of this auction sale will be used to help the College for Creative Studies charity.

While the price of this luxury sports car has not yet been announced, car analysts expect the price to be a little less than other sports cars in the market, and a bit more than the base price of the C6 Corvette (its predecessor). In fact, According to Edmunds.com, the price of the car is expected to cost about US $54,000.

What do you think of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 sportscar? Would you like to own a machine like this?

From: Chevrolet

Imperial Princess Yacht - 40 Metre Luxury Yacht

Check out this luxury cruising yacht. This beautiful vessel is the Imperial Princess Yacht, a newly launched luxury yacht from Princess Yachts (one of the foremost yacht making companies in England).

Exterior of the Imperial Princess Yacht

The Imperial Princess Yacht measures 40 metres (132 feet) in length, and is the largest luxury yacht to be manufactured by Princess Yachts. It has lavishly decorated interior and exterior spaces, which any millionaire would feel at home in. About 12 guests can comfortably stay aboard this luxury yacht, with around seven crew members to serve them.

The Saloon of the Imperial Princess Yacht

The Imperial Princess Yacht has three decks, and a sleek appearance which hides the fact that the rooms are really spacious from the inside. It also has drop-down balconies that extend from the saloon, and provides a nice space for entertaining and parties. The yacht weighs a huge 230 tonnes, but can still cruise at high speeds of 23 knots. This luxury sailing yacht has twin-diesel engines that provide 7000 horsepower.

The lavish master suite in the luxury yacht

The master suite of the 40 metre Imperial Princess Yacht is located on the main deck. It is very spacious, and has a beautifully-designed bathroom, walk-in closets and an ante-room. All rooms and furnishings in this luxury yacht can be customised by the buyer, to suit his or her individual tastes and styles. There is also underfloor heating in all bathrooms, including the bathroom in the master suite and guest bathrooms.

The sundeck and small bar on the roof of the luxury yacht

A great feature of Princess Yachts’ new 132 foot yacht is its two staircases. There is a grand staircase linking each deck (including the sundeck) for the yacht owner and his guests, and a smaller, discrete staircase for the use of the crew members. In addition, there is ample space below the main deck, where about five extra staterooms can be added.

What do you think about the Imperial Princess Yacht? Would you like to buy a luxury yacht like it?

From: PrincessYachts

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet

The 2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet and Coupe cars are scheduled to be launched at the Detroit Auto Show, later this month. You will be able to order them from your local Mercedes-Benz car dealer from 7th March 2013.

Photo of the 2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet and Coupe 

The Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe for 2014 is a sports car has the classic proportions of a coupe, with a long bonnet, a low roof line and a stretched silhouette. Compared to the previous cars, the front end boasts of a new design, and there are different headlamps. The interior of the car has also been re-designed by Mercedes-Benz.

The E-Class Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet

Just like the coupe, the Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet for 2014 also has a newly re-designed front end with new headlamps. Both cars have a two-part trim element extending the full width of the dashboard. They also have:

• A redesigned centre console. 
• A three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles. 
• An advanced infotainment system for listening to music. 
• A technologically advanced navigation solutions system. 
• Internet access.

Interior of the Silver Mercedes-Benz Sports Car

In addition to this, the E-Class Cabriolet has fully retractable windows, together with the AIRCAP system for lowering air turbulence and air noise, when the roof of the car is open. The power trains of both these E-class Mercedes Benz cars have not been changed, and remain the same.

The E-Class Mercedes-Benz Coupe

If you wish, you can also ask your Mercedes-Benz car dealer about the car’s optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which is available for both cars. If you are wondering about costs and prices, the prices of the 2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet will be announced at a later date, sometime near the launch date of the car.

What do you think of the Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet and Coupe for 2014? Would you like to own and drive one of these cars?

From: MercedesBenz

The Archduke Joseph Diamond from Golconda Mines

The Archduke Joseph Diamond is a 76-carat Golconda diamond, which was bought for the price of US $21.5 million at a Christie's auction held in a Geneva, in November 2012. Prior to its auction, it was valued at more than US $15 million by Christie's. The diamond was purchased by an anonymous phone bidder.

Photo of the Archduke Joseph Diamond

The Archduke Joseph Diamond is a sparkling colourless diamond that is internally flawless and perfect in colour. This D-colour, cushion-shaped diamond was supposedly given its new name, after a previous owner wished to remain anonymous. It was renamed the Archduke Joseph Diamond is honour of its 'then' new owner, Archduke Joseph August of Austria.

