Apple is rumored to be adding a gold-colored iPhone to its usual black and white lineup. But it won't look quite like this. Luxury retailer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstuarthughes.com%2Fnewdawn%2Fproduct_info.php%3Fproducts_id%3D115" target="_blank" target="_blank">Stuart Hughes</a> carries this iPhone 5, made of 18-karat gold, with an Apple logo encrusted in diamonds. Price: $34,500.
Bling ring: Phones go for the gold —
Apple is rumored to be adding a gold-colored iPhone to its usual black and white lineup. But it won't look quite like this. Luxury retailer Stuart Hughes carries this iPhone 5, made of 18-karat gold, with an Apple logo encrusted in diamonds. Price: $34,500.
The solid gold $57,000 <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aesir-copenhagen.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Aesir phone</a> was designed in 2011 as a limited-edition device for rich consumers in Moscow. It only makes phone calls and cannot connect to the Internet.
Bling ring: Phones go for the gold —
The solid gold $57,000 Aesir phone was designed in 2011 as a limited-edition device for rich consumers in Moscow. It only makes phone calls and cannot connect to the Internet.
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vertu.com%2Fen%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Vertu</a> was Nokia's luxury phone arm before the Finnish phone maker sold it off. It has covered phones in gold, titanium, leather, gems and decorative dragons. "Gold is a color that is always in demand," says Vertu CEO Massimiliano "Max" Pogliani.
Bling ring: Phones go for the gold —
Vertu was Nokia's luxury phone arm before the Finnish phone maker sold it off. It has covered phones in gold, titanium, leather, gems and decorative dragons. "Gold is a color that is always in demand," says Vertu CEO Massimiliano "Max" Pogliani.
Sony Ericsson's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.axiomtelecom.com%2Fuae%2Findex.php%2Fproducts%2Fproduct-details%2F298" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mocha Gold</a> phone was offered exclusively in the Middle East in 2009. It featured 24-carat gold accents and a 5.1-megapixel camera, but no GPS.
Bling ring: Phones go for the gold —
Sony Ericsson's Mocha Gold phone was offered exclusively in the Middle East in 2009. It featured 24-carat gold accents and a 5.1-megapixel camera, but no GPS.
In 2007 Nokia released an 18-karat, gold-plated, Sirocco version of its 8800 phone. Since discontinued, it originally retailed for more than $2,000.
Bling ring: Phones go for the gold —
In 2007 Nokia released an 18-karat, gold-plated, Sirocco version of its 8800 phone. Since discontinued, it originally retailed for more than $2,000.
As you can see, gold-colored phones have been around since long before Apple was born. A U.S. telecom company famously gave <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FGolden_Telephone" target="_blank" target="_blank">this ceremonial golden phone</a> to Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1957, an event depicted in "The Godfather: Part II." The phone is now on display in a Havana museum.
Bling ring: Phones go for the gold —
As you can see, gold-colored phones have been around since long before Apple was born. A U.S. telecom company famously gave this ceremonial golden phone to Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1957, an event depicted in "The Godfather: Part II." The phone is now on display in a Havana museum.