Christmas is a time of miracles. It’s a time when even the most cynical person can be brought to tears of joy by the generosity of others. It’s a time when we discover how good it feels to give, and how good it feels to receive. But there’s another kind of miracle that takes place during this season: Christmas trees become magical spaces where your imagination can run wild.
Ornaments are what make these little miracles possible – they bring magic into our homes, making them feel more like home than ever before. And if you know where to look, there are some truly magical ornaments out there that make any Christmas tree stand out from all the rest. Here are some of the most expensive ones ever sold:
Tiffany & Co. Crystal Ball Ornament: $38,500
In 2008 this Tiffany & Co. crystal ball ornament was sold at auction for $38,500 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas Texas. The ornament features a large faceted cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds that reflect light through its facets — the same way diamonds sparkle when they’re set in jewelry. The ball also has an understated design that doesn’t distract from its sparkle and shine; it’s just enough to add a hint of elegance.
“Star of Bethlehem” which sold for $8,500 in 1967
The Star of Bethlehem was made by Tiffany & Co. and was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company. It has a star-shaped diamond on top, surrounded by 16 smaller diamonds that form a halo, which is encased in platinum and set on an emerald-cut diamond base. The entire ornament weighs five carats, and measures 2 inches wide.
The ornament was purchased by an anonymous bidder at Sotheby’s auction house in New York City for $8,500 (over $55,000 today).
The “Crystal Ball” ornament by Lalique
The glass ball was sold at auction in 2005 for $1,500,000! It was created by renowned French artist Rene Lalique in 1918 as part of a series called “Fantaisies d’Animaux.” The Crystal Ball ornament has been in the same family since its creation and has been displayed around the world at various exhibitions and shows. It is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
The $2 million Rockefeller Center Tree Ornament
This ornament was designed by David Yurman and will be part of the Rockefeller Center Tree in New York City. It features a diamond necklace inspired by the Tiffany tradition. The necklace is set with 330 diamonds that weigh over 3 carats. It took more than 200 hours to make this ornament, which was sold at auction for $2 million dollars.
A $1 Million Swarovski Crystal Star Ornament
This stunning piece is covered with 1,400 crystals from Swarovski’s Exquisite Collection, each one hand-set into its own unique setting. The star is made from sterling silver with 24k gold plating and comes on a red silk ribbon so it can be hung on your tree without damaging it. This jeweled star ornament sold for $1 million dollars at auction in 2012.