The Archduke Joseph Diamond is one of the largest and finest diamonds from the Golconda mines, to ever be auctioned. The legendary Golconda diamond mines are located in south-central India. These diamond mines used to be the world’s only source of diamonds from 4 BC to 1730 AD, before diamonds were discovered in Brazil and South Africa.

The Golconda mines in India have produced some of the most famous diamonds in the world, such as the Dresden Green diamond, The Blue Hope diamond, The Beau Sancy diamond and The Kohinoor diamond. Now, it will also be known for the 76 carat Archduke Joseph Diamond.

Previously, when this 76-carat diamond was auctioned in November 1993 at a Christie’s auction in Geneva, it garnered a massive US $10.5 million, which had surpassed estimates and taken the world by surprise.

From: Reuters

Heritage Hen House – World’s Most Expensive Henhouse

If you are a high net-worth individual who like to raise hens, then you’ll love this luxury hen house. Known as the ‘Heritage Hen House’, this fancy chicken coop costs a whopping US $100,000.

The French-style Heritage Hen House 

This luxury hen house features in the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book 2012, and is being sold by luxury department store ‘Neimun Marcus’. The Heritage Hen House is shaped like the famous Le Petite Trianon house in Versailles, France; and is considered to be the most expensive hen house in the world.

Hens in the nesting area of the luxury henhouse

Some of the features of the Heritage Hen House are:

• A nesting area for the hens. 
• A living room area for night-time roosting. 
• A small living room stocked with chicken and gardening books for human visitors.

Hen house decorated with mirrors and paintings

This luxury henhouse is spread over multiple-levels, and can be customised to include the requirements of the buyer. What’s more, it also comes with a beautiful chandelier, which is sure to leave your pet hens and their baby chickens amazed!

What do you think of this luxury hen-house? Would you keep your chickens in one of these?

Pure Gold Shirt Worth $235,000 - World’s Most Expensive Shirt

The world’s most expensive shirt is a 22 carat pure-gold shirt made for Datta Phuge, a businessman from India. The total cost of this shirt is $235,000. Also known as the ‘Gold Man of Pimpri’, Datta Phuge is a 32-year old money lender, with a passion for gold. He lives in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune, in Maharashtra, India.

Datta Phuge in his pure-gold shirt, holding gold belt

Datta Phuge inherited a large amount of gold from his parents, and always dreamt of wearing a shimmering shirt made from solid gold. He commissioned a local jeweller, namely Ranka Jewellers, to design this custom-made gold shirt for him. While in 2013, this shirt cost $235,000, its price is expected to appreciate in the future, as the price of gold is always on the increase. Hence, this shirt is also a good investment.

Datta Phuge’s gold shirt has been crafted from 3.5 kilograms of 22-carat solid gold. It has about 14,000 gold flowerings, which have been interlaced with 100,000 spangles. This has been sewn onto a fine velvet lining, to ensure the gold designs do not prick the wearer, and cause discomfort. For buttons, the shirt has six Swarovski crystals.

Swarovski crystal buttons on gold shirt

The world’s most expensive solid gold shirt was made by 15 goldsmiths, who worked for 15 days, at the rate of 18-hours a day, to make this beautiful shirt. In fact, this gold shirt looks sort of like the armour vests worn by soldiers in medieval times, like those shown in The Lord of the Rings movies.

This flashy gold shirt also has its own gold belt, which costs extra. According to sources, Datta Phuge decided to get this shirt made to ring in the New Year. He is believed to have worn it for a New Year's party, along with 11 pounds of other gold accessories, including extravagant gold chains, heavy rings and bracelets. Now, that's a lot of bling!

The $235,000 solid gold shirt

Other than the 3.5 kilograms of gold used in the shirt, Datta Phuge also owns 22 pounds of gold as various jewelry items. This includes 10 chains, 6 bracelets and 25 rings. After the gold shirt, the ‘Gold Man of Pimpri’ plans to have a gold phone made, with its cover made from pure gold.

What do you think of this solid gold shirt? Would you like to wear a shirt like this?

From: PuneMirror

Amba Vilas Palace – Mysore Palace, Mysore, India

The royal palace in Mysore is named the Amba Vilas Palace (meaning house of goddess Parvati), but is more commonly known as the Mysore Maharaja's Palace. The Mysore Palace is one of the many grand palaces located in Mysore, a small city of palaces in southern India. It was first commissioned by the Wodeyar kings in the 14th century, but was re-built many times since then.

