Pearl Royale - World's most expensive chess by Colin Burn

Pearl Royale - World's most expensive chess by Colin Burn

Reading a physical book is frequently perceived as a more enjoyable experience compared to reading on a tablet. In a similar vein, participating in a game of chess on a traditional chessboard against a live opponent is considerably more engaging than playing online through a computer or mobile device. Regardless of the level of involvement, we have come across the world’s most expensive chess set, which is undeniably intriguing. This opulent chess set, created by Australian artist and goldsmith Colin Burn, features pieces crafted from 18-carat white gold and adorned with diamonds, sapphires, and South Sea pearls. Aptly named ‘The Pearl Royale,’ the set showcases its remarkable materials. The process of creation was labor-intensive, demanding countless hours and meticulous attention to detail to ensure that each piece was embellished with flawless diamonds, culminating in a set that represents the pinnacle of perfection. The Pearl Royale chess set contains a total of 500 carats of diamonds, sapphires, and South Sea pearls, rendering it an extraordinarily exquisite item that is seldom exhibited. Due to its lavishness, it was displayed only once in 2022 at an art gallery in Beverly Hills, California. Colin Burn, the visionary behind this extraordinary chess set, intends to showcase it again at an event featuring the world’s elite chess players during a tournament on this magnificent board.

While this notion is undoubtedly enticing, one may wonder how many players will be able to maintain their focus on the game without being captivated by the stunning beauty of the artwork in front of them. The Pearl Royale chess set is available for purchase at a staggering price of $4 million, accompanied by certification for its diamonds and gemstones, and is classified as a limited edition artwork.

Pearl Royale Limited Edition Chess Set

Crafted in solid 18K white gold and pave set with more than 510 carats of fine diamonds, the Pearl Royale stands as the world’s most opulent chess set ever created. This unique and lavish chess set radiates pure opulence through the finest quality

materials, design, and workmanship. Handcrafted with a luxurious regal feel the Pearl Royale is symbolic in its design to the renowned 1849 Staunton standard chess set. Limited edition with only three sets being created, each being hallmarked, numbered, and authorized by the artist.

Each solid 18K white gold chess piece is painstakingly paved’ set with the highest quality fine diamonds, AAA South Sea pearls, and Ceylon Blue sapphires, sitting atop a crystal glass board embellished with solid 18K white gold, pearl, and diamond set corners. The underside of each piece is intricately designed and channel set with the same quality fine diamonds and finished with smooth polished edges to glide effortlessly across the crystal glass board. Crafted as part of the artist's Limited-Edition Pearl Royale contemporary art collection, this truly unique chess set is sure to be realized as one of the world’s finest jewelry artworks ever created.

Born in 1963, Australian artist Colin Burn commenced his working career as an apprentice electroplater and while perfecting his trade skills working with precious metals his genuine love of alchemy began. After graduating he worked for a leading Australian jewelry firm in their silverware division before founding his own jewelry company at the tender age of 22, creating real alchemy by turning natural objects into gold with a secretive forming process he invented. Burn likes to observe and bring focus to subjects that are often hidden in plain sight.

His conceptual works have a strong focus on symbolism and beautification, creating unique art of everyday items with opulent materials that draw the audience's attention towards the art. He often uses authentic value as the symbolism within sculptural allegories, that house much deeper meanings. A strong believer in original concepts he enjoys the avant-garde, and would rather cut a path and be hit with the branches than follow in others' footsteps. Over the years his creative jewelry works have received recognition from the Australian and Japanese governments as well as a leading Australian sporting groups, helping him forge a successful fine jewelry career servicing a global audience of appreciative clients. Burn believes jewelry and art share a unique bond having a meaningful and emotional impact on people's lives, he states “While it could be argued that no one really needs jewelry or art, our emotions tell us otherwise”. Having enjoyed and experienced a comprehensive 40-year career across all areas of jewelry making, Burn is now solely focused on creating his contemporary jewelry artworks, which to date have been exhibited in Perth, Tokyo, and Beverly Hills.

Exquisite Staunton

With championship origins, the Staunton design has been the world standard since 1849. Inspired by this legacy, the artist has paid homage to this royal standard, meticulously dressing and bringing each of his pieces to life with lavish regalia, fit for Kings and Queens.

Artists Inspiration - As a young child I regularly played chess with my cousins so my parents gave me a beautiful Staunton chess set which I really loved. Growing up in the 60’s & 70’s my generation was exposed to Hollywood movies of epic battles, it was popular for us kids to have collections of toy soldiers which made chess a popular game as it embodied the same spirit and challenge. Thinking back on that fun times I was drawn to the idea of creating the world’s most beautiful chess set and in 2008 I finally put pen to paper to commence the design. At the time I was doing a lot of work with beautiful South Sea pearls, so they became the inspiration for my design to embody the heads of each piece and bring life to the characters. It was perfect as I could use both black and white pearls to define each side of the chess set.

It was also important for my design to be Staunton-inspired as this has become the standard for chess sets since 1849 and the only chess set allowed in the world championships. I wanted to create the most beautiful chess set within this royal standard and it had to be dressed in all its regalia, with the world’s most

beautiful diamonds and rich blue sapphires fit for kings and queens. My overall dream was to create the world’s finest chess set for the world’s greatest players to do battle!

