Canon to auction 10 diamond-clad Digital ELPHs for the Red Cross

If you thought Minox's gold-plated DC1011 added some much needed bling to your life, Canon's celebratory IXUS cameras exemplify unnecessary luxury by sporting 380 diamonds apiece, and a hefty pricetag to prove it. As the Digital ELPH moniker turns 10 years old, Canon is auctioning up a diamond-crusted IXUS 65 (better known as the SD630 here in the States) per year of the brand's success, and all proceeds are being channeled to the Red Cross. Antwerp-based Eddie Elzas -- owner of the world's largest collection of colored diamonds -- happily provided the elegant coating found on the €40,000 ($50,788) "diamond IXUS," and also had a hand in hooking up nine "his and her" models, which will be sold through an undisclosed venue for €3,500 ($4,493.95) each. If you're feeling mighty charitable, and haven't already purchased your one fifty grand diamond-clad item for the year, feel free to place your wager on eBay -- otherwise, you should probably keep your sights on the less glamorous versions.

[Via Far East Gizmos]

[Zeke @ Sep 18th 2006 10:14AM]

I sure hope that these aren't conflict diamonds... It would really be bad if it turned out that the Red Cross was also supporting civil war fought by child soldiers in Africa.

[Gamey McGee @ Sep 18th 2006 12:10PM]

Let me get this straight. A company that wants to benefit an AIDS charity is selling a DIAMOND encrusted charity item? How dense is that? Diamonds are a blood industry. People die and are exploited in the diamond industry to keep prices artificially high. Ironically, the people exploited by the diamond trade are also highly effected by AIDS and HIV. There are many ways to buy diamonds now that are not a part of this culture of oppression and violence. I certainly hope these diamonds are from them.

How about they pick ANYTHING other than diamonds? *Any* other gemstone!

[Erk @ Sep 18th 2006 1:49PM]

Your post makes it seem like you are 100% positive that the diamonds on these cameras are blood diamonds. What if they are from, quoting you: "[the] many ways to buy diamonds that are not part of this culture of oppression and violence"? Why would you contradict yourself in your own post?

[ellianth @ Sep 18th 2006 3:33PM]

Why don't they just auction off the diamonds? And if it's an auction doesn't that mean that only the person who buys the item is donating to the red cross and not canon?

[Dayii @ Sep 18th 2006 5:02PM]

Personally, I think it's a much better thing than all those million-dollar cell phones, because first of all, it's for charity, and second, it's a good camera, unlike other gold/silver/diamond-encrusted things. However, if these ARE blood diamonds... how ironic would that be?