Exterior facade of the grand Mysore Palace in India

The current Mysore Palace of the Wodeyar Maharajas, as it now stands, was commissioned in 1897 by Queen Vani Vilas Sannidhna. It took around 15 years to build this beautiful palace, and construction was finally finished in 1912. In 1940, the Amba Vilas Palace was expanded to include a few more rooms and the ornate Public Darbar Hall wing.

The architecture of the Mysore Palace is generally described as Indo-Saracenic, and was designed by a British architect named Henry Irwin. The palace is a unique blend of the Rajput, Muslim, Hindu and Gothic architectural styles, and has beautiful designs in multiple colours, across the walls and ceilings. The Amba Vilas Palace is spread over three floors, and has a grand tower that measures 145 feet.

One of the ornate corridors in the grand Mysore Maharaja's Palace

The walls of the Mysore palace building are made from fine grey granite, while the domes are made from deep pink marble. There are seven huge arches on the façade of the palace, with two small arches on either side of the main central arch. A beautiful sculpture of the Goddess Gajalakshmi stands above the central arch of the Mysore Palace. Around the palace is a beautiful garden, with paths and landscaping work.

Some of the important areas of the Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore are:

• The Ambavilasa Room: This room was used by the king for entertaining private audiences. It has beautiful gilded columns, stained glass ceilings, decorative steel grills and sparkling chandeliers with fine floral motifs. The floor of the palace is decorated with precious stones and is highly polished. 
• The Doll’s Pavilion: Also known as Gombe Thotti, the Doll’s Pavilion is a room with displays of traditional dolls and sculptures, both Indian and Europeans, from the 18th and 19th centuries. 
• The Kalyana Mantapa: This is the grand marriage hall. It is an octagonal-shaped pavilion with a ceiling made from stained glass in multiple hues. The main patterns on this ornate glass ceiling are peacock motifs and geometrical patterns.

The golden throne (howdah) in one of the royal darbar halls (throne halls)  

The Mysore Palace has two ceremonial meeting halls, also known as durbar halls, in which the royal court used to meet for official business. Both halls are beautifully gilded, and decorated with gold-coloured items and royal maroon curtains. The descendants of the Wodeyar kings continue to live in a section of the palace, till date. However, as India is a democratic republic, the royal family has no political or administrative power of any kind, nor can they use the title of 'Maharaja or Maharani'.

During the months of September and October, the famous Dasara festival is celebrated at the Mysore Palace, for which the entire palace is illuminated with rows of lights, numbering around 96,000. The golden throne is also displayed to the people during this period.

Mysore Palace illuminated for the Dussehra festival

The Mysore Palace in India is open daily from 10.00am to 5.30 pm. Tickets are priced at 200 INR for foreign tourists and 40 INR for Indian tourists. Visitors are required to remove their footwear before entering the palace. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the palace, but you can take photos from outside.

What do you think of the beautiful Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore, India? Would you like to visit it?

World’s First Curved OLED TV For A Panoramic Effect

Samsung Electronics Co. has launched the world’s first curved television, named the Curved OLED TV. This concave television provides a more life-like television viewing experience than flat-screen television sets. It provides users with a strong panoramic effect, which can be strongly felt while watching video featuring the natural environment and scenic landscapes.

World's first curved-screen OLED TV from Samsung

This Curved OLED TV was launched by the South Korean manufacturer at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show ‘CES’. This innovative product is actually a concept television, and has been launched mainly to check the interest of consumers in the market. It is not expected to be available for sale soon, so there is no cost price.

The world’s first OLED television by Samsung offers enhanced viewing angles, which makes people who are watching a video feel as if they are surrounded by the beautiful scenery being played out.

Samsung's curved-screen OLED TV being presented to the media

The picture quality of this concave curved-screen TV is also much better than any of the other televisions offered by Samsung. As the TV screen is curved, the distance from the viewer’s eye to the screen remains the same from almost all angles. This makes for comfortable, non eye-straining viewing.

TV screen designs have moved from convex, to flat screen, and now to concave curved screens. What do you think of this curved-screen OLED television from Samsung? Would you like watching TV on it?

From: Samsung

Luxury Birdhouses and Bird Mansions For Pet Birds

If you have a pet bird, you’ll love these luxury birdhouses and bird mansions, which have been specially crafted for pet birds. They are designed by John Looser, a Canadian entrepreneur, who has taken his affection for birds to another level by creating these fantastic luxury birdhouses.

