Set with 210 carats of white and black diamonds, Yvel has created the worlds most expensive face mask. Courtesy Yvel
Set with 210 carats of white and black diamonds, Yvel has created the worlds most expensive face mask. Courtesy Yvel
Set with 210 carats of white and black diamonds, Yvel has created the worlds most expensive face mask. Courtesy Yvel
Set with 210 carats of white and black diamonds, Yvel has created the worlds most expensive face mask. Courtesy Yvel

Is this $1.5 million diamond-encrusted face mask the world's most expensive?


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When the pandemic hit and wearing a face mask in public became mandatory, one unnamed businessman in Los Angeles decided to turn his face-covering into a statement of style and wealth.

Not content to don a blue and white medical mask, he commissioned Jerusalem jewellery house Yvel to come up with something unique. His request was simple: create the world's most expensive, functional face mask.

Known for elaborate work with rare pearls and diamonds, Yvel's founder Isaac Levy set to work, enlisting the help of 25 of his most skilled artisans.

The result is a dark-coloured, black diamond mask, offset with swirls of white diamonds. And its value? A cool $1.5 million.

The face mask, commissioned by an anonymous LA businessman, is worth $1.5 million. Courtesy Yvel
The face mask, commissioned by an anonymous LA businessman, is worth $1.5 million. Courtesy Yvel

Made from 250g of 18K gold and covered with 210 carats of white and black diamonds, each of the 3,608 stones has been set by hand. Made with an inner and outer layer, the inner one can be unclipped to allow a N99 medical grade filter to be inserted, before being repositioned to hold it tightly in place.

Once worn, the N99 filter can be removed and disposed of and a new one added before the mask is ready for use again. Fully compliant with all safety regulations, it offers a high level of protection.

The unusual project came about during the pandemic when Levy travelled to the US to meet his high net worth clients and ask them to place orders to ensure he could keep the workshops open and his workers in employment. The businessman – who prefers to remain anonymous – ordered the one-off creation.

The diamond-encrusted face mask being assembled at the Yvel atelier in Israel. Courtesy Yvel
The diamond-encrusted face mask being assembled at the Yvel atelier in Israel. Courtesy Yvel

Of the commission, Levy is, unsurprisingly, very grateful.

“We are blessed with very loyal customers who appreciate the creativity, commitment and dedication of our master craftspeople,” he said.

“When we were first challenged to create a mask of this magnitude, we were energised by the opportunity and our team came together to create something truly unique and special, and yet functional. Unlike any project we have done before, this order involved not only beautiful jewels, but also a protective element.”

The face mask and its different layers. The outer, diamond cover layer; the filigree gold inner layer, and the removable N99 filter. Courtesy Yvel
The face mask and its different layers. The outer, diamond cover layer; the filigree gold inner layer, and the removable N99 filter. Courtesy Yvel

With the client asking for complete discretion, Levy will only admit that he has been a loyal customer for many years, and has deep ties with the company.

Founded by a husband-wife duo 1986, Yvel works with rare and unusual stones and pearls.

Choosing pearls with natural, asymmetric shapes, the company specialises in transforming them into diamond encased rings, earrings and necklaces that have scooped several major industry awards for innovation.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Ballon d’Or shortlists

Men

Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Aregentina/Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlans/Barcelona), Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham), Dusan Tadic (Serbia/Ajax), Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool), Donny van de Beek (Netherlands/Ajax), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Arsenal), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus), Alisson (Brazil/Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands/Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Portugal/Manchester City), Son Heung-min (South Korea/Tottenham), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Brazil/Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli), Antoine Griezmann (France/Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eden Hazard (BEL/Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Brazil/Paris-SG), Raheem Sterling (Eengland/Manchester City), Joao Félix(Portugal/Atletico Madrid)

Women

Sam Kerr (Austria/Chelsea), Ellen White (England/Manchester City), Nilla Fischer (Sweden/Linkopings), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Lucy Bronze(England/Lyon), Alex Morgan (USA/Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (France/Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (USA/Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Netherlands/Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Netherlands/Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (France/Lyon), Rose Lavelle(USA/Washington Spirit), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden/CD Tacon), Sofia Jakobsson (Sweden/CD Tacon), Tobin Heath (USA/Portland Thorns)

 

 

Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank