Bag the Real Prize
By Leibish Polnauer & Diana Jarrett
Sotheby’s Fashion Icon Auction closed on July 10, 2025, selling a preowned handbag dating to 1985 for US $10.1 million. Like rare automobiles, say a Mclaren F1 valued at US $23 million for instance, one never says ‘used’ referring to such items. They are always preowned.
By Sports Reporter
The Birkin Bag Craze
The current Birkin bag mania, which pinnacled in an eye-watering US $10 million dollar hammer price recently is even more poignant after seeing the wear-and-tear on this 40 year old handbag. Obviously it’s been used, a lot.
While we are witnessing soaring resale prices for couture handbags at auction lately, this bag is singularly unique. Created by Hermès for its namesake, 1960-70s actress Jane Birkin, it possesses a special cachet because of the history behind its creation and her owning it. Still it is a very rough looking handbag better suited for a memorabilia display than actually being worn today. This is likely its destiny.
Even Jane Birkin became disenchanted with the whole Birkin Bag thing at some point, suggesting that her name be removed from the now iconic Hermès style.
The original Birkin at Sotheby's, Paris was made for Birkin in1984
How to Spend on Luxuries
Considering all the ways one could invest in accessories, is a Birkin Bag the best way to spend your profits from Cryptocurrency growth? Or would an intense pink diamond, for instance, be a wiser and more glamourous choice?
Examining the phenomenon for unlikely over-the-top prices on these soft goods, Business of Fashion (June 24,2025) headlined, Why Jewellery Feels Like a Better Deal Than a Handbag. The article went on to state, “Jewellery brands have raised prices less than fashion labels and now benefit from a stronger sense of lasting value.”
Diamonds are a Single Harvest
Astute observation, and it begs asking, what is ultimately more rare and valuable? Couture fashion can always be replicated---absent the celebrity connection, of course. But fancy color diamonds? This is one harvest and done. Once the earth gives up these rarities, that’s it.
Bitcoin Benefits
So where do you stand? Maybe you just made a 1500 % profit on your Bitcoin investment. Well done! So let’s think about your wife of 30 years, also. Naturally she’d like to play a part in enjoying this too.
1.73 Carat Fancy Intense Pink Emerald Argyle Diamond SI1 GIA
Personally, I don’t care about Bitcoins resting in hot wallets or hiding in cold wallets. They can’t give me joy. I would like to have some fun, though. It would be exhilarating to actually experience some tangible benefit from these silly coins. Did I hear someone say, “I always wanted two things, to be happy, and I want a Birkin Bag. Well ok, that’s a great start. I think it’s a clever and emotional way to open the dialogue. It definitely humanizes crypto by showing how digital success can lead to real world rewards. The Birkin Bag and a diamond ring makes it aspirational, and a long marriage gives it heart. With some thoughtful insight here, we’re beginning to develop a plan.
A look at Bitcoin by the Numbers
10-Year Growth Summary Price growth: From ~$315 in Jan 2015 to over $73,000 in July 2025 Overall return: +23,000%+ (~230 × your money if held through the decade)
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): ~88–95% annually. Let’s just say you invested $1,000 in Bitcoin in January 2015. And you say we bought 320 Bitcoin 10 years ago for $10,000 dollars? Quickly calculating I see its worth today making it 320 × $119,076 = $38,104,320. So the 320 Bitcoin holdings total roughly $38.1 million USD at current rates. Pretty impressive.
Let’s take some chips from the table - just sell me 2 of your Bitcoins, and you’ll make
me forever happy.
Mastering the Long Game
Now, I wouldn’t dream of telling you how to spend your money. What brings you joy, brings you joy. So, suppose we stop off at Hermes Madison Avenue showroom and pick up that Pink Birkin Bag first, and then let’s head over to LEIBISH on 5 th Avenue for a matching pink diamond to go with it?
Pink not your favorite hue? Not to worry---we’re going to match our diamonds with any
Birkin Bag color that your heart desires.
Royal Blue Cabochon Burma Sapphire and Diamond Couture Ring
Hermès Birkin 25 Bleu Royal Matte Porosus Crocodile Gold Hardware
As the pundits confirm, jewelry is the way to go for getting better value in the short and in the long run. Hermès should keep manufacturing Birkin Bags, because an ultra-luxe consumer wants them. But for timeless glamour mixed with growing value rising year after year, my money’s on fancy color diamonds and yours should be too.
Fancy Yellow Radiant Three-stone Diamond Ring
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