John Loosen with his collection of luxury birdhouses

Each birdhouse or luxury bird mansion has been hand crafted, and constructed out of reclaimed wood. The architectural style of most of these luxury birdhouses is the 19th century European style, though small birdhouses are also available. These bird houses are especially useful in winter, to house those birds who haven’t been able to fly south for the winter.

Luxury bird mansion with red roofs

If you want to buy one of these bird mansions, the asking price ranges from US $200 and $2,500. There are a number of charming bird houses you can choose from. You can also ask John Looser from Extreme Birdhouses to custom-build an exclusive bird house, for your pet birds. In some countries, birds like sparrows are disappearing due to lack of nesting space. Such bird houses give these endangered birds a nice and comfortable place to stay, which will hopefully increase their numbers.

Birds can hide in this luxury birdhouse in the winter

What do you think of these luxury birdhouses? Have you ever owned pet birds? Would you buy one of these luxury bird mansions for them?

From: ExtremeBirdhouse

Record Your Music At Villa Rockstar in Hotel Eden Rock

The Villa Rockstar in Hotel Eden Rock provides a calm environment where professional musicians and rock musicians can compose music, and relax. It is located on the island of St. Barths in the Caribbean, near Antigua and St. Martin. Even if you are only a music enthusiast, you may cut your own album and fulfil a life long ambition of having your own recorded music CDs, during a stay at Villa Rockstar.

Exterior of the Villa Rockstar in Hotel Eden Rock, Caribbean Islands

There is a well-equipped recording studio at the Villa Rockstar that makes this possible. This music recording studio is equipped with the vintage ‘Neve Music Recording Console’, which was used by John Lennon to record the hit song ‘Imagine’. Hotel Eden Rock offers two music recording packages that wannabe rockstars can select from: The Island Demo and the Platinum Collaboration.

Hi-tech Recording Studio in Villa Rockstar

• The Island Demo: Guests who choose this music recording package will be charged the price of $2,575 to record a single song. For this song recording, they will be assisted by Hotel Eden Rock’s professional team of sound engineers, together with some of the best musicians from St. Barth. If a guest wants to improve on their song recording, they have the option of getting it mixed by a platinum engineer at Ocean Way Recording Studios in Los Angeles.
• The Platinum Collaboration: This music recording package allows guests to record songs for the price of $7,240 per song. It involves the use of interactive software to enable the guest to communicate with one of the hotel’s multi-platinum music producers, who will be sitting in their music studios in London, Los Angeles, New York or Nashville. They will add backing musicians to improve the guests’ song, and create a highly professional master song.

If you don’t wish to record a song, you can simply stay at the Villa Rockstar and enjoy the beach, sun and sea. A night’s stay at this villa costs US $15,000. The Villa Rockstar in St.Barths is a secure, ultra luxury house, and has often been described as a ‘$100 yacht on land’. It has three levels, and four ultra-luxurious suites.

A bedroom in one of the suites at Hotel Eden Rock

Some of the other features of Villa Rockstar in Hotel Eden Rock are a fully-equipped Schiffini kitchen, a sports area, private office space, an indoor games lounge and a large swimming pool. The luxury hotel suite also has a separate spa pool with surrounding decks, sun lounges and ample seating.

Sunbeds in the spa pool area of this St. Barths hotel

If you book a room at this Caribbean hotel, you will get special VIP greeting services at Antigua or St.Martin, with airport transfers from the airport at St. Barths. What do you think of the Villa Rockstar at the Hotel Eden Rock in the Caribbean? What song would you like to record while on a stay here?

From: EdenRockHotel

The Mouawad Magic Diamond

The Mouawad Magic diamond is the 15th largest diamond in the world. It weighs an astonishing 108.81 carats. This majestic diamond is named after Robert Mouawad, a diamond connoisseur and a famous Lebanon-based gem and jewelry dealer.

The Mouawad Magic Diamond

The Mouawad Magic diamond was discovered in 1991. As a rough uncut stone, the diamond weighed 244.6 carats. It lost more than half its weight in the cutting process, and yielded a large number of smaller diamonds.

The Mouawad Magic diamond belongs to the 'purest of the pure' category of diamonds. It does not have any faults or blemishes, and is a sparkling white. The diamond is also one of the few large diamonds to be cut in the emerald shape.

