The Diamond Birkin Bag: The Ultimate Upgrade to the Iconic Hermès Bag
Discover the epitome of luxury and exclusivity with the Hermès Diamond Birkin.
T he Diamond Birkin Bag is the ultimate upgrade to the iconic Hermès bag. Originally crafted in 1984 for Jane Birkin in classic box leather, the Birkin 40 receives an opulent upgrade with luxurious Porosus Crocodile and hundreds of dazzling diamonds. Hermès exclusively uses VVS F diamonds and 18K white gold to embellish these extraordinary bags. The coveted Diamond Birkin 35, for example, includes over 10 carats of diamonds adorning its hardware. Some rare vintage editions even feature yellow gold hardware, while exceptionally unique pieces showcase colored sapphires in place of diamonds. Each Diamond Birkin is presented in a specially designed box with an attached lid and a fitted interior, and its signature Cadena lock is housed in its own dedicated box.
A true collector’s treasure, the Diamond Birkin is beloved by Hermès enthusiasts and luxury connoisseurs. It stands alongside its equally prestigious sibling, the Diamond Himalaya Birkin, differing only in the treatment of the exotic skin. This exquisite bag pairs sumptuous crocodile leather with diamond-encrusted white gold hardware, available in the iconic Birkin sizes of 25, 30, 35, and 40 centimeters. The Diamond Birkin is offered in both matte and shiny finishes, and in a wide range of colors to suit the most discerning tastes. Nearly all Diamond Birkins are crafted from the finest Porosus Crocodile, ensuring their status as the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication.
Diamond Birkin Bag Price
Diamond Birkins retail for higher than any other Hermès bags, with current prices at Hermes topping $200,000. A Diamond Birkin Bag in the secondary market can sell at around $75,000 to over $300,000 depending on the condition, color and size. In February 2023, Sotheby's sold a Diamond Birkin 25 Shiny Porosus Crocodile in Bleu Jean for nearly $200,000. Diamond Birkin bags are also regularly ranked as one of the most expensive Birkin bags in the secondary market.
Diamond Himalayan Birkin
The earliest known Hermès Himalaya Celadon was introduced in 1994, with production continuing until 2008. That same year, Hermès unveiled a new iteration—the Himalaya Birkin—marking the beginning of a new era in luxury handbag collecting that would span the next 15 years. Initially, this rare and exquisite design was known only to the most devoted Hermès collectors. However, in 2010, Jean-Paul Gaultier sent a Himalaya Birkin down the Spring 2010 runway, instantly catapulting it to icon status. From that moment on, the Himalaya Birkin became the ultimate must-have accessory. The earliest known Himalaya Birkin 30 and Birkin 35 date back to 2008 and 2009, respectively, while the coveted Himalaya Birkin 25 didn’t make its debut until 2012. In 2014, Hermès expanded the collection with the introduction of the Himalaya Kelly.
True to its name, the Himalaya bag is inspired by the ethereal beauty of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Through Hermès’s meticulous gradation dyeing process—fading from pristine white to delicate shades of light brown—the effect mirrors the majestic peaks. Each Himalaya bag is crafted exclusively in a matte finish, achieved through an intricate hand-buffing process using fine felt wool. Notably, no two bags are alike; the painstaking dyeing process ensures that each piece possesses a one-of-a-kind gradation, making it a true collector's treasure. Due to its complexity and exclusivity, only a handful of Himalaya bags are produced each year—making them extraordinarily rare, especially those adorned with diamonds.
Diamond Kelly Bag
Even rarer than the coveted Birkin is the Hermès Diamond Kelly bag. The Himalaya Kelly 25 Retourné, crafted from pristine White Matte Niloticus Crocodile, is adorned with 18K white gold and diamond hardware, making it one of the most exquisite handbags in the world. Its lock and clasp are encrusted with a total of 298 dazzling diamonds, weighing an impressive 3.509 carats. The clasp alone features 258 diamonds, totaling 2.109 carats, while the iconic padlock is set with 40 diamonds, weighing 1.40 carats. In April 2024, White Matte Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Kelly 25 Retourne 18K White Gold and Diamond Hardware for around 326,000 USD.
These extraordinary Diamond Kelly bags have fetched over $500,000 on the secondary market, a testament to their rarity and desirability. Distinctively, Diamond Kellys feature the elegant single-loop handle hardware and are no longer produced with a shoulder strap—although select vintage models include one. In 2019, Hermès introduced a refined update to the Diamond Kelly 25, featuring an enhanced design with two rows of diamonds elegantly wrapping around the spindle, replacing the previous single-row setting.
Advantages to Buying Hermès on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to a curated selection of Hermès bags from its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is a leading global marketplace that offers pristine Hermès bags in the most popular colors, materials and sizes along with rare Himalayan and Limited Edition Hermès bags. Our handbag specialists are always sourcing the more desirable Hermès bags from collectors around the world. Sotheby's also sells incredible private collections that include one of a kind Hermès bags.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase bags including auction, online, and in person in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris and London. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Hermès bag that isn't available at auction or online.
3. Value
While Hermès bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Hermès bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a Hermès Bag at a boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered a Hermès bag that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Hermès bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing a Hermès.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury marketplace is discovering unique one of a kind Hermès or rare limited edition Hermès bags that are no longer available at Hermès. Sotheby's curated selection changes regularly and each auction has a unique selection of Hermès bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.
Buy and Sell Hermès Bags at Sotheby's
Sotheby's always has a curated selection of the top Hermès bags available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Birkin and Kelly bags in every sale in addition to other popular Hermès bags in pristine condition in the newest colors and classic neutrals. Sotheby's handbag sales include rare and limited edition Hermès bags in exotic materials, custom color combinations and even diamond hardware.
Prices for entry level Hermès bags range from $3,000 to $5,000 for the Herbag, Garden Party and Evelyne TPM. Prices for the most sought after Birkin and Kelly bags start at around $20,000 and can exceed $100,000 for the rarest and most desirable limited edition Birkin or Kelly bags.
- Explore upcoming handbag auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich, London, Paris, or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Contact a Handbag Specialist about selling an Hermès bag or submit your item here for valuation.
Trust our worldwide network of leading handbag specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