- Colin Burn

KING

Specifications (Single Piece)

Gold

Approx. 162 Grams 18K

Solid White Gold - Rhodium Coated

Pearls

1 x 16 mm Round, Silver White, Excellent, Clean,

Australian South Sea Pearl ( White King )

1 x 16 mm Round, Black, Excellent, Clean,

Tahitian South Sea Pearl ( Black King )

Sapphires

40 x 2 mm Princess Cut AAA Blue Ceylon Sapphires

8 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut AAA Blue Ceylon Sapphires

1 x 6x4 mm Pear Cut AAA Blue Ceylon Sapphire

Diamonds

20 x 4x2 Baguette Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

1 x 5 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

22 x 3.5 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

20 x 4 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

1 x 3 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

4 x 2.5 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

8 x 2.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

92 x 2 mm Brillian Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

126 x 1.9 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

42 x 1.8 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

115 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

109 x 1.7 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

84 x 1.6 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

123 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

84 x 1.4 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

84 x 1.3 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

46 x 1.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

84 x 1.2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

168 x 1.1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

76 x 1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

Total Carats Per Single Piece: Diamonds 33.974ct Sapphires 2.775ct

QUEEN

Specifications (Single Piece)

Gold

Approx. 158 Grams 18K White Gold - Rhodium Coated

Pearls

1 x 16 mm Round, Silver White Australian, Excellent, Clean,

South Sea Pearl ( White Queen )

1 x 16 mm Round, Black Tahitian, Excellent, Clean,

South Sea Pearl ( Black Queen )

Sapphires

40 x 2 mm Princess Cut AAA Blue Ceylon Sapphires

6 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut AAA Blue Ceylon Sapphires

1 x 6x4 mm Pear Cut AAA Blue Ceylon Sapphire

Diamonds

20 x 4x2 mm Baguette Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

1 x 5 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

22 x 3.5 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

20 x 4 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

1 x 3 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

6 x 2.5 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

8 x 2.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

10 x 2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

120 x 1.8 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

102 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

80 x 1.6 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

168 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

120 x 1.4 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

80 x 1.3 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

4 x 1.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

120 x 1.2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

128 x 1.1 mm brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

170 x 1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

12 x 1 mm Brilliant Cut Fine Pink Diamonds

Total Carats Per Single Piece: Diamonds 28.639ct Sapphires 2.80ct

BISHOP

Specifications (Single Piece)

Gold

Approx. 92 Grams 18K White Gold - Rhodium Coated

Pearls

1 x 14 mm Round, Silver White Australian, Excellent, Clean,

South Sea Pearl ( White Bishop )

1 x 14 mm Round, Black Tahitian, Excellent, Clean,

South Sea Pearl ( Black Bishop )

Sapphires

5 x 1 mm Brilliant Cut AAA Ceylon Blue Sapphires

Diamonds

1 x 4.5 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

12 x 3 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

22 x 4 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

56 x 2.5 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

28 x 2.3 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

4 x 2.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 2.1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

56 x 2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

36 x 1.6 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.3 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

108 x 1.2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

74 x 1.1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

Total Carats Per Single Piece: Diamonds 19.655ct Sapphires 0.026ct

KNIGHT

Specifications (Single Piece) Gold

Approx. 86 Grams 18K White Gold - Rhodium Coated

Pearls

1 x 16 mm Round, Silver White Australian, Excellent,

Clean, South Sea Pearl ( White Knight )

1 x 16 mm Round, Black Tahitian, Excellent, Clean,

South Sea Pearl ( Black Knight )

Diamonds

1 x 4.5 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

22 x 3.25 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

22 x 3.25 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

4 x 2.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

8 x 2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

34 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

42 x 1.6 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

34 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

34 x 1.3 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

34 x 1.25mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

Total Carats Per Single Piece: Diamonds 10.665ct

ROOK

Specifications (Single Piece)

Gold

Approx. 76 Grams 18K White Gold - Rhodium Coated

Pearls

1 x 14 mm Round, Silver White Australian, Excellent, Clean,

South Sea Pearl ( White Rook )

1 x 14 mm Round, Black Tahitian, Excellent, Clean,

South Sea Pearl ( Black Rook )

Stones

1 x 4 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

22 x 3 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

23 x 3 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

4 x 2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

8 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

8 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

Total Carats Per Single Piece: Diamonds 6.30ct

PAWN

Specifications (Single Piece)

Gold

Approx. 60 Grams 18K White Gold - Rhodium Coated

Pearl

1 x 14 mm Round, Silver White Australian,

Excellent, Clean, South Sea Pearl ( White Pawn)

1 x 14 mm Round, Black Tahitian, Excellent,

Clean, South Sea Pearl ( Black Pawn )

Stones

1 x 4 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamond

22 x 3 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

12 x 2.5 mm Princess Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

22 x 3 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

28 x 2.3 mm Brilliant Cut IF/D Fine White Diamonds

28 x 2.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

32 x 2 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.9 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.8 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

8 x 1.75 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.6 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

36 x 1.5 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.40 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

28 x 1.25 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

112 x 1.1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

112 x 1 mm Brilliant Cut VVS1/F-G Fine White Diamonds

Total Carats Per Single Piece: Diamonds 15.108ct

Pearl Royale - World's most expensive chess by Colin Burn

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