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.

Bio:

Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour

Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people 

Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite food: Fish and vegetables

Favourite place to visit: London

SPECS
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
  • £250m to train new AI models
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

England squads for Test and T20 series against New Zealand

Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James Vince

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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