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Yes—the headline referred to a real 2019 art-and-design project called Object No. 1 AirPods. Los Angeles designer Ian DeLucca had Apple AirPods modified with a white-gold exterior, approximately 1,000 reported natural, mined VVS diamonds and a custom marble charging-and-display stand. The edition was announced as 25 pairs at a reported price of $20,000 each. It was DeLucca’s independent work, not an Apple product, collaboration or regular retail model.
That price and sales route are historical. There is no verified evidence that any pairs remain available, that all 25 were produced or sold, or that DeLucca still accepts orders in 2026.
What were the $20,000 AirPods?
DeLucca presented Object No. 1 AirPods in July 2019 as part of his New Materialism series. Contemporary coverage described ordinary Apple AirPods transformed into a collectible object through precious materials, gem setting and a sculptural stand. VentureBeat’s July 18, 2019 report gave the $20,000 asking price and described the project as a 25-pair edition: VentureBeat.
Calling them “Apple’s diamond AirPods” is misleading. The hardware was Apple-based, but the luxury treatment and edition came from DeLucca, not Apple.
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- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
What each reported set included
- White-gold treatment: Contemporary descriptions refer to the AirPods’ exterior as white gold or white-gold finished.
- About 1,000 diamonds: Reports describe natural, mined VVS stones set across the modified exterior.
- Marble stand: A custom marble piece served as both a charging platform and display stand.
- Edition details: Each set was reported to carry an edition number and creation date.
- Working electronics: Contemporary coverage described the AirPods as functional at the time, although no current test establishes battery health, compatibility or serviceability.
The strongest source consensus is approximately 1,000 diamonds. A few secondary pages render the number as 10,000, apparently through a typo or inconsistent transcription; no authoritative technical specification confirming 10,000 has been published. Compare the approximately 1,000 descriptions in VentureBeat and The National with the conflicting rendering in Hypebeast.
What does VVS mean?
VVS means Very, Very Slightly Included, a diamond clarity category. Inclusions are difficult to see under 10× magnification, but VVS alone does not establish color, carat weight, cut quality, grading laboratory or total gem value. The VVS and natural-diamond descriptions are claims in contemporary reports, not findings from an independent grading report.
Rank #2
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
Who made them, and what was the idea?
Ian DeLucca, a Los Angeles designer, described New Materialism as a way to create new relationships with familiar materials and commercial objects. The AirPods project turned a mass-market device associated with convenience and disposability into jewelry, sculpture and a status symbol. The National’s interview with DeLucca explains that conceptual framing: The National.
Why did they cost $20,000?
The $20,000 figure was the reported 2019 asking price, not a documented bill of materials or a current market valuation. It covered an art object rather than a normal pair of earbuds. The price presumably reflected custom modeling and fabrication, white-gold work, gem setting, marble production, limited-edition scarcity, design authorship and the underlying Apple hardware. Without a published cost breakdown, those are reasonable components of the price—not proof that the stones alone were worth $20,000.
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Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
| Reported detail | What can safely be said |
|---|---|
| Price | $20,000 per pair in 2019 coverage |
| Edition | Announced as limited to 25 pairs |
| Diamonds | Approximately 1,000 natural, mined VVS diamonds, according to recurring reports |
| Current inventory | Not verified |
| Apple endorsement | No evidence of an Apple collaboration |
Were there really only 25 pairs?
Multiple contemporaneous reports describe a 25-pair edition, and the sets were said to carry edition numbers. That establishes the announced limitation, not that all 25 were completed, sold or still exist. The edition size appears in VentureBeat, Hypebeast and South China Morning Post.
Could someone buy them?
In 2019, prospective buyers were directed to contact DeLucca through Instagram, apparently ahead of a planned public release. That historical instruction does not confirm that the account remains active, that units remain, or that the $20,000 price still applies. The Instagram-sales context was also reported by Hypebae and South China Morning Post.
Rank #4
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Anyone encountering a purported pair today should treat it as a private collectible transaction, not a retail purchase. Before paying, request:
- Written confirmation of the edition number and provenance.
- Original purchase records and evidence that DeLucca made the work.
- The underlying AirPods model, serial information and battery condition.
- Documentation for diamond characteristics and white-gold purity, if available.
- Proof that the marble stand actually charges the earbuds, plus its connector and power requirements.
- An insurance appraisal and a secure, independently verified transaction method.
- A written allocation of taxes, shipping, insurance and customs charges.
Be wary of screenshots used as ownership proof, missing or inconsistent markings, substituted ordinary AirPods, cryptocurrency or wire-transfer demands without escrow, and claims that the original asking price guarantees resale value.
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
Would they still work as AirPods?
The electronics date from the 2019 era, even though the precious materials may outlast them. Battery degradation is a practical concern for any six-year-old wireless earbuds. Apple warranty coverage, repair eligibility, replacement pricing and firmware support for a heavily modified unit are unknown. No cited source documents the stand’s charging standard or power requirements. Precious-metal and diamond work could make routine service more difficult or expensive.
What is the ownership trade-off?
Why collectors might want one
- It combines wearable electronics, jewelry and sculpture in a very scarce edition.
- Edition numbering could support provenance if the documentation is genuine.
- The stand gives a small, easily misplaced device a permanent display context.
Why it is a difficult everyday purchase
- The electronics are aging and replaceable, while the luxury premium may not be recoverable.
- AirPods remain vulnerable to loss, sweat, impact and earwax despite their gem setting.
- Repair, battery replacement and matching the custom stand may be complicated.
- Resale demand is uncertain because the object sits between consumer electronics, jewelry and contemporary design.
- No verified current official sales channel is established.
Bottom line
Object No. 1 AirPods were a real, reported 2019 limited-edition design object by Ian DeLucca: Apple-based earbuds transformed with white gold, about 1,000 reported VVS diamonds and a marble stand. The $20,000 price described that art-and-luxury object, not an Apple upgrade. Treat any 2026 offer as an authentication and provenance exercise, and do not assume that an old article proves availability, functionality or value today.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
