Tattooing has been practiced for centuries in many cultures spread throughout the world. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification and are used in today’s times as a style statement. Tattoos have had a number of uses throughout human history. A tattoo may be spiritual in nature or simply aesthetic; it may even mark the bearer as part of a particular gang. The most expensive tattoo in the world, however, may be the first to display the bearer’s wealth so well.
South African jeweler, Shimansky, has come out with the world’s most expensive tattoo and it’s made completely out of diamonds. The tattoo worn by South African model and Shimansky brand ambassador Minki van der Westhuizen wasn’t a tattoo in the traditional sense, as no ink was involved in its creation. The tattoo is made out of 612 Shimansky ideal cut 1/2 carat diamonds and costs $924,000. It took 8 hours to make the tattoo.
Shimansky used a water based adhesive to affix the diamonds to the model, but only temporarily. Eventually, the formula had to be dissolved off Westhuizen’s skin. The world’s most expensive tattoo is valued at 7.2 million South African rands, or around 924,000 US dollars. The luxury jeweler has considered making similar tattoos available at any of their eight South African or four international locations.