18k Gold Flash Drive

It started last year, when Links of London offered its silver–plated flash drive (below),

costing six or seven times what comparable capacity drives were running at the time.

Then SanDisk got into the mix and brought out its much more reasonably priced titanium–covered flash drive (below).

Now, just in time for the holidays and those who've someone special on their list who's impossible to shop for comes the 18k gold flash drive from Obsidian.

This private London art gallery, established in 1978, specializes in vintage Cartier objets d'arts, jewelry and watches.

Since there really aren't any such baubles with a flash drive, it would appear that owner–founder Harry Fane decided to create one from scratch.

This should not have posed too monumental a task for his extensive roster of specialized craftsmen and artisans.

In any event, Jonathan Margolis featured the golden drive in his "technopolis" column in yesterday's Financial Times "How To Spend It" supplement.

It costs £1,175 ($2,062; €1,744) in 18k gold; £846 ($1,485; €1,256) in 9k gold; and £611 ($1,072; €907) in silver.

Both gold versions hold 1Gb; the silver, 512Mb.

PC and Mac compatible.

Obsidian is at 13 Duke Street, London SW1; 020-7930-8606; email: info@harryfane.com