Let’s be real. When it comes to regular hygiene, most people shower these days. The days of scrubbing your back in the tub with a rubber ducky are over. Nowadays, bathtubs are about relaxation and luxury. And by “luxury” we mean the rare time we get to soak in a bubble bath with a glass of wine and soothing music. But these crystal bathtubs put the real luxury back in the bathroom. And they are just stunning.
The Most Expensive Crystal Bathtubs in the World
Dubai is known for the world’s tallest building and the world’s biggest mall, and now they are developing the most expensive bathrooms for the new XXII Carat Villas at the Palm Jumeirah. The developer wanted to design the most exclusive and desirable villas in all of Dubai. And he must’ve succeeded. Most of the properties will contain a bathtub formed from a whole piece of 23,000 lb. Amazonian rock crystal. Plus, each one costs about one million dollars.
The bathtubs are just one of many expensive features in the 22 villas, including La Cuisine Française kitchen cabinets and enameled La Cornue cookers imported from France and Italy, as well as a 20,000-foot garden. There are also three different kinds of villa types: Sapphire, Emerald, and Ruby. Each one will have a 25m swimming pool, seven bedrooms between 8,000 sq. ft. and 13,000 sq. ft. Plus, there’s the private beachfront and stunning views of the Dubai skyline. Prices for the villas start at $10 million, but most have been sold to buyers from China, Europe, and Russia.
Still, the Baldi Home Jewels crystal bathtubs are among the highlights of the homes. According to Baldi, “The material for each bathtub is sourced in Brazil and shipped to Italy, where they are then carved. Hundreds of hours are spent on sanding each bath to make it smooth on the inside, while the outside is intentionally left untouched in each to highlight the contrast between nature and workmanship.” [1]
Creating the Bathtubs
The company is based in Florence, Italy and renown for using semi precious and precious stones, including:
- Aquamarine
- Tiger-eye
- Red jasper
- Lapis lazuli
- Marble
- Malachite
- Amethyst
- Rock crystals
Often these materials are utilized with precious metals like silver and gold. The exterior of these baths is kept rough while the inside is carved and sanded down. Think of the manpower needed to ship 22,000 pounds of rock from Brazil’s Amazon Rainforest to Italy. [3]
“We are proud that XXII Carat will be the first to have Baldi’s Jewels for the Home bathtubs, we have scoured Europe for the finest materials and finishes for every aspect of our villas,” said Anton Yachmenev, managing director of Forum Group. “We believe the property market in Dubai is ready for the finest quality of construction and interiors set like a diamond in the most superb location on the Palm.”
The World Record
Previously, Baldi created a custom rock crystal bathtub for billionaire socialite Tamara Ecclestone for the costly sum of one million dollars. The tub was large enough for three people, sculpted with diamond cuts. Meanwhile, the XXII Carat Villas will contain bathtubs made from rock crystal, rose quartz, and green quartz, adorned with gemstones and real gold.
“The residents of XXII Carat villas in Dubai will be among the first in the world to bathe in these remarkable tubs and enjoy the truly unique, magical, and luxurious experience,” said Yachmenev.
These million-dollar crystal bathtubs steal the record for the most expensive bathtub. According to Guinness World Records, in 2010, a bathtub made from 10 tons of Amazonian crystal stone resided in Harrods store in London, United Kingdom. It was designed by Luca Bojola for Baldi, sculpted with diamond cuts, and partially rough to display the crystal’s natural beauty.
“Baldi bathtubs are truly jewels for the home”, said Luca Baldi, CEO of Baldi. “Each bathtub is comparable to a Renaissance creation, a work of art and craft that testifies to the beauty of nature meeting design.
“Only three bathtubs have been made until today and they were all carved from solid blocks found in the Brazilian Amazon Forest by our scouts. All of them are one-of-a-kind, as it is the nature that is ruling the design.” [4]
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Sources
- “Spectacular $1 Million Bathtubs Revealed For New XXII Carat Villas In Dubai.” Forbes. Jim Dobson. June 26, 2018
- “Most expensive bathtub.” Guinness World Record.
- “Rose Quartz Crystal Bathtubs Are Apparently a Thing, but They’ll Cost You.” House Beautiful. Taylor Mead. April 24, 2019
- “Baldi Launches World’s Most Valuable Bathtub In Dubai.” The Executive Magazine. Elizabeth Jenkins-Smalley. November 14, 2018