Stuck for a father’s day gift? Why not go for this stunning 18-carat white gold pen encrusted with 76 diamonds? Of course, with an ink-redbile price tag of £27 000 (US$41 979), you may want to reconsider the set of golf ball-shaped soaps instead. The unusual writing instrument, crafted by British designer Jack Row in homage to London’s iconic Gherkin building, actually costs the same as a one-bedroom flat in Yorkshire and is more than the national average yearly salary. But the eye-watering price tag has failed to deter well-heeled shoppers at Harrods where the pens are currently being snapped up. Mr Row (26) from Birmingham, said the pen was actually good value.
“It’s an awful lot of money to spend on a pen but, with the amount of work and the quality of the materials, consumers are actually getting good value for money.
“Believe it or not, there are people prepared to pay a lot of money for luxury items — the irony is I can’t afford one of these pens myself.”
Mr Row works out of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter after graduating from Birmingham City University’s prestigious School of Jewellery three years ago. His wallet-stretching work is now being sold in high-end shops all over the world, including the Netherlands and the U.S. while in the Middle East his writing instruments are popular with other exclusive clientele who have commissioned their own bespoke versions. He designed the prototype for his ‘Architect’ pen, inspired by the famous Gherkin building, during the final year of his degree in jewellery and silversmith design for industry.
He said: “The university always encouraged us to be entrepreneurial. In these economic times, it’s not just about being a skilled craftsman, you have to have good ideas to survive.
“I wanted to create a collection of functional items that could be valued as much as objects d’art as fine jewellery or writing instruments. I hope they will appeal to discerning, design conscious individuals and collectors who wish to invest in exclusive British design and craftsmanship.”
While still a student, Mr Row took his prototype to Harrods as part of a research project to gain feedback and was stunned when bosses at the posh store decided to market it.
The pen is one of several designs from Mr Row’s Architect collection, which includes cufflinks starting at £3 500. — Daily Mail