Other Large Diamonds Of The World:

• The Centenary Diamond
• The Cullinan I Diamond
• The Mouawad Jubillee Diamond
• The DeBeers Diamond
• The Millenium Star Diamond
• Other Famous Diamonds and Diamond-Studded Items

The Royal Palace – Bangkok, Thailand

The Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand is also known as the Grand Palace, and is one of the most spectacular former royal-residences in the world. It was constructed in 1782, on the order of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I), the founder of the Chakri Dynasty of Thailand.

Exterior of Bangkok's Royal Palace with golden pagodas

The Royal Palace in Bangkok is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the middle of Rattanakosin Island. It is rectangular in shape, and is spread over an area of 218,400 square metres. This area also contains numerous halls, buildings and pavilions, decorated with traditional Thai designs and golden pagodas. These buildings are set amidst beautiful gardens, courtyards and lush lawns.

Bangkok’s Grand Palace remained the royal residence of the King of Thailand for about 150 years, until the royalty themselves moved to other palaces in the city. When the Royal Palace was used by the Thai King, the palace also housed various government offices like the war ministry, the mint and state departments.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha - Wat Phra Kaew

The Royal Palace in Bangkok has a number of beautiful buildings within its complex, which are worth a visit. This includes the:

• Temple of the Emerald Buddha: Also known as Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha contains a much-revered statue of the Buddha, sitting in the cross-legged position. This statue was carved out from a single block of Jade in the 14th century. 
• Outer Court: The outer court of the Grand Palace contained the offices of various government departments that the Thai King was directly involved in. For example: army, treasury and civil administration. 
• Central Court: The central court of the Royal Palace in Bangkok contained the living quarters of the King, and throne halls for conducting royal business. 
• Inner Court: The inner court is the area where the King’s consorts and daughters lived. Only women and boys under puberty were allowed in this section of the Thai Royal Palace.

The Royal Reception Hall

The majestic reception hall of the Royal Palace is still used for coronations and other ceremonial functions of the Thai Royal family. It houses an antique throne, on which the old Thai kings used to sit, before the European-style throne was introduced to the palace.

Statue of the Emerald Buddha made from jade

Currently, the Grand Palace of Bangkok is open to the public as a museum and tourist attraction. The present King of Thailand lives at the Chitralada Palace, and comes to the Royal Palace only during state or religious functions, such as during the festival of the Emerald Buddha.

If you are visiting the Royal Palace in Thailand, it is important that you dress according to the dress code, or you may be denied entry. Both men and women must be fully covered with thick shirts and pants, and should be wearing socks on their feet. People without appropriate clothing can borrow clothes from a clothes rental booth near the palace entrance.

Gold statuettes adorning the walls of the Grand Palace in Thailand

The Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand is open everyday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, unless the palace is being used for a royal function (which hardly ever happens). Tickets cost 400 baht or about US $13, and also includes the entry charges for the Vimanmek Palace, the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall and other monuments around Bangkok. Photography is not allowed inside the palace.

What do you think of the beautiful Royal Palace or Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand? Do you plan a visit soon?

Catclub Collection - Trendy Matching Outfits For Your Pet Cat

Many people like to dress up their pets, especially cats. Now some companies are offering pet couture outfits, meaning, stylishly-designed matching outfits for pet owners and their pet. As many people like to make their pets wear outfits that match their style, this idea is sure to catch on, especially amongst American celebrities.

Matching luxury couture outfits for pet cat and human owner

One company that offers designer pet clothes is United Bamboo, a clothing company based in New York, which has brought out their ‘Catclub Collection’ of couture outfits for pet cats. The co-owner of this company, Miho Aoki, seemingly had a strong wish to dress up her cat in the couture fashions modelled by fashion models on the ramp, and hence, launched a ready-to-wear couture collection exclusively for pet cats and their trendy female owners.

Matching skirt-blouse couture clothes for pet cat and human owner

The ‘CatClub’ collection from United Bamboo features 33 luxury outfits for pet cats, which include fur-lined jackets, a cat tunic, a sequined cat evening dress, and a velvet cat party gown. Each cat couture-outfit is made from the same materials as the matching outfit for the pet-owner.

Matching designer couture parka jacket for pet cat and human owner

While the price of the cat clothes is not very expensive, the price of their matching human outfit is. For example, a fishtail parka jacket for a cat ranges from $20 to $98, while the matching fur parka for the cat owner is priced at $1,000. This parka can be worn by male owners too! Most of these cat couture clothes have been sold, which means there is a huge demand for matching pet outfits, especially couture clothes that look stylish and cool.

What do your think of these luxury pet couture clothes and matching outfits for the human owner? Would you like to dress your pet in the same outfit as yourself?

From: United Bamboo